Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

That's the idea behind the patch.

My only concern is whether the tire has been compromised such that it is likely to rip/tear in the future. The compound is still good, and it's not corded yet, so I hate to get rid of it.

emilio700

iTrader: (3)

Soma Tyre Levers - Steel Core | Buy Online | ChainReactionCycles.com

Leafy

iTrader: (1)

Well its free to try. At worst it fails on the way to work right in front of a hard core bike shop and they ridicule you for the e-bike before they put a new tire on it and you're late for work.

Then if it doesnt work you can convert to tubeless.

FRT_Fun

iTrader: (19)

Does CA not have Amazon? I get my stuff next day if it's prime.

emilio700

iTrader: (3)

General rule of thumb is if more than a few cords are cut, the tire will bulge there under pressure. If you managed to slice in between the cords, a regular patch will do. Park and a few other companies have heavy vinyl self adhesive patches, "boots", that work well. I always keep one in my tool pack. In an emergency, a dollar bill or tyvek envelope makes a good boot. Tyvek doesn't stick so long term, it will tend to work it's way through but it will get you home.

Patching tires is fine. Just depends on how stiff the patch is and how large the tear is. The problem with your puncture is it might be too near the bead. That area is very stiff, reinforced and usually doesn't take kindly to tears. It also flexes more than the tread so it can be a bitch to get the patch/boot to stay in place. Nothing to lose but some skin. I say give it a try.

FRT_Fun

iTrader: (19)

There is a huge difference between my 5 year old no name tires and these Conti Gatorskins. The rolling resistance is at least 25% less. The ride is a bit stiffer with the beefy rubber but it feels more stable. They are super grippy too, there was some pretty heavy rain on the way home and they felt good.

The only downside is that the tires throw rocks and debris on hard turns. Had a few rocks hit my legs and one hit my chin lol.

emilio700

iTrader: (3)

Specialized Turbo

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Old news. My commentary here: I'm going to troll the planet on a hybrid post # 560

TL;DR: It's complete bullshit. Watered-down weaksauce with a designer price tag.



Sidebar: The damage to the tire was as I expected. The nail actually slid diagonally across the tire between the tread and the unicorn-strip until it hit the edge, then penetrated and crossed through the tube. The exit wound is on the sidewall, however it's some distance from the bead, and the damage actually appears to be fairly minimal.

I'm fairly impressed with the ruggedness of these Michelin tires. Previously, I'd always run cheapass rubber which would have been completely annihilated by this nail. Turns out that when you pay a little extra, you really do get white a bit more.

shlammed

iTrader: (8)

not a bead jack. havent used one, not really sure why you would need it.

get a lever and use some WD40 or light dish soap on the tool to let the tire slide on it.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

Now you are perverting my thread. You're dead to me.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

Ah, gotcha.

Yeah, I have a proper set of tire spoons, and I am familiar with dish soap. The "problem" with wire-beaded tires is simply that some of them require a lot more leverage to get the last bit over the rim than you can effectively apply with a 4" long lever, especially when the tire is new. It's not a matter of "letting the tire slide on," it's a matter of using a big metal screwdriver like it was a prybar.

I just figured that if there was some awesome tool that made this job a little easier, I'd check it out.


HA!

I wasn't the one who posted e-bike awesomeness here!

shlammed

iTrader: (8)

im a bit new to the skinny tire world but ive never had a tire (even the recent skinnies) that i couldnt get on with the short levers.

maybe thats why i dont have electric assist though. :P
all jokes aside, is there a brand or model of tire that you had issues with or is it a common problem for you?

emilio700

iTrader: (3)

In my experience, (former GT bicycles mt bike team head mechanic) Michelin's have tighter beads and are often the most difficult to mount/dismount. The rim they're going on also plays a role. There are standards for 26" wheels/tires. Tolerance stacks can make them easy, or damned difficult. Long levers help but what makes the difference is using 3 steel core levers that will lock around a spoke. The other is making sure the tire is in the drop center of the wheel (if it has one) opposite the bead you're wrestling.

I have never had to resort to the barbarism of a screwdriver but maybe that's years of experience mounting a wide variety of tires on various size rims.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

Just did 60 miles, going to do another 20 miles on the MTB tomorrow morning.

Joe Perez

iTrader: (8)

That would be consistent with my experience- the wire-bead Michelin Pilot City is easily the most difficult tire I've ever mounted. It gets easier with age, but the first time is just a complete pain in the ***.

hustler

iTrader: (6)

I need to start doing this with my gear:

hochkis

Same with my Michelin Dynamic sports.

However the chinese Chen shin tires that came on my bike practically fell into place. And were fairly decent (long wear, good puncture resistant) apart from their lack of grip.

emilio700

iTrader: (3)

Saturday morning ride. Climbed a bit. Felt like crap, dehydrated so this shortcut back down to the road. It's called the Luge Run.

TorqueZombie

iTrader: (6)

Got our new bikes Friday and took them out today. Specialized Rockhopper Comp, and Jett for her. Love the 29'er wheels. Bikes rode great. Need to dial the forks in more and the brakes left something to be desired. Probably need a bit more break in. My fronts where good enough, but the rears are pathetic. Already curious if going from 180mm/160mm to 203mm/180mm discs is worth the price of 2 cheap brackets and one rotor. Both of us are new to this stuff though. Her especially.

Actually really liked the color more than I though I would when I ordered them.


She's had no complaints. She is coming from a 80lbs cheap, crappy Mongoose. This thing is a Ferrari to her compared to the old bike.

Efini~FC3S

iTrader: (4)

New thread title is best yet...


Personal Update: I returned the LeMond road bike I was borrowing from my neighbor. Unfortunately, I have no time for the cycling. Actually I have no time for anything really...

I fael