Re-fitting tyres on Fulcrum 5's

thespanishadam

Had a nightmare this morning trying to get the tyre back on. Using 23mm Conti Gatorskins at the moment on Fulcrum Racing 5's. I just couldn't lever the tyre over the rim, ended up snapping the tyre lever. Which was a Park Tool one at that.

Is there any pointers? Thinking maybe a little grease to slide it over?

I don't fancy getting stranded to and from work. The other alternative is to get some cheaper wheels and sell the current. Was thinking possibly the Campag khamsin as an option.

Look forward to some suggestions..

jairaj

could've just been the colder temperatures making the rubber tougher?

are you experienced at changing tyres? good technique goes a long way. In my early days of cycling it would take me half a day to change tyres now I can do in no time at all.

Also some tyres are just a pain to fit no matter what you try.

thespanishadam

I've fitted a fair few on various different wheels and never had an issue. First time on the new wheels though. I did read that the Fulcrum's are known for being b@stards. Didn't think it would be soo bad that I couldn't get the tyre back on though.

rolf_f

Campagnolo make Fulcrum wheels so you probably won't benefit from that change. I use Campagnolo wheels and have no problems (Schwalbe tyres) - apparently it is hardest to remove the tyre first time - so maybe take the tyre on and off a few times at home until it goes on more easily.

thespanishadam

I'm aware of that. Surely it's down to the design though? and the Fulcrum's being different to the Campag. The Fulcrum Racing 7's are fine to change. It's when you start going up the range that the profile of the rim get's narrower, making it tricky.

biondino

I changed a tyre on a Fulcrum 5 on wednesday - a tight fit (it was a 23mm Vittoria Evo KS (I think) for completists) but the lever did its job. However, on my fancy roadie I've got Fulcrum 3s on which I've only ever used Schwalbe Ultremos and they go on with fingertips - almost too easily.

edhornby

I have michelin lithion2s on fulcrum 5s on my posh bike and I nearly snapped my hands off trying to lever them on

I have wired bead gatorskins on my commuter (openpro rims) and they were a bugger to get on as well

pedros levers have a metal rib inside the plastic I was told....... I usually have lots of tyre levers on the go to encourage the tyre on the rim

thespanishadam

I've got a set of Armadillos I can try and get on there, but they weigh an absolute tonne. There seem to be some good reviews with the Vittoria Rubino Pro's related to Fulcrum's, so I've ordered a set of those in 25mm. Hopefully that may do the trick. Oh and some new tyre levers may be needed..

rolf_f

thespanishadam wrote:

I'm aware of that. Surely it's down to the design though? and the Fulcrum's being different to the Campag. The Fulcrum Racing 7's are fine to change. It's when you start going up the range that the profile of the rim get's narrower, making it tricky.

Maybe but I've heard people complaining about the Campagnolo wheels as well - and I've got Khamsins, Vento Reactions and Neutrons which all seem pretty similar (and easy with the Schwalbes).

thespanishadam

Thanks for the good responses. I'll try the Rubino Pro when they turn up, if not I'm going to have to try the Ultremo... Made light work of bending a metal spoon though. God knows how they originally get them on. Possibly warm them up slightly? or world's strongest fingertips..

keefsloan

I use Gatorskins on a set of Fulcrum 7's and they are difficult to get on. However, there is a solution:

http://www.thebiketool.com/en/index.html

There are various incarnations of these kinds of tools, but this one is well made (in Australia, so it's tough!), it arrives pretty quickly and it's only £4.50 (+ £1 p&p) of your earth pounds.

I used it recently when I fitted Fulcrum 7's as a replacement to the standard Alex rims on my Allez. A DODDLE to get the tires on the rims with this and no danger of pinching the inner with the lever either. IMHO, an absolute must (especially if you have to fix a puncture on the road, when it's wet, cold, dark and generally unforgiving!) and highly recommended.

thespanishadam

Thanks for the link. Looks like a good design. I'll await the new tyres and the go from there. I need to be back on the road for Monday though. Can't be dealing with trains again..

Dalton

keefsloan wrote:

I use Gatorskins on a set of Fulcrum 7's and they are difficult to get on. However, there is a solution:

http://www.thebiketool.com/en/index.html

There are various incarnations of these kinds of tools, but this one is well made (in Australia, so it's tough!), it arrives pretty quickly and it's only £4.50 (+ £1 p&p) of your earth pounds.

I used it recently when I fitted Fulcrum 7's as a replacement to the standard Alex rims on my Allez. A DODDLE to get the tires on the rims with this and no danger of pinching the inner with the lever either. IMHO, an absolute must (especially if you have to fix a puncture on the road, when it's wet, cold, dark and generally unforgiving!) and highly recommended.

Thanks for the link!

I had a nightmare recently fitting a home trainer tyre to my Bontrager wheel. So much so, that I scratched the rim in the process. Leading to me having to buy another set of wheels for my bike, and keep the original set as spare - which worked out quite well, as now have one wheel permanently set up with trainer tyre. Still - an expensive error!

Have ordered one of those tools, hope it is as good as it looks.

simon_ramsey

The old bike mechanic's trick of washing up liquid on the rims works wonders !! . I needed to slick up my MTB as I had problems with my commute bike. I had some Fatboy's kicking around in my garage 26 x 1.25 but only had the 26 x 2.25 tubes and they were a b*stard to fit - smeared a SMALL amount of washing up liquid on the rims (didn't really think it would work) and the tyres went on easily.

Edited to add footnote

*** smear a small amount on the top edge of the rim only and obviously keep it away from the braking surface !! ((

thespanishadam

The Vittorias turned up yesterday, and slipped on easily today.. Will be back on the road tomorrow putting the new rubber through their paces.

Thanks everyone for your help!

Avoneer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUFVrl0UT4

You learn something new every day - squeezing both beads into the "well" - damn, never though of that, would have made things a lot easier!

Pat...