GCN: "Some tires are notoriously difficult to fit" ... "Let me demonstrate with the loosest fitting tire you are likely to ever see in your entire life"
After struggling for over an hour, I watched this video, did it in 2 mins, then immediately got a flat. Currently wondering if I do it all again or sell my bike...
Just wanted to say how truly helpful this video turned out to be. Repeating yourself drove home how important it is to chase the bead around the center of the rim where the diameter is smallest. After fighting with a 29 boost wheel for over an hour, that re-framing of the most fundamental importance (plus working two tire levers together) helped me slip the tire on in the end! Never admit defeat!!!
I've been fitting tyres to bikes I've owned for over 50 years, yet some of today's rim & tyre & rim combinations can prove a real struggle. Your most important tip, that of ensuring the bead is at the centre of the rim, when fitting enabled me to even install my new tyre without levers; I was amazed & really pleased how this simple, but good advice proved a success. You were completely correct in repeating this point. Thank you soooo much. Regards, Kevin
Speaking as someone who tried for an hour and has blisters on both thumbs the first tip worked straight away had not an issue before with the tires but on new rims was a massive struggle
I recommend plastic ones, metal ones will scrape up your wheels very easy. I haven't had a problem with mine, and you can't get much cheaper than the ones that come with $3 Chinese patch kits, and they are pretty nice and sturdy. For motorcycle tires, I use full size crow bars and truck levers (special semi-truck levers). Good luck getting the back tire on my dirt bike with anything less, I usually have about 4 of those bars stuck in my tires at once trying to pry them on, and I only get 2-3k miles on a rear tire before they become slicks.
Yep, metal levers used carefully are the bomb, easy to slip under the bead courtesy of the small dimensions, and never gonna break. Not so great for quick tire removal, i.e. sliding the tool around the rim under the bead, and probably not the best choice for carbon rims.
I bought metal ones when I tried to remove my old's MTB front tire (26") and the plastic levers just bent. A blue schwalbe tire I bought for the turbo trainer is almost impossible to remove without metal levers becuase the tire is very stiff (to withstand the turbo trainer's roller).
When you can't get the last little section over I find that cursing under my breath helps. If it still doesn't work, I put the wheel and tire in the corner on a 5 minute time out to think about what they have done. It always does the trick.
Definitely! Actually, I think having a break if you’ve been struggling for a while really helps. I sat down with a can of lager for a for a few minutes after struggling to remove the cassette lock ring. After I’d screamed at it following my rest, it shifted in an instant!! Never ever let it beat you!!
This video just saved my thumbs! I'd been struggling with a Zipp 404 and a 5000 Continental tyre but after pushing it into the centre of the wheel, it slipped on like a dream! Si, you are a life saver. I can now give you a big thumbs up as my thumbs aren't bleeding from pushing the tire endlessly around the rim. Cheers!! xx
Thanks for centre lining! The best solution is usually the simplest. 5:08 The bike shop will use the "Kool Stop Tire Bead Jack". Just get it first, it's under 15 bucks. It may be to bulky to take for some rides, but most tires are more difficult to mount when brand new. So, on the road, you might be OK with regular tire levers and "centristic" tire bead positioning as recommended by GCN.
Thanks for this video, Simon & GCN! After struggling with a difficult to fit tyre for 15 minutes with my wife, I eventually realized that I could probably find a youtube video with some help... of course GCN was the first hit. About 45 seconds into the video the tyre was fit, the night was saved, I'm a hero (by proxy), and my wife is ready to commute on Monday. So, thanks a bunch!
THANK YOU for this video! After struggling for two hours to mount a new tire, I watched your video, and using your tip of pushing the bead into the center of the rim, I managed to pop the tire on easily, without using a tire lever. Now I'm not worried if I have to change the tire out on the road one day.
Thank you! Your timeless video (7yrs old now) tip of leaving the valve stem until last, on a tubeless tire made all the difference in the world. I had what seemed like an impossible situation, breaking 2 levers and just about to throw away the bontraeger rim strips in favor of rim tape, to gain less circumference. By leaving the valve stem until last, I was actually able to get the tire on by hand. Shameful I hadn't thought of that sooner.
Global Cycling Network - final step if nothing else works, warm tyre in oven (radiators are for wimps). Works great, but impossible to remove, so a last resort for race tyres. Challenge Fangos on 'large' rims, 20 minutes cooking time
I dont understand why people keep knocking them for product placement . Thats who pays their bills , wages and makes it possible for them to do these videos . Give it a break hey .
One of the best temporary lubricants is Isopropyl alcohol (70% +). Works way better than soap and doesn't leave any residue. Plus it evaporates within about 2 minutes of application.
I was about to throw my tlr mavic wheels after trying for more than an hour to put some gator hardshell on with an inner tube. That trick about finishing at the valve and pushing it was the one that saved me, you are the man!
It definitely helps with the anger management when that last stubborn part won't get on the rim! Try getting some Michelin tires on without some heartwarming verbal abuse... ; )
Thank you so much for this video! I'm new to cycling and dreaded changing the inner tubes on my eMTB as they're so difficult to get back on!! You saved me so much time, sweat and pain, thank you ❤️
Spent hours with tyre levers trying to get a maxxis high roller 2 on ... watched this video and got the tyre on by hand within minutes. Thank you for saving my sanity !
As someone with particulary weak hands from injury, i find this video one of the most useful i have seen i a while. Next you should do a video about riding with stronger riders / Using tactics to offset lacking fitness.
Hi, many thanks for this advice. Was struggling yesterday with heavy duty gloves and tyre levers. Today I thought I'd go on RUclips and watched found your video. I followed your advice and got the tyre on easily with my bare hands, no soap and no levers and the tyre seated perfectly! The tyre was a Schwalbe Pro 1 28mm on a Hunt 50mm carbon aero rim.
Saved me! I spent 20 minutes last night trying to fit Conti 4000 GP S II Tires on some new Hunt Aero Lite wheels, eventually gave up then came back with soapy water and three tire levers to get it on. This morning I tried this and even though it didn't feel like I was doing anything getting the bead in the center I was able to get the tire on with no levers. Incredible difference. Thank you
Thank you for this! I've been changing my own tires for more than 20 years and recently I tore the skin off of my thumb trying to get it on. The tire levers worked in seconds. Absolutely brilliant!
Gosh how I needed this advice last night! Struggled with a super stubborn tyre for almost an hour, made a pinch flat in a perfectly new tube in the process, broke a tyre lever... A bike mechanic who had originally fitted these tyres onto my wheels a few months ago has told me than that he hasn't enjoyed working with them at all :) As always, great content Si and all of the GCN Team!
Same here. I wasted so much time trying everything else (including a trip to my local bike shop to ask advice) before running into this video. With that info, I had the tire back on the rim within 2 minutes with no tire irons.
The first tip in this video made all the difference for me! I had struggled with a tire for ~30 minutes and then watched this. I was able to get it mounted in a few minutes using the suggestion he provided.
i watched a half dozen videos before seeing someone actually clearly demonstrate how to get that last bit on with two tire levers at 4:12 --i have super sore hands and didn't get to ride today, but i'm super grateful for this
@ Marathon tires are orders of magnitude more difficult to mount than any other tires I've encountered. . It's a good thing they're relatively puncture-resistant, because if you're ever on the side of the road in winter with a flat, and you don't happen to have a pair of zip ties and 5 tire levers with you, you're doomed.
GCN - where do you get tyres that just seem to slip on like in this video?? - the tyres I put on seem to have been made by Lucifer himself - I can just imagine him heartily laughing as I snap one of my tyre levers getting that last bit on!!
Best tip ever. Struggled with my tire for half an hour, sweating all over, threw a temper tantrum and the levers all about my flat, doubted my physical strength and intelligence, watched this video and got the tire over the rim in seconds.
Si was not kidding about the importance of centering the bead. Spent 20 minutes fighting the tyre, levers flying all across the room. Having centered the bead got it in in literally 30 seconds. Cheers for the excellent advice!
Thank you, after struggling for ages, trying to get tyre on with tyre lever and getting a pinch flat, I now managed to get it on with just my hands! You have saved me from a very frustrating morning!!
Busted an inner tube and a tyre lever trying to fit my tyres in the wrong way. These tips made the job a whole lot easier, especially the first and last tip. That made the real difference. Thanks.
Can't thank you enough. I had a 20" tyre I was so far off getting back on the rim. I gave it like 10-15 sessions before I googled and found this video. The "middle of rim" advice did it for me. Internet vs Everything else : 1 - 0.
I've been changing my own tires for about 35 years and almost never use a tool. But this afternoon I'm mounting a pair of Bontrager AW2 on my wife's bike and I've broken 5 tire levers (had to actually go to the bike shop twice to buy levers) and punctured 3 tubes and it's still not on. Used all these tricks, because they are pretty common knowledge. Was hoping for something I didn't already know. Anyway, save your thumbs and tubes and tire levers and don't buy Bontrager AW2 clinchers.
Thank you so much! Fingers ACHING with the effort of pulling at the sodding tyre. Finally got it by pushing edge of tyre to middle as suggested. You have made an old git (71) very very happy!!!
Well didnt really help but watching this gave my thumbs a break and after I decided to add a little are in the tube and the rest of the bead went on easily
Thank you, great advice. No. 1 - TYRE PLACEMENT is the best. My tyre was so tight to put on, I almost gave up. Watched this video, tried TYRE PLACEMENT and worked miraculously!
i'm just about to put my tyre in a pot of hot water. Then i'll try lubrication, first myself and then the tyre.....Can you recommend a good brand of bike tools :)
I followed your first suggestion and it worked perfectly. I wish I had seen your video before I spent 35 minutes trying to do it on my own. Thanks again
I was always taught that you start at the valve when fitting a tyre and finish opposite it, in the centre of the tube. Think it was more a safety precaution in case you nicked the tube with the levers. Nick the tube towards the valve stem and you could waste a tube if un repairable. I've always done my cycles as a kid this way and then any motorbike tyre set up be it road, track or dirt.
Arrived here after puncturing a brand new tube whilst trying to fit a brand new tight AF tyre. 2nd attempt successful, soapy water + leaving the last section of tyre to fit around the valve stem, so you can push the valve stem and tyre away as you snap fit the tyre with the help of a lever. Cheers GCN 🤙🏻
Thanks for the tips! Setting the tyres at the deepest portion of the rim and pulling down to reduce slack did the trick for me (Continental Grand Prix 4 Season 28C).
@ 1:03 this is the best tip I have ever gotten on tire fitting. I I have always struggled with getting that last bit over but this trick was magical. Worked 3 times straight since I've tried the method. THANK YOU!
Watched this after I got a blister on my thumb. 100% recommend the tyre rim in the middle valley or the rim trick and working down towards the value it worked first try for me! Thanks!
Another person here struggling with Conti Gatorskins. What an unsustainable product - will never buy again. Great comments. Another video with a proper difficult tyre required.
I tried almost all of these tips and sacrificing 2 of my tire levers trying to fit my schwalbe marathon plus tires and when I finally got them in I relized that they were facing the wrong way of rotation ;(
Oh, man, I feel your pain. We've got to laugh at ourselves, eh? I just purchased but have yet to use a Kool Stop tire lever. Looks like the BOMB for finishing up tough tires like the heavy Schwalbes.
Wow. Thank God for you. I've been struggling all morning, then I stop the vid in the middle of your 1st tip and bingo. Got it on in no time. Thank you, thank you, thank you. And this is a road tire over a 60mm Roval. And saved me from buying the "bike hand" tool I just finished searching for before I saw this.
I was taught how to fit tyres without using levers by the owner of a family bike business that existed for 100 years. Feed the tyre round the rim towards the valve, as he does at the beggining of this video, have a very slight amount of air in the tube. Put the wheel on the floor or bench with valve at the top, push valve up slightly, grip tyre over the top with both whole hands over tyre over valve, thumbs under rim near spokes and ROLL the tyre towards you, at the same time pushing wheel away. I have never failed EVER with this technique, no strain on thumbs, no nicking of tube with levers. It just works. Customers used to come into the shop with tyres that looked impossible, I used to turn away with my back to customer, roll tyre on, then turn back. Magic.
Love the comments. Very therapeutic. Glad to know it isn't me. Wrestled with a tight tire for 90 minutes and finally got it on. Too tired to go for a ride but my forearms have some amazing vein action happening. Got to a point where I stopped caring about the tube and just went nuts with my Pedro's levers. All I good think was "what happens if I am stranded in the middle of nowhere?" Is it time to go tubeless?
Pro tip - Most people don't realize that poor spelling is what causes maintenance issues...mounting a tyre where God intended a tire goes is 98% of the fitment problem. Mounting a tire on an aluminium wheel is the other 2%. Tire + aluminum wheel = easy Sunday morning.
Thanks so much for top advice about pushing bead to centre of rim. Spent a whole hour getting tyre on new Mavic XC821 rim then half hour getting it off after a puncture. Checked out this video and refitted the tyre in 2 minutes without even using a tyre lever.
I got 1:32 into the video and you already helped me. Trying to mount a set of gum walls to a 50 year old set of rims. They were not seating evenly. Tried your first tip, worked perfectly. Thanks!
Was struggling for about 20 minutes using tire levers. As soon as I flipped part of one side over the edge the same amount on the other side came off. With keeping the tire in the middle of the rim bed I managed to put it on with just my thumbs. Thank you!
All respect to you for first and last tip. I had a bloodied finger and 30 minute struggle before I googled for new ideas. I guess i was just lucky in the past to have always had it centered when i pushed with fingers, but these went in only when i focused on centering the inside braid. Thanks a lot.
I rarely run into a tire that I can't pull on with my bare hands... but I did today--a Conti Gator Hardshell... but it was out in my garage--and it has been in the 50's at night the past couple of days--so the "heating" option finally did the trick. (I had already tried pretty much everything else on your list and then some.) I have a heat gun that puts out some serious watts so I used that on low for a few minutes... slowly circling wheel... that the tire was 85% mounted to... but focusing mainly on the 15% or so of the tire that was still hanging off the wheel. And sure enough, I was able to pull it on fairly easily right after that. Cheers!
This video saved me - Thank you! My problem/solution was rim tape: instead of using regular rim tape, I used a silicon type non-sticky one - don't do it😢! My dream planned day, after having just received my first ever carbon wheelset, turned into nightmare. I wasn't able to install the tire after 4+ hours and got swollen red fingers, it was just impossible. I blamed myself that I got 25mm (manufacturer says it's OK) instead of 28mm tires. I counted 5 punctures on the brand new inner tube, due to my force and attempts. Decided to Google it and a tyre reviewer suggested to insert the tyre without an inner tube: that way it might be a bit easier and then leave it for 24-48 hrs for the tyre to stretch and then insert an inner tube. Then watched this video. I gave it a try on the 2nd wheel and luckily I hadn't installed a rim tape, and . . . the tire was inserted as easily as a cheeseburger in Trump's mouth. Then I realized it was the first tip of this video about not choosing a thick rim tape. And the tape doesn't *look* thick at all, but it made a huge difference. I used a regular rim tape and it was easier to insert the tires than my old aluminium wheelset. Lesson learned . . . And now I have to remove and insert a cassette for the first time, which I thought would be my real struggle. I have already watched GCN's great video on cassettes. Thanks GCN and RUclips ❤😢😊
The 2 tires lever @4:13 was the best trick. I had been struggling for hours because another video said to not use tools and just roll it in. This was really tight fit 700x23 tire. Made in a mere minute with the 2 levers. Thank you!😁🙏
I'd been struggling with a change of my SWorks Turbo T2/T5 for about 30 minutes, even with re-seating the bead in the well I was still sore. The *huzzah* moment was *finish AT THE VALVE*. Finished in another minute. THANKYOU!
The advice in the video is brilliant. I had some new mtb tyres to fit on some aluminium rims, did not want to use metal levers so as not to damage anything. The plastic levers might as well have been made from rubber. Using your tips the tyres were fitted in minutes, with no levers. Cheers and regards. As a side note, I learnt to change bike tyres at school over forty years ago, using forks for levers.
I definitely recommend warming the tyre up beforehand - best to unfold it and leave in the sun for a while i.e. if you live in a country where the sun makes an appearance every now and again! Then if you need to use tyre levers to put the last bit on - use them the same way round as when you take off a tyre - if that makes any sense. I will definitely try moving the tyre to the centre though - hopefully that is the tip I have been waiting for - thanks GCN!!!
HOLY SMOKES. The first 80 seconds of this video has changed my life! I wish I'd found this tip a decade ago, and I wish I could like this video more than once!
Great video. First go installing a super tight new tyre couldn’t get near fully on, even with levers. Heating the tyre worked a treat for me. A few minutes on the stone patio in the summer sun and I got in on without recourse to levers.
This video has just saved my sanity trying to fit Vittoria Rubino Pro tyres on my American Classic wheelset. The 1st tip about ensuring tyre bead was seated in the bed of the rim made a big difference but sadly I still had to resort to using tyre levers to get last 3-4 inch of tyre on. I then pumped tyre to maximum 120psi and it was so satisfying to hear the popping as it seated fully on the rim.
I'm literally thinking of using strong tape to hold one part of the tyre in position whilst I use my 3rd and 4th hands and both feet to fit this bloody thing onto my wheel.... Thanks for posting the video. To be fair, yours doesn't seem like a very difficult tyre. Here, try using mine )
GCN: "Some tires are notoriously difficult to fit"
... "Let me demonstrate with the loosest fitting tire you are likely to ever see in your entire life"
The same way "clean your bike" videos always start with clean bikes/chain train...
Wizards sleeve etc...
😂😂
It's infuriatingly loose
😂
After struggling for over an hour, I watched this video, did it in 2 mins, then immediately got a flat. Currently wondering if I do it all again or sell my bike...
was it a flat or did you pinch/weaken the tube in some way while installing?
did you sell it?
Not sure what I did wrong. But I got a bike shop to do it and haven't had an issue since!
Solution = n+1
Not worth the hassle sometimes
Just wanted to say how truly helpful this video turned out to be. Repeating yourself drove home how important it is to chase the bead around the center of the rim where the diameter is smallest. After fighting with a 29 boost wheel for over an hour, that re-framing of the most fundamental importance (plus working two tire levers together) helped me slip the tire on in the end! Never admit defeat!!!
I've been fitting tyres to bikes I've owned for over 50 years, yet some of today's rim & tyre & rim combinations can prove a real struggle. Your most important tip, that of ensuring the bead is at the centre of the rim, when fitting enabled me to even install my new tyre without levers; I was amazed & really pleased how this simple, but good advice proved a success. You were completely correct in repeating this point. Thank you soooo much. Regards, Kevin
That was the clincher for me too.
Yep. Never heard this and it work immediately after an otherwise futile struggle.
@@nicholaschip5820so to speak..! 😆
"We're going to show you how to get a real difficult tyre on"
Literally pops it on using your hands. I'm sorry what.
That's not a difficult tyre.
I know right. My hands are currently on fire 🔥 😂
Speaking as someone who tried for an hour and has blisters on both thumbs the first tip worked straight away had not an issue before with the tires but on new rims was a massive struggle
Seriously, what a waste of time.
He's demonstrating he technique - I found it helpful
Most of the people who came here have just finished snapping all their tire levers
I'm only here because I'm using my only tire lever AND a Phillips screwdriver.
That's why I bought metal ones
MY EYE!!! MY EYE!!! I think i sharpened those metal tyre levers too much.
Don't fucking rub it in
Omg that’s literally me I just snapped 3 of them
A moment of silence for our fallen tire-levers that we have lost because of difficult-to-fit bike tires.
They do have a tendency to go into orbit, don't they.
I invested on two metal tire levers. (look like rounded screwdrivers) They're so strong , I believe you can change motorcycle tires with them
I recommend plastic ones, metal ones will scrape up your wheels very easy. I haven't had a problem with mine, and you can't get much cheaper than the ones that come with $3 Chinese patch kits, and they are pretty nice and sturdy. For motorcycle tires, I use full size crow bars and truck levers (special semi-truck levers). Good luck getting the back tire on my dirt bike with anything less, I usually have about 4 of those bars stuck in my tires at once trying to pry them on, and I only get 2-3k miles on a rear tire before they become slicks.
Yep, metal levers used carefully are the bomb, easy to slip under the bead courtesy of the small dimensions, and never gonna break. Not so great for quick tire removal, i.e. sliding the tool around the rim under the bead, and probably not the best choice for carbon rims.
I bought metal ones when I tried to remove my old's MTB front tire (26") and the plastic levers just bent. A blue schwalbe tire I bought for the turbo trainer is almost impossible to remove without metal levers becuase the tire is very stiff (to withstand the turbo trainer's roller).
the tyre in the video looks to be the easiest tyre in the world to fit.....
Andrew Summers
Exactly
try Andrew tire installation, you'll find it is super easy to install any difficult mount tire. ruclips.net/video/xsyfAh68zM0/видео.html
Definitely. Makes the video so much questionable! Nothing difficult about putting that tyre on.
Andrew it did seem to fall on.
When you can't get the last little section over I find that cursing under my breath helps. If it still doesn't work, I put the wheel and tire in the corner on a 5 minute time out to think about what they have done. It always does the trick.
Definitely! Actually, I think having a break if you’ve been struggling for a while really helps. I sat down with a can of lager for a for a few minutes after struggling to remove the cassette lock ring. After I’d screamed at it following my rest, it shifted in an instant!! Never ever let it beat you!!
This video just saved my thumbs! I'd been struggling with a Zipp 404 and a 5000 Continental tyre but after pushing it into the centre of the wheel, it slipped on like a dream! Si, you are a life saver. I can now give you a big thumbs up as my thumbs aren't bleeding from pushing the tire endlessly around the rim. Cheers!! xx
Thanks for centre lining! The best solution is usually the simplest.
5:08 The bike shop will use the "Kool Stop Tire Bead Jack". Just get it first, it's under 15 bucks. It may be to bulky to take for some rides, but most tires are more difficult to mount when brand new. So, on the road, you might be OK with regular tire levers and "centristic" tire bead positioning as recommended by GCN.
Thanks for this video, Simon & GCN! After struggling with a difficult to fit tyre for 15 minutes with my wife, I eventually realized that I could probably find a youtube video with some help... of course GCN was the first hit. About 45 seconds into the video the tyre was fit, the night was saved, I'm a hero (by proxy), and my wife is ready to commute on Monday. So, thanks a bunch!
THANK YOU for this video! After struggling for two hours to mount a new tire, I watched your video, and using your tip of pushing the bead into the center of the rim, I managed to pop the tire on easily, without using a tire lever. Now I'm not worried if I have to change the tire out on the road one day.
I must say I could watch this JUST for the darling accent and encouraging attitude. Thank you!
This video saved my hands and forearms after wrestling with a Conti GP 4000s II for about 30 mins. Brilliant tips 👍🏼
Half an hour of wrangling with another difficult tyre and your first tip worked! Wish I'd found this video years ago! Thanks!
The tip about making sure the bead was down in the center of the rim was a revelation for me. Thanks!!!
Thank you! Your timeless video (7yrs old now) tip of leaving the valve stem until last, on a tubeless tire made all the difference in the world. I had what seemed like an impossible situation, breaking 2 levers and just about to throw away the bontraeger rim strips in favor of rim tape, to gain less circumference. By leaving the valve stem until last, I was actually able to get the tire on by hand. Shameful I hadn't thought of that sooner.
Heck Si what brand of Tire is that? looks like you could sneeze and that would make it go over the rim.
The tip about tyre positioning is spot on, was struggling , then watched this, followed the tyre position tip and it made all the difference
Here's our hard-earned advice for fitting those difficult tyres. Got something you'd like to add? Join the conversation 👇
Global Cycling Network - koolstop tyre jack, massive force for the last part, cannot puncture the tube
Global Cycling Network - final step if nothing else works, warm tyre in oven (radiators are for wimps). Works great, but impossible to remove, so a last resort for race tyres. Challenge Fangos on 'large' rims, 20 minutes cooking time
I've found that adding a bit of baby powder to the tube surface helps lubricate the whole process.
I dont understand why people keep knocking them for product placement . Thats who pays their bills , wages and makes it possible for them to do these videos . Give it a break hey .
One of the best temporary lubricants is Isopropyl alcohol (70% +). Works way better than soap and doesn't leave any residue. Plus it evaporates within about 2 minutes of application.
I was about to throw my tlr mavic wheels after trying for more than an hour to put some gator hardshell on with an inner tube.
That trick about finishing at the valve and pushing it was the one that saved me, you are the man!
I usually use brute force and profanity and it works haha
That could be every home mechanic's ultimate hack, I reckon.
If not ultimate hack, their last resort...
SwedishHouseFifa Pro Tip!
It definitely helps with the anger management when that last stubborn part won't get on the rim! Try getting some Michelin tires on without some heartwarming verbal abuse... ; )
Profanity is the only real need.
7 years later, the rolling the bead into the center rim advice just saved me. Thank you
Thank you so much for this video! I'm new to cycling and dreaded changing the inner tubes on my eMTB as they're so difficult to get back on!! You saved me so much time, sweat and pain, thank you ❤️
Spent hours with tyre levers trying to get a maxxis high roller 2 on ... watched this video and got the tyre on by hand within minutes. Thank you for saving my sanity !
As someone with particulary weak hands from injury, i find this video one of the most useful i have seen i a while.
Next you should do a video about riding with stronger riders / Using tactics to offset lacking fitness.
Glad you like the video Spy - keep an eye out for your suggestion, too. We'll see what we can do.
Global Cycling Network Other than using those devious tricks against the rest of the pack? :P
Cant be done . Fitness is every thing !!!!More training
Hi, many thanks for this advice. Was struggling yesterday with heavy duty gloves and tyre levers. Today I thought I'd go on RUclips and watched found your video. I followed your advice and got the tyre on easily with my bare hands, no soap and no levers and the tyre seated perfectly! The tyre was a Schwalbe Pro 1 28mm on a Hunt 50mm carbon aero rim.
So, to recap. You need to lube the rim before slipping on the rubber.
Or lube the rubber directly lols
:3
The first time (with anything) is always a bit difficult because it is so tight. Keep trying. It eventually gets easier.
U can go in without lube if you're strong
@@Sudipto17Kolkata that's what i told her. But she still kicked me in the nuts for trying. 🤣
Saved me! I spent 20 minutes last night trying to fit Conti 4000 GP S II Tires on some new Hunt Aero Lite wheels, eventually gave up then came back with soapy water and three tire levers to get it on. This morning I tried this and even though it didn't feel like I was doing anything getting the bead in the center I was able to get the tire on with no levers. Incredible difference. Thank you
Thank you for this! I've been changing my own tires for more than 20 years and recently I tore the skin off of my thumb trying to get it on. The tire levers worked in seconds. Absolutely brilliant!
Gosh how I needed this advice last night! Struggled with a super stubborn tyre for almost an hour, made a pinch flat in a perfectly new tube in the process, broke a tyre lever...
A bike mechanic who had originally fitted these tyres onto my wheels a few months ago has told me than that he hasn't enjoyed working with them at all :)
As always, great content Si and all of the GCN Team!
Thank you, GCN! The first tip was EXACTLY what I needed to mount my new tyres!
Same here. I wasted so much time trying everything else (including a trip to my local bike shop to ask advice) before running into this video. With that info, I had the tire back on the rim within 2 minutes with no tire irons.
The first tip in this video made all the difference for me! I had struggled with a tire for ~30 minutes and then watched this. I was able to get it mounted in a few minutes using the suggestion he provided.
Great tips. I was struggling with a new tire. Followed the first four tips and it went on far easier.
i watched a half dozen videos before seeing someone actually clearly demonstrate how to get that last bit on with two tire levers at 4:12 --i have super sore hands and didn't get to ride today, but i'm super grateful for this
"How To Fit Any DIFFICULT-To-Fit Bike Tyre": I don't see a difficult tyre on the video. Do one with a difficult for us to see
Snyzz yeah, noticed that as well
Yeah, i mean just spent the best part of 3 hours trying to fit Conti Trail kings onto Hope 35w's....NIGHTMARE, raw fingers on a different level
@ Marathon tires are orders of magnitude more difficult to mount than any other tires I've encountered. . It's a good thing they're relatively puncture-resistant, because if you're ever on the side of the road in winter with a flat, and you don't happen to have a pair of zip ties and 5 tire levers with you, you're doomed.
@@cobrider2 Schwalbe Pick-up? (Same company as the Marathons. Heavy sidewalls…)
Challenge Strada 700x25? Anyone?
Even six years after this video was published, tip #2 did the trick after struggling with a particularly tight tire. Many thanks Simon and GCN!
GCN - where do you get tyres that just seem to slip on like in this video?? - the tyres I put on seem to have been made by Lucifer himself - I can just imagine him heartily laughing as I snap one of my tyre levers getting that last bit on!!
Best tip ever. Struggled with my tire for half an hour, sweating all over, threw a temper tantrum and the levers all about my flat, doubted my physical strength and intelligence, watched this video and got the tire over the rim in seconds.
I literally just went through this
when ur hands burn more from putting on a tire than riding with no gloves
Yep. That.
and when you finally managed you realize that you put the tyre the wrong way
louis coope
The Mig Cycling i dont bother with that
Burn 🔥 like falling from your bike without gloves. Ouch
Si was not kidding about the importance of centering the bead. Spent 20 minutes fighting the tyre, levers flying all across the room. Having centered the bead got it in in literally 30 seconds. Cheers for the excellent advice!
I'm panicking holy smokes, i've been trying to put gator skins on my tire for almost 2 hours now. im giving up and just so stressed right now :(
Hahahahahahahahahaha!! This is exactly what I am struggling with and so came looking for help!!!!
Just ask your husband to do it for you.
Me too...
@@blipco5 Wow, LOL
SAME. I thought I was nuts! Thank you!!!
The two thumbs round the rim of the tyre to make sure it's seated properly worked for me. It was either that or set fire to the bike.
When i was a kid we used talcum powder to slip them on, also on the inner tube to help it evenly expand to the tyre.
Thank you, after struggling for ages, trying to get tyre on with tyre lever and getting a pinch flat, I now managed to get it on with just my hands! You have saved me from a very frustrating morning!!
So tyred of difficult tyres, finally a video thats grips me.
Busted an inner tube and a tyre lever trying to fit my tyres in the wrong way. These tips made the job a whole lot easier, especially the first and last tip. That made the real difference. Thanks.
Why do I keep thinking about "Park Tools" now?
Can't thank you enough. I had a 20" tyre I was so far off getting back on the rim. I gave it like 10-15 sessions before I googled and found this video. The "middle of rim" advice did it for me. Internet vs Everything else : 1 - 0.
I've been changing my own tires for about 35 years and almost never use a tool. But this afternoon I'm mounting a pair of Bontrager AW2 on my wife's bike and I've broken 5 tire levers (had to actually go to the bike shop twice to buy levers) and punctured 3 tubes and it's still not on. Used all these tricks, because they are pretty common knowledge. Was hoping for something I didn't already know. Anyway, save your thumbs and tubes and tire levers and don't buy Bontrager AW2 clinchers.
throw them away ! what happens if you get a puncture when out somewhere , and don't have access to power tools ? i just learned about that one...
Thank you so much! Fingers ACHING with the effort of pulling at the sodding tyre. Finally got it by pushing edge of tyre to middle as suggested. You have made an old git (71) very very happy!!!
Well didnt really help but watching this gave my thumbs a break and after I decided to add a little are in the tube and the rest of the bead went on easily
pressing the rim down was the best advice! tried for 2 days on and off and after the trick, it took 1 min! thanks!!
Giant PR-2 wheels are horrendous for puncture repair and tyre changes!
Thank you, great advice. No. 1 - TYRE PLACEMENT is the best. My tyre was so tight to put on, I almost gave up. Watched this video, tried TYRE PLACEMENT and worked miraculously!
i'm just about to put my tyre in a pot of hot water. Then i'll try lubrication, first myself and then the tyre.....Can you recommend a good brand of bike tools :)
I followed your first suggestion and it worked perfectly. I wish I had seen your video before I spent 35 minutes trying to do it on my own. Thanks again
Glad it helped
I was always taught that you start at the valve when fitting a tyre and finish opposite it, in the centre of the tube. Think it was more a safety precaution in case you nicked the tube with the levers. Nick the tube towards the valve stem and you could waste a tube if un repairable.
I've always done my cycles as a kid this way and then any motorbike tyre set up be it road, track or dirt.
Bonzo676767 yep, taught the same thing back in the day and done it that way ever since
Arrived here after puncturing a brand new tube whilst trying to fit a brand new tight AF tyre.
2nd attempt successful, soapy water + leaving the last section of tyre to fit around the valve stem, so you can push the valve stem and tyre away as you snap fit the tyre with the help of a lever. Cheers GCN 🤙🏻
showing this with an easy tyre is a bit cheezy?
Totally!
Thanks for the tips! Setting the tyres at the deepest portion of the rim and pulling down to reduce slack did the trick for me (Continental Grand Prix 4 Season 28C).
I'd like to see you take a brand new Continental 4000sII out of the box and try to install that without tire levers or cursing!
Those continental 4000's are as tight A.F.
@ 1:03 this is the best tip I have ever gotten on tire fitting. I I have always struggled with getting that last bit over but this trick was magical. Worked 3 times straight since I've tried the method. THANK YOU!
We all saw that cheeky grin at 3:30!!
Well I actually didn't and was wondering why because I expected it!
Lite Roadie they cut it as he began to smile lol
Watched this after I got a blister on my thumb. 100% recommend the tyre rim in the middle valley or the rim trick and working down towards the value it worked first try for me! Thanks!
Can you guys do a comparison between different price ranged carbon wheelsets? like 350$ chinese carbon vs zipp 404 vs etc!
Another person here struggling with Conti Gatorskins. What an unsustainable product - will never buy again. Great comments. Another video with a proper difficult tyre required.
I tried almost all of these tips and sacrificing 2 of my tire levers trying to fit my schwalbe marathon plus tires and when I finally got them in I relized that they were facing the wrong way of rotation ;(
Schwalbe are a nightmare to get on
Oh, man, I feel your pain. We've got to laugh at ourselves, eh? I just purchased but have yet to use a Kool Stop tire lever. Looks like the BOMB for finishing up tough tires like the heavy Schwalbes.
Wow. Thank God for you. I've been struggling all morning, then I stop the vid in the middle of your 1st tip and bingo. Got it on in no time. Thank you, thank you, thank you. And this is a road tire over a 60mm Roval. And saved me from buying the "bike hand" tool I just finished searching for before I saw this.
I hope these tips are transferable to condom fitting, I have a big weekend coming up.
a trip to Brighton?? haha
If you're in Tasmania I hope you checked ancestry.com first.
Lubricate.
I was taught how to fit tyres without using levers by the owner of a family bike business that existed for 100 years.
Feed the tyre round the rim towards the valve, as he does at the beggining of this video, have a very slight amount of air in the tube.
Put the wheel on the floor or bench with valve at the top, push valve up slightly, grip tyre over the top with both whole hands over tyre over valve, thumbs under rim near spokes and ROLL the tyre towards you, at the same time pushing wheel away. I have never failed EVER with this technique, no strain on thumbs, no nicking of tube with levers. It just works.
Customers used to come into the shop with tyres that looked impossible, I used to turn away with my back to customer, roll tyre on, then turn back. Magic.
Hard to respect this vid when the demo tire is the easiest in the universe
Love the comments. Very therapeutic. Glad to know it isn't me. Wrestled with a tight tire for 90 minutes and finally got it on. Too tired to go for a ride but my forearms have some amazing vein action happening. Got to a point where I stopped caring about the tube and just went nuts with my Pedro's levers. All I good think was "what happens if I am stranded in the middle of nowhere?" Is it time to go tubeless?
You could of used a brand new hard to fit tyre, that one you're using looks far to easy, cough cough. ;)
Just followed the advice from tip 1 with a brand new GatorSkin over a 2-way fit wheel. Worked flawlessly!
Great video, I struggled by hand for 10 min and decided to look this up. Making sure the bead was seated properly did the trick. Thank you.
Your tires were not tight at all. I’ll post you mine to fit!
Yep, the tubeless 'move the valve into the tyre' worked a treat! God bless GCN and all who sail in her!
You're welcome Natalie, glad we could be of help
Pro tip - Most people don't realize that poor spelling is what causes maintenance issues...mounting a tyre where God intended a tire goes is 98% of the fitment problem. Mounting a tire on an aluminium wheel is the other 2%. Tire + aluminum wheel = easy Sunday morning.
Your comment makes no sense? you say tyre then say tire..you use the correct spelling first then the incorrect (nay, American spelling) second.
Thanks so much for top advice about pushing bead to centre of rim. Spent a whole hour getting tyre on new Mavic XC821 rim then half hour getting it off after a puncture. Checked out this video and refitted the tyre in 2 minutes without even using a tyre lever.
The tyre that you changed isn't even remotely difficult. How bout making at least one video that is actually helpful!
Same rules apply.
I got 1:32 into the video and you already helped me. Trying to mount a set of gum walls to a 50 year old set of rims. They were not seating evenly. Tried your first tip, worked perfectly. Thanks!
you need to explain what a beed is because only a small group of people know what that is
Zach Hall it is the wire that Grips inside the rim of the wheel
when you get stung you've been.....beed
OR... you could Google what it means instead of expecting everything to be spoon fed to you for free.
Was struggling for about 20 minutes using tire levers. As soon as I flipped part of one side over the edge the same amount on the other side came off. With keeping the tire in the middle of the rim bed I managed to put it on with just my thumbs. Thank you!
You saved my life! The whole pinching from the valve then working your way around really did the trick.
All respect to you for first and last tip. I had a bloodied finger and 30 minute struggle before I googled for new ideas. I guess i was just lucky in the past to have always had it centered when i pushed with fingers, but these went in only when i focused on centering the inside braid. Thanks a lot.
Fitted the tyres I was struggling to fit straight after watching this video! God Bless you Simon!
I rarely run into a tire that I can't pull on with my bare hands... but I did today--a Conti Gator Hardshell... but it was out in my garage--and it has been in the 50's at night the past couple of days--so the "heating" option finally did the trick. (I had already tried pretty much everything else on your list and then some.) I have a heat gun that puts out some serious watts so I used that on low for a few minutes... slowly circling wheel... that the tire was 85% mounted to... but focusing mainly on the 15% or so of the tire that was still hanging off the wheel. And sure enough, I was able to pull it on fairly easily right after that. Cheers!
This video saved me - Thank you! My problem/solution was rim tape: instead of using regular rim tape, I used a silicon type non-sticky one - don't do it😢! My dream planned day, after having just received my first ever carbon wheelset, turned into nightmare. I wasn't able to install the tire after 4+ hours and got swollen red fingers, it was just impossible. I blamed myself that I got 25mm (manufacturer says it's OK) instead of 28mm tires. I counted 5 punctures on the brand new inner tube, due to my force and attempts. Decided to Google it and a tyre reviewer suggested to insert the tyre without an inner tube: that way it might be a bit easier and then leave it for 24-48 hrs for the tyre to stretch and then insert an inner tube. Then watched this video. I gave it a try on the 2nd wheel and luckily I hadn't installed a rim tape, and . . . the tire was inserted as easily as a cheeseburger in Trump's mouth. Then I realized it was the first tip of this video about not choosing a thick rim tape. And the tape doesn't *look* thick at all, but it made a huge difference. I used a regular rim tape and it was easier to insert the tires than my old aluminium wheelset. Lesson learned . . .
And now I have to remove and insert a cassette for the first time, which I thought would be my real struggle. I have already watched GCN's great video on cassettes. Thanks GCN and RUclips ❤😢😊
The 2 tires lever @4:13 was the best trick. I had been struggling for hours because another video said to not use tools and just roll it in. This was really tight fit 700x23 tire. Made in a mere minute with the 2 levers. Thank you!😁🙏
That worked! Not sure which combo of warm tyres, pushing into middle, pushing out valve and a bit of lube but worked! Thanks for video
I'd been struggling with a change of my SWorks Turbo T2/T5 for about 30 minutes, even with re-seating the bead in the well I was still sore. The *huzzah* moment was *finish AT THE VALVE*. Finished in another minute. THANKYOU!
The advice in the video is brilliant. I had some new mtb tyres to fit on some aluminium rims, did not want to use metal levers so as not to damage anything. The plastic levers might as well have been made from rubber. Using your tips the tyres were fitted in minutes, with no levers. Cheers and regards.
As a side note, I learnt to change bike tyres at school over forty years ago, using forks for levers.
Struggle with tyre for an hour - watch you tube clip. 90 secs in - job done! Thanks great clip.
I definitely recommend warming the tyre up beforehand - best to unfold it and leave in the sun for a while i.e. if you live in a country where the sun makes an appearance every now and again!
Then if you need to use tyre levers to put the last bit on - use them the same way round as when you take off a tyre - if that makes any sense.
I will definitely try moving the tyre to the centre though - hopefully that is the tip I have been waiting for - thanks GCN!!!
HOLY SMOKES. The first 80 seconds of this video has changed my life! I wish I'd found this tip a decade ago, and I wish I could like this video more than once!
Great video. First go installing a super tight new tyre couldn’t get near fully on, even with levers. Heating the tyre worked a treat for me. A few minutes on the stone patio in the summer sun and I got in on without recourse to levers.
This video has just saved my sanity trying to fit Vittoria Rubino Pro tyres on my American Classic wheelset. The 1st tip about ensuring tyre bead was seated in the bed of the rim made a big difference but sadly I still had to resort to using tyre levers to get last 3-4 inch of tyre on. I then pumped tyre to maximum 120psi and it was so satisfying to hear the popping as it seated fully on the rim.
I'm literally thinking of using strong tape to hold one part of the tyre in position whilst I use my 3rd and 4th hands and both feet to fit this bloody thing onto my wheel.... Thanks for posting the video. To be fair, yours doesn't seem like a very difficult tyre. Here, try using mine )
I've watched several videos trying to change my difficult tire, this one helped me the most. Thank you!