Conti Tyres

campagsarge
campagsarge Posts: 434
edited September 2007 in Workshop
Anyone else had any problems fitting conti tyres? I am attempting to put some Gatorskin Ultra on Campag Vento wheels. So far I have managed to get three cut knuckles and one large blister!

These tyres seem as tight as the proverbiale wotsit, I can hardly getting the chuffing things on the rim. I just hope I dont get a blow out in mid-winter as trying to get these things off with chilly hands will be a nightmare.

Anyone got any tips?

Comments

  • magliaceleste
    magliaceleste Posts: 748
    You know a lot of people will say it's the Campag wheels, but I had the same issue with Shimano wheels and Conti GP 4000 tyres.

    I don't think it helps when the Conti tyres are new since they have a kind of sheen to them.

    My tip is Specialized Pry Baby tyre levers, if you can get them.
  • simbil1
    simbil1 Posts: 620
    I put my latest gp4000's (25mm folding) on my new wheels (Ambrosio rims) with my bare hands.
    On the other hand, putting ultra-sports (23mm wire) on my reynolds alta comp wheels was a struggle with tyre leavers.

    Maybe its down to the wire bead being tight on Conti's?
    http://picasaweb.google.com/thefirstsimbil/Bikes
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    I've had no problems with the Contis ultra folding tyres. I always seem to struggle with wired tyres though, no matter what the manufacturer is.
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  • Uranus
    Uranus Posts: 887
    25mm GP4000s were a lot easier to get on my old Ambrosio rims than either Michelin Pro Race or Hutchinson Comp. In fact the Hutchinsons were so tight I gave up because I thought I would break the rim. The Michelins were still so bad that a roadside puncture repair would have taken half an hour.

    OTOH Michelin Megamiums weren't that bad, about the same as the Contis. Could it be that the "racier" the tyre the tighter they fit?

    The Ambrosios are the "worst" rims I've got. I've also got Campag Protons which are a bit of a bu??er, and some Mavic MA3s which are relatively easy.

    I do use (TacX plastic) tyre levers to get the bead on, if you're careful and patient it's okay. If you're cack-handed you'll break something or get pinch flats.
  • Uranus
    Uranus Posts: 887
    oh and the tyres do get *slightly* looser after they've been off and on the rim a couple of times :)

    - that applies to Kevlar beaded tyres, I should say. Wired tyres don't get looser that I've ever noticed, I can't stand the things now. I know Gator Skins are cheaper in wired than folding, but I would pay the extra every time.
  • campagsarge
    campagsarge Posts: 434
    Uranus wrote:
    I know Gator Skins are cheaper in wired than folding, but I would pay the extra every time.

    Yeah, mine are the wired type and it took me about 90 mins to get the Ultra Sport tyres that they came with off (again, wired) and to fit my Gatorskins on. My girlfriend became aquinted with some new swear words during this time.

    Being a tight Yorkshireman, I opted for the wired types but yep, next time I will let t' moths out of tha wallet and spend t'extra brass...

    ...I have Michelin Pro Race Service Course on my Scirroco's and they where pretty easy to fit - they are the folding type.

    So, it would seem that the folding tyres are the way to go!

    Cheers guys.
  • Uranus
    Uranus Posts: 887
    campagsarge wrote:

    ...I have Michelin Pro Race Service Course on my Scirroco's and they where pretty easy to fit - they are the folding type.

    So, it would seem that the folding tyres are the way to go!

    If I was you I would try the ProRace on the Ventos just to check, even within one manufacturer you'll find some rims are easier than others.
  • rdaviesb
    rdaviesb Posts: 566
    I use on of these on my Ventos.

    http://www.crankbrothers.com/speedlever.php

    Makes life a lot easier.
  • campagsarge
    campagsarge Posts: 434
    Thanks rdaviesb, that look like a pretty good device, think I may purchase one of the those.
  • bulldicker
    bulldicker Posts: 61
    getting conti tyres on to my eurus rims is also difficult :evil: ive used gp 3000 and attack/force tyres tacx tyre leavers help but it is still hard to fit them
  • campagsarge
    campagsarge Posts: 434
    I have just purchased that gadget in the link above. Got it from wiggle. £4.27. If it makes life easier it will be worth it - my knuckles are cut to shreds following my fight with the Vento's and Conti's this morning!!
  • dennisn
    dennisn Posts: 10,601
    campagsarge wrote:
    Anyone else had any problems fitting conti tyres? I am attempting to put some Gatorskin Ultra on Campag Vento wheels. So far I have managed to get three cut knuckles and one large blister!

    These tyres seem as tight as the proverbiale wotsit, I can hardly getting the chuffing things on the rim. I just hope I dont get a blow out in mid-winter as trying to get these things off with chilly hands will be a nightmare.

    Anyone got any tips?

    Forget clinchers. Ride tubies. Use "Tufo" glueing tape.

    If this doesn't suit you, use "Tufo" tubular clinchers. Easy to put on and take off.

    Dennis Noward

    Toledo, Ohio
  • pedalrog
    pedalrog Posts: 633
    I have never had problems getting Conti's onto any rim. A bit tight but they always go on by exerting the correct pressure by your palms.
  • velohead18
    velohead18 Posts: 22
    If you can't put them on with your hands then find an old bloke in a 'proper' bike shop and get him to show you how.

    If you need to use levers, them use the ones from Soma. They're plastic with a metal core, so they're not going to pinch your tube or snap, unlike the Park ones.

    http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=13863
  • campagsarge
    campagsarge Posts: 434
    velohead18 wrote:
    If you can't put them on with your hands then find an old bloke in a 'proper' bike shop and get him to show you how.

    Yeah, some of the more mature guys in the club can do this no problem! Will take a look at those levers, thanks velohead18.

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