Flying Tire Irons
05-06-24, 07:37 PM
#26
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As I said earlier, nobody seems to have problems getting the first side on. And if they do, I'd assume they'd take the hint and get other tires.
But, it begs the question, "if you can get one side on, why can't you get the other side on?"
So, to all those struggling, I suggest the key is in the answer to that question.
.
But, it begs the question, "if you can get one side on, why can't you get the other side on?"
So, to all those struggling, I suggest the key is in the answer to that question.
.
05-06-24, 09:02 PM
#27
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+1
Mounting tires is more about finesse than strength or leverage.
So far, after over 50 years, I've never needed tools to mount a tire.
In all fairness, I'm careful about selection of rims, rim tape, and tires, so my solution to hard fits is more about prevention than fix.
However, I also help others mount tires, so it seems that I've either been lucky or skilled.
However, to the OP, maybe the key is to not let go. Or if you absolutely find another way, consider tying a string to the lever.
Mounting tires is more about finesse than strength or leverage.
So far, after over 50 years, I've never needed tools to mount a tire.
In all fairness, I'm careful about selection of rims, rim tape, and tires, so my solution to hard fits is more about prevention than fix.
However, I also help others mount tires, so it seems that I've either been lucky or skilled.
However, to the OP, maybe the key is to not let go. Or if you absolutely find another way, consider tying a string to the lever.
Like a friend of mine, but he's got hands like those guys who tear phone directories at shows...
05-06-24, 10:39 PM
#28
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A number of the tubes I patch received their puncture from someone else's tire lever during the last part of the remounting process. One or two little slits where the lever got between the tire & lever or the rim.
For mounting, I like to use two well-trained opposable thumbs in lieu of levers as much as possible, similar to others above. If I run into tightness, I massage the partially-mounted bead as deep into the center channel as I can, along with the opposing already-mounted bead. And once in a while, I have to resort to carefully using a lever, but only after the prior steps are unsuccessful.
And if all else fails, I do have a Jim Stein machined steel tire lever in the toolbox, which could probably wrestle on a light truck tire if needed.
For mounting, I like to use two well-trained opposable thumbs in lieu of levers as much as possible, similar to others above. If I run into tightness, I massage the partially-mounted bead as deep into the center channel as I can, along with the opposing already-mounted bead. And once in a while, I have to resort to carefully using a lever, but only after the prior steps are unsuccessful.
And if all else fails, I do have a Jim Stein machined steel tire lever in the toolbox, which could probably wrestle on a light truck tire if needed.
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05-06-24, 10:47 PM
#29
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05-06-24, 10:56 PM
#30
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I don't need levers to put on current tires, though do need to pull them off. High strength plastic, rounded levers, I first got in '89 with my new race bike, made in Netherlands if I recall, still work lovely.
When I was little, dad used to take off and put on bike tire with a screwdriver, frequently left holes in tube.
05-06-24, 11:16 PM
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At the co-op, if a person asks for a screwdriver, we often will ask if they are working on mounting or removing a tire, and if so instead give them a pair of levers. At the bike-rebuilding places where I volunteer, while we're walking around the place experienced staff will look to see if any volunteers are using screwdrivers to mount tires, and adjust the behavior if needed. Occasionally you'll get a stubborn volunteer who says "this is how my dad taught me, and it's good enough for me." And since we're not in the business of firing volunteers, we try to either move them into another task or make sure to check their product after the shift before it moves on to the next step.
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05-07-24, 04:25 AM
#32
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At the co-op, if a person asks for a screwdriver, we often will ask if they are working on mounting or removing a tire, and if so instead give them a pair of levers. At the bike-rebuilding places where I volunteer, while we're walking around the place experienced staff will look to see if any volunteers are using screwdrivers to mount tires, and adjust the behavior if needed. Occasionally you'll get a stubborn volunteer who says "this is how my dad taught me, and it's good enough for me." And since we're not in the business of firing volunteers, we try to either move them into another task or make sure to check their product after the shift before it moves on to the next step.
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05-07-24, 05:17 AM
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For those who just can't do it by hand, the KoolStop Bead Jack works OK and won't pinch the tube.
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05-07-24, 06:42 AM
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05-07-24, 06:51 AM
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Agree 100%.
I think it's incredibly foolish to ride tires that are overly difficult to mount.
If you struggle to mount them under ideal conditions at home, how will you manage when you get a flat on a cold rainy night.
I think it's incredibly foolish to ride tires that are overly difficult to mount.
If you struggle to mount them under ideal conditions at home, how will you manage when you get a flat on a cold rainy night.
Last edited by FBinNY; 05-07-24 at 06:54 AM.
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05-07-24, 07:33 AM
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05-07-24, 07:38 AM
#37
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Didn't you thumb wrestle in your youth?
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05-07-24, 08:55 AM
#38
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05-07-24, 09:40 AM
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It's often not so difficult once the tyre has had some use, but I did have one set that I made sure to carry metal levers if I was going far from home.
05-07-24, 09:42 AM
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A lot of home mechanics simply haven’t changed enough tires, often enough, to develop the proper technique and muscle memory to install a tire without levers. In a shop setting where you might change 10 or 20 tires a day, the skill develops quickly.
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05-07-24, 09:56 AM
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I cook but I will never have the kitchen tool craft like a pro food prep/chef has. There are a number of filters that most all LBS staff need to pass through to keep in this field. One is how to fix a flat in only minutes. Andy
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05-07-24, 10:02 AM
#46
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I don't have so much pride to prevent me from using tire levers, even on tire / rim combos that aren't that difficult. I mean the tools exist for a reason. I have very good technique and I don't just try to hamfist tires on, but I could certainly see that there are many other people out there who haven't developed that technique and could do more damage than good with levers. I have run into plenty of rims where the drop center is just so marginally shallow that they barely allow the tire slip over.
As another poster said above, working towards the valve is the true, correct, way to install a tire. If you try to install a motorcycle or car tire any other way you will not likely be successful without damaging the bead. When you try to do those they will not abide bad technique very well. And good luck working these without levers or tools.
As another poster said above, working towards the valve is the true, correct, way to install a tire. If you try to install a motorcycle or car tire any other way you will not likely be successful without damaging the bead. When you try to do those they will not abide bad technique very well. And good luck working these without levers or tools.
05-07-24, 10:07 AM
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Also, just because you bold and underlined something doesn’t make it true. Or correct.
05-07-24, 10:10 AM
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I used to make steel tire levers, and still carry a pair on the wired on bike. But they're strictly for removing, not mounting tires.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
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WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
05-07-24, 10:13 AM
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I've never offered tube patching as a service when working in shops, only fitted a new tube. At the co-op where my time was free and new tubes were not I would occasionally patch a tube.
05-07-24, 10:20 AM
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WBITW, I worked in a bike shop where we had a decent number of penniless customers, including wheelchair bound Vietnam War vets.
We saved tubes from flat repairs, and when there were a few minutes gang repaired a bunch, filled them with air and hung them on a pipe.
When someone needed a cheap or free tube we'd use one that was still holding air. Those that went limp or flat were tossed.
We saved tubes from flat repairs, and when there were a few minutes gang repaired a bunch, filled them with air and hung them on a pipe.
When someone needed a cheap or free tube we'd use one that was still holding air. Those that went limp or flat were tossed.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.