Tyres very tight on the rims

[simmi]

My bike is fitted with Mavic Askium WTS rims with 23mm Mavic Aksion tyres.
On my club ride today I had my second puncture with these tyres a moment I was dreading as I knew from the first puncture I was going to struggle to get the tyre off, they are very very tight.
I bought the bike second hand but reading the spec for the bike the original tyres are 25mm I am wondering if this is why they are tight or is it just one of those things.
Will it be the rims or the tyres that make it tight?
After much research I am going to replace the tyres with gp4000s, now I don't want the same trouble again so not sure to go for the 23mm or 25mm, which will be tighter on the rims? or will it not make much difference?

 

[mattobrien]

I would have thought that tightness on the rim would be determined by tyre circumference rather than tread width, so I suspect that 23 or 25mm with make no difference.

Some tyres are just harder to fit than others, although my experiences with Conti 4000S have been positive in that respect.

 

[avsd]

Use some talc powder. It acts as a lubricant for tyres.

 

[slowmotion]

I have found that cloth rim tape makes tyre fitting quite a lot harder. I think it's to do with increased circumference in the well of the rim. Cue Spa Cycles....

[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUFVrl0UT4[/media]

 

[doog]

I have found that cloth rim tape makes tyre fitting quite a lot harder. I think it's to do with increased circumference in the well of the rim. Cue Spa Cycles....

[media]
]View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUFVrl0UT4[/media]

Thats the technique I use (after watching that video ) but hell it kills my thumbs for weeks afterwards..even when using cable ties. Also have a couple of those unbreakable tyre levers .

My worst experience was actually with 28mm Schwalbe marathon 308's that were too floppy and big for my Open Pro rims, on a tour in the Pyrenees it was a horror show.

 

[slowmotion]

Thats the technique I use (after watching that video ) but hell it kills my thumbs for weeks afterwards..even when using cable ties. Also have a couple of those unbreakable tyre levers .

My worst experience was actually with 28mm Schwalbe marathon 308's that were too floppy and big for my Open Pro rims, on a tour in the Pyrenees it was a horror show.

I think I used 15 cable ties when I first put on a Marathon Plus......and yes, my thumbs hurt too (after the blood stopped oozing from under the nails )

 

[simmi]

I have watched the v

I have found that cloth rim tape makes tyre fitting quite a lot harder. I think it's to do with increased circumference in the well of the rim. Cue Spa Cycles....

Thanks slowmotion, I have watched the video and although I pushed the tyre down into the hub I didn't do it as thoroughly as the guy in the video so will be more diligent next time.

Out of a matter of interest does anyone know how tight conti 4000s or 4 seasons are relative to other tyres?

 

[Rob3rt]

I have watched the v
Thanks slowmotion, I have watched the video and although I pushed the tyre down into the hub I didn't do it as thoroughly as the guy in the video so will be more diligent next time.

Out of a matter of interest does anyone know how tight conti 4000s or 4 seasons are relative to other tyres?

Depends on the rim.

 

[simmi]

Depends on the rim.

I have Mavic Askium WTS rims fited with 23mm Mavic Aksion tyres so was hoping the conti's would be a looser fit.

 

[numbnuts]

This is what you want
http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/var-tyre-levers-prod27539/
http://www.sjscycles.com/Instructions/VAR/VAR_Tyre_Lever_Instructions.pdf

 

[Globalti]

TALC TALC TALC

 

[slowmotion]

Out of a matter of interest does anyone know how tight conti 4000s or 4 seasons are relative to other tyres?

I have 23 mm Conti GP 4 Seasons on Mavic CXP22 rims and it's a simple matter of using your thumbs to get them on...much easier than Marathons although I found that the lack of stiffness in the beads to be a bit disconcerting to begin with. Incidentally, I think that part of the problem with cloth rim tape (as opposed to plastic) is that the friction between the tape and the bead is greater so that it's harder to slide the bead round the well of the rim to get more slack. Just a thought.

 

[VamP]

Everything is easier than the flipping Marathons.

Ultremo's are the easiest fitting tyre I have come across thus far.

 

[HLaB]

I have watched the v
Thanks slowmotion, I have watched the video and although I pushed the tyre down into the hub I didn't do it as thoroughly as the guy in the video so will be more diligent next time.

Out of a matter of interest does anyone know how tight conti 4000s or 4 seasons are relative to other tyres?

Depends on the rim but on mine fwiw as I've found withmost tyres they've been a Bulgar to fit first time and I've dreaded having to take them off but after they've bedded in (or whatever its termed) they've come on and off easy.

 

[JoeyB]

I think tyre has a lot to do with how difficult the process is. I had Conti tyres on my bike and they were a joy to swap...didnt need levers. Now I have non folding Gator Hardshells (or whatever they are called) and they are an absolute pig to get on...I hope i dont get a puncture!!