TKC80's arrived.. Gonna have a crack at fitting tonight..

[mgillespie]

Have some tyre levers, not got any tyre soap, was gonna use normal soap, or swarfega (which has also been recommended as a salt-free, water soluble lube).

Anything else I need?
Any advice?

A tyre changing virgin, hope to lose my cherry tonight...

[Maverick]

Anything else I need? - Lots of patience
Any advice? - Take it to a dealer

A tyre changing virgin, hope to lose my cherry tonight...

Good luck mate

[Darkenbad]

Hi,
G-clamp to break the bead; front shouldn't give to much of a problem, but the rear will be a complete basxxrd. I have used washing up liquid without any snags, lots and lots of the stuff removing and fitting. Don't take the levers passed the 90 if you can help it when refitting.

And the obvious fit new tubes; preferably heavy duty.


Enjoy, your going to lose some weight.


PK

[mgillespie]

head horror stories about fairy liquid, as it's got very salt content, and will eat away alloy rims very quickly...

Not sure if this is true, but don't fancy risking it, as my alloys are in very nice condition... Hence the swafega.. Might stop in a the tyre shop and beg for some proper tyre soap...

[Slimie]

Take your time!

I used two 6" lengths of garden hosepipe, split down one side to protect the rims from the levers.

Make sure the opposite side to the one you're fitting/removing is in the well in the centre of the rim.

Try really hard not to pinch the tube when you mount the new tyres (eh, Colin?!).

Remove the valve core to make sure all the air is out of the tube, leave it out for when you inflate the tube to seat the bead on the new tyre as it'll inflate much quicker.

Try not to swear too much, it upsets the new parents next door!

I used a pick handle and a block of 4x2 to break the bead on the rear (for the front, just stood on the tyre), the handle as a lever and the block to bear on the tyre.

Don't forget that sense of smug satisfaction at getting a job done right, and the fact that if pressed you could repair a puncture now.

Reward yourself with well earned beer. Or several!!

Good luck, it's much easier than you might think.

Cheers
-Simon

[londonbubble]

I am doing mine as we speak, upto the re-fitting stage and i am having trouble getting last part of tyre on the rim. three hours so far

[Slimie]

LB - I've just replied to your thread - get the bead opposite the part you're trying to fit into the well of the rim. You can then lever it on, although it looks like it won't go IT WILL!!

Cheers
-Simon

[ChrisH]

I used two 6" lengths of garden hosepipe, split down one side to protect the rims from the levers.


-Simon

Good tip, I usually use bits of rag and end up getting them all tangled up. I shall venture into the garden forthwith and perchance apprehend a suitable length of hosepipe......
It is a bit of a business, but brute force usually gets the job done, but be careful not to pinch the tube. Also a lovely warm summers day is a definite boon, cold tyres (as in winter...) are much more of a *******.

[Slimie]

I used two 6" lengths of garden hosepipe, split down one side to protect the rims from the levers.


-Simon

Good tip, I usually use bits of rag and end up getting them all tangled up. I shall venture into the garden forthwith and perchance apprehend a suitable length of hosepipe......
It is a bit of a business, but brute force usually gets the job done, but be careful not to pinch the tube. Also a lovely warm summers day is a definite boon, cold tyres (as in winter...) are much more of a *******.

Yep, I left mine in the sun for a couple of hours before fitting.

-Simon

[mgillespie]

Well, I lost my tyre changing cherry. Started at the back, as it was most in need. Came off pretty easy, went on pretty easy also. Used Slimey's hosepipe trick, and it worked a treat. Rims still in perfect condition!

Used some silicone spray from halfords when fitting them back on, said it was safe with rubber, and made my rims sparkle at the same time. Don't waste time finding tyre soap, halfords silicone spray does the job fine...

Started on the front, but when I got the tube out, it looked a tad ropey, like it had been rubbing, so decided to get a new front tube tomorrow. Fingers crossed that should go on just as easy as the back one did.

I assume the rears are harder to change than the fronts???