23-03-2021, 10:19 PM
John P, I think you need practice. I now change 17" fairly easily. Start with a carpet on the garage floor where you are working. And 2 lengths of 4 x 4 timber maybe 3 foot long. That allows you to put the tyre on and off from the inner side of the wheel, by resting the wheel on the 2 baulks of timber on the floor.
I followed instructions on this forum and after a few tries it's easy. Always use G-cramps to hold the tyre edges together so they stay in the well. Don't even try to stretch the tyre, with the tyre in the well at one side, it will fit over the rim at the other side.
To remove, loosen the tyre away from the rim all round and on both sides. Fit 2 or 3 G-cramps and gently pull the bead over the rim with one or 2 tyre levers. Don't force it.
To fit a tyre, start by putting the levers away, they'll just nip the inner-tubes. Again, consider using G-cramps, then just feed the tyre round, using your hands, boots, or a hammer. I like to use a 14" length of 2 x 2 timber and a 20 oz hammer. Just like using a rubber mallett, but somehow works better. A heavy hammer and gentle taps work well.
And maybe your wide rim tapes are a problem.
I followed instructions on this forum and after a few tries it's easy. Always use G-cramps to hold the tyre edges together so they stay in the well. Don't even try to stretch the tyre, with the tyre in the well at one side, it will fit over the rim at the other side.
To remove, loosen the tyre away from the rim all round and on both sides. Fit 2 or 3 G-cramps and gently pull the bead over the rim with one or 2 tyre levers. Don't force it.
To fit a tyre, start by putting the levers away, they'll just nip the inner-tubes. Again, consider using G-cramps, then just feed the tyre round, using your hands, boots, or a hammer. I like to use a 14" length of 2 x 2 timber and a 20 oz hammer. Just like using a rubber mallett, but somehow works better. A heavy hammer and gentle taps work well.
And maybe your wide rim tapes are a problem.