Putting A Tyre On

[Ji Gantor]

This topic is to show how I put an MX tyre on a rim.

Before I do anything else I place the new tyre to be fitted out in the sun and leave it there for about an hour.
This warms up the rubber and makes it more supple and easier to work onto the rim.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

I then assemble all the tools required for a day playing with tyres.


Ji

[Ji Gantor]

Check to see if your tyre has a direction indicator on it. If it does like this one now is the time to make sure that the wheel and the tyre will be rotating in the same direction. If you get this wrong you will have to remove the tyre and remount correctly.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

Now is the time to lubricate the tyre.
I use Windex because it drys fast and is not water based.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

Take the wheel in one hand and the tyre in the other and push the rim into the tyre where the rim lock is.
Make sure that the rim lock is inside the tyre beads.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

Place the wheel on top of your tyre changer or bin and with the heel of your hand push the opposite bead of the tyre onto the rim.
This sounds hard but with the tyre warmed up and the Windex this is easy.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

Remove the valve cap and the top securing nut from the tube. Leave the lower nut as this protects the tube from any sharp edges around the rim valve hole.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

Pump about 5psi of compressed air into the tube or just enough to form a crease when hung over your finger. This inflation prevents the tube from laying around inside the tyre when mounting and getting pinched between the rim and a tyre lever. It also helps when installing the tube into the rim.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

Sprinkle baby powder onto the tube and rub into the rubber. This helps with installation and cuts down friction and heat when the bike is being ridden.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

Place the tube into the tyre, valve first. Gently lift the bead up and poke the tube in all the way around making sure that the tube is on top of the rim lock. To check this push the rim lock threaded rod into the tyre and it should spring back when you remove your finger.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

When the tube is in and the valve is perpendicular to the rim place the retaining nut onto the valve stem one or two turns.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

Starting at the rim lock use the heel of your hand again and push the bead onto the rim. Work the bead on as far as you can, this is usually about half way with out to much trouble. Check to see that the rim lock is inside the beads. To check this push the rim lock in and again it should spring back when released.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

To retain the bead and free up one hand place a Bead Buddy onto the rim. This stops the bead from creeping off the rim as you work the tyre on.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

With one hand push the rim lock all the way in and force the tyre down into the well of the rim. Hold this in until you take up the tension with a tyre lever.

Ji

[Ji Gantor]

With two tyre levers or spoons work the opposite side of the tyre towards the Bead Buddy. When you are within 8 inches of the Bead Buddy the tyre should roll onto the rim.

Ji