900aero

I mostly use Campanolo Eurus (2-way fit) wheels and have experienced a vast range of difficulty/ease when it comes to changing tyres. Current favourite is Maxxis Columbiere - current villan is Conti Gp400s. By way of background, I don't like to use tyre levers and I mostly just road ride by myself (& Strava...), only very occasionally racing. I'm happy enough to stick with Maxxis but just wondered if anyone else can offer some wisdom or experience.

mahalo

Brian Ratliff

Most of the time it's the rim that dictates how hard it is to mount tires. Mavic Open Pros, in my experience, are easy with any tire. Others, particularly pre-built wheels, are hard. One trick to make mounting easier to switch to thinner rim tape and make it so the last bit of the bead to mount is right at the valve.

Other than that, I don't believe there is a definitive listing of "easy" mounting tires. You shouldn't be trying to stretch the bead to get the tire mounted; you should be using the geometry of tire and rim to slip the bead over the lip of the rim.

dnuzzomueller

Try pushing the already mounted parts of the bead towards the center/ middle of the rim and away from it's hook/ outer rim, then work around to the section you are having trouble with and try pulling the bead over the lip then. Think of trying to ovalize the fire so that it will fit over the rim.

Falchoon

^^This. I have Dura Ace C24 wheels with Conti GP4000S and this is the only way to do it.

900aero

Thanks guys. I'll pay more attention to the fit onto the rim each time and see how that goes. Perhaps that is why some are going on so easily and others not.

hueyhoolihan

i've found a correlation between wired beaded tires and ease of installation.

and OTOH, i wouldn't be surprised to find out that Kevlar beaded tires are manufactured a tiny bit tight, due to possible stretching issues.

Looigi

Lube tire bead (and tube, if used) liberally with talc.

gamby

I can say that 6700 Ultegra wheels are pretty miserable for tire changes. The tubeless-redy design REALLY locks the bead in place and getting that last 6" of tire back on is a B#$@H.

arcticbiker

I've had some really difficult mounting issues from certain rim/tire combinations. If you are in some difficulty and need an emergency method to solve your problem, this really works.
It's a pain but once you've successfully mounted the tire, it usually stretches so the next mount is easier. For wire bead tires (mostly on touring bikes) I carry a couple wire ties with me just in case.

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

MrTuner1970

Here's another helpful video.

https://youtu.be/vWsfeaRd5CM

I have the Eurus 2-way wheels, and have used this for tubeless tires. It might take a few tries to get the rolling motion to push the last bit of tire on the rim. But it works without tools. Gets easier with every tire change.

coasting 

i used to use michelin pro 2 race and then michelin lithions (cheaper and longer lasting). both of them were really easy to put on with bare hands. I now use Vittoria rubino pros and they impossible with bare hands. All were on the same wheels.

Biscayne05

Been using them since April. They've been excellent until November where there's too much debris on the road and I've gotten two pinch flats lately (my 1st and 2nd for the year and I started my season in April). I'm looking to replace them now. I'm expecting another flat when I use them again tomorrow. Yes, my tire pressure is just about right for my weight.

As for mounting them: it's easy but I do strength training myself so that can be a factor. When you're putting them back on the rim you shouldn't be using your thumb but the bottom of your palm to generate more force. I've done about 5k on them.

MrTuner1970

Strength training is a factor, to be sure. However, I don't do any strength training and it's really not that hard once you've learned how to move your hands. In fact, watching the little Italian in the video I posted enraged me. I'm bigger than him, and after I'd seen him do it, I was determined not to be outdone.

However, prior to watching the video, I must confess that I spent 20-30 minutes thinking I was gonna have a heart attack from the effort.

It is OK to use plastic tire levers, but I never have had to use them.

Beaker

a big +1 - also after a few miles of use (stretching), tires come off and on more easily.