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Installing new rear tire on a Reflex and rim locks question


johnnyjazz
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Hello friends, yet another noob question..please forgive my continued ignorance and inexperience! I have looked online prior to posting but just got confused by all the conflicting info out there.
I am going to try to replace the rear tire myself (never done it before) and have a question regarding rim locks.  The bike doesn't currently have one and I run at about 10psi and haven't had any problems (it was like this when I got it). Should I put one in now just to be safe- is that the done thing, or is it ok without? 
And if so, does the rim lock go in first and then you mount the tire, or do you mount the tire then put in the rim lock? I think I need to drill a hole in the rim too for installation on the reflex, yeah? and it is a 2.15" size - is that correct?
Is there anything else I need to think about when installing a new tire?  I was going to try the zip tie method. sorry for so many noob questions! just dont want to mess it all up, lol.Thanks so much in advance for any help or advice.  Truly appreciated!
Edited by johnnyjazz
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Thanks Lineaway, appreciate the encouragement to change the tire myself! no, it's not tubeless..has inner tube....i'm thinking though should i drill a hole and add a rim lock? i saw on the FWOJ thread (page 19) brewtus added one....just wondered if it were necessary and a good safer option? 

 

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You know you need rim locks or some other way to secure the tire to the rim when the valve stem goes crooked or disappears into the rim or gets sheared off depending on how you have the valve stem locked down,  I put one side of the tire on and then push the tube in from the other side tube deflated, install the valve stem, rim locks are in place with the nut backed off completely, push the rim locks in by the bolt and nut when you are mounting the second beed, the rim lock is where you need to install the bead first then work around the rim to about the 3:o'clock position to finish mounting the tire.  Don't need soap or water with mounting a tube tire except to test for leaks and to wash the wheel before you work on it.

Edited by lemur
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Thank you so much Lemur, appreciate the insight and advice! I'm excited to learn more and do this myself.  looking at this pic its definitely not coming straight out and does appear to be at a bit of an angle..

Q/ so when i drill the hole to install a rim lock is there a 'best' place on the rim..I'm guessing opposite the valve stem?

Thank you all for helping, i learn a great deal here from your wisdom and experience! :)

 

stem.jpg

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Almost shocking that rim has no hole for a rim lock, hole is typically not same size as the valve stem hole.

For the tire to slide that direction it was under brake force

Rim lock is a safety feature for braking because it might suck real bad when your brakes don't work.

Edited by lemur
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Rim lock I would buy a light one, but my bikes are a lot lighter ;)  they all work if you don't pinch the tube mounting it and that rarely happens.

... I can easy spot the cheapest one there and that would work just fine.

Edited by lemur
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Don't need soap or water with mounting a tube tire except to test for leaks and to wash the wheel before you work on it.

Edited yesterday at 06:09 PM by lemur

 The canuks must use Moose urine! Mounting a tire without lube is lunacy at best!

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14 hours ago, lineaway said:

Don't need soap or water with mounting a tube tire except to test for leaks and to wash the wheel before you work on it.

Edited yesterday at 06:09 PM by lemur

 The canuks must use Moose urine! Mounting a tire without lube is lunacy at best!

On a tube tire 🤔 why make a mess, you do not need to lube a tube tire to mount it, you don't even need to pre stretch the side walls to make a bead seal because the tube will push it into place.  Where would you want to put the lubricant 🤔 add that I don't mount a tube tire anything like that video but I know it will still work because I'v done it a hundred times.  Going to change out a tire set today, same way I've been doing them for 60 years.  I don't add air to the tube until the tire is mounted either!  Rim goes inside the tire first, I leave the tube flat and just make sure not to pinch the tube or poke.  I push on the rim lock bolt before adding any air to make sure the tube is setting correctly across the top of the rim lock shoe.  Tubeless tires go on tight with a big bang and need lots of air pressure and water or lube to help pop over the safety bead, Tube tires don't go on with a bang.

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Thanks Guys! really appreciate you.  Feeling confident to do it, baby steps ..lol.  Just ordered some proper motorbike tire spoons (tusk) as i figured my 2' Harbor Freight irons are best just used as crowbars...

Other than that the ol' tractor is in fine fettle! slowly getting better (at riding and wrenching) and all the mods I've learnt here have been a HUGE help!  i know having a road legal trials bike is a huge compromise, but given i ride about as well as a drunken elephant probably doesn't make too much difference at this stage, lol ;) 

Joyful weekend to all and thanks again! 

 

20250611_193308.jpg

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Done 😎 how long did I take?   Didn't see anything that needed water or soap except my hands, didn't need to wash the bike because it was last used in snow.

Get the ~14"  tire irons they make it easy after you get arthritis. 

Edited by lemur
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