Are Campy Neutron Ultras Bastards to get tires on?

Sticky One

. . .because I am finding it so!!

Does any one have any experience changing tires with these wheels?

I'm not one of these wizards that can do it eyes closed , road side , in 5 minutes but I know what I'm doing but with these wheels the last few cms are hell to get in.

They're great wheels but . . .

If anyone can can shed any light on this isue I'd appreciate it because if it turns out that this a common complaint then I'm going to change them for something else.

redddraggon

It's pretty easy once you learn how ....

Try a crank brothers speed lever - but it can be done toolless

LangerDan

Campy Neutron Ultra Bastards?

Are they the new Campag wheels for the cobbled classics?

Monty Dog

Conti tyres are particularly notorious on Campagnolo wheels - try a different brand of tyre and maybe a fatter one with a more supple sidewall construction, as well as the aforementioned Speedlever. Also, changing your rim tape from the thick plastic to a velox cotton one gives more wiggle room for the tyre in the well of the rim.

spanielsson

It's all down to technique, you shouldn't need levers to put any tyre onto a rim. Campag wheels are not particulary hard to fit tyres to.

Maybe I need to film it and add it to you tube for those that struggle........

Which tyres do you use on your winter Ribble Mr Reddraggon?!!

redddraggon

spanielsson wrote:

It's all down to technique, you shouldn't need levers to put any tyre onto a rim. Campag wheels are not particulary hard to fit tyres to.

Maybe I need to film it and add it to you tube for those that struggle........

Which tyres do you use on your winter Ribble Mr Reddraggon?!!

Vittoria Rubino 25c on the back/Zaffiro 23c on the front. I've broken a few speedlevers fitting tyres (michelin/vittoria/conti) on campag wheels, but can do it without the levers now.

I reckon it'd be a good idea for that youtube vid.

spanielsson

redddraggon wrote:

spanielsson wrote:

It's all down to technique, you shouldn't need levers to put any tyre onto a rim. Campag wheels are not particulary hard to fit tyres to.

Maybe I need to film it and add it to you tube for those that struggle........

Which tyres do you use on your winter Ribble Mr Reddraggon?!!

Vittoria Rubino 25c on the back/Zaffiro 23c on the front. I've broken a few speedlevers fitting tyres (michelin/vittoria/conti) on campag wheels, but can do it without the levers now.

I reckon it'd be a good idea for that youtube vid.

Looks like another job on the to do list!

Until I showed you my tyre fitting method did you always struggle fitting the Vittoria's?

redddraggon

spanielsson wrote:

Until I showed you my tyre fitting method did you always struggle fitting the Vittoria's?

Yes, although they were a little easier than contis, but I still needed the speed lever.

Monty Dog

You're not helping yourself by fitting a wire beaded tyre - kevlar beaded tyres are more flexible. Also talc the inside of the tyre to make it easier to push over the edge of the rim. It does come down to technique - spend a few months as a bike mechanic and you'll soon learn to fit almost anything without levers - with the tyre partially fitted, pinch the sidewalls all around to move them into the well of the rim to give you a little bit more slack to fit the last section.

6288

so that's why after you get a wheel back form the shop it has talc on the tubes ... i did always wonder what it was all about ...

spanielsson

Monty Dog wrote:

It does come down to technique - spend a few months as a bike mechanic and you'll soon learn to fit almost anything without levers

That's how I know how to do it! Never used talc to put one on though!

James_London

They're awesome wheels... Don't ditch them because it takes two minutes more to fit tyres!! I'd agree that VIttorias are easier than Continentals but Veloflex Blacks were beggars which I wasn't expecting. Thinner rim tape or Velo Plugs also help as suggested above...

JimmyK

please do post the youtube vid, changing my conti gator skins is simply a task i have nightmares about.

JimmyK

simmo3801

I'd be interested in seeing that clip!!
I have Campag Eurus and currently using Michelin Pro2s. I struggled until i bought a VAR Tool which makes it simple to fit. It also avoids pinch flats thankfully as it hooks the tyre over the rim from the other side. A bit hard to explain but here it is

www.cyclebasket.com/products.php?plid=m5b0s281p92

Sticky One

It hasn't been my week ...since I posted another flat and more practice!
I'm having to use a lever to get the last bit on which I know runs the risk of pinching the inner tube but it is extremely tight . The tires are new Vittoria Corsa's.
How do you do it with no tools !! A video on YouTube would be brilliant.

James_London

Why would you use Vittoria Corsa CXs mid-winter?! Maybe you're in Australia or something but if you're in the UK I've got no sympathy for your thumbs! Get some Vittoria Pave-EVO CGs on!

coyot3

As a Shamal, Proton and Vento owner can I make one small suggestion. Next time you have the rear wheel with no tyre fitted, stand the wheel on a flat surface and then look "end on" to see if the wheel is vertical. If it is like my Campag rims you will notice it leans to one side, caused by one rim side wall (non drive side) being slightly smaller than the other. If you use that side for tyre fiiting, you can get Pro Race 2 & 3's on without using a tyre lever or losing your patience.

Sticky One

James_London wrote:

Why would you use Vittoria Corsa CXs mid-winter?! Maybe you're in Australia or something but if you're in the UK I've got no sympathy for your thumbs! Get some Vittoria Pave-EVO CGs on!

Not Australia but Colombia so no Winter!!

. . .but its not the best place to take your time when fixing a flat by the road! :shock:

megdog

I've just bought a pair of campag eurus and michelin pro race 3s. I've never been so pissed off in my life trying to get those bastards on. I snapped three tyre levers and punctured two tubes. I mended one of the tubes but four three miles form home today it went and I had to walk home - feet aching. I'm going to try talc and those VAR levers. If someone really can fit those tyres on the eurus without levers, then I'm very very impressed. I've been racing for ten years now and have never come across anything like it. Cheers megdog

ginger1

I found it stupid hard, especially with arthritis in my wrists. My solution was 3 levers instead of 2. Set up the first 2 slightly wider than usual and use a 3rd in the middle. Bit of a faff but worth a try if youre still struggling.

Beatmaker

It is a matter of technique, that's all. I have Campag Protons which I use with Conti Attack & Force tyres and don't have issues removing and refitting. I've never used (or heard) of the talc method before, it may be worth a try but I believe it's all in the thumb action!

Kléber

Some extra tips:
- only inflate the tube a little, too much air makes the job harder, use the minimum possible.
- stand over the wheel and start at the top of the wheel and insert the bead over the rim and stretching it as you work down, a bit like fitting a tub.
- above all, try sticking the offending tyre somewhere warm like above the hot water tank or above (but not on) a radiator.

dennisn

Kléber wrote:

...................
- above all, try sticking the offending tyre somewhere warm like above the hot water tank or above (but not on) a radiator.

Excellent idea. I may go even further and try sticking my tubulars actually IN warm water
to see how it goes. I use tape and tires can be put on wet. In fact they(Tufo) tell you to wet down the tire to help ease mounting.
Sorry if I sort of hijacked your thread.

Dennis Noward

Kléber

Some tubs you can fit wet as the water will evaporate along with the glue, to leave a dry bond behind. But for everyone else, don't do this for clinchers as you will trap the water inside, that is why the talc is used, as a lubricant.