There was an interesting comparison of wide (25mm) tyres in July's edition of Tour (German cycling
magazine). The interesting thing from the point of view of this discussion was that for each of the
15 tyres listed they specified whether the tyre could be fitted without tools.
Of the Michelin tires listed the Pro Race is described as being capable of fitting without tools,
but not the Axial Carbon, which presumably is similar to the Axial Lite.
Full results were:
Tire Tools Required? Continental Grand Prix 2000, No Continental Grand Prix 4-Season, No Hutchinson
Carbon Comp Black, Yes Michelin Pro Race, No Michelin Axial Carbon, Yes Panaracer Stradius Pro, No
Panaracer Stradius Sport, Yes Specialized S-Works Mondo, No Specialized S-Works All Condition, No
Specialized Pro All Condition, No Schwalbe Stelvio, No Schwalbe Stelvio Rain, No Vredestein
Fortezza, No Vredestein Volante, No
NB. The 700x25 variant of the above tyres was tested.
The primary focus of the review was on resistance to punctures; both Continental and Michelin tyres,
the Panaracer Stradius Pro, the Specialized S-Works All Condition, the Schwalbe Stelvio Rain and the
Vredestein Fortezza all acquitted themselves well in that regard.
My personal experience only extends as far as the two Continental tyres and the Michelin Axial. The
listed Continentals (unlike the Continental Top Touring), and are indeed wonderfully easy to fit,
much easier than the Axial.
Roger Fretwell
"TJ" <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:One very useful tip on refitting is to parshally inflate the new inner
tube
Quoted message said:as this keeps it out of the way inside the tyre and out of reach of your tyre levers as you refit
the last 7-8 inches.
TJ