Michelin Pro Race 3..ahhhhhh

fraz167
fraz167 Posts: 142
edited May 2008 in Workshop
Decided to give these tyres ago, after reading good reviews etc etc

I am finding them an extremely tight fit to my Bontrager Race X Lite rims, so far i have pinched 2 tubes :x At the moment i am so annoyed i am all for sending them back.

Has anyone else experienced this? I don't want to have to carry 4 spare tubes on every ride just in case i pinch one when fitting the tyre!

Cheers
Fraser

Comments

  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    Get a Crank Brother Speed Lever.

    You won't pinch a tube then.

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... ed%20Lever
    I like bikes...

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  • Kléber
    Kléber Posts: 6,842
    Make sure the tube is inflated, this way you can work it into the empty space and keep it away from the edge of the rim so you don't puncture it. Use talc too.
  • wildmoustache
    wildmoustache Posts: 4,010
    they are very narrow for 23mm tyres. crank bros is a useful tool i agree with the draggon.

    i will probably give the 25mms a go when they come out given they will probably be 24mm
  • itisaboutthebike
    itisaboutthebike Posts: 1,120
    its what I've been sayin for the last umpteen weeks - 25mm tyres are the way to go
  • GeorgeShaw
    GeorgeShaw Posts: 764
    No trouble putting them on my Ventos today, even though it was the first time I'd changed the tyres on them, and the first time fitting folding tyres.

    Nice and fast too :D
  • disney
    disney Posts: 51
    I have the same wheel set '08' model and tyres on my madone. Fitted a few weeks ago with no problems. I inflate slightly when fitting and then constantly push in the folding bead all the way around on both sides checking for a potential pinch. I only use the cheap plastic tyre leavers that come with a puncture outfit.
    A very nice tyre in my humble opinion as can now get a speeding ticket in a 30 zone with a bit of luck and wind. It also rides very smoothly and not a flat yet( crossed fingers). Run at 100/110.
  • nicknick
    nicknick Posts: 535
    Not used the prorace 3's but found the prorace 2's extremely tight! They are on my dura ace rims. On the very rare occasion i got a flat on them, they came off and went on easier after riding-all i can think of is they got a bit warmer and expanded a little? Hope they loosen up!
  • northpole
    northpole Posts: 1,499
    I had the same problem with Michelin Krylion tyres on dura-race wheels - blooming nightmare to get on. After destroying two tubes I brought front wheel round to lbs who themselves destroyed two tubes before the tyre eventually co-operated!

    Peter
  • robbarker
    robbarker Posts: 1,367
    wildmoustache wrote:
    they are very narrow for 23mm tyres.

    They are exactly 23mm here when inflated, measured using vernier callipers.

    They went on to my Ksyriums without any problem.

    In any case I have a pair of these:

    http://www.parktool.com/products/detail ... tem=TL%2D5

    in the workshop and tyres have learned not to misbehave as a result..
  • morxy
    morxy Posts: 114
    I find tyres stretch gradually as they wear. Maybe they stretch simply by virtue of being on the rim for a few weeks or months. When I first bought my Vredestein Fortezza Tricomp tyres, they were very, very difficult to fit. Now, 700 miles later, they are just difficult. (I can't imagine they'll ever be easy. But hey, that's progress!)

    So if your tyres are REALLY hard to fit at first. Don't give up. Fit them and get riding. You may find they gradually become more supple after a couple months.

    Worst tyres I ever bought were Michelin Lithions. Couldn't fit them. Blood oozing out my thumbs. Burst 2 tubes in the process. Took them to LBS. They couldn't fit them either! Absolute joke of a tyre.
  • couscous
    couscous Posts: 71
    I bought one of these to help get tight tyres on http://www.thebiketool.com/en/ I also try to stretch tyres before I put them on for the first time.
    "Racing is life, anything before or after is only waiting"
  • wildmoustache
    wildmoustache Posts: 4,010
    robbarker wrote:
    wildmoustache wrote:
    they are very narrow for 23mm tyres.

    They are exactly 23mm here when inflated, measured using vernier callipers.

    They went on to my Ksyriums without any problem.

    In any case I have a pair of these:

    http://www.parktool.com/products/detail ... tem=TL%2D5

    in the workshop and tyres have learned not to misbehave as a result..

    I am sure you are right, but 23mm actual is still narrow for 23mm listed tyres if you see what I mean.

    The other thing is that Ks are really easy to get tyres on ... one of the their benefits

    I just think the PR2 offered something slightly different (slightly wider, biger air pocket, more comfort) and it's a shame we can't choose
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Yes ProRace 2s are fine going onto Ksyrium SLs. Haven't tried 3s yet.
  • nicknick
    nicknick Posts: 535
    Now here's just a thought!-
    What about leaving the tyres in a bowl of warm water for half an hour before attempting to fit? Cant do them any harm.
  • McBain_v1
    McBain_v1 Posts: 5,237
    I have puny thumbs and so need all the help I can get :oops:
    What do I ride? Now that's an Enigma!
  • cookiemonster
    cookiemonster Posts: 668
    I fitted pro race 3's to y aksiums yesterday with no major hassles. I've a speed-lever which helps things along, and they were a bit tougher to fit than the schwalbes they're replacing but perfectly do-able.

    84 mile sportive tomorrow will tell whether it was worth the extra grief :)

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