Fitting new tyres to road wheels
Discussion
Sounds like a completely newbie question; I have been fitting/refitting/replacing tyres on MTBs for years, but yesterday I fitted some new rubber to the road bike (Rubino Pro black/lime) and it was almost ruddy impossible, they were so tight.
To the extent that it was properly difficult to get the first bead around the rim, let alone the second side with the inner tube inside. Eventually I managed it by a combination of swearing and tyre levers to get them on...
Is there an easy way, lifehacks, protips? It took me about an hour to do front and back, which is ridiculous.
Last time I had this much trouble getting something rubber where it had to go, she rolled over and said it didn't matter.
To the extent that it was properly difficult to get the first bead around the rim, let alone the second side with the inner tube inside. Eventually I managed it by a combination of swearing and tyre levers to get them on...
Is there an easy way, lifehacks, protips? It took me about an hour to do front and back, which is ridiculous.
Last time I had this much trouble getting something rubber where it had to go, she rolled over and said it didn't matter.
I had the same problem yesterday! At least it was sunny in the garden whilst i struggled I ended up watching you tube videos and using just your thumbs is the way to do it, even though it does seem really tight. Once I committed to doing it this way it wasn't too bad, just takes a good strong push.
Eta my reply has nothing to do with your last sentence!
Eta my reply has nothing to do with your last sentence!
Edited by covmutley on Monday 20th May 22:39
Like everything in life, there is a bit of a knack to it. If the tyres are very tight, and you are too weak to push them on with your thumbs 
, use a lever. Be very careful not to nip the tube and try levering on a small amount of extra tyre at a time -i.e. take lots of small bites at it. It can also help putting it on from both the unmounted ends in turn. HTH.
, use a lever. Be very careful not to nip the tube and try levering on a small amount of extra tyre at a time -i.e. take lots of small bites at it. It can also help putting it on from both the unmounted ends in turn. HTH.Washing up liquid (ask the wife where she keeps it).
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
As others have said there is definitely a knack to it, some rims are harder than others too. I have personally never had to use more than 1 tyre lever and often none at all to get the tyre on the rim, but do like to use string or a couple of cable ties to keep the tyre on the rim as you work your way around. Shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes.
There is often some tolerance to wheel sizes. Although they say they are a certain size I don't think there is an actual set size that they all have to meet. Therefore a tyre will go straight onto one wheel where it might struggle on another.
You need to get yourself a decent set of tyre levers and just gently work them on. As someone said above if they are particularly tricky then some soap on the rim can help it slip over the rim.
You need to get yourself a decent set of tyre levers and just gently work them on. As someone said above if they are particularly tricky then some soap on the rim can help it slip over the rim.
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