velocity

Michelin tires are not working for me very well the bead is so tight and I pinch flat sometimes applying the tires. I am a commuter too and the roads are full of things that would make me dread getting a flat. I really like this awesome wheel set. Any suggestions on more forgiving beads and comparable resistance to artifacts in the road?
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CliffordK

I've got some RS-10 wheels that are a major pain to mount tires on (Gator Hardshell and GP 4S). I've just been using tools and patience, and checking the bead after I get the tires mounted.

The wheels may be tubeless ready, so you could try a tubeless tire.

Or, just make sure you use a heavily armored flat resistant tire.

cave12man

I can mount the Conti GPS2's by hand on most wheelsets I've tried. It's particularly easy, but can be done. Great rolling and puncture resistance.

msu2001la

I pinch flatted a brand new tube last night trying to squeeze a conti GP 4000s tire into my Ultegra wheels. These wheels are really tough to mount any tire on, it seems.

I've heard if you leave the tires out in the sun for a few minutes it helps.

Mr IGH

I have the Shimano WH-RS81-C24-TL, I understand it's the same profile. I'm running Maxxis Padrones 28mm tubeless. I was able to mount them by hand without any tricks.

OmegaWolf

I have a wheelset with DT Swiss rims that I couldn't get Michelins on at all. I got some Schwalbe Duranos and Luganos and they both fit rather easily.

aubiecat

I have a 6800 wheel set and I put Conti GP4000S II's on without tools. I only need the tire tools to take the tire off.

Okay, full disclosure: I do use a tire tool when installing a the tires BUT not to force the bead over the rim. I use it to make sure the tube is all the way over the rim before I work the last section of bead over the rim. I poke it under the tire a few times to make sure the last bit of tube isn't caught between the bead and the rim edge of the wheel. Once I'm sure the tube is fully in I finish working the bead over the edge by hand.

GrizzledBastard

I'm having great luck with 700x28 Gatorskins on my OEM Mavics. I'll have a set of new Ultegra 6800 wheels and the same new tires here in a couple days. We'll see how that goes.

velocity

I know your pain... the heated up stuff make sense though.
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