Can't get Gator hardshell 23c onto my rims

[Swordtail]

I've just bought a couple of Gator hardshells which I can't get the last bit of the beading over the rim. My old tyres were cheap ones which kept puncturing. They were hard to get on, but I could force them on with a tyre lever.

My bike is about 20 years old (just started using again after 12 years), and I used to have 20c tyres on. I guess maybe the rims are designed for 20c tyres. My cheap tyres and the hardshells are 23c. I'd have thought they ought to fit, but could my problem be that the rims are too narrow?

Any tips on how I can get these tyres on my rims much appreciated!!

Cheers.

Phil.

 

[PaulSecteur]

Follow this techinque, different tyre but it works for all.


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUFVrl0UT4

 

[ianrauk]

This topic has been moved to Know How by the admin team.

 

[HLaB]

I assume you have the right diameter tyres for your rim, if it had 20mm tyres before and you want to put 23mm on, the width isn't the problem, diameter may be.  If it is the correct diameter more likely the tyres are just stiff being new, add some talc to your rims and try fitting them starting at the valve and working your way round until they go in but don't be afraid to have a break and go back later.

 

[gbb]

Or smear a little oil onto your rims (or on the bead of the tyre) then i use plastic levers and instead of 'levering' the tyre over the rim, i use the lever at an angle and slide the bead over.

 

[the_mikey]

Follow this techinque, different tyre but it works for all.

http://www.youtube.c...h?v=-XUFVrl0UT4

+1, I've never needed to use levers to get a tyre onto a rim.

 

[al-fresco]

I did once have a problem with one 23c Gatorskin the first time I put it on - I couldn't work the last bit over the rim with just one hand. So I used a cable tie around the tyre and rim to hold one side in place (as a kind of 'third hand') so that I could get both thumbs to work on the other end of the gap. It worked a treat. I kept some spare ties in my saddle bag in case I had to repeat the trick out on the road but the next time I had to do it I found the tyre had loosened up enough to go on without using a tie.

 

[Swordtail]

Thanks for all the tips. I managed to get the front tyre on using the tip on the youtube video about making sure the beading is in the deepest part of the rim to give some slack, and using a cable tie. But no matter how hard I try I can't get the back one on. I went up to Halfords and some kid in the bike section said some tyres just won't fit over some rims (he couldn't get it on either).




I can't help feeling the rim is slightly bigger than usual, but he thought not. It's a Mavic MA2 Argent. I bought the bike 20 years ago, second hand, and have only recently started using it again after about 15 years. He recommended Schwalbe. My old ones are Schwalbe Luganos and I can only just get them on (struggling to get it back on as I now have blisters on my thumbs!!).




Is it reasonable to say the tyre isn't compatible with my rim and get my money back? Is it possible my rims are slightly wider in diameter than normal??




Thanks again!!

 

[the snail]

Is it reasonable to say the tyre isn't compatible with my rim and get my money back? Is it possible my rims are slightly wider in diameter than normal??




Thanks again!!

I think there is some variance between different tyres/rims - my conti rear went on almost too easily. As said above, I would expect the tyre to go on without levers, although some swearing might be required. If you can't even fit it using levers, then something is wrong surely? Have you checked that the size is correct? If it's that hard to fit, then fixing a puncture on the road is going to be a nightmare.

 

[PpPete]

Is it possible my rims are slightly wider in diameter than normal??

Yes

Is it reasonable to say the tyre isn't compatible with my rim and get my money back?

If both rim & tyre say 700c they ARE compatible - no matter what pimply youth in bike shop may say. Some are harder than others.

I was, like mikey, in the position of having never had to use a lever after watching that video.....until I tried to get a wire beaded Rubino onto a Chrina rim, that was HARD, but it finally went on with talc and a lever right at the end.

 

[gbb]

There is a huge difference between different rims..
Ive use gators for years, on my old raleigh with Rigida rims...no problem fitting them whatsoever. Just flip the tyre over the rim in the old traditional way. No talc, no swearing, no levers, nothing.

On Ambrosio rims...quite difficult, but managable. probably could do them without levers but you needed strong hands.
On Fulcrums...bloomin eck, you need all the tricks of the trade to get them on.

They must stretch after a while, it doesnt seem as hard now to get them on Fulcrums.

 

[Swordtail]

Might get some new rims. It's the thought of a puncture that's putting me off. I'll probably end up carrying my old Schwalbe around with me even if I do manage to get the Gator on! It's a shame there's no site to match tyres to rims for the best fit.

 

[PoweredByVeg]

Had exactly the same problem geting Gatorskins on a set of Shimano R-500's.

Thought they'd never go on, but they eventually did

Then wondered how the hell was I going to get them on/off for a puncture, but don't worry, they seem to stretch/settle in during use and were quite easy when I had a front flat

 

[HLaB]

Had exactly the same problem geting Gatorskins on a set of Shimano R-500's.

Thought they'd never go on, but they eventually did

Then wondered how the hell was I going to get them on/off for a puncture, but don't worry, they seem to stretch/settle in during use and were quite easy when I had a front flat

Its been the same for any tyre/rim combo I've had.

 

[PpPete]

Might get some new rims. It's the thought of a puncture that's putting me off. I'll probably end up carrying my old Schwalbe around with me even if I do manage to get the Gator on! It's a shame there's no site to match tyres to rims for the best fit.

Maybe we should create our own database and keep it in a "sticky" ? Something like this ? (I've taken gbb's info below and added some of my own)

700c Rims
Smallest Diameter to Largest
(= easiest to get on at the top of the list )

Mavic Open Pro
Rigida Chrina
Ambrosio (which model ?)
Fulcrum (which model ?)

700c Tyres (New condition)
Largest Diameter to Smallest
(= easiest to get on at the top of the list )

Schwalbe Stelvio Folder
Michelin Krylion
Vittorio Rubino Rigid
Schwalbe Marathon (?)
Conti Gatorskins