Really stupid question on changing panaracer tires.

[tsunayoshi]

Really, really stupid question...:(

I know how to change a tire, I swapped my kendas for panaracer XC pros, the 120 TPI ones. I am trying to swap them off my rims for some more road friendly tires for Jackson's ride this weekend.

Is there some trick to getting the panaracers off of a rim? They were hard to put on in the first place, and now I can't get them off. I can start getting the bead off with one tire lever, but can't seem to fit another lever in to start working the rest of the bead around the rim.

The rims are Sun Rhyno Lites. Tires and rims both have less than 200 miles on them,.

Tires are here (for some reason tring to post a hyperlink does nothing).
http://mtbr.com/reviews/Tire/product_23300.shtml

Thanks,

[jabberwocky]

The rims are Sun Rhyno Lites.Heres your problem. Well known as a very difficult rim to change tires on. Make sure that the tire bead is dropped into the center of the rim on the side opposite the one you are working on. And if you need to, use some water to lubricate the tire bead.

[jed]

Those rims are really tough to mount tires on. Also make sure you start at the valve stem to remove the tire and start opposite the valve stem and work toward it when mounting. This gives you the most room in the center of the rim and will help at least a little.

[walsh]

OK, we've all been there. Take a deep breath, and PUT THE SCREWDRIVER DOWN . . . :D (Seriously, it will wreck your rim. Resist the temptation.)

I'm surprised you've had trouble with the Panaracers. I've used a Smoke rear with the kevlar bead on mavic and Syncros rims, and if anything, found it to be inconveniently loose. :confused: Go figure.

Elbow grease is the "stupid" answer. My observation from my brief stint in a shop was that after just a few weeks of twisting wrenches all day, a mechanic's grip becomes powerful enough that (s)he can seat/unseat at will tire beads that stump the average mortal.

I googled your question for giggles, and came up with this. (http://www.jimlangley.net/wrench/flattiretwo.htm#1) Scroll to the very bottom and look at the "professional" way to unseat a tire. I think this solution may help you, since we know that the tire seems loose on narrower rims, but hangs up on the wider Rhyno Lites (or is it 'Rhino Lyte?' wait, 'Rainbow Bright' . . .) ANYway, check it out.

Also, you can sprinkle the inside of the tire with talcum powder to lube it, and helps prevent the tube from binding. There are "speed lever" tools out there that coud possibly help; Crank Bros. makes one.

[eloach]

Definitly the rims. I got a few cuts on my hands putting some conti-traffics on a used pair I bought for my SS. I eventually got them using plastic tire irons and (gag!) patience.

[tsunayoshi]

It's late now, but tomorrow I'll try the trick of getting the beads to drop into the center of the rim.

And now that I have been told that, I remember helping Punga change a flat and that is how he got the tire off (no levers).

Thanks all.

[jon_baler]

I love this tool that I got a while back

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/TL602I00-Pedros+Downhill+Tire+Lever.aspx

Just gotta use it carefully, though...

[brian_brox]

These help:
http://www.somafab.com/tirelevers.html

They are steel core tire levers and the ends are low profile so they fit well under the bead.

Don't feel bad - I have Sun rims and Panaracer tires, too. They are really tight.

[jkl657]

What are your new tires? Conti Traffic's?

[tsunayoshi]

What are your new tires? Conti Traffic's?

Yes, the 2.1s. A coworker commutes with them on his MTB and loves them. They were less than $40 for the pair at Performance, so I am not too worried if they don't work out well once I ride them.

I've been riding my panaracer's on the CCT and such when trail conditions blow, so these should be a good change.

[pete]

I had a real struggle a month or so ago. Funny thing was that it was a Spclzd XC Pro tire and a Crossland rim, usually real quick change.

After I snapped 2 levers I realized that the garage was probably about 38 degress and that maybe the rubber had shrunk.

Sure enough, took the wheel indoors for half and hour and the tire nearly fell off the rim like normal.

doh

[mjbrox]

These help:
http://www.somafab.com/tirelevers.html

They are steel core tire levers and the ends are low profile so they fit well under the bead.

Don't feel bad - I have Sun rims and Panaracer tires, too. They are really tight.

These levers really are nice. Who knew you could even upgrade your tire levers.

[Cjones]

I also had a pair of Sun Rhyno Lites and all the tires I used (mostly WTB) were INCREDIBLY difficult to put on or take off. A few times I thought I was going to have to take them to a shop. I couldn't imagine trying to do anything with them out on the trail. When it came time for a new set of wheels there was no chance I was going with the Rhyno Lites again.

[tsunayoshi]

These levers really are nice. Who knew you could even upgrade your tire levers.

At least it's finally an upgrade I can afford!

[tsunayoshi]

Took about 2 hours, broke one tire lever before I remembered my little mini-toolkit has a pair of metal ones, and needed the wife's help since at one point we were using 4 levers to slowly work the bead onto the rim. And my fingertips are killing me.

Since I mostly have been doing the CCT and fire-roads lately, I'll just keep these on until the mucky trails dry out (April? May?) and then put the panaracers back on. Next time I'll just buy a cheap wheelset and mount the conti's permanently on those with a more road-ish cassette for when I do on-road rides.

[tsunayoshi]

Just got a new(er) bike that came with Bontrager Race rims, and OMG I can't believe how easy it is to get tires on and off, I don't even need tire levers as long as I don't mind pinching my finger occasionally.

[saxman]

I've got Bontrager wheels on all my bikes and I've found them all easy to mount and dismount tires. Also, if you take your tires on and off a lot, they get easier to handle. For instance, I've repaired at least a half-dozen flats on my slick tire bike, and I can now take the Maxxis slicks on and off without levers.

I found with Panaracers that it is easier to dismount them from the left side of the rim than the right side. Maybe that's because it was the way I mounted them?