How to Mount Small Tires

Mounting small tires onto rims is a universal job that will work for any small rubber tire. There usually 3 parts to every small tire: the rim, the inner tube and the tire. The inner tube fits into the tire and the tire is put on the metal rim. The tire has a small lip around the edge on both sides that fits on the inside of the rim tightly. Once the tire is fitted to the rim the inner tube is filled with air.

Things You'll Need

• 2 Flat head screw drivers

Instructions

1. Place the small tire over the rim and press down hard to seat the tire's edge over the rim's edge. Place a screw driver between the edge of the tire that is not seated inside the rims edge. Place an other screw driver between the tire and the rim next to the other.

2. Push down on one of the screw drivers while lifting up on the other. The tire lip will be forced into the in side of the rim's lip. Repeat this until the entire edge of the tire is seated in the rim.

3. Insert the inner tube between the tire and the rim. Insert the valve stem into the valve stem hole on the rim and twist the valve stem cap onto the valve stem.

4. Press as much of the tire's edge over the rim as you can. Repeat the steps using the screw drivers to seat the tire to the rim. Make sure not to pinch the tire's inner tube.

References

• "Tires, Spokes, and Sprockets: A Book About Wheels and Axles (Amazing Science: Simple Machines)"; Dahl, Michael, Shea, and Denise; 2002