Mavic rims and Conti TT2000...a love that was not meant to be?

soloist said:

1. Are there some tire and rim combinations that just don't work?
2. Is there any sort of measurement provided by manufacturers that tell a buyer what tire is likely to work with a given rim....?

Yes, and No....

20mm Continental GP3000 and and 30mm deep Rigida DP18

ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE.

Like I said on the other forum: whack a thin tube on, and tyre mounting becomes a lot easier.

The Conti Supersonic Race 28 tubes are, in my opinion, a bit too light for training; I was definitely getting more punctures. The long valve, Tioga Super Lights are about 75g (the weights on "Weight Weenies" are wrong)

531Aussie said:

20mm Continental GP3000 and and 30mm deep Rigida DP18

ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE.

Like I said on the other forum: whack a thin tube on, and tyre mounting becomes a lot easier.

The Conti Supersonic Race 28 tubes are, in my opinion, a bit too light for training; I was definitely getting more punctures. The long valve, Tioga Super Lights are about 75g (the weights on "Weight Weenies" are wrong)

And like someone else said, there are combinations that are impossible even without a tube.

boudreaux said:

And like someone else said, there are combinations that are impossible even without a tube.

Yes, wise words.

Seriously, though, I thought the 20mm Conti GP3000 on the Rigida DP18s were as tight as I would ever see -- I didn't know there could be anything tighter.

As you like Vittorias, what about the Open Pave CG

Its 24mm section, beautiful green colour and designed for rough roads!

Lovely !

soloist said:

I'm trying to mount Continental Top Touring 2000 tires, 700x28 kevlar bead, on a Mavic T221 rim that measures about 17.5mm between the inside rims. I use a Crank Brothers tire lever to mount tires, and found the last few inches of the tire could barely be forced onto the rim. I had to use my left hand to pull the tire as close as I could to the rim while yanking as hard as I could with my right hand on the tire lever. It took nearly 15 minutes to get it on. I can't see doing the same thing on my morning commute in the dark when it's 40F. I got the tires at a great price from an LBS, but they're worthless to me if that that much trouble.
1. Are there some tire and rim combinations that just don't work?
2. Is there any sort of measurement provided by manufacturers that tell a buyer what tire is likely to work with a given rim size or is it trial and error?
3. Any recommendations on a tire that will work with that rim? This is my third set...the originals were wire bead Ritchey Speedmax Cross (very good durability, but expensive), a Panaracer Urban Max set just came off (cheap, less durable).

Avocet tires roll well and mount well.
I would also check you spoke tension. If the spoke tension is too low the rim hasn't reached the Bead Seat Diameter that allows for easier mounting.
I have used Conti TopTouring 2000 tires with Mavic Touring rims (T519, T520, and A719) and mounted them without tools and just bare hands. I used a little talc to make things slide around easier during mounting and dismounting for flats. Of course there are manufacturing tolerances on rims and tires. I have seen some Specialized tires that broke tire levers trying to get them on or off.