calstar 

I have a nice set of Mavic MA40 wheels with Zipp hubs from the 90s but......it is really very difficult to mount tires on it(as in nearly impossible with Panracer Paselas, my tire of choice for the riding I do). I'm not looking for advice on how to mount tires, I'm looking for tires that someone has actually used with these rims and mounted them with no problems. I'd like to use a 28mm tire.

thanks, Brian

veganbikes

I am a big fan of the Vittoria Corsa G+ granted I haven't used the MA40 rims and probably have only mounted a tire a couple of times on one (don't see them super often) but on other rims they have mounted pretty easily for an open tubular design (think clincher without the vulcanization of the sidewalls).

I would certainly look at ways for mounting tires and don't dismiss that off the bat because it can be helpful. You may think you have the best way to do it but there are a lot of folks out there that do this sort of stuff often and might have some excellent tips. If you can find a cheap but decently wide rim (so not the old vintage stuff) that is not tubeless ready and maybe mount your tires to them and keep them pumped up for a few weeks and that might help stretch them a little bit so mounting on the Mavics will be easier. Certainly is the case for Challenge tires and tubulars.

ThermionicScott 

I don't know if this counts as "tire mounting advice" but I would definitely switch to tubeless tape (or the Kaptan stuff that @Drew Eckhardt likes) if they currently have Velox in them.

As much as I still have an affinity for the stuff, I only use Velox for rims that have an "easy" or "loose" tire fit anymore.

calstar 

They do have Velox, I thought of getting some tubeless tape but haven't, I will do that now, thanks. The only way to mount tires as they are is by using a Kool-Stop tire bead jack, broke one regular tire lever before changing to the tire jack. Once on, I broke two tire levers getting it off, not using the wheels now as I don't want to deal with them if I flat on the road.

regards, Brian

fietsbob

23 to 32 should be fine.. you pick the tire brand..

tape? I have the yellow plastic rim strip ring from Michelin Hi Lite tire era. 80's..
(those tires package included tire levers , when introduced)


Three tire levers all pulled down at once get tight tires off...



...

Drew Eckhardt 

While not what you asked for, you'll be happier with your preferred tires but

1. Using two wraps of 1 mil 16mm (5/8") Kapton tape totaling .005" versus .020" for Velox. It makes a huge difference in the amount of slack you have to work with, the difference between cussing at tools and hand mounting.

2. Using proper tire mounting technique - finish at the stem, milk the slack up to it. MA40s are not tight rims (I had a pair I used as spares for 20 years until I moved and cleaned out my shed).

calstar 

Thanks for the suggestions to replace the velox, I took it off and mounted a tire without tape, went on without using levers. I just ordered some kapton on amazon. I hadn't use these wheels for a few years and didn't remember them being hard to mount tires on, I must have had other than velox, something thinner. I installed the velox a couple of weeks ago, no rim tape on the wheels at that time, looking forward to using them. Front pictured below, Zipp hub with cf shell, durace skewers, very good condition

bikemig 

I'm rolling clement strada LGG 700 x 32c tires on my MA2s, no problems and panaracer gravel king 700 x 28c on my MA 40s.

veganbikes

Neat wheels. I like the old ZIPP hubs with the gold flanges and carbon shell.

Slightspeed

I've had problems mounting Pasela 28s on my MA40s also. Once on, they're great. I had two flats the same day but that's all I've had in 1500 miles. It took 3 of us to get the tire back on after the first flat, not due to strength, but frustration levels. Previous tires were Gatorskin 28s on these rims, don't recall a fitting issue with those, but I like the vintage look of the Paselas. I don't have an answer for you, but at least we're not alone. Mine are on old school Campy high flange, I love the look. I never thought of the rim strip being a problem. I have the old white cotton Velox.

fvernon

the first time I put my 28c Panaracer Paselas on my MA40 rims it was a serious PITA, but after the first go they got a tiny bit stretched out and became infinitely easier to take on/off. It's that first time that nearly killed me; if you can get past that the tire/rim combo may get much easier. I just swapped those tires from a set of MA2 rims back to MA40 rims and I couldn't believe how much faster and easier on my hands/tire levers it was.

jgwilliams

I had rims like that on a recumbent bike - they were Velocity rims. I eventually bought some metal tyre levers. Fortunately I had very few punctures on that bike.

Falkon 

I have those rims on my Ciocc. I'm running Vittoria Zaffiro tires, I believe. Velox rim tape. I don't recall these being much harder to mount than other rims, but it's been a while.

63rickert

If it's just too hard don't do it.

Instead mount the tire on an easier rim and ride it. One ride is enough. Leave the tire overinflated overnight. Now your tire goes on.

Kapton tape is not only thinner it is slippery. Velox tape grabs and binds. Douse the inside of tire with talc and everything is slippery.