Ultegra 6700 Wheels + Vredestein Fortezza Tricomp

Vic Mann

Hi.I have been using the above combination of wheels and tyres for about 2 years.When I puncture it takes 2 of us to get the tyre off the rim,and 3 of us to get the tyre back on!! As these are also tubeless rims,is this the problem,or are these tyres always this difficult to remove/replace?Can anybody suggest another tyre make(preferably in black and yellow)that will be easier to fit?
Thanks,Vic.

cycleclinic

Even experienced cyclist struggle with fitting tyre due their teachniqe or lack of it (I don't know you are how you fit tyres don't take this the wrong way). Conti GP4000s are a easy fit to most rims (and come in the colour you want) but these verdestiens are not a hard fit either. Proper fitting process (and I am not tyring to be condensending here) involving chasing the slack around the rim but most people I see fitting a tyre and trying this don't actually chase any slack around as they mearly pinch the tyre together without pulling it toward the tight spot (or not pulling hard enough). Add to that the choosen method of trying to push the tyre on the rim at the tight spot means it will never happen.

I have a customer I did a set of Pacenti SL23 rimmed wheels for to which I fitted velox cloth rim tape (fairly thick) I know he uses Verdestein tri comp fortezza's/ I fitted the rear with no problem he had left the old front wheel at home so I couldn't do the front. HJe struggled and he has replaced his fair share of punctures but not on tubless ready rims. So I invited him in and within 10 minutes I had him fitting this verdestein tyre without any issues but hand only. If they go on Pacenti SL23 rim they will gone with ease on ultegra 6700 rims (I know they do you may wonder how I know). So find a shop that is willing to show you how I am if you can make it suffolk one day. Once you know how you will wonder why this is not taught in schools (probably because it would bore the pants of most children).

I know there will be some that will say the verdestein tyre is a fortress and it's not about technique some tyres are just difficult but given I find people who have cycled for years stuggling with a tyre that I slip on with ease it really is down to technique even on wet cold days.

So you could try the conti's or learn the tricks needed.

Vic Mann

Thanks for your reply.Will have to modify my technique.However,I still think these rims are exceptionally tight though.
Regards,Vic.

JustinLeeAtkinson

I have the same rims, and I agree they are tight. But as said above, it does come down to technique. I confess to using a plastic tyre lever to get the tyre off (it doesn't seem to make much difference which tyre is on there) but I get them back on by hand. It is about using the slack. Push the slack up the tyre to where you are trying to push it over the rim so the bead is a bit looser. Keep doing this on each side of the wheel and after a few attempts they will pop on.