Tyre Back On Rim Lever

[simonhill]

I sometimes get trouble with my wrists and fingers and worry that I might have a problem refitting my tyres after a puncture. I remember levers that help discussed here before. Can anyone recommend, or otherwise.

I am talking about something to use on the road, so washing up liquid, etc is not an option.

34mm Marathon Originals on Sputnik rims.

Thanks

[beardy]

You may not wish to carry washing up though I sometimes have some for general use while touring.
You could take a small sachet of something like hand cream or suntan cream that would do instead (with the risk of it bursting in your bags).

One of the helpful levers is a VAR tyre lever.

[Vetus Ossa]

You may need one of these, I did, and have never regretted it.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kool-Stop-Tire- ... B001AYML7K

[pwa]

A Var tyre lever may be what you want. I have never used one but they are recommended by Chris Juden and others for people who struggle to get the bead over the rim. Available from SJS and others.

[ChrisButch]

Of the two tools mentioned, the one now branded as Kool-stop (it's had other brand names in the past, most recently Simson) is by far the more effective. The Var tool does tend to bend rather than pull when dealing with a really obstinate tyre - something that never happens with the sturdier Kool-stop tool, which is, however, rather bulky.

[Vetus Ossa]

I tend to use carry my Kool- stop only on known tight tyres, like my Veloflex master's.

[Redvee]

I used a Crank Bros Speed Lever on tight rims but my rims & tyres don't need it now and can get away with normal Park levers.

[simonhill]

Thanks very much, I think I'll be getting the Var, just what I wanted. Hopefully for peace of mind rather than use.

Currently I use the normal tyre lever and have always been lucky, but lucky doesn't always last!!

Although on luck, I very rarely get punctures despite riding some fairly rough roads. Long live Schwalbe.

Thanks again.

[Bikefayre]

Are very fond of VAR tyre levers. Now have noticed with my diabetic neuropathy- dogdy weak shaky hands, the old fashioned way of fitting rim tape makes fitting a tyre a doddle whereas the modern method is hard. Shall explain- the old way was to have the rim tape [high pressure plastic] inside the well leaving the stepped part which holds the tyre bare. The modern method is to have the rim tape [plastic high pressure] across the steps and the well touching the rims from side to side. This means the rim tape lifts the tyre off the rim by 0.5 mm which may not sound much. Today removed the modern rim tape from a rim of mine and trimmed some narrow rim tape to fit the well. What a difference, the tyre slid on the rim and fitted with no need for tyre soap from Schwalbe. Also find using a tube the same size or slightly larger makes tyre fitting even easier. My new tube is the Raleigh Puncture Protection tubes [no slime] and are about as thick as a pound coin. Try removing the rim tape from under the tyre and you will be amazed at the difference! Use Gorilla Grips vehicle maintenance gloves too, perfect for fitting bike tyres!

[ChrisButch]

Although the Kool-stop/Simson 'jack' is really a workshop tool, I've always found it one of those essential 'comfort tools' to be carried at all times. Sod's Law declares that when you need to change a tyre it will be cold, dark and wet, and a tyre which slips on effortlessly at home suddenly becomes a nightmare to handle with numb hands. Having this tool with me means I know the job can quickly be done with the minimum of effort, however cold my hands.

[Vetus Ossa]

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/park-tools-master-link-pliers/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kool-Stop-Tire- ... B001AYML7K

These are two tools I would not like to be without, as my hands are not so strong these days.

[RickH]

I've found that Schwalbe tyre levers are good for both getting tyres on & off, even the difficult swap between Land Cruisers & Marathon Winters on my old MTB. The small, tapered hook on the end can be hooked over the rim when refitting & is thing enough not to cause extra grief. Plus they seem pretty strong too.

Rick.

[Philip Benstead]

I sometimes get trouble with my wrists and fingers and worry that I might have a problem refitting my tyres after a puncture. I remember levers that help discussed here before. Can anyone recommend, or otherwise.

I am talking about something to use on the road, so washing up liquid, etc is not an option.

34mm Marathon Originals on Sputnik rims.

Thanks

UPDATE Thursday, 08 January 2015

TIGHT TYRES HOW TO TAKE THEM OFF AND HOW TO PUT THEM ON.


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 difficulty 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.

I put on a new Schwalbe Marathons on Brompton wheels this morning , the last part tyre required strong grip and strong thumb to put it on .
I will in due course produce a video of how on put tight tyres on.

SOME TIPS

PUTTING TYRES ON

Park Tools Tyre Seating Tool

http://www.parktool.com/product/tire-seater-pts-1
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 and it is expensive

Crank Brothers Speedier Lever new

http://www.crankbrothers.com/product/view/138
This the new version
I have not used this tool but some have reported success with it.
Crank Brothers Speed Lever Bike tools
This is the old version, is appear to not available any more.
If you think you are having trouble putting tyre on see below.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crank-Brothers- ... B001BIZARI

VAR TYRE LEVER

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/var-tyre-levers-prod27539/
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.co.uk/Kool-Stop-Tire- ... B001AYML7K
I have used this product find it works well but cannot be used on large section mountain bike tyres

TAKING TYRES OFF

Lezyne Sabre Cro-mo Tyre Lever/Pedal Wrench
http://www.lezyne.com/product-tirerepr- ... HyNbjGsUVo
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.

Try Johnson Baby Power, it the cheapest?
http://www.chemistdirect.co.uk/johnson- ... 9505868058

Changing a Bicycle Flat Tire Without Hands- Double Arm Amputee

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWCDEAYn8rQ

END

[David Cox]

I've also had this problem particularly with Brompton Schwalbe's and most recently with Schwalbe Snow and Ice tyres. I have seen friends who are very effective with technique rather than brute strength but they are not always with me on club runs alas. On the snow tyres I used two VARs and two toe clip straps before it went on. My daughter suggested too late bringing the tyre inside to warm it up. I also carry some Tyre Weld for emergencies especially for commuting or in cold weather when my hands would freeze - it has got me home several times but can also create an awful mess if it all goes wrong!! I also picked up a tool a bit like the Koolstop in the US this worked well once on a 700c x 25 tyre that was a bit tight.

[drossall]

I've carried a VAR tool for decades. I don't use it routinely, but it's very effective on the occasions when it is needed.

Someone will be along in a minute to say that there is no tyre that he cannot fit with his bare hands. However, he has not, to date, offered to follow me around in case I get a puncture.