I have removed a few tires in the past but this one is too tight. I even tried a screwdriver but I can’t get under it. Any suggestions?
by KirbyTheCreator
I have removed a few tires in the past but this one is too tight. I even tried a screwdriver but I can’t get under it. Any suggestions?
by KirbyTheCreator
35 Comments
Looks like you’re under it. Just slide one of those levers around to pop the bead off…
Make sure you deflate the tube
Remove the lever on the right. Pinch the bottom of the tire to make sure the bead is in the middle of the rim, then slide the levers sideways.
One thing is for sure…a screwdriver is NEVER the answer.
Go to the opposite side of the wheel, pinch the tire so the bead sits in the deepest part of the valley. Do that for a quarter of the way around the wheel. Guaranteed it’ll pop off then.
If you look at one of the hundreds of Youtube videos that there are explaining how to mount and remove tires you will get a much better explanation than can be written here in words.
Don’t use metal.
Deflate tube completely. Be sure tire bead is fully loose from rim; do so by squeezing bead with fingers around entire circumference, both sides. Rubber adheres well to dry aluminum. You’ll hear it snap loose as you break it free. Insert ONE lever anywhere except at valve and pry out one section of tire. Hook to near side spoke (as in your photo). Leave it there and go back around the tire to push bead into “valley” of rim with fingers, where spoke nipples anchor. This give a slightly smaller circumference for bead seat and should allow more bead to be levered out of rim. If necessary, hook lever on far side spoke, or even force it inward past spokes to stretch bead slightly. Water can help as a lubricant, also talc powder. Heat (sunshine) helps tire stretch too. Don’t use any metal prying device, which might damage rim or put hole in tube. Good luck!
The third tire lever on the right is bad.
the lever off to the right is spaced too far away, just keep trying and trying it’ll come off soon
Today, I learned what the hooks on tire levers are for. Fuck me.
I have really hard to mount Schwalbe tires on all my bikes. This little gadget makes it possible for me to do the work instead of having to go to a bike shop. https://a.co/d/2xnpg0Z
You need to move the bead you are working on into the middle of the rim. You should be able to remove any tire easily with this method. Lift the bead out of the rim with two levers. Pinch the tire bead on the farthest point from the levers into the center of the rim and pinch it in towards the levers. Then you can just pull it off or zip the tire lever around the bead. If it is hard your doing it wrong.
If you’re replacing the tire, just cut it off? You’ve got one edge out, a pair of wire cutters will cut that bead fine.
If you’re at the first pick, then take the right lever and pull it along the rim to remove the tire.
Make sure to deflate the tube.
Use washing up liquid and water as a lube spray it around the bead, then whip one of those leavers around I’d choose the middle one
Leave it in the sun (if there is any) for a good while.
When you come back to it, should be much easier.
Some warm soapy water can help as well.
LBS for your repair needs.
IS THAT WHAT THE HOOKS ARE FOR???
Thanks everyone for the advice. I got the tire off! I knew not to use a screwdriver but I was getting frustrated. I think that tire has been on that bike for 15 years or so. It took a lot more muscle than I thought but it came off after following the guidance here.
Make sure the tube is fully deflated and that it’s popped off of both walls all the way round the rim. Looks like you’re nearly there.
You’re probably struggling because you’re trying to lift the tire off from multiple spots at once. Instead, press and massage the tire all around to shift the slack to one side—usually opposite the valve. That’s where the tire bead will be loosest, making it way easier to pop off the rim.
Take any one of the two tire levers at the top and drag them along the tire. If you slip out, start over.
Remove the levers. Deflate the tube. Push the entire side of the tyre into the middle of the rim. That part is slightly lower, providing enough play to remove the tyre with ease. Use the same trick when putting the tyre back on.
>I even tried a screwdriver
Yeah, it looks like you got the tire tool to remove the bead of the tire. Now you just have to slide it along and pull the rest of the tire away from the rim. It takes a lot of strength sometimes. Stick with it. You’ll get it. And wear some work gloves so you don’t have to deal with scraped knuckles
I need to use three prybars on mine. I also need to have the adacent bar half way pulled about the time the previous one is fully pulled.
Some tires are so freaking tight.
lube it up
Tyre glider
Deflate allllllll the way
Squeeze the bead all the way around to unseat it and put the bead in the center of the rim. (Important for new tight tolerance tires)
Use tire lever to get under the bead and run around the rim to pull a single bead off.
Use dry lube. You can get a spray can from the hardware store. It’s shocking how much it helps.
Is it ok to put tension on your spokes like that? Seem like a bad idea.
Those are weak ass levers. Get some better ones.
Screwdrivers work if used CAREFULLY. You just need a 3rd tire lever. I used to have a set of nice rounded metal tire levers. They were awesome.