The old tire had me off the other day so I had to get another one. Watling wanted me to re-mortgage my house for new one so I said ballcocks to that.

Out came the wheel and the new Conti is due to arrive today.



The old is soon off the rim and ready for the bin.



Was it really that bad. Lucky boy.

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When I was a kid I got a rucking for getting dirty. When I met my misses she liked me to get dirty. Now I'm old I get a rucking for getting dirty. Can't win!

New one arrives.



Rim is cleaned and checked. Bearings OK for a few more miles.



Five minutes later the tire is on and the tube in place.

__________________

When I was a kid I got a rucking for getting dirty. When I met my misses she liked me to get dirty. Now I'm old I get a rucking for getting dirty. Can't win!

Tube is checked, checked and checked again so in goes the air to about 40 psi.



It will be left overnight and checked again in the morning. If all is well it goes back on the bike for a test ride. Gave it a quick clean and a bit of dressing for bullshirt.




It was bloody hard work though but worth the effort. No scratches on the rim and the most used tools were a big rubber hammer and a couple of small tire levers.

The rubber was like a block of iron in the munus 2 temperatures.
What did it cost? �68.00 from a place I found on Ebay. I ordered it direct from them so they knocked a bit more off because I got round the extra auction fees.

I enjoyed doing it. It gave me a chance to look at the brakes and suspension too, all the bits you mostly ignore. The cold was the bad bit.

__________________

When I was a kid I got a rucking for getting dirty. When I met my misses she liked me to get dirty. Now I'm old I get a rucking for getting dirty. Can't win!

Next time front and back will need changing. I thought I would try the Conti out on the back and if I like it I'll get a pair. If it's no good it just means the back moves about so no problem. Soon get through a rear if you put your mind to it.

Got to drop the pressure to 29 psi or 2 bar when it's on the bike. Set it to 40 psi for the overnight test and to seat it firmly on the rim. It runs at 15 psi off road and up to 33 psi on the road. No good for a sports bike but lots of fun on a single.

Even the dog helped. She nicked all the cardboard while it was waiting to be fitted on the rim.



Just to follow up, I greased everything and fitted the wheel.

__________________

When I was a kid I got a rucking for getting dirty. When I met my misses she liked me to get dirty. Now I'm old I get a rucking for getting dirty. Can't win!

I haven't changed bike tires myself for many years. Always had the nack and even fitted my own car tires a few times. It's all down to the way you do it rather than brute force.

I put the tire in a big engineers or wood working vice to break the seal but don't scratch the rim. Get the the whole tire loose first then push it into the well as much as possible. Use a bit of soap and pull as much off the side. Lastly use a mallet to get the last bit off. Pull out the tube. Do the same again the other side so the wheel is between the two walls then just pull it out.

To fit the new one slip it on one side then fit the tube. Wipe off any soap. Put a bit of air in the tube then push the tire into the well again. Lay it on an old carpet and push it on by walking round the wall and digging with your heel. The last little bit use the mallet and maybe a tyre lever.
The secret is to do little bits at a time. Make sure the tube isn't trapped and clean off all the soap. If water gets in leave it to dry out before pumping up.
Simple as that.

Now leave me alone while I have a heart attack.

__________________

When I was a kid I got a rucking for getting dirty. When I met my misses she liked me to get dirty. Now I'm old I get a rucking for getting dirty. Can't win!

Got the tire from thetyeguys, 0800 3579757. They were very helpful. Buy direct to avoid ebay fees.


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CONTI-TKC80-90...2em118Q2el1247


I like a bit of grip in the gooey stuff. I'll let you know if it is any good later.

__________________

When I was a kid I got a rucking for getting dirty. When I met my misses she liked me to get dirty. Now I'm old I get a rucking for getting dirty. Can't win!