Puncture repair tip - how to get tyre back on

[cameramanjim]

I was contemplating buying a tyre tool like this one http://www.muddymoles.org.uk/mutterings/var-tyre-lever-an-end-to-tubeless-struggles but my Local Bike Workshop gave me a qyuick tyre fittling lesson:

They get the tyre back on in seconds. After replacing the inner tube they get most of the tyre back on then sweep all of the tyre that is on into the centre of the well, rather than it being higher up. That slightly loosens the rest of the tyre which you can usually put on with your thumbs. It´s a trick I wish I´d learned some time ago. They tried out my tyre device (which is similar to the VAR tyre levers) and that worked well too, so you could always keep one in reserve for if you´re struggling.

 

[661-Pete]

Yes, I use that technique, it's one that everyone should be aware of. However it doesn't work well for some tyres and some rims, especially double-wall road rims. You still need Herculean strength sometimes.

Another dodge is slightly inflating the inner, but then deflating it before getting the last bit on. But that runs a risk of pinching the inner.

With a particularly difficult new tyre, I do several practice fits without the inner, using levers as necessary. To slightly stretch the tyre without damaging any inners. Then I add the inner, and try to do the final fit with thumbs.

Probably whole books have been written about this.

 

[summerdays]

I have a VAR lever and do use it and the pushing down into the well method together ... (though looking at that photo I think I've been using my lever incorrectly ... ) to fit my Marathon tyres.

 

[Davidc]

Ideally no tools should be used. Sometimes with new tyres, even using techniques such as pushing the beads to the rim's centre, that needs huge force and can't always be done.

I've used 661-pete's technique of putting them on with no inner, but even then have been defeated a couple of times. When it's happened I've found that putting that thin strong binding stuff that's used round boxes between a point on the rim and the tyre, then making that the last bit to fit, and using the binding stuff to pull the tyre in and onto the rim, works. Have to be careful not to damage the tyre rubber though, as the binding stuff's side is sharp enough to cut tyre rubber.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

You could use this method.

 

[Hugo15]

+1 for camramanjim's tip. I was shown it when I went on a course with Edinburgh Bike Co-Op. I also dust the inner of the tyre with talc before fitting.

The you tube video from Spa Cycles shows the technique http://www.youtube.c...h?v=-XUFVrl0UT4 (though the use us toe straps isn't normally required!).

 

[screenman]

You could put the tyre some where warm for a while, airing cupboard or such like, this will make it expand and easier to fit. Not sure that I would want to be stuck side of road though. To be honest I have never needed much more than my fingers to fit a new tyre, lucky I suppose.

 

[ColinJ]

You could use this method.

[attachment=2483:Wheel As Tyre Lever.jpeg]

I've heard of that method before but haven't tried it. I might have a go next time I get a puncture.

TBH - I've developed the knack of doing it with just my hands now, though it can be a bit of a struggle when I'm tired.

 

[fossyant]

Most of my tyres I can fit with just thumbs. The only ones I can't are Schwalbe Snow Studs - absolute buggers. Pedros tyre levers do make short work of this though.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

I've heard of that method before but haven't tried it. I might have a go next time I get a puncture.

TBH - I've developed the knack of doing it with just my hands now, though it can be a bit of a struggle when I'm tired.

I've only had to use it a couple of times, I found it a little bit of a faf but it worked quite nicely, I'm on racelites these days and they go on fairly easily, but that method is a good one to know just in case you come across a tyre that's difficult to get on.

 

[mgarl10024]

I've posted this a few times. Well worth a watch: How to fit a Marathon Plus Tyre.mp4

 

[tyred]

If you rub a little talc or chalk dust around the tyre beading, you will be amazed how much easier it is to slip the tyre back on. I was always sceptical of the benefits of this until I had a new tyre that I was struggling to centre on the rim, and gave it a go.

 

[Tynan]

the odd new tyre I've usd a lever to pop the last bit on, if you;re careful it's fine in my experience

 

[cameramanjim]

Forgot to mention I had both hands injured when filming, so need a bit of help. Next time I get a puncture I´ll try the tips you´ve mentioned, but will have the tyre lever device if all else fails.
Thanks.