Cheap tire tool

Quoted message said:

Even with blistered thumbs, the lightly modified pipe pliers work
well. They're very sturdy, and their dimensions seem almost designed
for grabbing 700c tires and pulling reluctant beads out of their
burrows.

<jaw dropping>

OK.... I haven't done any bike riding since 27X1-1/8 was the tire size
to have (that's about 30 years ago)... Is this a common problem with
tires now? Now - I just bought a bike (time to get back in shape lest
I die at too early an age) - am I gonna need special tools to go along
with tire levers if I get a flat? Should I even bother with levers and
just go for it with the pliers? Sew-ups used to be a PITA, are clinchers
just as bad now?

<looking for jaw on floor>
--
-fb-

funkbastler said:

Quoted message said:

Even with blistered thumbs, the lightly modified pipe pliers work
well. They're very sturdy, and their dimensions seem almost designed
for grabbing 700c tires and pulling reluctant beads out of their
burrows.

<jaw dropping>

OK.... I haven't done any bike riding since 27X1-1/8 was the tire size
to have (that's about 30 years ago)... Is this a common problem with
tires now? Now - I just bought a bike (time to get back in shape lest
I die at too early an age) - am I gonna need special tools to go along
with tire levers if I get a flat? Should I even bother with levers and
just go for it with the pliers? Sew-ups used to be a PITA, are clinchers
just as bad now?

<looking for jaw on floor>

Dear FB,

No, I change bicycle tires with my hands. Many posters find it quicker
and easier to use small tire levers. Some report even breaking tire
levers on really badly matched small-tire/large-rim combinations.

But I do hate seeing a little section of the tire bead hiding down in
the rim. Many rim and tire combinations seat the bead easily, but I
keep running into this annoyance. Other posters occasionally mention
this problem and offer solutions.

If your tires seat easily, there's no problem.

But I don't want to use soapy water to let the bead slip out more
easily.

And I don't want to fuss with raising and lowering the tire pressure
and squeezing the sidewalls until I blister my thumbs.

I don't even want to hope that fully inflating the tire and riding on
it will pop the bead out.

I just want the stupid bead out where it ought to be, which is why
Park Tool makes a bead seater and why I ran a file over a $6 pair of
pipe pliers.

Cheers,

Carl Fogel

funkbastler said:

Quoted message said:

Even with blistered thumbs, the lightly modified pipe pliers work
well. They're very sturdy, and their dimensions seem almost designed
for grabbing 700c tires and pulling reluctant beads out of their
burrows.

<jaw dropping>

OK.... I haven't done any bike riding since 27X1-1/8 was the tire size
to have (that's about 30 years ago)... Is this a common problem with
tires now? Now - I just bought a bike (time to get back in shape lest
I die at too early an age) - am I gonna need special tools to go along
with tire levers if I get a flat? Should I even bother with levers and
just go for it with the pliers? Sew-ups used to be a PITA, are clinchers
just as bad now?

<looking for jaw on floor>

Pick up your jaw and stop worrying. For 99+% of tire/rim combinations,
that Park Tool or it's generic equivalant are massive overkill and
completely unnecessary.

For most cases, something like a Crank Bros. "Speed Lever" (small and
light enough to take on your bike and less than $10) does the job just
fine. Others will chime in with their favorite tool, too, I'm sure.

Forget the pliers!

funkbastler said:

Quoted message said:

Even with blistered thumbs, the lightly modified pipe pliers work
well. They're very sturdy, and their dimensions seem almost designed
for grabbing 700c tires and pulling reluctant beads out of their
burrows.

<jaw dropping>

OK.... I haven't done any bike riding since 27X1-1/8 was the tire size
to have (that's about 30 years ago)... Is this a common problem with
tires now? Now - I just bought a bike (time to get back in shape lest
I die at too early an age) - am I gonna need special tools to go along
with tire levers if I get a flat? Should I even bother with levers and
just go for it with the pliers? Sew-ups used to be a PITA, are clinchers
just as bad now?

<looking for jaw on floor>

Hi, as Ozark said, most tire/wheel combinations are managable by hand
to install and by plastic tire levers to remove. Sometimes that first
install can be a bit of work, to avoid it, get a Kool Stop Tire Bead
Jack. Click on link, scroll to bottom of page:
http://www.koolstop.com/Accessories/index.html

I like the Kool Stop because you can use it with various sized tires.
For 700x23 there is the "Easy Hand":
http://www.thebiketool.com/en/

The Easy Hand is small enough to carry in a underseat bag. The Bead
Jack is a bit larger. Although I don't carry either one. But if I ran
into a difficult tire, I would then take the Easy Hand along.

If misused, the pliers could possibly do some damage.

Life is Good!
Jeff

Quoted message said:

funkbastler said:

Quoted message said:

Even with blistered thumbs, the lightly modified pipe pliers work
well. They're very sturdy, and their dimensions seem almost designed
for grabbing 700c tires and pulling reluctant beads out of their
burrows.

<jaw dropping>

OK.... I haven't done any bike riding since 27X1-1/8 was the tire size
to have (that's about 30 years ago)... Is this a common problem with
tires now? Now - I just bought a bike (time to get back in shape lest
I die at too early an age) - am I gonna need special tools to go along
with tire levers if I get a flat? Should I even bother with levers and
just go for it with the pliers? Sew-ups used to be a PITA, are clinchers
just as bad now?

<looking for jaw on floor>

Pick up your jaw and stop worrying. For 99+% of tire/rim combinations,
that Park Tool or it's generic equivalant are massive overkill and
completely unnecessary.

For most cases, something like a Crank Bros. "Speed Lever" (small and
light enough to take on your bike and less than $10) does the job just
fine. Others will chime in with their favorite tool, too, I'm sure.

Forget the pliers!

Count me in as another vote for the Crank Bros. Speed Lever. I've got
one and it's one of the handiest tools in my box.

Smokey

Quoted message said:

I have no trouble changing my tires with my hands, but now and then I
blister my thumbs (and the ears of anyone nearby) because I push on
the sidewall to get the tire bead to come out.

I use the heel of my hand to mount that last bit o' bead. Much better
than getting sore opposables.

Jeff Starr said:

funkbastler said:

Quoted message said:

Even with blistered thumbs, the lightly modified pipe pliers work
well. They're very sturdy, and their dimensions seem almost designed
for grabbing 700c tires and pulling reluctant beads out of their
burrows.

<jaw dropping>

OK.... I haven't done any bike riding since 27X1-1/8 was the tire size
to have (that's about 30 years ago)... Is this a common problem with
tires now? Now - I just bought a bike (time to get back in shape lest
I die at too early an age) - am I gonna need special tools to go along
with tire levers if I get a flat? Should I even bother with levers and
just go for it with the pliers? Sew-ups used to be a PITA, are clinchers
just as bad now?

<looking for jaw on floor>

Hi, as Ozark said, most tire/wheel combinations are managable by hand
to install and by plastic tire levers to remove.

Actually, the Speed Lever has a nice installation tool, too. Probably
not the best choice for the real toughies, but a great choice for 90+%
of tire/rim combos. It helps prevent pinching the tube between the rim
and the tire bead and it doesn't damage the tube, the two biggest
bugaboos for those who don't change out a lot of tires or fix a lot of
flats.

Quoted message said:

Sometimes that first
install can be a bit of work, to avoid it, get a Kool Stop Tire Bead
Jack. Click on link, scroll to bottom of page:
http://www.koolstop.com/Accessories/index.html

I like the Kool Stop because you can use it with various sized tires.
For 700x23 there is the "Easy Hand":
http://www.thebiketool.com/en/

I've heard lots of good things about the Bead Jack, but never have had
occasion to use one.

Quoted message said:

The Easy Hand is small enough to carry in a underseat bag. The Bead
Jack is a bit larger. Although I don't carry either one. But if I ran
into a difficult tire, I would then take the Easy Hand along.

The Easy Hand looks interesting (I've never seen one). Seems that that
design could be built onto "the other end" of a tire lever.

Quoted message said:

If misused, the pliers could possibly do some damage.

The pliers are like bringing a heavy cruiser to a fireman's muster.
Overkill and a bit dangerous.

Quoted message said:

I have no trouble changing my tires with my hands, but now and then I
blister my thumbs (and the ears of anyone nearby) because I push on
the sidewall to get the tire bead to come out.

Two words: Tire levers.
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
Some gardening required to reply via email.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

funkbastler said:

Quoted message said:

Even with blistered thumbs, the lightly modified pipe pliers work
well. They're very sturdy, and their dimensions seem almost designed
for grabbing 700c tires and pulling reluctant beads out of their
burrows.

<jaw dropping>

OK.... I haven't done any bike riding since 27X1-1/8 was the tire size
to have (that's about 30 years ago)... Is this a common problem with
tires now? Now - I just bought a bike (time to get back in shape lest
I die at too early an age) - am I gonna need special tools to go along
with tire levers if I get a flat? Should I even bother with levers and
just go for it with the pliers? Sew-ups used to be a PITA, are clinchers
just as bad now?

<looking for jaw on floor>

Worry not. I can get my 700x25C Continentals on and off of my typical
v-sectioned rims with *one* steel-cored tire lever (and I'm not
particularly good at it).
\\paul
--
Paul M. Hobson
Georgia Institute of Technology
..:change the f to ph to reply:.

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have no trouble changing my tires with my hands, but now and then I
blister my thumbs (and the ears of anyone nearby) because I push on
the sidewall to get the tire bead to come out.

Yes, tricks involving soap, water, varying the tire pressure, and so
forth also pop the tire bead out, but I'm too impatient and always
imagine that my thumbs won't blister. (They do--it just takes about
ten minutes for the blisters to form.)

Anyway,Park Tool makes a tire-bead seater/helper/puller, the PTS-1:

http://stores.channeladvisor.com/ebikestop/items/04-TL8252

But a Park Tire Seater Tool is over $40 with shipping. Besides, I
wanted one right now, before my temper cooled.

Harbor Freight sells a similar tool online. It's for grabbing pipes,
and the store five minutes from my house had it in stock for $6:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94077

I clamped the Harbor Freight pipe pliers in a vise and spent a few
minutes rounding off their edges with a half-round file:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=36990
(Often on sale for much less--rotating in two planes can be very
helpful.)

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40207
(whatever's cheapest)

Even with blistered thumbs, the lightly modified pipe pliers work
well. They're very sturdy, and their dimensions seem almost designed
for grabbing 700c tires and pulling reluctant beads out of their
burrows.

Cheers,

Carl Fogel

I never had any problems. But when I am tired, I have some tire irons I use
to make it easier.
I only know of some riders having problems with Continental tires going on
extra hard and coming off even harder, apparently Continental makes some of
their tires a little smaller in diameter.
I really have no idea what the heck I need a tool like that pair of pliers
with tubing bits welded to it.
I have never encountered a tire bead stuck that hard before.

On Thu, 7 Sep 2006 05:51:50 -0500, "Earl Bollinger" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I have no trouble changing my tires with my hands, but now and then I
blister my thumbs (and the ears of anyone nearby) because I push on
the sidewall to get the tire bead to come out.

Yes, tricks involving soap, water, varying the tire pressure, and so
forth also pop the tire bead out, but I'm too impatient and always
imagine that my thumbs won't blister. (They do--it just takes about
ten minutes for the blisters to form.)

Anyway,Park Tool makes a tire-bead seater/helper/puller, the PTS-1:

http://stores.channeladvisor.com/ebikestop/items/04-TL8252

But a Park Tire Seater Tool is over $40 with shipping. Besides, I
wanted one right now, before my temper cooled.

Harbor Freight sells a similar tool online. It's for grabbing pipes,
and the store five minutes from my house had it in stock for $6:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94077

I clamped the Harbor Freight pipe pliers in a vise and spent a few
minutes rounding off their edges with a half-round file:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=36990
(Often on sale for much less--rotating in two planes can be very
helpful.)

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40207
(whatever's cheapest)

Even with blistered thumbs, the lightly modified pipe pliers work
well. They're very sturdy, and their dimensions seem almost designed
for grabbing 700c tires and pulling reluctant beads out of their
burrows.

Cheers,

Carl Fogel

I never had any problems. But when I am tired, I have some tire irons I use
to make it easier.
I only know of some riders having problems with Continental tires going on
extra hard and coming off even harder, apparently Continental makes some of
their tires a little smaller in diameter.
I really have no idea what the heck I need a tool like that pair of pliers
with tubing bits welded to it.
I have never encountered a tire bead stuck that hard before.

Sun Rhinolyte rims (however they spell that) and any kevlar bead tires. I feared
for my steel Brooks levers. The rim is bombproof, but completely lacks a valley
for the tire to drop into on the side away from your removal.

Ron

Quoted message said:

I have no trouble changing my tires with my hands, but now and then I
blister my thumbs (and the ears of anyone nearby) because I push on
the sidewall to get the tire bead to come out.

Yes, tricks involving soap, water, varying the tire pressure, and so
forth also pop the tire bead out, but I'm too impatient and always
imagine that my thumbs won't blister. (They do--it just takes about
ten minutes for the blisters to form.)

Anyway,Park Tool makes a tire-bead seater/helper/puller, the PTS-1:

http://stores.channeladvisor.com/ebikestop/items/04-TL8252

But a Park Tire Seater Tool is over $40 with shipping. Besides, I
wanted one right now, before my temper cooled.

Harbor Freight sells a similar tool online. It's for grabbing pipes,
and the store five minutes from my house had it in stock for $6:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94077

I clamped the Harbor Freight pipe pliers in a vise and spent a few
minutes rounding off their edges with a half-round file:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=36990
(Often on sale for much less--rotating in two planes can be very
helpful.)

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40207
(whatever's cheapest)

Even with blistered thumbs, the lightly modified pipe pliers work
well. They're very sturdy, and their dimensions seem almost designed
for grabbing 700c tires and pulling reluctant beads out of their
burrows.

Cheers,

Carl Fogel

Since a few replies seem confused, I'll repeat that the problem is not
getting the tire on or off.

The problem is that once the tire is back on, the bead doesn't pop out
and become visible all the way around both rims--a few stubborn
sections remain stuck a little way down in the rim well.

CF

Quoted message said:

Since a few replies seem confused, I'll repeat that the problem is not
getting the tire on or off.

The problem is that once the tire is back on, the bead doesn't pop out
and become visible all the way around both rims--a few stubborn
sections remain stuck a little way down in the rim well.

CF

TBH, I've never ever had that happen on the myriad of high pressure
tires and wheels I've owned. With lower pressure stuff, I bounce the
sucker a bit after inflation. Any naughty places just pop into place.
No thumbs needed, just gravity, or are you some kind of high falutin
interstellar velocipede rider?

landotter said:

Quoted message said:

Since a few replies seem confused, I'll repeat that the problem is not
getting the tire on or off.

The problem is that once the tire is back on, the bead doesn't pop out
and become visible all the way around both rims--a few stubborn
sections remain stuck a little way down in the rim well.

CF

TBH, I've never ever had that happen on the myriad of high pressure
tires and wheels I've owned. With lower pressure stuff, I bounce the
sucker a bit after inflation. Any naughty places just pop into place.
No thumbs needed, just gravity, or are you some kind of high falutin
interstellar velocipede rider?

Dear LO,

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.bicycles.tech/msg/67c20e34a05c16d1?hl=en&

Cheers,

Carl Fogel

Quoted message said:

landotter said:

Quoted message said:

Since a few replies seem confused, I'll repeat that the problem is not
getting the tire on or off.

The problem is that once the tire is back on, the bead doesn't pop out
and become visible all the way around both rims--a few stubborn
sections remain stuck a little way down in the rim well.

CF

TBH, I've never ever had that happen on the myriad of high pressure
tires and wheels I've owned. With lower pressure stuff, I bounce the
sucker a bit after inflation. Any naughty places just pop into place.
No thumbs needed, just gravity, or are you some kind of high falutin
interstellar velocipede rider?

Dear LO,

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.bicycles.tech/msg/67c20e34a05c16d1?hl=en&

Cheers,

Carl Fogel

Yup, a little extra psi is the way to go. I wouldn't trust the rims on
my momma's shopping bike to hold 100psi, though.
http://static.flickr.com/23/33474601_bfef7c7a17_o.jpg It gets the
bouncy bounce treatment.

Quoted message said:

The problem is that once the tire is back on, the bead doesn't pop out
and become visible all the way around both rims--a few stubborn
sections remain stuck a little way down in the rim well.

Sounds like either the rim or the tire's not quite the right size.

OTOH, I've found that inflating twice usually gets them seated nicely
when this happens to me.
--
Typoes are a feature, not a bug.
Some gardening required to reply via email.
Words processed in a facility that contains nuts.

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

landotter said:

Quoted message said:

Since a few replies seem confused, I'll repeat that the problem is not
getting the tire on or off.

The problem is that once the tire is back on, the bead doesn't pop out
and become visible all the way around both rims--a few stubborn
sections remain stuck a little way down in the rim well.

CF

TBH, I've never ever had that happen on the myriad of high pressure
tires and wheels I've owned. With lower pressure stuff, I bounce the
sucker a bit after inflation. Any naughty places just pop into place.
No thumbs needed, just gravity, or are you some kind of high falutin
interstellar velocipede rider?

Dear LO,

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.bicycles.tech/msg/67c20e34a05c16d1?hl=en&

Cheers,

Carl Fogel

I think I see what you are talking about. You are using the tool as a aid in
getting the bead to set evenly all around the rim.
yeah I can see that as being useful.
Would this still be a problem in the field, if you had to fix a flat?

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

landotter said:

Quoted message said:

Since a few replies seem confused, I'll repeat that the problem is not
getting the tire on or off.

The problem is that once the tire is back on, the bead doesn't pop out
and become visible all the way around both rims--a few stubborn
sections remain stuck a little way down in the rim well.

CF

TBH, I've never ever had that happen on the myriad of high pressure
tires and wheels I've owned. With lower pressure stuff, I bounce the
sucker a bit after inflation. Any naughty places just pop into place.
No thumbs needed, just gravity, or are you some kind of high falutin
interstellar velocipede rider?

Dear LO,

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.bicycles.tech/msg/67c20e34a05c16d1?hl=en&

Cheers,

Carl Fogel

Well I got to thinking (yes that is dangerous), one only needs to take a
pair of channel lock pliers and braze or weld on a couple of pieces of steel
tubing like shown.
Although curved tubing would work best, flat pieces would probably work too.
Heck when I think about it, just use the channel lock pliers, I don't think
one really needs the tubing all that much.

Earl Bollinger said:

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

landotter said:

[email hidden] wrote:

> Since a few replies seem confused, I'll repeat that the problem is not
> getting the tire on or off.
>
> The problem is that once the tire is back on, the bead doesn't pop out
> and become visible all the way around both rims--a few stubborn
> sections remain stuck a little way down in the rim well.
>
> CF

TBH, I've never ever had that happen on the myriad of high pressure
tires and wheels I've owned. With lower pressure stuff, I bounce the
sucker a bit after inflation. Any naughty places just pop into place.
No thumbs needed, just gravity, or are you some kind of high falutin
interstellar velocipede rider?

Dear LO,

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.bicycles.tech/msg/67c20e34a05c16d1?hl=en&

Cheers,

Carl Fogel

I think I see what you are talking about. You are using the tool as a aid in
getting the bead to set evenly all around the rim.
yeah I can see that as being useful.
Would this still be a problem in the field, if you had to fix a flat?

Dear Earl,

Well, I've averaged twenty flats per year since 1996 and 2006 isn't
over yet. So yes, it's annoying in the field, too.

Sometimes the tire seats happily, sometimes low pressure and pressing
the sidewalls with my thumbs works nicely, sometimes I pump the tire
up and hear a satisfying pop as the bead comes out and seats,
sometimes I say to hell with it and hope that the bead works out as I
ride home.

I can remove and install my tires with my fingers, so they're hardly a
tight fit. If the bead is low enough in one place, high pressure can
cause a stretchy Kevlar-bead tire to come off on the other side of the
rim, followed by a loud bang.

I didn't hear a loud bang Tuesday night after I replaced a slow-leak
tube with three goathead thorn punctures. But I must have carelessly
missed a part of the bead that wasn't in place. Wednesday morning, the
tire was flat, there was a two-inch rip in the burst tube, and I had
to wipe green Slime off things.

I've seen a tire starting to creep off a rim a few times and let the
air out in time to avoid disaster, but this was slower. I may just
have slightly undersize rims or slightly oversize tires, but the
problem happens often enough that the Park Tool company makes a tool
to solve it for about $40. My $6 Harbor Freight pliers work just fine
after a few licks with a half-round file.

Cheers,

Carl Fogel