wheelingmike

After using a set of Reynolds Assault carbon wheels for a few years, I decided to switch them out with a set of Ican FL50 wheels. I have taken tires on and off wheels many times on the Reynolds and never had any issues. Usually, I can fix a flat and back on the road in 5 minutes.

These Ican wheels are totally different! I spent almost 15 minutes just trying to unseat the bead! After that getting the tire off wasn't hard. Then putting the tire back on is another battle! After wrestling with it for another 15 minutes, I finally got it back on. Over 30 minutes to change a tube is ridiculous!

Does anyone have any tips or portable tools I can use to unseat and install the tires more easily? The Kool Stop Tire Jack would help with installation but but it's way too big to carry in my saddle bag.

Thanks.

trailangel

Cut the handle short on the Kool Stop tire jack.. then you can put it in a saddle bag.

MudPie

Regarding installing the tire, my trick is to start opposite of the valve stem, and install the bead evenly in both directions towards the valve stem. As you place the bead onto the rim, pinch the two beads together and pull the tire so the beads sit into the trough of the rim. Keep doing this (pinch and pull) until you reach the valve. By ensuring the bead is in the trough of the rim, you're giving yourself more slack as you finish up the installation.

It's hard to describe the process, but I did see a youtube clip on this procedure. I'll try to find the link.

I have not used tire levers to install a tire is probably 20 years since I've been using the above method.

Also, warming the tire in the sun helps too.

oldbobcat

What MudPie said. On some rims the center channel isn't as deep, and some tires are on the tight side of spec. And tire jacks should only be used in the most desperate situations. And my favorite tire levers are Pedro's, available in many colors.

wheelingmike

Yeah, I did try to move the beads into the middle groove of the wheel as much as possible. Even then, it's still a bear to get over that last 10% of the tire. Like I said, never had this issue on the Reynolds. I can easily roll the tire over with just a little force. It seems like the Ican wheels are slightly bigger in diameter or something. Everything is just so much tighter.

Racing Dan

Lots of wheels are like that. Imo its spill over from TL compatibility. It very annoying when usually you can do the job with a pair of plastic levers or your hands, no problem. Often you also need fairly high pressure to "seat" ordinary clinchers making the job, road side, even more annoying. I really wish road TL and hook less rims would go the way of the dodo.

JohnDThompson 

Seems a shame to lop off most of the leverage benefit of the Kool Stop bead jack. Get a Kool Stop to use at home, and a VAR portable bead jack to put in your saddle bag or jersey pocket.


https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/tools/va...evers/?geoc=US

DiabloScott

1. The tires will stretch some with use, that'll help.
2. Rims that are made for tubeless like to have tubeless rim tape instead of thicker Velox or Zefal, that'll help.
3. On new installs, it helps to pre-stretch the tire on the rim without a tube, so you can get your lever hooked under the bead and around a spoke, let it sit for a while to stretch out one section, then move the unseated part to a different section and stretch that out for a while. Once you can get the tire on without levers and without a tube, then you can put the tube in easier.

You don't want to be doing this with a flat repair on the road.

andrewclaus

You mentioned it took a while just to unseat the bead from the rim. I ran into one of those last year. After I finally got it off, I put some talc on it, but it wasn't my bike and I'll never know if that helped the next time.

If you can use a thinner rim strip or tape, that might help next time.

Rogerogeroge

OP indicates he is not tubeless. In that case, when installing the tire, start at the valve stem and finish mounting opposite the valve. But you are correct for TL.

ChrisWagner

I listened to my fingers and got a Crankbrothers Speedier tire lever. Lifetime warranty, no moving parts to fail, time saver extraordinaire and only $6.

davidad

I like this tool for all but the most difficult tires.

trailangel

After you cut the handle short on the Koolstop tire jack, you will have the same leverage as the VAR. And it will be stronger and able to use on MTB tires as well.

Bimmer69

I feel your pain OP.

I have a rim / tire combo that brings me to tears - Ambrosio + Continental.
just get the best tire levers, 4 of them and work carefully around the circumference of the wheel.
I was literally working about 1cm at a time putting the tires on when new. Took over 30 minutes for each tire.

I also take precautions to avoid getting a flat. I know it’s frowned upon here but I put sealant in the tubes to prevent minor punctures from ruining my day.

cxwrench

Sometimes people just don't do the right thing for whatever reason. Guy and his kid brought a mtb wheel in today. They'd apparently spent 30mins trying to get the tire off and gave up. I got the tire off w/ my hands and had a new tube installed in about a minute and a half.

TRECK

Take bisegrips on all you rides to break the bead