I've recently discovered a technique that hasn't yet failed me. I forgo the levers entirely to break a stubborn bead, and like you I wear gloves. With the wheel upright and perpendicular to me sitting on a chair, I grab as much tire as a I can and pull it toward me, while simultaneously pushing the rim away, folding it over the closest edge of the rim. This has the miraculous effect of releasing the bead on the side furthest from you. It's so simple I felt like an idiot when I stumbled onto it. It has taken some effort on occasion, but I'm talking 30 seconds of effort rather than 20 minutes of banging my head against a wall. I haven't yet entered the ring with a DH tire that's been marinating for 2 years, but I'm unreasonably confident considering my results so far. If you make it work I'd love to hear about it.
May 22, 2020, 12:17 a.m. - Cam McRae
I've recently discovered a technique that hasn't yet failed me. I forgo the levers entirely to break a stubborn bead, and like you I wear gloves. With the wheel upright and perpendicular to me sitting on a chair, I grab as much tire as a I can and pull it toward me, while simultaneously pushing the rim away, folding it over the closest edge of the rim. This has the miraculous effect of releasing the bead on the side furthest from you. It's so simple I felt like an idiot when I stumbled onto it. It has taken some effort on occasion, but I'm talking 30 seconds of effort rather than 20 minutes of banging my head against a wall. I haven't yet entered the ring with a DH tire that's been marinating for 2 years, but I'm unreasonably confident considering my results so far. If you make it work I'd love to hear about it.