How do I HTFU?!

Basically any advice on how to HTFU would be greatly appreciated?

I'd like to point out that I like to think I'm no weakling, but last night I was totally unable to fit a new tyre that was a bit tight, so (after a few hours of wrestling with it...) I went round to my neighbour, who's been a cyclist for the best part of 60 years to see if he had any tips... he said no, it's just about strength an proceded to put it on the wheel so fast I wondered if he'd substituted the tire while I wasn't looking or something... so I took it home, took the tire back off the wheel, and I still couldn't fucking put it on... till I got annoyed and did it in one stressed go!

So firstly, anyone else got similarly weak thumbs? (I should point out this was the hardest tire I've had to put on in about 20 years of biking) And any advice to struggle less with them? and maybe even other ways I should HTFU?

In case anyone suggests it, I played american football and rugby when I was at college, obviously football, also basketball, I've broken about 7 bones (shin, collar, arm, rib, finger, ankle and leg) and intend to come down to bike polo when I've built my beater...

Use tyre levers to lever tyres on as well as off.

Why don't you go to college and play some American football? Might help...

practice with several rounds of "thumb-war" a day.

You made a thread about this?

HTFU mate.

You made a thread about this?

HTFU mate.

.

Come round my house, I'll stand behind you, place my hands on yours and I'll roll my hands over yours until we slip the rubber on the rim.

I use . . .

Come round my house, I'll stand behind you, place my hands on yours and I'll roll my hands over yours until we slip the rubber on the rim.

I'm sure thats made him HTFU...

technique + not being a girlieman helps. HTFU

change to thinner rim tape ;)

or use tyre lever (or screw driver) combo :)

Sure made me HTFU ;)

levers on seems a great idea, until you pinch the tube, and then have to do a pucture repair even before you hit the road. I find that getting the bead deep into the rim, on the opposite side to the final "bit" is the key, rather than allowing it to sit close to the edge. The few mm of extra clearance is often the difference between success and failure.

But seriously . . . .

I can't really remember ever using a tyre lever, certainly not in the last few years and I wouldn't say my thumbs are any stronger than the average thumb.

3 tips to make things much easier.

Talcum powder on the rim and tyre - dry lubricant.

When putting the tyre on - first push the bit you have managed to get on into the centre on the rim where it is deeper, this gives you a little more play for the rest of the tyre.

Once you have reached the part where there is a few inches remaining that refuses to go over the rim - go to the opposite side and 'gather' the tyre towards the stubborn bit - moving your hands around both sides towards the stuck bit - shoving the tyre along.

Never really needed to use a tyre lever, although I am sure you can get weird/tight rim/tyre combinations.

Use the palms of your hands to roll tyre over the rim, or rely on the kindness of strangers.

I do this several hundred- thousand times a day:

thumb wars are fun.

Tyre levers are a must for off when youve got a flat,
using levers to put them back on sometimes pinches the tube, I wouldnt suggest using them, some people have a knack of using them and not pinching the tube, I dont.

All I can suggest is sheer grit determination and plenty of cigarettes to keep you from destroying the nearist thing to you.

@ eyebrows - you should challenge dancing_james.. he has freaky thumb strength due to fencing.
We played till my thumb cramped up.

Tyre levers are a must for off when youve got a flat,
using levers to put them back on sometimes pinches the tube, I wouldnt suggest using them, some people have a knack of using them and not pinching the tube, I dont.

All I can suggest is sheer grit determination and plenty of cigarettes to keep you from destroying the nearist thing to you.

1. Smoking makes you weak.
   
2. Tyre levers are certainly NOT necessary for tyre removal. See above.
   
3. HTFU
   

@ eyebrows - you should challenge dancing_james.. he has freaky thumb strength due to fencing.
We played till my thumb cramped up.

on that note should we have a LDNFGSS thumb war competition someday?

on that note should we have a LDNFGSS thumb war competition someday?

A 'tyre off'.

Man on man speed tube change challenge + possible barbecue.

All competitors can use is their thumbs.

followed by a baby oil rub down and a "frollick".

Buy a new bike, that one's broken

A 'tyre off'.

Man on man speed tube change challenge + possible barbecue.

All competitors can use is their thumbs.

Barbecue? **Cooked **meat??? Eat it raw FFS. HTFU!

drink milk

use your whole thumb/palm, not just the end