Have you ever been defeated by a tyre?

[Scottish.cyclist.lad]

Do you already know about:
* Dropping the bead into the well?
* Using ties or straps?
* Specialised tools?

Jonathan

Yes, yes and yes.

And so did the mechanic at my LBS who also failed to fit them

[Scottish.cyclist.lad]

I have very limited experience (just Marathon GreenGuard and Marathon Plus tyres on a single set of wheels) but I wonder if it's not so much the tyre rather than the tyre/wheel combination - I've never had any problems with the notorious Marathon Plus'. I certainly don't have any breath of experience so can't have "good technique" and any expertise.

But as I say, based on a very limited configuration.

Ian

Yes, I think it's a matter of tyre wheel combination as well.

[rogerzilla]

Yes, M+ 700x25. Not tight as such, just so springy that I could never get to the final stage of pushing the tight bit over the rim. I know you can use toestraps but that's a poor option out on the road.

Durano+ were similar, apparently requiring 3 or 4 hands, but I got those on ok - they're not quite as bad.

[thirdcrank]

One suggestion I've previously made to people convinced a tyre of the right size is unfittable is to try putting it on without an innertube. IME - admittedly limited - it's the innertube getting in the way that causes the problem.

[fastpedaller]

About 15 years ago I bought a couple of 25mm tyres of a well-respected UK dealer. I suspect they were seconds, as the 'yellow flash' on the wall said 700 x 25c, but moulded into the rubber was also 622-23. So a conflict on the size? I don't think the supplier knowingly supplied seconds, after all why take the chance of a return of sale? Anyway, I was willing to use them for the sake of 2mm, except when I tried to put one onto my mavic MA2 rims, it was almost impossible to fit - a friend lent me one of the 'super-dooper' long tyre levers that moves lifts the bead of the tyre to ease it on, and it just worked. There was no way I was going to use regular levers on it, and indeed, I don't think I'd have succeeded even if I didn't damage the tube in the process. Moving on to the second tyre, it was indeed IMPOSSIBLE to fit, even using the superdooper tool! Fearing I'd not be able to remove or replace them if out riding, I contacted the supplier.
The supplier (although a bit incredulous) replaced them with an alternative make which fitted no bother. ISTR the original were schwalbe, but can't be certain.

[alexnharvey]

It is relatively common for there to be slight differences between the official ETRTO size (622-23, etc) and the other marked (marketing?) size, 700x25c and so on. Certainly Vittoria hypers had the same, the large ones are marked 622-40 and 700x38c.

[markjohnobrien]

I always struggle on the last bit of the tyre, the tight bit, that needs pushing onto the rim and find Schwalbe Marathon Plus an absolute bugger - lots of swearing.

Never defeated me but it’s been close.

[Paulatic]

Never been defeated but once seriously challenged with a marathon+ .
I’ve a good grip so don’t carry or use tyre levers and thankfully only had one puncture when I was using the marathons

[Vorpal]

similar topics merged

There is also a thread with a nice little video from 531colin: viewtopic.php?f=5&t=111412&p=1084052

[AndyK]

Never been defeated yet, though I have occasionally had to push on the bead so hard that my thumbs bled around the cuticles. (Not nice.) I consider it a moral defeat if I have to resort to using a lever, which does sometimes happen.

One thing often overlooked is that the bead on one side of the tyre can be slightly tighter than the other. Not by much - both will be within tolerance in that they do their job of keeping the tyre on the rim, but they may not be exactly the same and that can make a big difference. If you're removing the tyre completely then taking the looser side off first makes the tighter side easier to remove - and vice versa when refitting.
If you always take the same side off to fix a puncture, that side's bead will eventually become slightly looser anyway.

This revelation came to me in a flash of inspiration years ago while sitting on a Hampshire bridleway fixing a puncture as darkness descended, wondering why the tyre I'd removed and replaced easily the week before was suddenly near-impossible to get back onto the rim.

[Jamesh]

Just been putting tyres in Ambrosio p20 rims. What a stinker!

Pro4 which are usually easy peasy hard as can be. Brucey suggested washing up liquid which helped.

Wiggle which were just as hard.

Anything which is tubeless ready is likely to be a pain!

Cheers James

[fastpedaller]

It is relatively common for there to be slight differences between the official ETRTO size (622-23, etc) and the other marked (marketing?) size, 700x25c and so on. Certainly Vittoria hypers had the same, the large ones are marked 622-40 and 700x38c.

I'd expect 700x25c and 622-25 to be on the same tyre though

[Cyril Haearn]

Fastpedaller reports mounting tyres with brute force. Tyre materials have fantastic properties but can not be unbreakable, I should not trust a tyre that had been treated thus, the bead could give without warning

[Philip Benstead]

Re Help with Tyre Hands

I read with interest that some of you are having problems regarding the fitting of tyres e.g. Schwalbe Marathons on Brompton wheels etc.

I have been described by some to have hands of a gorilla and even I have had difficultly in the past performing this task. But I have note recently when I purchase one of the above tyre and place on a new Brompton rim I had very little trouble it went on first time with no need to perform any tricks listed below, I either must be getting stronger of the tyres are getting larger?

If you are still having problems using metal tyre levers place a tyre on to a rim without an inner tube and even better without a rim tape and do this operation on very tight tyre say 4 to 6 times you will find that the stretching of the bead of the tyre is sufficient so that it can be put on normally with ease.

Do ensure the valve is free moving and is pointing to the centre of the hub, if the valve is stuck tight grip with pliers and push the valve up so that the inner tube is not trap.

Some tips


PUTTING TYRES ON

Park Tools Tyre Seating Tool

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/park ... lsrc=aw.ds


This tool is designed to quickly and easily "seat" stubborn tyres

I have not used this product it looks like it is suitable for large section tyres


VAR TYRE LEVER

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/var-tyre-levers-prod27539/

http://www.sjscycles.com/Instructions/V ... ctions.pdf

I have used this product it does work but still s degree of hand strength for it work it is not be suitable for large section tyres

Kool Stop Tire Bead Jack

http://www.amazon.com/Kool-Stop-Tire-Be ... B001AYML7K

I have used this product find it works well but can not be used on large section mountain bike tyres


TAKING TYRES OFF

Lezyne Sabre Cro-mo Tyre Lever/Pedal Wrench

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/lezy ... lsrc=aw.ds



I have used this product I found them work on the tightest tyres.


LOSES FITTING TYRES


If you have loses fitting tyres do not forget to put talcum power between the inner tube and the tyre. It lubricates the moment of the tyre over the inner tube and prevents the inner tube from lifting the tyre of if it sticks together.

[simonineaston]

The Schwalbe Marathon / 16" wheel combo is generally regarded as a bit of a challenge - so much so that there are videos on the subject, however don't be too hopeful - the person in the vid. just makes it look easy without offering a secret ingredient!