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Removing tyres (and other impossible tasks)

(17 posts)
  • Started 8 years ago by AKen
  • Latest reply from AKen
  • This topic is not resolved

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  1. AKen
    Member

    I had to fix a puncture yesterday - which obviously necessitated taking the tyre off. God what a struggle I had with it! So, I was wondering what magical methods people use to make this job easy. I've read various descriptions that describe how you can just pull the tyre off the rim with your fingers. I can't see how this can ever be possible (for the tyre I have - 700cc) without some digital super-strength that I don't possess.

    So - tyre levers were used. Are plastic levers actually any good? I had three sets - some unlabelled black plastic ones that snapped as soon as I put some pressure on them, some blue plastic ones labelled 'Packtool' that were sturdier but didn't seem up to doing the job themselves and a couple of metal ones - one of which was so large and thick that I was worried I'd damage the rim using it. I eventually got the tyre off by using the smaller metal one to force the tyre off sufficiently to get the Packtool ones in place and then levered them all over the rim simultaneously, pulling the tyre off with them.

    Is there a better way of doing this? I am always slightly paranoid about metal levers as I worry about nipping the tube but the plastic ones don't seem to be long enough at the business end to do the levering themselves.

    I also worry about putting the tyre back on and only seem to be able to achieve this by putting one lever inside the tyre next to the tube - again making me nervous I'll nip the tube and have to start again.

    Any thoughts?

    Posted 8 years ago #

  2. remberbuck
    Member

    If you're at home a hair dryer on the tyre works wonders at taking tightness off the tyre and allowing your tyre levers in. I found Giro levers, which are plastic with a metal core a good compromise. On the road the tyres should be warm enough for the same effect, unless you get unlucky in particularly cold and miserable weather.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  3. wishicouldgofaster
    Member

    I usually find taking it to a bike shop works for me :)

    Used to fix punctures myself but the cost is relatively low and saves me an hour or so cursing!

    Posted 8 years ago #

  4. I were right about that saddle
    Member

    @Aken

    There is a technique allows you to remove even Marthons with your hands alone;

    [+] Embed the video | Video DownloadGet the Video Plugins

    Posted 8 years ago #

  5. Roibeard
    Member

    I've a set of Tacx plastic levers that have done the business fine for me:

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/tacx-tyre-levers-pack-of-three/

    That said, I'm running <700c wheels or 700c with high(er) volume tyres, so may not be really stressing them.

    I also don't like to use them for reseating the tyre afterwards, yet still resort to them on occasions...

    Robert

    Posted 8 years ago #

  6. AKen
    Member

    Thanks for all responses.

    If I have changed a tyre, it's often been when the tyre has been cold so the hair-dryer tip looks useful.

    I will need to watch the video properly when I'm at home but I think it's for an MTB wheel, which seem to be easier to take tyres off. I'll be keen to see if I could do the same.

    Sadly, I never seem to get a puncture anywhere near a bike shop!

    Posted 8 years ago #

  7. Stephan Matthiesen
    Member

    It's probably a trivial thing although your description isn't clear at that point, but I find it important to squeeze the tyre all around the wheel first to make sure it's loose and doesn't stick to the rim.

    Then squeeze it at one point and push it into the trough in the centre of the rim, and make sure it stays there (e.g. use the ground or your own body to keep it pushed in, or take a bit of string or one of those velcro fasteners and tie it down). That pushes the tyre out at the other side of the wheel and makes it easier to get it off there.

    It depends a bit on the temperature (of the tyre and more importantly of your fingers, ouch!) and the size/brand of the tyre, some are easier than others.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  8. threefromleith
    Member

    Some combinations of tyres and wheels make it almost impossible to get the tyre on and off without almost killing yourself and breaking every lever known to man in the process (as well as making it impossible to avoid pinching and bursting every tube you're trying to put in).

    I had a terrible time with Fulcrum Racing 7 wheels and Conti Gatorskins, a relationship which ended with an hour in Victoria Park trying to fix a puncture with no success and a walk home pushing the bike. I'd never struggled that hard and in vain before, even with the notorious Marathon Plus tyres on my MTB wheels.

    I gave in and bought a set of Schwalbe Durano Plus tyres, which have never been a problem to get on or off since. I also bought one of these (same item, different brand: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kool-Stop-Tire-Bead-Handle/dp/B001AYML7K) which helps if you're struggling to fit the last bit of bead on.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  9. stiltskin
    Member

    Best advice I have is to make sure you have pushed the bead into the trough in the centre of the rim. This means the rims's diameter is smaller than at the edge. Works for me. Although some tyre/rim combos are definitley more of a struggle.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  10. neddie
    Member

    If you're having trouble getting the 'last bit' of the tyre back on the rim, it's worth working round the tyre with your hands, kneading it back and forth.

    Not sure how this works - maybe a combination of warming the tyre through manipulation and helping the tyre to sit evenly on the rim...

    I'm sure it also helps in reverse to get 'difficult' tyres off

    Posted 8 years ago #

  11. Greenroofer
    Member

    Definitely a tyre/rim combination thing. I consider myself a dab hand at getting Marathon Plus tyres on and off, so reckon I can do anything. On my newest bike I removed the supplied (folding-bead) tyres without using levers at all. I tried to fit Durano Plus in their place and couldn't get them on without using a lever.

    I've started using talcum powder on the rim to help get that last bit over, but even that didn't make the Durano Plus go on.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  12. Murun Buchstansangur
    Member

    BBB Easylift tyre levers are good - best plastic ones I've found.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  13. SimonS
    Member

    These are my favourite tyre levers. I've not managed to break one yet.

    They are wider than normal and also have a thinner end which is easier to get under the bead than most.

    http://www.decathlon.co.uk/tyre-lever-set-id_8047839.html

    they are available in a range of colours too.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  14. mercury1and2
    Member

    Having bought a road bike-first one- I was dreading getting a puncture on the street. I changed the tyre (espoir sport) to a tacx turbo blue tyre- it took 30 mits not including curse time. I watched a you tube vid on how to use tyre leavers to pop the last one third bit on. Going to do it in reverse again - practice makes perfect. Does bike tyre rubber give and stretch with time?

    Posted 8 years ago #

  15. Cyclingmollie
    Member

    @mercury1and2 I had a yellow turbo tyre that was so hard to get on my Open Pro wheels that I binned it.

    Posted 8 years ago #

  16. PS
    Member

    Best advice I can give is to cycle in a warm climate.

    I used to have a pair of Campag wheels and my Conti Gatorskin tyres were an absolute nightmare to get over the rim whenever I punctured around Edinburgh.

    I took the bike on holiday with me to France and suffered thorn ingress on one of the lovely off-road paths in Deux-Sèvres. In the 28 degree heat the tyre popped off without levers. Evidence that Campag and Conti kit is engineered for the European climate?

    Posted 8 years ago #

  17. AKen
    Member

    Thanks for all responses and advice.

    Best advice I can give is to cycle in a warm climate.

    <looks out of window doubtfully>

    Some of the advice may be or more practical applicability than others!

    Posted 8 years ago #

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