Gatorskins vs Aksium rims

[nilling]

Aw bugger!

Last time I fitted these tyres I used a metal tyre lever! After attending a maintenance course they suggested that you should be able to fit by hand without the need of a tyre lever as there's a real chance of damaging the rims. Starting with your hands at the 10 and 2 o'clock positions and working towards the 6 o'clock position you should be able to create enough slack in the tyre to be able to push it onto the rim. But I'm still struggling, anyone got any fitting tips?

 

[Rob3rt]

Talc.

 

[rb58]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUFVrl0UT4

I've got Gatorskins on Ksyriums and they can be tight, but I don't usually have any problem changing a tube. I do tend to start at 6 o'clock and work my way up to 10 to 2 position, not the other way around. The most important thing is to make sure the bead sits in the well of the rim on the opposite side when you're trying to get the last section on. There are some tips in the video above - it's for Marathon Pluses which are much harder, but the principles are the same.

 

[nilling]

No smoke, no mirrors, no levers :E

 

[avsd]

As mentioned above talc is your friend It lubricates the rubber without causing any damage to the tyre.

 

[fossyant]

Talc again...

 

[User482]

I think Gatorskins are on the tight side - they were an absolute pain to get on my campag rims. As per others, just keep working the tyre bead into the central well, swear copiously, and they should go on.

 

[Nearly there]

My gatorskins where hard work to fit to fulcrum 7s snapped a few levers in the process

 

[youngoldbloke]

Are they folding or wire? I can't remember any problem putting mine (folding) on Aksiums, and on R501s I only need to use a lever to start getting them off, and can put them back on with just thumbs.

 

[FreeFlow Bikes]

Managed for the first time to fit a set of Continental Grand Prix 4000s tyres by hand. It was a struggle but managed. Could never manage it with my Continental GatorHardShell's. The GatorHardShells were wired tyres while the Grand Prix are folding.

 

[woohoo]

If it is any consolation, once the GP4000s are on, they ease up a bit. I had a flat a few months back and the GP4000s were a damned sight easier to get off and on than they were when new.

 

[nilling]

Toe straps and talc, really?

Watched the video (thanks rb58) and yesterday found my old toe straps and some talc. Still unconvinced as the tyres are wired but I'll give it a go. Had problems on one side when the tyre wall creased so just worked on the other side. Did not even realise when the last bit just snapped in! So thanks all for saving my thumbs!!