Tyre choice for easy fitting and removal

riccardopageron

I've recently bought a set of Shimano Ultegra 6700 wheels and shod them with Michelin Lithion 2 tyres, thinking the extra rubber would give good durability and also reduce the chances of punctures. Unfortunately on our last two Sunday club runs I've had two punctures, and getting the tyres on and off the rims was a major task - took two of us working in shifts to lever the tyres off and on- they are so tight it's been a half hour job. I'm not sure if the problem is the tyres or the rims as the wheels are tubeless tyre compatible.

Has anyone else had similar problems with these wheels/tyres? I'm off to the Alps in a week or so and am considering buying some other tyres (if the tyres are the issue) which are a bit easier to deal with - on my previous wheels I used Conti Force and Attack which I could roll of with my fingers no problem.

Bozman

I put some Michelin pro3 on a set of spare wheels(fulcrum 7), absolute nightmare to get on so I took the things off because I didn't fancy the prospect of fixing a puncture. But....... Slashed a tyre on some RS80s the other week so I had to put a pro 3 on as a temp replacement, the pro 3s went on with my thumbs, a doddle.

I just think that you get slight comparability issues between some wheels and tyres.

unixnerd

I have Ultegra wheels on one of my bikes and run Specialized Roubaix Pro tyres on both my road bikes. I can get them off and on by hand after a little practice, no tyre levers required.

LiberataERedenta

Use a bit of lube... talc, soap, even spit will help a little. It's mainly technique though, little-by-little is the key.

I find Vittoria Rubino Pro seem to pop on and off easy though. Great tyres.

wishitwasallflat

I have Shimano wheels (RS10) and Vittoria Open Corsa Paves are easy to get on and off and ride just lovely

porker33

I have found that tyres loosen up after use and have been up to pressure....Stick with what you have!

dcj

i stopped using campag rims years ago due to tight fitting tyres. fulcrum is campag?

plus any tubeless rim is probably going to be a tight fit due to the design, but i never tried them to be fair.

something as simple as thickness of basetape will make a difference.

in my experience mavic kysirium paired with michelin, conti and schwalbe tyres are a piece of cake to remove.

edit: sorry just re-read your post and realise this advice is absolutely no help with your question :oops: