Nightrider Won't Come off Rim

[Peripatet]

Well, I'm ready to admit it.

I can't change my own tire for my KH36.

I've done tires of all shapes and sizes, high pressure to low. But I cannot get the !@#$%ing bead over the rim to get my Nightrider off the rim of my 36er.

I tried in 3 sessions of half hour each, and to date I've broken: 2 Park tire levers, one Pedro's milk lever, a Stanley flathead screwdriver, and a paint can opener.

I once did a high pressure skinny tire for a roadbike on the side of the road and it was a bear, but once I got that 3rd tire lever in, she popped right off. This sucker just won't budge.

Anyone else have crazy difficulty changing 36er tires, or am I just "special"?

[Ereksonj]

If it is warn and needs a new tire, could you cut it off?

[scott ttocs]

I have fixed flats several times on my 36"nightrider. I purchased steel tire irons to facilitate the process--I had the same problem you found with plastic ones.

It helps to deflate the inner tube and to move the tire to the center on the rim, where the rim is smaller. This positioning of the tire gives you more room to stretch the tire on the opposite side of the rim to dismount it.

Scott

[Dane M]

I've not removed a 36 yet, but it definitely helps to have metal levers (good ones) and don't forget to squeeze the tire together at the opposite side of where you are working on the tire, it will relieve some of the pressure. It's a problem, and you must problem solve it. You might have to use 2 levers at once, with 1 already locked to a spoke, or have someone else help you.

[DSchmitt]

i used windex to get mine on and off.

[Dane M]

Originally Posted by DSchmitt

i used windex to get mine on and off.

As a lubricant? Windex is ammonia, does that have any degrading effects on the compounds used with tires?