Tyre help required.

[jon avery]

After having another puncture on the way back from the club ride i decided to get some Continental Gatorskins. The problem is i can't get the things on! Has anybody else had this problem? or is it just i'm useless!

[richv]

Tyre levers should not be used to replace tyres. It will only end in tears, usually in the form of a nipped tube as you finally get the tyre on

Some tyres are a very close fit but you should be able to get them on with your hands. make sure that the bits of the tyre you can get on are properly seated then hold the wheel with the 'loose' section of tyre facing away from you and 'fold' the tyre back towards you hopefully popping the rest of the tyre on.

If you do use tyre levers to get the tyre on then work round towards the valve so the last section of tyre you put on is right below the valve. You can then push the inner tube away from the rim using the valve as you lever the tyre on to try and avoid nipping it. But you really shouldn't do it

[jon avery]

Thanks for your help. I have no problems getting my old tyres on and off but these ones are twats! when i get to the last bit it just aint happening.

[jon avery]

Thanks for your help. I have no problems getting my old tyres on and off but these ones are twats! when i get to the last bit it just aint happening.

[Jon H]

Conti Gatorskins are quite tight to get on the rim. I've not managed it without using tyre levers - just be very careful not to nip the inner tube as Richard describes.

[jon avery]

Don't suppose anyone will be at the club house on Wed night who would like to give me a hand if i bring them down? i'll buy you a couple of pints Thursday!

[Grahame]

have you tried putting a little bit of washing up liquid on the bead of the tyre? This makes them a bit more slippery against the rim, and thus easier to push on.

[jon avery]

Good thinking ! Hadn't thought of that.

[jon avery]

Good thinking ! Hadn't thought of that.

[Tamar Collis]

Another tip to give you as much slack as possible is to seat around half the tyre on the rim, then, with the unseated section on the floor, start at the middle of the seated section and work your hands down either side, using your body weight to pull the tyre down, ensuring it is tight to the rim. This should give a bit more slack in the unseated section.

Then flip the wheel so the slack section is uppermost and, as described by Richard, use your thumbs to roll the remaining tyre into place (ensuring the tube is pushed well inside the tyre and is not between the rim and the tyre).

If it still won't go on, flip the wheel and go through the above again. Eventually you should be able to inch the b*st*rd into place.

Personally, if they're really tight I just ditch them and get different tyres. It's frustrating enough doing the above in the comfort of your own home, but on a cold, dark, rainy night it's just too frustrating for words.

[jon avery]

Tamar i think you are right. Time to take a trip back to evans and stick to the normal tyres that i can get on and off. Thanks for all your tips anyway.

[Tamar Collis]

Oh, and I've heard conflicting advice about starting to seat the tyre at the valve or opposite the valve and personally I prefer to start at the valve.

Push it well up into the tyre and ensure the bead is next to the rim with no tube trapped in there.

And once you've finally got the damn things on, pump to 3/4 pressure, then let the air out again and go round the whole wheel rocking the tyre from side to side to double check there is no tube pinched anywhere.

Then when you pump up to full pressure you should be OK.

I don't bother all the time, but if the tyres are that bad to get on it is probably worth it.

I've also been advised to put a bit of talc in the tyre to stop the tube sticking to it.

[jon avery]

Tamar i think your right and its time they went back to the shop. Me tinks i'll stick to the normal tyres that i can get on and off. Many thanks anyway for all your tips.

[jon avery]

Weird! on submiting a post it wasn't showing, then on posting another it showed the previous aswell!

[Mike I]

The talcum powder trick not only stops the tube and tyre sticking to each other, it also helps the tyre to slip on the rim. If you dust your spares and stick them in a plastic bag, there should be enough there to make on-the-road repairs a bit easier. Plus, it's not as messy as carrying a bottle of Fairy around all day, and you'll smell better in the cafe.

If you do get the Contis on, remember only to get punctures in the summer, when the tyres will be warmer and that much more supple!