Just got my new smoothies for NABX. First time changing tires on plastic rims. Any tips and tricks?

use no metal tools unless you buffer with plastic milk carton. liquid soap makes things move smoothly. Sometimes you can change them without using any tools at all.

I just mounted up 4 today in prep to get ready to go to nabx. The big helper I have found is let them sit in the sun for atleast 30 minutes and warm up. It really helps.
I mounted 4 in about 30 minutes and did not need any tools or lube. Bob sometimes needs tools and lube to make things go smooth

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Originally posted by DAKITEZ I mounted 4 in about 30 minutes and did not need any tools or lube. Bob sometimes needs tools and lube to make things go smooth

I guess my tires are a tighter fit that yours? :yawn::smug:

Get a valve stem tool to pull the little needle valve out of the valve stem. On both sides of the tire push the bead away from rim toward the center of the wheel , the wheel will then be sloppy loose in the tire. Squeeze the tire together on one side so it can shift over to one side and expose a nice gap. Get your fingers in there or a plastic tire spoon (wallmarts got them) and pull that bead up over the rim. When one side is off you can peal the tube out and then rip the tire off the wheel. Going back together I put a little clamp on the rim(just barely tight) where I first start the bead back on , this keeps it in place while you press the rest of the tire down over the rim. When working with tubes on installation, be sure to put the cap on the stem as soon as you get it thru the rim , this prevents it from slipping back into the rim and out of sight.

I put mine next to the wood stove for a while to soften up. Then use dish soap. No tools at all. Like Pat said make sure the bead is in the center of the rim in the grove. And try not to get your fingers or the tube pinched.

If you are tubeless, there is no way to get them to seal without lube. A little dish detergent and water works fine.
S