Jitters Posted November 5, 2008 Report Share Posted November 5, 2008 Hi all,This may sound a bit silly, as it should be a no-brainer, but ...I have searched the forums and FAQs for some tips on removing really really tight rear tire and rim combos, but nothing really good came of it. I can manage on the front tire, but it's really something else for the rear. It's about time for me to swap the old one and would just like some tips or tricks that you guys may have to help me out. It's a 20" rim and a beefy rear tire with a thick bead of unknown brand. Will be installing a Creepy Crawler and hope to keep the old one for a spare, if possible.Just to point out, I've probably switched hundreds of tires on road an mountain bike rims, but this rear tire has got me stumped. I've considered a 1 pound C4 charge as a viable option at this point, as it eats tire levers for breakfast and laughs.I swear, I can hear it laughing at me. Thanks for any input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_ Posted November 5, 2008 Report Share Posted November 5, 2008 Try,Metal tyre leversdousing the tyre in boling water, fairy liquid (or similar detergent) around the areas your attempting to get over the rim.and if all else fails, break the bead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psycholist Posted November 5, 2008 Report Share Posted November 5, 2008 I recommend trying to improve the technique you use to get the tyres off first: The centre of the rim has a smaller diameter than the rim has just inside the braking surfaces where the tyre beads sit while the tyre is inflated. Let the air out of the tyre and lift it away from the rim at the valve (The only spot in the rim where the tyre bead can't be moved to the centre of the rim (The valve is in the way...) and while keeping it under tension at the valve, push the tyre bead from one side of the rim towards the centre of the rim. You should be able to feel more and more slack developing in the section of tyre you're holding by the valve until the tyre bead can be lifted right off the rim. I don't need tyre levers for most road tyres using this technique and I've got tyres off with my bare hands that the owners of the bike keep telling me they need steel tyre levers to remove... Also it's funny to see people's shock when they tyre they've been wrestling with tyre levers for 10 minutes comes off effortlessly after 30 seconds with this method.To refit the tyre just reverse the procedure so the last bit of tyre bead to pop onto the rim is at the valve... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shamus Posted November 5, 2008 Report Share Posted November 5, 2008 I recommend trying to improve the technique you use to get the tyres off first: The centre of the rim has a smaller diameter than the rim has just inside the braking surfaces where the tyre beads sit while the tyre is inflated. Let the air out of the tyre and lift it away from the rim at the valve (The only spot in the rim where the tyre bead can't be moved to the centre of the rim (The valve is in the way...) and while keeping it under tension at the valve, push the tyre bead from one side of the rim towards the centre of the rim. You should be able to feel more and more slack developing in the section of tyre you're holding by the valve until the tyre bead can be lifted right off the rim. I don't need tyre levers for most road tyres using this technique and I've got tyres off with my bare hands that the owners of the bike keep telling me they need steel tyre levers to remove... Also it's funny to see people's shock when they tyre they've been wrestling with tyre levers for 10 minutes comes off effortlessly after 30 seconds with this method.To refit the tyre just reverse the procedure so the last bit of tyre bead to pop onto the rim is at the valve...exactly but sometimes its a little awkward still.well shaped and strong tyre levers are a good shout, try putting them under the tyre at very small spacings to reduce the effort you have to put in. (had this problem with my honda and this technique saved me, so simple yet it worked!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jitters Posted November 5, 2008 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2008 Sounds reasonable, psycholist. Think I've been doing that 180 degrees off, starting from the opposite end from the valve, which as you point out, will not work so well.I'll give that a try and add metal levers and some kinda detergent or what have you as shamus and tom suggested. Will report back eventually.Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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