Changing my own tyres

[bikemad]

Are you lubing the tire and rim with soapy water or WD40?

I changed my front tire last Month and a spray of WD40 made all the difference in getting the last bit of the Tire on the rim. Although "Tire Soap" is what you are suppose to use.

Washing up liquid & small paintbrush to apply Iv used this technique for years

WD40 I think not

 

[Beemerman59]

Good for you.

It is frowned on to refit cycle tyres with levers.

With folding tyres I would agree entirely, but try doing it with a wire bead....

 

[david a hall]

We normally do this in a hotel room while having a beer.... It ain't hard...

 

[Roymondo]

Just buy the sealey manual tyre changer its much easier but I always do my own and much better as I now know they are balanced correctly and I wouldnt worry about balancing the rear one.

I have no knowledge of the kit you mention - but I certainly would recommend balancing the rear tyre. On both my GS and on the F800 I had before, improperly balanced rear tyres caused all sorts of vibration issues - It didn't affect handling but *did* affect mirrors, clocks and riding comfort, especially at higher speeds.

 

[Roymondo]

With folding tyres I would agree entirely, but try doing it with a wire bead....

I've never used levers to refit bicycle tyres (don't usually use them to get the tyres off, either) using folding or wire bead tyres. Need strong thumbs though...

 

[Beemerman59]

I've never used levers to refit bicycle tyres (don't usually use them to get the tyres off, either) using folding or wire bead tyres. Need strong thumbs though...

If you can do that you must have thumbs made of solid steel

 

[Smug]

If you can do that you must have thumbs made of solid steel

All down to technique. Some combinations of tyres and rims came be a pig.

 

[Bendy toy]

I use plastic levers to remove mountain bike tyres but they refit without. Just keep working the tyre around the rim.
Motorbike tyres I take to a tyre fitter.

 

[Smug]

You save a few bob by fitting your own tyres. Pair of K1200S PR3 tyres from Tyreleader only £165.

 

[Beemerman59]

All down to technique. Some combinations of tyres and rims came be a pig.

The only wire beaded cycle tyres I have tried are Conti Gatorskins. There is no way I can refit them without using levers at the very end as they are very stiff. Anyway, I have switched to folding tyres on my road bikes now and can get those on really easy. I've also switched from 23's to 25's and they seem easier as well, probably why mountain bike tyres are also easy.

 

[Roymondo]

The only wire beaded cycle tyres I have tried are Conti Gatorskins. There is no way I can refit them without using levers at the very end as they are very stiff. Anyway, I have switched to folding tyres on my road bikes now and can get those on really easy. I've also switched from 23's to 25's and they seem easier as well, probably why mountain bike tyres are also easy.

Got Gatorskins (23C) on my road bike and they went on without levers.