Try zip tying one end of the loose bit of the tire to the rim so it won’t come off when you lever the other side on. Did this literally like an hour ago on my bike and it worked great: https://youtu.be/hyESOxmq67U?si=Mi9KetEOcaXCBzXn
Roberto_bagio on
Try to use bit of soap water on tire edges, and push it in without levers, juts with your fingers from sides to the middle.
BadFeisty6728 on
So first thing I like to do is make sure my tube has just a little bit of air in it to give it shape second, I like to install the tire starting from the valve stem, push the valve stem in a little bit and make sure that the tire is seated under the tube, then slowly push both sides of the tire into the center of the rim and work your way around. It is crucial that both sides of the tire are in the center of the rim usually if doing this correctly, you will not need a lever to install the tire
cheesynuke on
it took me 2 days to get the GP 5000 STR on
Lazar4Mayor on
Is this a TLR rim? Squeeze the tire a bit around the circumference so that the bead rests in the middle channel of the rim bed. This will give you a bit more room to work with.
Besides that, channel your strength into your thumbs.
rbraalih on
There’s special tools for this. From personal experience tyreglider and the things which show up on Amazon as tyre pliers both work
AnelloGrande on
I have broken tire levers getting tight tires on. Not fun.
I haven’t tried it yet myself (been pretty lucky that the tires I use haven’t been tight on my wheels), but there is a trick with using a thin rope or paracord to get tires on. I think you can search youtube and find the method.
Gullible-Factor-8927 on
You won’t damage the wheel, god forbid you ever see how a LBS puts tires on it will shock you. Just use two levers on both ends and work your way in…but soapy water helps for sure
VincebusMaximus on
In addition to what others have said, be standing while you do it.
Sit down on a chair with the wheel horizontally on your lap push the tyre down into the rim as you go working both directions away from the valve with both hands.
Don’t push the bead grab the tyre and pull it outward rather than trying to push the bead.
mu9937 on
Pretty much every bike tire is made to be installed by hand without tools.
If you’ve got the installed bead of the tire in the center of the rim and still can’t work the other bead on (while pinching it to get it to the center of the rim as well) then different rim tape may be the answer. If the rim tape is thick, or there’s a double layer, it can increase the circumference of the spoke bed so you can’t get the tire on. I just had this problem, and I nearly broke my thumbs before figuring it out and getting rim tape that better conformed to the profile of the spoke bed.
If you’re using tubes, Velox rim tape is good stuff. Also, you’ll get fewer pinched tubes if you install them completely flat. The flat tube also makes it easier to get the tire on the rim. Just make sure you get it in without twisting it.
No_Drag3766 on
Use a lever but instead of the normal side turn it around and start from the edge where it is going in and and push the lever in there while sliding it through the rims pretty sure that’ll help
warms7721 on
Ho the joys of such tires the most challenging ones I ever fitted were Vittoria open Pavie the tires they hand made for Paris Roubaix.
The only time I almost gave up trying to get them on the rim.
I did finally get them on but it was challenging.
But I can get most tiers on with my hands and thumbs.
Some just take a little more time and patience than others.
Do not rush take your time is the key.
flibbidygibbit on
Do not use levers to install a tire with an inner tube, you risk ripping the tube.
Fantastic_Inside4361 on
It it means it won’t come off. Try by wriggling from opposite side of wheel and gradually pulling some slack around.
RenLej on
I did it, thank you! Zip-tie, soap, “gentle” force and some lever helped. I just hope I won’t have a flat for a year 😭
sai_ismyname on
conti tires doing conti tire things
mtpelletier31 on
Let gravity help you out and push all the extra tire downt he sides to the bottom point and you should have enough to roll it on.
Gibalt on
Shop tech of 8 years here. Shouldn’t need to every use tire levers for install as it will almost always pinch the tube or ruin the tubeless tape. Technique and brute strength is all it takes. Make sure the rest of the tire that is on the rim is centered in the channel and work your way around. That’s all there is to it.
CantaloupeActual4463 on
Warm tire and nice pair of work gloves with gripping surface on the fingers does it for me. Also if they still won’t go on I put an old tube in the tire and over i fill it before putting the tire in the sun while my hands are recovering. Don’t forget the soap.
TimmyHiggy on
TLR tyres are tight as hell the first time you fit them, the bead stretches a little after they’ve been used a bit so you can use this information to your advantage and stretch the bead a little if you need to. I had to do that with the Goodyear eagle F1 tyres I got a couple of years back.
Critical_Training455 on
Motorcycle tire irons. Works every time.
_Rvvers on
You’ll never get it on if your running a tube in there. Go and buy the inner tube specific GP 5000’s, they are much slacker. Or just go tubeless if your rims allow.
Royal_Split6623 on
You started at the wrong end bud ! Well some
Start where you
Did but only the experienced
singelingtracks on
Put some lube on the tire / rim,.basic dish soap works .
Push the tire into the center of.the rim as best you can .
Then tire levers and a fuck ton of umph. Some tires / wheel combos suck to get on.
Pass it off to a.shop if you break a few levers.
Regular_Comment_948 on
Use a TyreGlider. This thing is a godsend for my velomobile which uses Conti too.
Bush-Rat on
This has went from my absolute nightmare to the greatest and most exciting challenge when it comes to maintenance 😅🫶🏻
bikingpsycho on
did you get this yet? the side that’s in could be already seated, (clinging to the rim tightly) which you don’t want.
Get a kool stop tire bead stop. You still need to be careful of pinching the tube.
kotolski on
Try wearing cycling gloves when you try to roll it on.
RelationshipNo9336 on
Just my method:
1: mount tire once without a tube. They all go on the second time a little bit easier. 2. Put some air in the tube to keep it from getting pinched. 3. Make sure the bead that is in the rim is centered in the spoke channel. This gives you some slack needed. 4. Slowly (swearing ever so slightly)use both hands or thumbs or thumbs and hands to roll the remaining bead on. Be patient. Try not to use tools. The frustrated bike mechanic with a set of tools is a tubes worst enemy. 5. Be patient.
KornyJokes on
You’ve got to push the bead into the centre channel on the rest of the tyre, which will give you some more room to play with.
Then, keep one side of the unseated bead pushed in with your thumb and lever it on the other side.
Grumpalumpahaha on
Take it to your LBS and have them put your tires on. It’s worth every penny IMO.
AggravatingGap712 on
Spokes are too long.
manofmystry on
Conti GP5000s are notoriously hard to mount. I bought a pair of 700x25c tires and couldn’t get them in the rims. I ended up sending them back and picking up some Vittoria Rubino Graphite 2s. I couldn’t imagine being stuck on the side of the road with a flat, and trying to get the Contis back on.
ExcellentCoffee2173 on
Bake it, under the sun for 2 hrs. Watch it turn into a rubber so flexible you wont need levers. JK, you still need the lever if you have flimsy fingers like me. I think that the last “used” GP5000 tlr I got was from someone who failed to mount them. Got a nice discount as a result.
Solid_Newspaper166 on
Mounted new 5000s yesterday on new Boyd Podium 44s. I ruined 2 tubes with levers before I figured out a hair dryer. Heated up the last bit of tire and was able to lever the last bit on pretty easy.
walong0 on
Crank Bros Speedier Lever. Works great; can carry it in your bag more easily than that goofie Tyre lever thing.
Mountain-Candidate-6 on
As others have said punch around the tire starting at the center bottom point from where you’re trying to get it on
eefmu on
Haha, I know your struggle, dude. You just gotta push the bead to the center of the wheel so that there’s enough slack to get the last bit over the lip. Slightly soapy water can be a huge help too for those continental tires.
tw0tonet on
Put on work gloves and man handle that thing. Took me some time getting mine on.
80080P on
Roll it on from tips of fingers to palms of hands. Rolling your hands across it while keeping a firm grip. You’ll get it there.
45 Comments
Try zip tying one end of the loose bit of the tire to the rim so it won’t come off when you lever the other side on. Did this literally like an hour ago on my bike and it worked great: https://youtu.be/hyESOxmq67U?si=Mi9KetEOcaXCBzXn
Try to use bit of soap water on tire edges, and push it in without levers, juts with your fingers from sides to the middle.
So first thing I like to do is make sure my tube has just a little bit of air in it to give it shape second, I like to install the tire starting from the valve stem, push the valve stem in a little bit and make sure that the tire is seated under the tube, then slowly push both sides of the tire into the center of the rim and work your way around. It is crucial that both sides of the tire are in the center of the rim usually if doing this correctly, you will not need a lever to install the tire
it took me 2 days to get the GP 5000 STR on
Is this a TLR rim? Squeeze the tire a bit around the circumference so that the bead rests in the middle channel of the rim bed. This will give you a bit more room to work with.
Besides that, channel your strength into your thumbs.
There’s special tools for this. From personal experience tyreglider and the things which show up on Amazon as tyre pliers both work
I have broken tire levers getting tight tires on. Not fun.
I haven’t tried it yet myself (been pretty lucky that the tires I use haven’t been tight on my wheels), but there is a trick with using a thin rope or paracord to get tires on. I think you can search youtube and find the method.
You won’t damage the wheel, god forbid you ever see how a LBS puts tires on it will shock you. Just use two levers on both ends and work your way in…but soapy water helps for sure
In addition to what others have said, be standing while you do it.
Get the tyre warm, a bit of dish soap on the tyre bead and then try the rope trick. https://youtube.com/shorts/oGDL5AATXyU?si=ixLQ47zegKUZSWdc
Always start at the valve and work away from you.
Sit down on a chair with the wheel horizontally on your lap push the tyre down into the rim as you go working both directions away from the valve with both hands.
Don’t push the bead grab the tyre and pull it outward rather than trying to push the bead.
Pretty much every bike tire is made to be installed by hand without tools.
If you’ve got the installed bead of the tire in the center of the rim and still can’t work the other bead on (while pinching it to get it to the center of the rim as well) then different rim tape may be the answer. If the rim tape is thick, or there’s a double layer, it can increase the circumference of the spoke bed so you can’t get the tire on. I just had this problem, and I nearly broke my thumbs before figuring it out and getting rim tape that better conformed to the profile of the spoke bed.
If you’re using tubes, Velox rim tape is good stuff. Also, you’ll get fewer pinched tubes if you install them completely flat. The flat tube also makes it easier to get the tire on the rim. Just make sure you get it in without twisting it.
Use a lever but instead of the normal side turn it around and start from the edge where it is going in and and push the lever in there while sliding it through the rims pretty sure that’ll help
Ho the joys of such tires the most challenging ones I ever fitted were Vittoria open Pavie the tires they hand made for Paris Roubaix.
The only time I almost gave up trying to get them on the rim.
I did finally get them on but it was challenging.
But I can get most tiers on with my hands and thumbs.
Some just take a little more time and patience than others.
Do not rush take your time is the key.
Do not use levers to install a tire with an inner tube, you risk ripping the tube.
It it means it won’t come off. Try by wriggling from opposite side of wheel and gradually pulling some slack around.
I did it, thank you! Zip-tie, soap, “gentle” force and some lever helped. I just hope I won’t have a flat for a year 😭
conti tires doing conti tire things
Let gravity help you out and push all the extra tire downt he sides to the bottom point and you should have enough to roll it on.
Shop tech of 8 years here. Shouldn’t need to every use tire levers for install as it will almost always pinch the tube or ruin the tubeless tape. Technique and brute strength is all it takes. Make sure the rest of the tire that is on the rim is centered in the channel and work your way around. That’s all there is to it.
Warm tire and nice pair of work gloves with gripping surface on the fingers does it for me. Also if they still won’t go on I put an old tube in the tire and over i fill it before putting the tire in the sun while my hands are recovering. Don’t forget the soap.
TLR tyres are tight as hell the first time you fit them, the bead stretches a little after they’ve been used a bit so you can use this information to your advantage and stretch the bead a little if you need to. I had to do that with the Goodyear eagle F1 tyres I got a couple of years back.
Motorcycle tire irons. Works every time.
You’ll never get it on if your running a tube in there. Go and buy the inner tube specific GP 5000’s, they are much slacker. Or just go tubeless if your rims allow.
You started at the wrong end bud ! Well some
Start where you
Did but only the experienced
Put some lube on the tire / rim,.basic dish soap works .
Push the tire into the center of.the rim as best you can .
Then tire levers and a fuck ton of umph. Some tires / wheel combos suck to get on.
Pass it off to a.shop if you break a few levers.
Use a TyreGlider. This thing is a godsend for my velomobile which uses Conti too.
This has went from my absolute nightmare to the greatest and most exciting challenge when it comes to maintenance 😅🫶🏻
did you get this yet? the side that’s in could be already seated, (clinging to the rim tightly) which you don’t want.
Not with that attitude it won’t.
[Try this](https://youtube.com/shorts/iEiEoYmhnsQ?si=ZMqvNVU6egqdKGkG).
Kool Stop tire jack
https://preview.redd.it/24teg77ddxcf1.jpeg?width=2048&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e142886786b4a94b2390a080073ff07cc7df7db9
Get a kool stop tire bead stop. You still need to be careful of pinching the tube.
Try wearing cycling gloves when you try to roll it on.
Just my method:
1: mount tire once without a tube. They all go on the second time a little bit easier. 2. Put some air in the tube to keep it from getting pinched. 3. Make sure the bead that is in the rim is centered in the spoke channel. This gives you some slack needed. 4. Slowly (swearing ever so slightly)use both hands or thumbs or thumbs and hands to roll the remaining bead on. Be patient. Try not to use tools. The frustrated bike mechanic with a set of tools is a tubes worst enemy. 5. Be patient.
You’ve got to push the bead into the centre channel on the rest of the tyre, which will give you some more room to play with.
Then, keep one side of the unseated bead pushed in with your thumb and lever it on the other side.
Take it to your LBS and have them put your tires on. It’s worth every penny IMO.
Spokes are too long.
Conti GP5000s are notoriously hard to mount. I bought a pair of 700x25c tires and couldn’t get them in the rims. I ended up sending them back and picking up some Vittoria Rubino Graphite 2s. I couldn’t imagine being stuck on the side of the road with a flat, and trying to get the Contis back on.
Bake it, under the sun for 2 hrs. Watch it turn into a rubber so flexible you wont need levers. JK, you still need the lever if you have flimsy fingers like me. I think that the last “used” GP5000 tlr I got was from someone who failed to mount them. Got a nice discount as a result.
Mounted new 5000s yesterday on new Boyd Podium 44s. I ruined 2 tubes with levers before I figured out a hair dryer. Heated up the last bit of tire and was able to lever the last bit on pretty easy.
Crank Bros Speedier Lever. Works great; can carry it in your bag more easily than that goofie Tyre lever thing.
As others have said punch around the tire starting at the center bottom point from where you’re trying to get it on
Haha, I know your struggle, dude. You just gotta push the bead to the center of the wheel so that there’s enough slack to get the last bit over the lip. Slightly soapy water can be a huge help too for those continental tires.
Put on work gloves and man handle that thing. Took me some time getting mine on.
Roll it on from tips of fingers to palms of hands. Rolling your hands across it while keeping a firm grip. You’ll get it there.