Putting a Coker tire on the Airfoil rim

[john_childs]

I had the great pleasure of trying to put a new Coker tire on an Airfoil rim today. It was extremely difficult. In fact, I couldn't do it. I managed to get the Coker tire on without the tube just to see if the tire did indeed fit on the rim (it did), but I was unable to get the tire on with the tube inside. All I managed to do was invent quite a few new combinations swear words. It was clear it was going to be an impossible job by myself. I gave up and took the wheel and tire to my local bike shop to get their help. It was a two person job and required metal tire levers. They actually broke a plastic tire lever. Getting the bike shop folks to do my dirty work was the best $5 that I ever spent.

Is it normal for it to be so difficult to get a new Coker tire on the Airfoil rim?

Once the tire has been ridden I expect that it will be easier to get the tire on the next time. But getting that damn tire on the first time is more than I can handle without an extra pair of hands.