My new tyres are too tight for the rims!!!
Discussion
Grrrrr!
I just bought some CX tyres for my ebay "bargain" Cannondale Backroads. I went for Panaracer GravelKing Mud in 700 x 33c black & tan.
The tyres arrived a couple of hours ago and I've been trying to fit them since then. But no matter what I do, I can't get them on. Not even the first bead will stretch over the rims. I've snapped 4 x black plastic (nylon?) tyre levers trying too.
And not just one set of wheels either. I've tried them on American Classic Sprint 350 rims, Alex Rims Race 32 rims, and some old Mavic MA-something-or-other rims on some wheels my brother gave me.
So I was happy that it wasn't a compatibility issue with one wheel brand.
Next step was to dig out some spare 23c road tyres and try to mount these to the rims that were giving me issues. A Schwalbe Ultremo went on easily by hand, and a Vittoria Rubino went on with a little persuasion.
Now I don't know what to do. I've emailed a contact form to Planet X asking if they have any advice or tips, but I have packaged them up for now with a view to returning them. Even if I get them on at home in the warm with underfloor heating and tea/coffee on tap, I don't hold out much hope of dealing with a puncture while out on a ride.
Oh, and while I didn't find this forum thread... https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/panaracer... ...when I was reading reviews of the tyres, I found it when looking for "PANARACER GRAVEL KING problems". Seems I'm not the only one having issues, but I might be the only one who hasn't yet resolved fitting them.
And I should have taken a photo of just how far away from "being fitted" they were. It's not even close to getting over the rim into the well. And the portion of the bead that is inside the well is already right down inside, tight on the rim tape. There's absolutely no slack in the system that I can see, none whatsoever...
Any advice regarding stubbornly tight rim/tyre combos? I can't afford to snap any more tyre levers, and don't really want to resort to big-arsed screwdrivers and get the rims all damaged.
Heeeeeeeeelp!
I just bought some CX tyres for my ebay "bargain" Cannondale Backroads. I went for Panaracer GravelKing Mud in 700 x 33c black & tan.
The tyres arrived a couple of hours ago and I've been trying to fit them since then. But no matter what I do, I can't get them on. Not even the first bead will stretch over the rims. I've snapped 4 x black plastic (nylon?) tyre levers trying too.
And not just one set of wheels either. I've tried them on American Classic Sprint 350 rims, Alex Rims Race 32 rims, and some old Mavic MA-something-or-other rims on some wheels my brother gave me.
So I was happy that it wasn't a compatibility issue with one wheel brand.
Next step was to dig out some spare 23c road tyres and try to mount these to the rims that were giving me issues. A Schwalbe Ultremo went on easily by hand, and a Vittoria Rubino went on with a little persuasion.
Now I don't know what to do. I've emailed a contact form to Planet X asking if they have any advice or tips, but I have packaged them up for now with a view to returning them. Even if I get them on at home in the warm with underfloor heating and tea/coffee on tap, I don't hold out much hope of dealing with a puncture while out on a ride.
Oh, and while I didn't find this forum thread... https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/panaracer... ...when I was reading reviews of the tyres, I found it when looking for "PANARACER GRAVEL KING problems". Seems I'm not the only one having issues, but I might be the only one who hasn't yet resolved fitting them.
And I should have taken a photo of just how far away from "being fitted" they were. It's not even close to getting over the rim into the well. And the portion of the bead that is inside the well is already right down inside, tight on the rim tape. There's absolutely no slack in the system that I can see, none whatsoever...
Any advice regarding stubbornly tight rim/tyre combos? I can't afford to snap any more tyre levers, and don't really want to resort to big-arsed screwdrivers and get the rims all damaged.
Heeeeeeeeelp!
Shame you arent near me I love a challenge
Put them in your warmest room overnight then fair liquid as above
Then ditch the levers and try this technique : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZwH2Sww3qE
Put them in your warmest room overnight then fair liquid as above
Then ditch the levers and try this technique : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZwH2Sww3qE
Ditch the tyre levers - there should be no need to "stretch" the bead. Make sure the bead opposite is seated well down into the well of the rim. I find the easiest way is to hold the wheel horizontal between your hips and hands, then use your thumbs to slide the bead over the rim.
Don't use Fairy Liquid; it's mildly corrosive and bad news for your rims.
Don't use Fairy Liquid; it's mildly corrosive and bad news for your rims.
Comical how the experts say just use your hands, do you really think Yellowjack hasn't a clue? If he says they won't go on and are so tight levers are snapping then it isn't going to happen by hand.
Sometimes tyres or rims are just not right - all too often Planet X is involved, there's good reason the prices are often too good to be true. Some long metal levers may do it but you shouldn't have to resort to that and risk damaging rims.
Sometimes tyres or rims are just not right - all too often Planet X is involved, there's good reason the prices are often too good to be true. Some long metal levers may do it but you shouldn't have to resort to that and risk damaging rims.
Herman Toothrot said:
Comical how the experts say just use your hands, do you really think Yellowjack hasn't a clue? If he says they won't go on and are so tight levers are snapping then it isn't going to happen by hand.
If you're snapping tyre levers when fitting tyres, I wouldn't be so rude as to say "you haven't a clue", but you're certainly doing it wrong. Many people are unaware that fitting a tyre is made much easier by first ensuring that the bead is seated in the well of the rim. That's what it's there for. I fit new tyres to Campagnolo Zondas, which have a reputation for being a little difficult, without tools. It's not because I'm Arnie - it's down to technique.Herman Toothrot said:
Some long metal levers may do it
Not sure if serious. You'd fit a bicycle tyre using a "long metal lever". Now that's comical.HardtopManual said:
Not sure if serious. You'd fit a bicycle tyre using a "long metal lever". Now that's comical.
You obviously either can’t read as Yellowjack said he has the tyre on the well or are too lazy to read his post in full. You have also obviously never seen a DH tyre lever.Typical internet expert.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/pedros-downhill-tyre-lever...
la-354054066383wiggle said:
Pedro's Downhill Tyre Lever is the most heavy duty, toughest tyre lever perfect for the tightest of downhill & freeride tyres.
Top Features:
Made from heat-treated tool steel
275mm (10.8") length
Large shovel tip that holds tight on the bead
Smooth curved shape with polished finish to protect tyres & rims
Ergonomic dual density screwdriver style handle
Top Features:
Made from heat-treated tool steel
275mm (10.8") length
Large shovel tip that holds tight on the bead
Smooth curved shape with polished finish to protect tyres & rims
Ergonomic dual density screwdriver style handle
Edited by Herman Toothrot on Wednesday 28th February 09:22
Fairy liquid has a bit of salt and probably some alkali in it but its not gonna damage anything. Just wipe it off when you are done. All de-greasers are going to be mildly corrosive, its why you rinse it off when you are finished.
I found out by accident that stans tubeless fluid is pretty helpful for lubricating a bead, anything to lower the friction will do.
Also loled a bit at the thought of putting double wall dh tires on a bike without levers. If I believed in Hell, that is probably what I would be doing for eternity!
I found out by accident that stans tubeless fluid is pretty helpful for lubricating a bead, anything to lower the friction will do.
Also loled a bit at the thought of putting double wall dh tires on a bike without levers. If I believed in Hell, that is probably what I would be doing for eternity!
What happens when you finally get them on and then need replace a tube at the side of the road/trail? I had a similar problem trying to get some WTB tyres on a set of stans rims. Physically impossible to get them on it was only afterwards that I found out that they are not compatible.
Herman Toothrot said:
Comical how the experts say just use your hands, do you really think Yellowjack hasn't a clue? If he says they won't go on and are so tight levers are snapping then it isn't going to happen by hand.
Well no, there's a fairly good chance he doesn't know the right technique TBH, I'd been riding for 15 years by the time I found it out. Prior to that I was using brute force, washing up liquid etc , yet still snapped some of my Park levers trying to fit some TLR tyres. However once I learned the correct technique they went on by hand no problem.This is the video somebody linked me to:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUFVrl0UT4
Edited by budgie smuggler on Wednesday 28th February 13:04
Herman Toothrot said:
That video is bog standard common sense normal fitting of a tyre that wasn’t even tight plus some toe straps to help his old hands.
I refer back to the original post, he stated the bead is already pushed in the well!
Well, he stated a portion of the bead was in the well. But that's irrelevant really you still need to go round the tyre pressing it in to allow the slack to move to the area you need it.I refer back to the original post, he stated the bead is already pushed in the well!
yellowjack said:
And I should have taken a photo of just how far away from "being fitted" they were. It's not even close to getting over the rim into the well. And the portion of the bead that is inside the well is already right down inside, tight on the rim tape. There's absolutely no slack in the system that I can see, none whatsoever...
If the technique was common sense for you, then fair play, but it wasn't for me. 
On that subject though, something has just occurred to me ... are you sure it's the right sized tyre OP?
I have always put on tyres like in the vid (but without the toe clips), I’m actually surprised anyone would do it any differently why get tools out of you don’t need them (ignoring for the inner tube - I find it less faff to add the partially inflated tube after the 1st bead rather than having it in the tyre at the start). If they are a b
d right at the end getting the last bit of bead over then that’s when the tools would come out as far as I’m concerned. I’d then use a tyre lever instead to pop it over, there is a reason levers exist. You use the lever upside down compared to how you’d use it to remove the tyre, slip the curve in under the tyre so it’s like a hook over the rim Not the bead and move lever up and it pops on (unless it’s a rim that really isn’t compatible or it’s just a duff rim or tyre. I have had this once in 30 years and it was a duff rim acknowledged by the manufacturer, so I know it does happen).
My bet in Yellowjacks case is the cheap batch of tyres from Planet X was cheap for a reason i.e. a QA failed batch - it would be comedy if they were the wrong sized and incorrectly labelled.
I don’t doubt with the use of lube and some DH levers they maybe able to be muscled on to the rims, and yes they may loosen up a bit after mounting however what on earth is the point if they are as bad as described as get a puncture out in the cold on the side of the road and you are stuffed, better send them back and get something else.
d right at the end getting the last bit of bead over then that’s when the tools would come out as far as I’m concerned. I’d then use a tyre lever instead to pop it over, there is a reason levers exist. You use the lever upside down compared to how you’d use it to remove the tyre, slip the curve in under the tyre so it’s like a hook over the rim Not the bead and move lever up and it pops on (unless it’s a rim that really isn’t compatible or it’s just a duff rim or tyre. I have had this once in 30 years and it was a duff rim acknowledged by the manufacturer, so I know it does happen).My bet in Yellowjacks case is the cheap batch of tyres from Planet X was cheap for a reason i.e. a QA failed batch - it would be comedy if they were the wrong sized and incorrectly labelled.
I don’t doubt with the use of lube and some DH levers they maybe able to be muscled on to the rims, and yes they may loosen up a bit after mounting however what on earth is the point if they are as bad as described as get a puncture out in the cold on the side of the road and you are stuffed, better send them back and get something else.
Herman Toothrot said:
You obviously either can’t read as Yellowjack said he has the tyre on the well or are too lazy to read his post in full. You have also obviously never seen a DH tyre lever.
I haven't, because I've never needed one, including during two summers working in a bike shop. Which admittedly was two decades ago and doesn't make me an expert, but does mean I'm a dab hand at mending punctures. I suppose Pedros fill a gap in the market for people who need a massive lever to fit a tyre.Agree with you that it's possible they are an undersized batch.
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