WebreaderShopNewsletterTop dealers & workshops

TIRESSimply change MTB tyres without tools

Dan Hooper

 · 31.10.2012

TIRES: Simply change MTB tyres without toolsPhoto: Daniel Simon
MTB tyre change without tools
Even tougher rubber can be removed from the rim without a tyre lever. BIKE mechanic Dan Hooper shows what is important when changing a tyre without tools.

In six steps, we show you how to get the MTB tyre and tube off the rim without tools:

Detaching the tyre from the rim well Before you start to pull the tyre off the rim, first detach it from the rim well. The tyre is often stuck to the inside of the rim all the way round. Therefore, press the tyre firmly together all the way round, starting from the valve, until the entire tyre bead lies loosely in the centre of the rim well.Photo: Daniel SimonDetaching the tyre from the rim well Before you start to pull the tyre off the rim, first detach it from the rim well. The tyre is often stuck to the inside of the rim all the way round. Therefore, press the tyre firmly together all the way round, starting from the valve, until the entire tyre bead lies loosely in the centre of the rim well.Pull the tyre off the rim Now pull the tyre out of the rim bed with both hands. Start on the side of the wheel opposite the valve.Photo: Daniel SimonPull the tyre off the rim Now pull the tyre out of the rim bed with both hands. Start on the side of the wheel opposite the valve.Then pull the tyre forwards off the rim. This technique works with narrow CC tyres through to fat downhill tyres. Depending on the tyre and rim combo, you will need a little more force. Experience has shown that you need a lot of finger strength for tubeless tyres.Photo: Daniel SimonThen pull the tyre forwards off the rim. This technique works with narrow CC tyres through to fat downhill tyres. Depending on the tyre and rim combo, you will need a little more force. Experience has shown that you need a lot of finger strength for tubeless tyres.Caution! If you are not sure where the hole in the inner tube is coming from, you must remove the tyre. To do this, leave the tyre with one side in its original position on the rim and look for the hole in the inner tube. Once you have found it, you can search for shards, thorns or other causes at the corresponding position on the tyre and remove them. This saves time searching and the new inner tube stays intact!Photo: Daniel SimonCaution! If you are not sure where the hole in the inner tube is coming from, you must remove the tyre. To do this, leave the tyre with one side in its original position on the rim and look for the hole in the inner tube. Once you have found it, you can search for shards, thorns or other causes at the corresponding position on the tyre and remove them. This saves time searching and the new inner tube stays intact!Fitting the tyre If you had removed the tyre completely, first pull it into the rim all the way round with one side. Now insert the slightly inflated inner tube. Starting at the valve, use your thumbs to press the second side of the tyre into the rim.Photo: Daniel SimonFitting the tyre If you had removed the tyre completely, first pull it into the rim all the way round with one side. Now insert the slightly inflated inner tube. Starting at the valve, use your thumbs to press the second side of the tyre into the rim.
Mounting the tyres For the last piece, turn the wheel over. Pulling with all fingers gives you significantly more force than with just your thumbs.Photo: Daniel SimonMounting the tyres For the last piece, turn the wheel over. Pulling with all fingers gives you significantly more force than with just your thumbs.Inflate the tyre to a good one bar and align the tyre again; you can now inflate the tyre to the correct pressure.Photo: Daniel SimonInflate the tyre to a good one bar and align the tyre again; you can now inflate the tyre to the correct pressure.


DONE!


Detailed instructions with pictures and explanations by Dan Hooper can be found below in the free PDF download.

Dan Hooper, expert mechanic from the BIKE test lab, reveals his tricks.Photo: Daniel SimonDan Hooper, expert mechanic from the BIKE test lab, reveals his tricks.

Downloads:

Changing tyres without tools (pdf)

Home

Most read in category Components