tyre changing...how to avoid pinches/snakebites

element · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Karma :

Hi all

I let a friend change my front tyre as he said he'd done it before with no problems and since Ive only ever changed mountain bike tyres I decided Id let him do it.. Anyhow 3 pinched innertubes later and he gives up.. Its always on the final 1/4 of getting the tyre on. Would it be the tyre levers or just technique? Ive changed hundreds of mountain bike tyres and have never pinched the innertube unless I tried to use a screwdriver (Yeh I know but when there aint a spoon handy....) I guess I shouldve done it myself Thumbs Down

cheers..
____________________
04' DT125RE (run-a-bout) // 89' DT125R (rebuilt + supermoto conversion)
SPARES FOR SALE. 2RK TZR // 82 DR125 // DT125R/E .... PM ME...

0ddball · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Karma :

I learnt my lesson after the 1st pinched tube. Just like you said, it was on the very last could of inches of the tyre that it happened. I'm sure it gets easier with practice but for the sake of £8 i find it's easier to let the shop do it (especially when new tubes cost £5).

element · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Karma :

cheekythomas · Crazy Courier Joined: 06 Aug 2006 Karma :

Its all down to technique Wink

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

If it's for your DT125, you shouldn't need levers at all to put the new tyre on. Soap up the bead and push it on over the rim with the heel of your hand. Remember to keep pushing the bead down into the centre of the wheel as you get it on to create more slack. I usually hold it in place with my knees.

If you can't manage by hand, 'walk' it on by pushing the bead down over the rim with your feet. Start opposite the valve and walk each foot round going up opposite sides.

I suspect the problem is that you've not been using soap to help the bead slip over the rim. Ordinary household soap is fine.

EDIT: I can fit a 150 section tubeless tyre on the cast wheel of my KLE motard without using levers so a DT should be a piece of piss. It's getting the old ones off that is a pain in the arse.

element · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Karma :

@ stinkwheel.. we didnt didnt use any type of lube Rolling Eyes

and we tried standing on it but the last 1/4 was an absolute bitch.. I thought we shouldnt need levers to get the tyre back on. Will try again tomorrow with some soap/fairy Thumbs Up

but if that fails I'll be taking it in to be done Rolling Eyes

____________________
04' DT125RE (run-a-bout) // 89' DT125R (rebuilt + supermoto conversion)
SPARES FOR SALE. 2RK TZR // 82 DR125 // DT125R/E .... PM ME...

stinkwheel · Bovine Proctologist Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

I'll just say it again, remember to push the already fitted part of the bead down and into the middle of the rim as you go.

By soap, I mean a bar of soap like you'd wash your hands with.

element · World Chat Champion Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Karma :

done it

used soap (tesco's own brand Thumbs Up

). I still needed the levers but I did little bits a time. Also noticed that one end of the tyre lever is slightly more blunt than the other end aswell Rolling Eyes

.. guess is was a combination of using the wrong end of the levers, no lubrication to aid the bead onto the rim and trying to lever on to much at once...

You know what they say though. If you want it done properly.... then do it yourself Thumbs Up

cheers for the replies!
____________________
04' DT125RE (run-a-bout) // 89' DT125R (rebuilt + supermoto conversion)
SPARES FOR SALE. 2RK TZR // 82 DR125 // DT125R/E .... PM ME...