Admitting defeat
Discussion
Embarrassing.
2hrs with a pair of tyre leavers, hairdryer, two punctured inner tubes and lots of swearing and i've had to admit defeat. I'm unable to get my new GP4000s on my rims and had to call my local bike shop to book them in for tomorrow.
Anyone else had an epic fail on a seemingly easy task and had to hand over all masculinity and kudos when asking for help?
2hrs with a pair of tyre leavers, hairdryer, two punctured inner tubes and lots of swearing and i've had to admit defeat. I'm unable to get my new GP4000s on my rims and had to call my local bike shop to book them in for tomorrow.
Anyone else had an epic fail on a seemingly easy task and had to hand over all masculinity and kudos when asking for help?
Tri_Doc said:
Embarrassing.
2hrs with a pair of tyre leavers, hairdryer, two punctured inner tubes and lots of swearing and i've had to admit defeat. I'm unable to get my new GP4000s on my rims and had to call my local bike shop to book them in for tomorrow.
Anyone else had an epic fail on a seemingly easy task and had to hand over all masculinity and kudos when asking for help?
It's all about technique. Partially inflate the tubes then let them down again. Make sure the opposing side of the tyre is fully sat in the recess of the rim as that effectively reduces the diameter of the wheel slightly.2hrs with a pair of tyre leavers, hairdryer, two punctured inner tubes and lots of swearing and i've had to admit defeat. I'm unable to get my new GP4000s on my rims and had to call my local bike shop to book them in for tomorrow.
Anyone else had an epic fail on a seemingly easy task and had to hand over all masculinity and kudos when asking for help?
Master Bean said:
Don't worry. It took me two days and plenty of swearing to take my gatorskin off. I'm doing a course tomorrow night on changing an inner tube. This is what my life has come to... 
lol its a good thing im helping taking that class isnt it..... PS next time give me a shout Watch this video OP and use this technique...this video changed my life, never used tyre levers (bar removing tyre) since: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZwH2Sww3qE
I've had some real traumatic experiences with tyres while out on the road.
It always happens in the worst conditions too. Freezing cold so that your fingers are numb. Wet, so you can't grip anything. Dark, and in the middle of nowhere, with your front lights running out of power so you can't see anything. Tight tyres so tight that you snap a plastic tyre lever getting them off. Pinching tubes in a situation like you describe. Been there, done that.
My last puncture I was out in the middle of nowhere in the pitch dark. I couldn't even see a light in any direction. I might as well have been on the moon for all the chance there was of spontaneous help coming along the road. So I walked/jogged to a group of farm buildings I knew was there, hoping for a motion sensitive security light or something. My white lights were fading fast, and so I ended up using several red rear lights as working lights. It was bloody cold too, so I had to get the new tube in right first time, as I doubt I'd have had much luck patching the tube with vulcanising solution. It took what felt like ages to fix and all.
So my sympathies to you, OP. I've never (yet!) had to give up and hand it to someone else, but I've been on the verge of tears at the side of the road quite a few times...
In better news though, my Continental Grand Prix 4000 SII tyres, bought second-hand from a fellow PHer, and now with over 3,400 miles on them, stood up really well for the entirety of the Rapha #Festive500 last month. Which was good. I was constantly worried that I'd puncture on a (planned) long ride and end having to abandon the challenge, but they held out right to the end...
It always happens in the worst conditions too. Freezing cold so that your fingers are numb. Wet, so you can't grip anything. Dark, and in the middle of nowhere, with your front lights running out of power so you can't see anything. Tight tyres so tight that you snap a plastic tyre lever getting them off. Pinching tubes in a situation like you describe. Been there, done that.
My last puncture I was out in the middle of nowhere in the pitch dark. I couldn't even see a light in any direction. I might as well have been on the moon for all the chance there was of spontaneous help coming along the road. So I walked/jogged to a group of farm buildings I knew was there, hoping for a motion sensitive security light or something. My white lights were fading fast, and so I ended up using several red rear lights as working lights. It was bloody cold too, so I had to get the new tube in right first time, as I doubt I'd have had much luck patching the tube with vulcanising solution. It took what felt like ages to fix and all.
So my sympathies to you, OP. I've never (yet!) had to give up and hand it to someone else, but I've been on the verge of tears at the side of the road quite a few times...
In better news though, my Continental Grand Prix 4000 SII tyres, bought second-hand from a fellow PHer, and now with over 3,400 miles on them, stood up really well for the entirety of the Rapha #Festive500 last month. Which was good. I was constantly worried that I'd puncture on a (planned) long ride and end having to abandon the challenge, but they held out right to the end...
It's not always 'down to technique' sometime there are rims the are just not right. I had some that Planet X were off loading on sale bikes once, they were obviously incorrectly manufactured, fractionally too large a diameter. I tried a selection of tyres and it was a huge battle to get any of them on or off the rim in the warmth of a living room with all the tools and cheats under the sun, it was park tool lever snapping sort of battles. No way on earth could it have been managed on the side on the side of a road. I remember posting about them and finding out there was a duff batch FSA Vision team 30 they sent out at the time and they were swapping them for original owners - I wasn't so had to palm them off, I did sell them stating I didn't recommend for road use.
What tyre levers are you using? Topeak make a 6 inch yellow and black one, which is pretty strong and I've used that combined with Schwalbe blue levers and managed to get Marathons off and Gatorskins.
Agreed both can be a pig, but it can be done.
Don't even think I used fairy liquid or a hairdryer, just brute force. Maybe try folding the tyres up and putting them in a bucket of hot water.
Also, this may sound odd, but where I you doing it? Cold gloomy garage? I don't do that any nmore. I take the wheel off and take it in the house and sit on the sofa in comfort.Just put a couple of puppy pads down and make sure I use latex gloves.
Changing tubes out in the wild isn't pleasant. I did it at the side of the the Kilburn High Road. That wasn't enjoyable. That was a Michelan Pro4 Endurance and that wasn't the easiest tyre to get on the rim. Continental Four Seasons were really easy but I found the puncture protection to be rubbish.
Agreed both can be a pig, but it can be done.
Don't even think I used fairy liquid or a hairdryer, just brute force. Maybe try folding the tyres up and putting them in a bucket of hot water.
Also, this may sound odd, but where I you doing it? Cold gloomy garage? I don't do that any nmore. I take the wheel off and take it in the house and sit on the sofa in comfort.Just put a couple of puppy pads down and make sure I use latex gloves.
Changing tubes out in the wild isn't pleasant. I did it at the side of the the Kilburn High Road. That wasn't enjoyable. That was a Michelan Pro4 Endurance and that wasn't the easiest tyre to get on the rim. Continental Four Seasons were really easy but I found the puncture protection to be rubbish.
Tri_Doc said:
Embarrassing.
2hrs with a pair of tyre leavers, hairdryer, two punctured inner tubes and lots of swearing and i've had to admit defeat. I'm unable to get my new GP4000s on my rims and had to call my local bike shop to book them in for tomorrow.
Anyone else had an epic fail on a seemingly easy task and had to hand over all masculinity and kudos when asking for help?
Had exactly the same problem with GP4000s. How difficult they are to fit depends also on the wheel. My wheels are horrific to fit a lot of tyres to. I have another bike and have changed dozens with no issues. 2hrs with a pair of tyre leavers, hairdryer, two punctured inner tubes and lots of swearing and i've had to admit defeat. I'm unable to get my new GP4000s on my rims and had to call my local bike shop to book them in for tomorrow.
Anyone else had an epic fail on a seemingly easy task and had to hand over all masculinity and kudos when asking for help?
I took it to the bike shop and the guy commented on how difficult it was, but still managed it with his hands, no tyre levers. Didn't feel any less of a man/human for paying him to do it. There's plenty of things in life I strive to be good at, but fitting bicycle tyres isn't one of them.
TwistingMyMelon said:
lol its a good thing im helping taking that class isnt it..... PS next time give me a shout
Watch this video OP and use this technique...this video changed my life, never used tyre levers (bar removing tyre) since: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZwH2Sww3qE
I have wheels I can do that with my eyes shut.Watch this video OP and use this technique...this video changed my life, never used tyre levers (bar removing tyre) since: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZwH2Sww3qE
I also have a set of wheels we couldn't do that to with 3 pairs of hands pushing
keirik said:
TwistingMyMelon said:
lol its a good thing im helping taking that class isnt it..... PS next time give me a shout
Watch this video OP and use this technique...this video changed my life, never used tyre levers (bar removing tyre) since: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZwH2Sww3qE
I have wheels I can do that with my eyes shut.Watch this video OP and use this technique...this video changed my life, never used tyre levers (bar removing tyre) since: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZwH2Sww3qE
I also have a set of wheels we couldn't do that to with 3 pairs of hands pushing
Otherwise that technique has done me proud on about 20 plus tyres , on some tyres, it takes about 5 minutes or so to work the tyre on, and I did give myself rsi for a couple of weeks when I did loads in a row!
Generally haven't had issues apart from with one particular set of Farsport wheels and Vittoria Corsa's (old versions) . Could I b
ks get these things mounted with bare hands and resorted to levers and the inevitable nipped tube. I had to check the wheels and tyres to make sure I hadn't bought the wrong size.
In this case, I left the tyres mounted without tubes over night and the 'stretch' seemed to make getting them on with tubes easier.
ks get these things mounted with bare hands and resorted to levers and the inevitable nipped tube. I had to check the wheels and tyres to make sure I hadn't bought the wrong size. In this case, I left the tyres mounted without tubes over night and the 'stretch' seemed to make getting them on with tubes easier.
I use the same Tyres on the Reynolds Carbon Strikes I have on my Canyon Aeroad. I have changed the rear twice and the quickest I have done a change is 40mins - I have also broken a few inner tubes!
The wheels went to the bike shop last week to have a spoke replaced and I was keen to watch the mechanic put the tyre back on! I was pleasantly surprised when it took him 25mins and various tricks...
We have both decided that I should stick some tubs on. If I were to get a flat out on a cold morning its going to be nigh on impossible to stick the tyre back on!
The wheels went to the bike shop last week to have a spoke replaced and I was keen to watch the mechanic put the tyre back on! I was pleasantly surprised when it took him 25mins and various tricks...
We have both decided that I should stick some tubs on. If I were to get a flat out on a cold morning its going to be nigh on impossible to stick the tyre back on!
russy01 said:
I use the same Tyres on the Reynolds Carbon Strikes I have on my Canyon Aeroad. I have changed the rear twice and the quickest I have done a change is 40mins - I have also broken a few inner tubes!
The wheels went to the bike shop last week to have a spoke replaced and I was keen to watch the mechanic put the tyre back on! I was pleasantly surprised when it took him 25mins and various tricks...
We have both decided that I should stick some tubs on. If I were to get a flat out on a cold morning its going to be nigh on impossible to stick the tyre back on!
Reynolds DV range are notoriously difficult with any tyre, especially with Michelins. I have broken may good quality plastic levers getting the buggers on, so I now keep set of smooth metal levers just for them. The wheels went to the bike shop last week to have a spoke replaced and I was keen to watch the mechanic put the tyre back on! I was pleasantly surprised when it took him 25mins and various tricks...
We have both decided that I should stick some tubs on. If I were to get a flat out on a cold morning its going to be nigh on impossible to stick the tyre back on!
keirik said:
TwistingMyMelon said:
lol its a good thing im helping taking that class isnt it..... PS next time give me a shout
Watch this video OP and use this technique...this video changed my life, never used tyre levers (bar removing tyre) since: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZwH2Sww3qE
I have wheels I can do that with my eyes shut.Watch this video OP and use this technique...this video changed my life, never used tyre levers (bar removing tyre) since: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZwH2Sww3qE
I also have a set of wheels we couldn't do that to with 3 pairs of hands pushing
russy01 said:
I use the same Tyres on the Reynolds Carbon Strikes I have on my Canyon Aeroad. I have changed the rear twice and the quickest I have done a change is 40mins - I have also broken a few inner tubes!
The wheels went to the bike shop last week to have a spoke replaced and I was keen to watch the mechanic put the tyre back on! I was pleasantly surprised when it took him 25mins and various tricks...
We have both decided that I should stick some tubs on. If I were to get a flat out on a cold morning its going to be nigh on impossible to stick the tyre back on!
Funny that, a mate has an Aeroad with Reynolds Strikes and had a chew on getting his Vittorias on, so suggest its the wheels. The wheels went to the bike shop last week to have a spoke replaced and I was keen to watch the mechanic put the tyre back on! I was pleasantly surprised when it took him 25mins and various tricks...
We have both decided that I should stick some tubs on. If I were to get a flat out on a cold morning its going to be nigh on impossible to stick the tyre back on!
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