Can you really fit every tire onto any rim? I tried everything, pre pump , super long tire leavers, soap etc. this thing won’t go over ever. Questioning if it even can
by kallebo1337
Can you really fit every tire onto any rim? I tried everything, pre pump , super long tire leavers, soap etc. this thing won’t go over ever. Questioning if it even can
by kallebo1337
23 Comments
Push the tyre in other areas towards the middle of the rim and while you doing apply pressure on this spot to roll it on.
[This guy](https://youtu.be/SEg1UVTHwQY?si=Ae6Pu-Pi5z6usxYE) show’s how.
That’s an interesting combination – those tyres are really tough but have a bad reputation for grip and ride quality.
Anyway, some combinations are tight but those look fine. Just make sure you’ve worked your way all round the tyre to get it into the centre of the rim and then put some gloves on and roll it over the edge.
You shouldn’t need levers to get a tyre on – you’re asking for damaging something, at least the tube which is really annoying after you’ve spent all that time getting it on.
Tyre glider
Your very high performance wheels are simply rejecting your shit tire choice….
Your wheel is begging you not to use gatorskins.
On a serious note it’s all in the technique. Center the bead in the rim channel and it should slide right on
Break the bead down off of the rim on the opposite side of the tire so it’s not trying to stretch the tire to maximum capacity. If it’s seated on the other side you can’t stretch it far enough to get over the last portion.
Honestly, 99.9% of the time this is purely a skill issue.
There is a technique to it – just search for any guide on installing road tubeless tires. (I realize these are not tubeless tires, but the technique is the same when mounted on modern rims). The key points are always the same (use the center channel, finish at the valve). If watching the videos doesn’t make it clear, please take your wheel to a shop and pay them to install it, and ask nicely to watch. Once you see it in person, it should all be clear. Resorting to extra long tire levers is just begging to damage your expensive rims.
There are occasionally combos that are legitimately too tight, but based on this photo I bet an experienced mechanic would have it sorted in a couple minutes. The Specialized rims don’t have a reputation for being tough to fit, to my knowledge. Conti tires can be tight, but I really doubt there is a fit issue.
(But also, consider nicer riding tires! These hard tires are doing a disservice to the premium components in the rest of the wheel. Talk to a shop you trust and spend your money at about the best tires for your area.)
Use 3 levers and it will go on
I really like those tires, but only for touring. I put one side under my feet and grab the top and pull like hell before putting on rim the first time. It’s possible but will suuuuuuck on that rim.
I’m really surprised using soapy water on the rim doesn’t help. I did that for my wheels that I was previously having a problem with and I was able to pop them right on using just my hands.
You hand that to me and I’ll hand it back in about 30 seconds with it fully mounted, using no tools.
First things first, you’re finishing at the wrong place. By finishing anywhere other than the valve stem, the valve is blocking the bead from falling into that center channel where the circumference is smallest and where you need to get the entire bead to give enough slack for seating. ALWAYS FINISH AT THE VALVE.
Secondly, as other have already mentioned, actively push the bead into the center channel. There’s more to it though. I strongly recommend you using two hands and working in opposite directions leading away from the seam (toward the valve) to both seat the tire evenly, and also tension the bead as you go, thereby harvesting that precious slack you’re creating. By the time you’ve done a couple two-hand rounds, you should have plenty to flop the last bit over with just your palm. This is often easiest by [starting with the valve side DOWN (seam UP) and you leaning over the tire](https://youtu.be/2jn51K0uQyQ?si=0_HTuKqTx5rIe4Mx&t=284), working the bead and the slack you’re harvesting down against the ground.
Finally, in your pic, you can see you already got one bead on. Unless you think the two beads are dramatically different size, this should be the ‘proof’ you need to know that the second bead can also be done.
I bought some metal tire lever covered in some good pastic. Works great no clue if its a good idea on carbon
Center in rim and use multiple levers. It might help to have a second set of hands if you can’t manage it.
Just to buck you up a bit: you’re attempting to mount a tire which is notoriously difficult to work with onto a wheel which due to its construction is unyielding. Even putting them onto an aluminum box section rim can be tough — and that’s with the rim helping with some flex.
I had this same problem. Tried everything, invented 26 new curse words, hated the universe. Watched some YT videos on mounting difficult tires. Had mine on in 30 seconds. Afterward, I scratched my head at how a tiny adjustment of what I was doing made such an enormous difference.
Check out some of the vids on YT on the topic.
Tire jack
You should be starting OPPOSITE the valve.
Looks like you started at the valve?
This way you can maximize the use of the channel in the rim…
You want the in seated bead to be in the centre of the rim. This give the tyre more flex
Put some leather gloves on
Be VERY careful with levers. You can easily crack the wheel using them to get a tire on.
Do you have one of those Brute garbage cans? Perfect size to hold ur wheel while you struggle valiantly.
Edited for spelling.
Pinch the beads together and put them center rim, keep the tension as you work your way around.. should be able to pop the bead over the rim at that point. If not, look into the Koolstop tire bead jack
Bike shop tech told me with a *wide* rim you go opposite, part nearest the valve stem *last*, not first.