Jim’s Tech Talk
By Jim Langley
Even with all the new tire technology available today, plus more rubber choices than ever, problems with tires remain the most common frustration for cyclists. For example, here’s what’s troubling Nathaniel from New York:
The Problem
“Recently I have had major trouble removing tires and putting them back on. The tires are Pirelli Cinturato Velo 32s, now called Cinturato EVO TLR. The wheels are DT Swiss M462.
After deflating, it is virtually impossible to move the rubber from the edge of the rim to the center. The rubber is stuck. All my hand strength cannot move it, so I can’t get the tire iron under the bead of the tire. The tires are also incredibly tight. This is a new problem! I haven’t ever experienced this in my 45 years of riding!”
My Reply
Thanks for the question Nat. You’re actually asking two tire questions that are related yet different. The inability to push the tire beads off the side of the rim to remove the tires has to do with tubeless tire and rim technology. Basically, tubeless technology can lock the tires onto the rim so that they are more likely to stay on even under extreme situations. That’s what’s causing your first problem
Your second issue, which you described as “the tires are incredibly tight,” is a different problem. That’s most likely because the tires have been resized to a smaller diameter. Some tire companies are doing this for the same reason that there are locking beads on tubeless setups: to make sure they’re less likely to come off on their own.
I’ve covered both these problems over the years here in my column. Keep reading for some tools for dealing with them and links to the articles where I cover them in depth. Also, by coincidence, I recently tested two sets of Pirelli tires, both size 700c and was surprised to find that the newer of the two fit much much tighter. I have some thoughts on that too.
Problem 1: moving the tire bead off the rim shelf to the center
Nat called this a “new” problem, but ever since tubeless tires came out, which have been around for decades now, it’s been possible for this to happen. Nat was probably just lucky to never have had a tubeless tire and rim combination that caused it to happen. But it’s a relatively common problem that mechanics deal with in the shop on a regular basis.
When it happens, it can definitely seem impossible to get the tire bead off the side of the rim (the tire seat) to remove the tire or fix a flat. Some sealants used inside tubeless tires can make the problem worse when they dry and basically glue the tire to the rim.
What makes the tire bead stuck is that it’s impossible to get a tire lever in between the rim and tire to push the tire bead off of the rim shelf and into the center. And, it’s stuck on so tightly that you can’t push it off with your hands no matter how hard you try. Because the tire is mechanically locked onto the rim.
In a follow-up email Nat told me that his mechanic at the shop was able to get the tire beads off the edge of the rim by using a wood block as a press. This can work, or even better would be two wooden blocks – because there’s enough surface area to grip the rubber and the blocks are rigid. When they’re clamped together against the tire (in a vise, for example), they could provide sufficient force in the correct place to push the bead(s) off the rim shelf.
If you don’t want to look for some wood blocks and a vise, the best tool for the purpose in my experience is Park Tool’s BMT-1 Tire Bead Breaker. It’s a large heavy tool, so it’s not made for taking along in a seatbag, but it’s up to the job and makes getting stuck beads into the center of the rim manageable. To learn more and see the tool in action, here’s a link to my article on the BMT-1: Quick Test & Review: Park Tool’s BMT-1 Tire Bead Breaker.
For a smaller portable tool to carry, something I’ve used is a small putty knife. The thin blade on these tools can usually be forced in between the tire and rim, and if you can get it in there it has the leverage to work the beads off. You must work carefully though not to cut tires or scratch/damage carbon rims. Here’s a link to my article with more information: Another Tool Tip For Removing (Not Installing) Tight Tubeless Tires.
Problem 2: tires getting tighter
As I mentioned, I recently did some Pirelli tire testing and found that two 700c tires (both Pirelli Zero tires) were different diameters. This happened when Continental first came out with their GP 5000 tubeless tires too. They were much tighter than the GP 2000s, 3000s and 4000s that preceded that tire model.
I strongly believe that bicycle tires should be made to go on by hand, no tools required. And, all it should take to remove them is good technique and your two hands or tire levers.
Because when tires are too tight to get on and take off, a simple flat tire can leave a rider stranded with no way to get home, which could put them in danger. So I don’t get why some tire companies apparently think it’s okay now to downsize tires.
For more about my Pirelli tires, how I tested the sizing and what Pirelli had to say about it, watch the beginning part of my video:
The solution
Unfortunately, the only foolproof method of avoiding too tight tires I can offer is to test them yourself to make sure you can get them on and off your wheels. You could do this at some bike shops that are okay with it. And some online sellers offer this as you can read here: https://www.biketiresdirect.com/returns Just be sure to treat the tires kindly as you attempt to put them on your wheels, and save the original packaging to put them back in or they might not accept them.
About Rims/Wheels
You might be wondering if the rims or wheels are the reason that some tires are fitting more tightly. It’s a reasonable question but when two tires that are the same size fit completely differently on the exact same rim, it’s clear that the tire is what changed.
Your Turn
It’s always interesting and helpful to hear about other tight tire troubles and solutions so please share your experiences and tips. Especially helpful will be recommendations for easy to install and remove tire brands and models – and ones you would avoid.
Jim Langley is RBR’s Technical Editor. A pro mechanic & cycling writer for more than 40 years, he’s the author of Your Home Bicycle Workshop in the RBR eBookstore. Tune in to Jim’s popular YouTube channel for wheel building & bike repair how-to’s. Jim’s also known for his cycling streak that ended in February 2022 with a total of 10,269 consecutive daily rides (28 years, 1 month and 11 days of never missing a ride). Click to read Jim’s full bio.
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