Marathon Tyres

some rim tyre combinations are tight some are loose.

Yes, I mentioned that up there somewhere I think. But everyone just keeps banging on about the tyres being the problem.

If you cant man up then tape up the part where you can get it in. Then you have two hands to do the rest. Easy.

Finally got the barstards on! I found the best way was to get a fair bit of pressure in the tube, that way, the tube helped keep it on. It was tight at the end but not too tight, and overall it took about 1 min to get on with the help of the inner tube!

But now I can't work out which way the tread is supposed to go... the 'drive' arrow doesnt really help. I assume the the arrows of the tread want to be pointing forward?

Direction of tread isn't too important unless you're using really chunky MTB tyres. If you're being perfectionist about it then yes arrows of tread pointing forwards. Some will tell you its to channel water through in wet conditions.

Sometimes putting tubes on a warm radiator before fitting and leaving the rim outside on the cold can help fit tight tyres. Really depends on the rim though and it's age too.

Making sure the tyre is really well seated into the rim on the part you've got on does make a big difference.

Even getting yourself a couple of extra mm of play using the above when getting a tight tyre on can be the difference between getting it on and not.

I find swearing loudly can also sometimes scare the tyre into behaving :)

The vision of you struggling for over a week to get a tyre on is priceless.

Not as priceless as edscoble's Randonneur adventure.

hahaha

Wasnt trying all week, thankfully. :)

Though now I have noticed my wheel it mega fucked. I need to upload a vid of it.

So I think the bolts are just loose, but I have no idea how they got like this... I have since tightened them up with a wrench on either side, is this sufficient?

http://www.veoh.com/browse/videos/category/drama/watch/v19956900wg6WFdJR

No that can't be right that they have to be tightened up.... beause now when I put the wheel on the bike it can't physically move when the pedal turns... what the hell have I done?

Your cones were too loose (as seen in the video) and now they are too tight (if you're saying the wheel won't spin?)

You need to get it somewhere in between... tight enough to not wobble, but loose enough not to grind. When you tighten the lockrings against the cones they might affect the tightness / looseness too though. It might take a few goes to get it right and you'll likely need cone spanners.

Finally got it..but only after realising the need to tighten the locknut into the cone, so that it wont move. Took a while to get my head round it, as I keep thinking by tightening the lockkuts it would just tighten the cones more, then I realised you hold then to prvent this and now it is perfect! Yipee.

Thanks

nice one.

Finally got it..but only after realising the need to tighten the locknut into the cone, so that it wont move. Took a while to get my head round it, as I keep thinking by tightening the lockkuts it would just tighten the cones more, then I realised you hold then to prvent this and now it is perfect! Yipee.

Thanks

you got it.

on some alexrims dm18(ETRTO 622X18mm) similar to the ones that come with charge bikes i found 28mm fitted easy 25 was a pain and poped of when pumped over 115psi (recomended max) on the back wheel

I got my 32mm M+ on my old alexrims dm18 (^) with no problem, but i now find it's a pig to get it on a Mavic A119 (recommended tyre widths 28-47mm). I assume it would be easier with a 35 or 38mm tyre. Am i right about that?

^ not sure it would be easier. if I remember right, it was first (and only) time ever I've asked for someone else to help me to put it on. I found 23/25c tires fit easier on wider rims.

Looks easy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUFVrl0UT4and he doesn't look that hard*.
*

^^ Thanks. I don't want to go narrower, so i'll leave them as is and hope i never have to take them off.

^ Heh, i watched that video while letting off steam between rounds one and two.

Just pulled a thorn out of the back one. Don't fail me now (or ever).

Update: It didn't (and better not).