Tyres very tight on the rims

[simmi]

After watching the video I had another go just for practice and by using the method in the video I did find it easier and in fact managed to get the tyre back on without levers I was pleased but it still took a good length of time, not what you want when 20 club members are hanging around tapping their fingers.

 

[the_mikey]

Out of a matter of interest does anyone know how tight conti 4000s or 4 seasons are relative to other tyres?

GP4000's are no worse than gatorskins or Michelin Krylion Carbons in my experience, it very much depends on your rim.

 

[gbs]

I am relieved to see that I am not the only one to struggle. At my LBS, Holdsworth, they nonchalantly flip over tyres that have defeated me so I guess it is a matter of technique and strength that comes from repetition. I wonder if we should develop a user experience matrix of difficulty in fixing - tyre v rim combinations

IMO of sportive genre kit: Camapg eurus wheels are generally more difficult than Mavic Ksyrium and as for tyres, in order of diminishing ease Ultremo, Gatorskins, Bontranger all weather, Michelin Pro 3, Durano (but not DD version), Vittoria Rubino, Michelin Pro 4.

Useful aides - talc and the VAR levers.

 

[deanbmx]

I struggled like mad getting vitorias onto my previous easton wheels. Swapped them out for a set of conti folding tyres which were loads easier.

 

[Globalti]

TALC will make any tyre easy to fit.

 

[simmi]

TALC will make any tyre easy to fit.

Cheers Globalti, you've not got shares in Johnson and Johnson by any chance?

 

[Globalti]

No, but recently Mrs Gti was out of work and we got pretty close to investing some money in packaging and a 25 kg bag of unperfumed talc, which we were going to pack in the kitchen and market as Tyre Talc. Divers use tons of it for their dry suit cuffs and I think a tub of talc should be an essential part of any cyclist's tool kit as it works like a miracle on tight tyres, especially when they're new and the rubber is sticky.

 

[ScottyB]

Can you choose between 25 and 23 tyres on any road wheel? I currently have the standard 700 x 25 tyre on a Specialized Allez but they are very tight to get through the brakes and beginning to wear also.

 

[Mo1959]

Can you choose between 25 and 23 tyres on any road wheel? I currently have the standard 700 x 25 tyre on a Specialized Allez but they are very tight to get through the brakes and beginning to wear also.

Have a look on the rims for your rim width and then look at the chart towards the bottom of this page and it will give you all the tyre widths that will fit.

http://sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html

 

[Mallory]

I struggled like mad getting vitorias onto my previous easton wheels. Swapped them out for a set of conti folding tyres which were loads easier.

That's funny as I have the opposite.

I can easily mount vittoria corsa or pave with latex tubes on my eastons


Trying the same with my GP4 seasons = £20 of torn latex tubes.

 

[Mallory]

Cheers Globalti, you've not got shares in Johnson and Johnson by any chance?

So I also have to carry talk in my saddle pack as well

 

[simmi]

Can you choose between 25 and 23 tyres on any road wheel? I currently have the standard 700 x 25 tyre on a Specialized Allez but they are very tight to get through the brakes and beginning to wear also.

Sorry if i'm stating the obvious but you do know that there is a little lever on the brakes that open them up by 5mm or so?

 

[Cletus Van Damme]

I have Mavic Aksium wheels fitted with folding Vredestein Fortezza Tricomp tyres. They are brilliant tyres and I have never had a puncture. However they were an absolute pig to fit and I ruined 2 tubes in the process. Whether it's the rims or the tyres I do not know. I used talc also, but it was still hard work. I often wondered if fitting difficult tyres like these a few times on and off without tubes in and using tyre levers might make a difference. If it would stretch them a little or something. Probably not.

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Can you choose between 25 and 23 tyres on any road wheel? I currently have the standard 700 x 25 tyre on a Specialized Allez but they are very tight to get through the brakes and beginning to wear also.

I'm on 700 x 25 on my Allez, I think the stock tyres were also 25s'

 

[gbs]

I struggled like mad getting vitorias onto my previous easton wheels. Swapped them out for a set of conti folding tyres which were loads easier.

Which type 4Seasons, Gatrskins or something else?