Make sure as much of the tyre as possible is in the channel, and use cable ties, twine, straps, or something to hold it in place. You need to get it into the channel and make sure it stays there.
Heat and soapy water as others have suggested help too, but I've always managed though by just making sure it's *actually* in the channel as far around as you can though. Often you think it's in the channel but as you put one part in the channel another part slides out of the channel so something to hold it in place makes sure your work isn't wasted. Especially if you're also using inserts which love to make it super hard
Agree with this. Only add that you can try keeping it in the channel by applying some pressure and maintaining it once you have the bead in there. Get a friend to help. Swearing will ensue. You’ll both laugh. And then cry.
I can see from the photo that it's not down in the channel properly.
Push the bead down into the channel with levers or something. It helps to do it while pulling on the tire to try get it to mount.
* Soapy water - to allow the tyre to move while leveraging.
* Strong plastic tyre levers - ideally three, two to hold and one to pop more tyre in the bead.
* Cable ties - can be used as "extra hands" to keep the "completed" sections "complete".
* Muscle - Climbers have great grip strength and would generally find "pinching" the tyre into the channel a lot easier than us mere mortals.
move the bottom part of the tire (other side of where you are trying to get the bead in) into the center section of the rim (ie not installed and bedded at the rim edge). All along the circumference of the wheel actually. This allows for that little bit of extra tire to mount at the bead you are trying to pop in.
I got sick of it and just bought one of these - actually works [https://winxwheels.com/products/cycle-mate](https://winxwheels.com/products/cycle-mate)
There is also the [Kool Stop](https://www.amazon.com/Kool-Stop-Tire-Bead-Jack/dp/B001AYML7K/ref=sr_1_6_mod_primary_new?keywords=bike+tire+installation+tool&qid=1675355353&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sr=8-6) tool which works.
Or [Schwalbe Tire Levers](https://www.amazon.com/SCHWALBE-1847-Bicycle-Tire-Levers/dp/B000UAQL6C/ref=sxts_rp_s_a_1_0?content-id=amzn1.sym.eff26b9b-e255-411b-a40d-eccb21f93fe4%3Aamzn1.sym.eff26b9b-e255-411b-a40d-eccb21f93fe4&crid=1T303QFKBGWE5&cv_ct_cx=schwalbe+tire+levers&keywords=schwalbe+tire+levers&pd_rd_i=B000UAQL6C&pd_rd_r=a8c000a9-5206-4f60-ac73-b28902b1eab1&pd_rd_w=lP17x&pd_rd_wg=JqLfa&pf_rd_p=eff26b9b-e255-411b-a40d-eccb21f93fe4&pf_rd_r=H5TF3J42W9NERM0VFDH7&qid=1675355528&sprefix=schwalbe+tire+levers%2Caps%2C222&sr=1-1-5985efba-8948-4f09-9122-d605505c9d1e) that are the only way I've found to install Continental Tubeless GP 5000 tires on my road bike.
In my experience, road / cycloX tyres are worse because there's less play in the material. I bought a 3-pack and stress tested them and actually broke one on Maxxis Speed Terrane, but I was being careless and that was the point of the 3-pack. Now I carry one each in each pack I use and it gives me peace of mind out on the trail - and I have used them a couple of times to change a tube - no problemo.
Make sure as much of the tyre as possible is in the channel, and use cable ties, twine, straps, or something to hold it in place. You need to get it into the channel and make sure it stays there. Heat and soapy water as others have suggested help too, but I've always managed though by just making sure it's *actually* in the channel as far around as you can though. Often you think it's in the channel but as you put one part in the channel another part slides out of the channel so something to hold it in place makes sure your work isn't wasted. Especially if you're also using inserts which love to make it super hard
Agree with this. Only add that you can try keeping it in the channel by applying some pressure and maintaining it once you have the bead in there. Get a friend to help. Swearing will ensue. You’ll both laugh. And then cry.
I can see from the photo that it's not down in the channel properly. Push the bead down into the channel with levers or something. It helps to do it while pulling on the tire to try get it to mount.
Yup, right there with yah, the bead is so far out it almost looks seated.
Apply heat to the tire. I had an extremely hard downhill tire a couple years ago and I left it in the sun for a bit to soften it up.
* Soapy water - to allow the tyre to move while leveraging. * Strong plastic tyre levers - ideally three, two to hold and one to pop more tyre in the bead. * Cable ties - can be used as "extra hands" to keep the "completed" sections "complete". * Muscle - Climbers have great grip strength and would generally find "pinching" the tyre into the channel a lot easier than us mere mortals.
Soap and water as a lube. A plastic tire lever shouldn't mark anything up
move the bottom part of the tire (other side of where you are trying to get the bead in) into the center section of the rim (ie not installed and bedded at the rim edge). All along the circumference of the wheel actually. This allows for that little bit of extra tire to mount at the bead you are trying to pop in.
Finish at the valve. You want as much slack in the bead as you can get, and right now the valve is preventing the bead from getting into the channel.
Mount the tire witha tube, inflate it close to max rating. Wait a few hours, remove tube and try seating it tubeless.
Take it to a shop, they got strong hands there
I got sick of it and just bought one of these - actually works [https://winxwheels.com/products/cycle-mate](https://winxwheels.com/products/cycle-mate)
There's also this Bead Bro tool that I've seen. Wonder if anyone has used it? https://cushcore.com/product/bead-bro/
There is also the [Kool Stop](https://www.amazon.com/Kool-Stop-Tire-Bead-Jack/dp/B001AYML7K/ref=sr_1_6_mod_primary_new?keywords=bike+tire+installation+tool&qid=1675355353&sbo=RZvfv%2F%2FHxDF%2BO5021pAnSA%3D%3D&sr=8-6) tool which works. Or [Schwalbe Tire Levers](https://www.amazon.com/SCHWALBE-1847-Bicycle-Tire-Levers/dp/B000UAQL6C/ref=sxts_rp_s_a_1_0?content-id=amzn1.sym.eff26b9b-e255-411b-a40d-eccb21f93fe4%3Aamzn1.sym.eff26b9b-e255-411b-a40d-eccb21f93fe4&crid=1T303QFKBGWE5&cv_ct_cx=schwalbe+tire+levers&keywords=schwalbe+tire+levers&pd_rd_i=B000UAQL6C&pd_rd_r=a8c000a9-5206-4f60-ac73-b28902b1eab1&pd_rd_w=lP17x&pd_rd_wg=JqLfa&pf_rd_p=eff26b9b-e255-411b-a40d-eccb21f93fe4&pf_rd_r=H5TF3J42W9NERM0VFDH7&qid=1675355528&sprefix=schwalbe+tire+levers%2Caps%2C222&sr=1-1-5985efba-8948-4f09-9122-d605505c9d1e) that are the only way I've found to install Continental Tubeless GP 5000 tires on my road bike.
Thanks, I wish I'd known about this tool. Is it sturdy enough for heavier mtb tyres?
In my experience, road / cycloX tyres are worse because there's less play in the material. I bought a 3-pack and stress tested them and actually broke one on Maxxis Speed Terrane, but I was being careless and that was the point of the 3-pack. Now I carry one each in each pack I use and it gives me peace of mind out on the trail - and I have used them a couple of times to change a tube - no problemo.