Tight Tyres

bjlyons

I have a pair of Fulcrum Racing 5's and a pair of Continental GP4000's they were an absolute b*tch to fit, I had no option other than using tyre leavers. I've used them a few months now without any punctures, but I bought a pair of Michelin Pro Race 2's with the hope that they'd be easier to fit and remove in case I get a flat. I've just fitted them now, and they are a little easier but still feel impossible without a tyre leaver which really worries me, I don't really want to risk puncturing tubes whilst fitting the tyre!

Is this just the way modern tyres are going? Or is it that my Fulcrum rims are bigger than usual? Any tips or advice?

Thanks!

redddraggon

It's the Fulcrum rims, all Campag rims are like that with most brands of tyres.

Apparantly Vittoria tyres are easier to get on and off.

redddraggon

One of these might help:

Crank Brothers Speed Lever

bjlyons

OK thanks, I'll order one of those now!

Garybee

I think a lot of it is in the technique. I have Campag Zondas with Prorace 2 tyres and they're perfectly reasonable to get on without tyre levers. Appolagies if this is 'sucking eggs' for you but are you making sure the bead is in the well at the centre of the rim on the opposite side and pushing the valve into the tyre?

giant_man

The CB speed lever will get the tyre onto the rim, any rim matter of fact, but be careful about 1. it doesn't pinch the tube and 2. be careful not to scratch the rim cos the lever will do that if you are not careful.

bjlyons

Thanks for the replies.

I start at the valve by pinching the tube with tyre and pushing it down into the rim. When most of the tyre's on, I go back round the wheel and sort of rock the tyre into place. It's honestly very very tight even after that, I end up with about 12-15cm not on the rim and opposite the valve the bead's about 4-5cm away from the rim!

geoff_ss

Don't want to be obvious but I assume you're fitting the tyre so that you finish at the valve? That's the only way you'll get the bead right into the rim well opposite the final fitting point. A tyre bead is designed not to stretch so you need to get the fitted part away from the edge of the rim and into the middle to allow that last bit to be eased into place.

I've just fitted a pair of 23mm Schwalbe Blizzard tyres onto my new Mavic Open Pro rims and they were very easy. I hope not too easy

Geoff

jpembroke

You should try Vredestein Fortezzas on Campag Protons. Oh lordy - I have actually lost flesh and blood fitting them.