Tire change - what tools needed?

[Matt_E]

My rear tire on my commuter hybrid is falling apart after 1,700 miles. I'm not sure if that's an acceptable performance.
The tires are Bontrager Race Lites 700x32. The tread is separating from the rest of the tire. They run at 110 psi, so I really don't want to continue running them like this. The tread is coming off in 2-4 inch long strips.

So how difficult is it to change a tire like this myself? I'd like to replace them with narrower tires, about 700x28. I assume I need some kind of prying tool.
I'm basically trying to decide whether to drop the bike off at REI to have them do it while I'm at Surf Slam or order the tires I want (Conti Ultra Gator Skins) online and do them when I get back.

Advice?

PS: I've changed plenty of MTB and BMX tires & tubes, just never anything skinny and high pressure like this. I'd like to not fork up my rims.

 

[Sospikey]

Get 3 plastic pry levers from a bike shop. Use the sharp end to get it started and then fasten the hook in one of the spokes. Worst case you'll pinch the tube, use a new tube anyway. Try putting the tire back by hand as much as possible and be careful with the pry bar and you should be fine.

 

[SuperJETT]

Ditto. 3 Park Tool levers are like $4 and you need to be able to do this on the side of a road anyway if you're riding more than a mile or two.

In my seatbag: 2 levers, extra tube inside part of an old sock to keep it from being damaged, patch kit for if I double flat.

BTW, "Race Lites" tells me that 1700 miles is really good mileage for those tires.

 

[Matt_E]

I just checked, it was 1,900 miles. Still, that seems really low.
Maybe I should stop breaking so hard that the wheel locks up.

Oh, and you're scaring me with the tool kit and more than a mile or two.
I ride my bike to work (7 miles), then to school (5 miles) and then home (another 5 miles) pretty much every day.
The only tool I got on me is a Leatherman.

I should probably invest in something a bit more substantial, huh?

 

[Big Kahuna]

uh, do you go jetsking without taking a tool bag with you???

When you are putting new tube and tire in there, use baby powder. It helps lubricate the tube/tire interface.

 

[WaveDemon]

get the plastic tire levers so you don't mar up you rim. when installing the tube blow it up with your mouth, that help hold it in the proper place and not get pinched while installing.

 

[Matt_E]

uh, do you go jetsking without taking a tool bag with you???

.

sometimes. When I do bring it, I use it mostly to lend to other people.

 

[WFO Speedracer]

,lso on anything that has a tube, after you get the tire back on.remove the valve core, inflate the tube and then release the air, make sure the valve stem can be freely pushed back into the tire,then replace the valve core, this helps position the tube correctly so it does not get pinched.

sometimes. When I do bring it, I use it mostly to lend to other people.

 

[SuperJETT]

,lso on anything that has a tube, after you get the tire back on.remove the valve core, inflate the tube and then release the air, make sure the valve stem can be freely pushed back into the tire,then replace the valve core, this helps position the tube correctly so it does not get pinched.

Not possible with Presta valve tubes which is what most skinny wheel bikes use. Instead, I just put a little air in so the tube will keep a circle shape, put it in the tire, then put it on.

 

[SuperJETT]

Walking a bike with a flat sucks, I'd much rather take the 5 minutes or whatever to fix the problem than walk a mile with one.

 

[WaveDemon]

when I get a flat I pretend I'm in a cyclocross event and run with my bike on my shoulder. Pushing a bike is for chumps!

 

[AtomicPunk]

when I get a flat I pretend I'm in a cyclocross event and run with my bike on my shoulder. Pushing a bike is for chumps!

So is towing skis.. I expect you to swim your chit in next time.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Not possible with Presta valve tubes which is what most skinny wheel bikes use. Instead, I just put a little air in so the tube will keep a circle shape, put it in the tire, then put it on.

Ehhhh Wrong Answer............

Had some road tubes that have removable cores...... Hated them!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[WaveDemon]

So is towing skis.. I expect you to swim your chit in next time.

Id rather do hood trick while being towed.

 

[Matt_E]

I've done that before.

 

[AtomicPunk]

Id rather do hood trick while being towed.

All I saw was a sub...

 

[Scorn800]

I just checked, it was 1,900 miles. Still, that seems really low.
Maybe I should stop breaking so hard that the wheel locks up.

Oh, and you're scaring me with the tool kit and more than a mile or two.
I ride my bike to work (7 miles), then to school (5 miles) and then home (another 5 miles) pretty much every day.
The only tool I got on me is a Leatherman.
I should probably invest in something a bit more substantial, huh?

Note to self, dont bring the china leatherman you got free with a flashlight.
J/K, I watched 127hrs this weekend and that line stuck in my head.

 

[SuperJETT]

Yes, those are out there, but most are not. None of the lbs here carry them that I've seen.

Now, we can talk about my Stan's valves...

 

[WaveDemon]

All I saw was a sub...

lol

 

[Matt_E]

Now, we can talk about my Stan's valves...

TMI.

I ordered a couple 700x28 Gatorskins and some tire tools.
I would have liked to buy from REI, but their price is $55/per tire and the other place was $34.93/per tire.