Recently bought a pair of Vittoria Zaffiro 700c x 23mm tyres (non-fold) for my training bike, but have found they're a pig to fit! Have got one on the front wheel minus inner tube (as I don't want to damage the new tubes I bought at the same time), the intention being to lever it on/off a few times in the hope that it will start to give a little and fit in the normal way. The other tyre is even trickier, and almost ruined a lever in the process. I've had an unexpected crop of bike repairs - with associated hefty outlay - to contend with of late, and am none too flush at the best of times, so am *very* reluctant to part with any further cash. Thus any solutions not involving shelling out for Var-style levers would be most welcome. Or should I just stick with the simple if time-consuming "on/off" method I'm already using [1]?
Thanks in advance, David Belcher
[1] Had to do same for Michelin Carbon slicks on the race bike last spring, and got the result I wanted in the end - said tyres now give no bother at all!
Recently bought a pair of Vittoria Zaffiro 700c x 23mm tyres (non-fold) for my training bike, but have found they're a pig to fit! Have got one on the front wheel minus inner tube (as I don't want to damage the new tubes I bought at the same time), the intention being to lever it on/off a few times in the hope that it will start to give a little and fit in the normal way. The other tyre is even trickier, and almost ruined a lever in the process. I've had an unexpected crop of bike repairs - with associated hefty outlay - to contend with of late, and am none too flush at the best of times, so am *very* reluctant to part with any further cash. Thus any solutions not involving shelling out for Var-style levers would be most welcome. Or should I just stick with the simple if time-consuming "on/off" method I'm already using [1]?
Thanks in advance, David Belcher
[1] Had to do same for Michelin Carbon slicks on the race bike last spring, and got the result I wanted in the end - said tyres now give no bother at all!
Recently bought a pair of Vittoria Zaffiro 700c x 23mm tyres (non-fold) for my training bike, but have found they're a pig to fit! Have got one on the front wheel minus inner tube (as I don't want to damage the new tubes I bought at the same time), the intention being to lever it on/off a few times in the hope that it will start to give a little and fit in the normal way. The other tyre is even trickier, and almost ruined a lever in the process.
I bought one of these at a control on LEL last year when my Conti UGS was clearly giving up the ghost. I arrived at the Ettrick control with yet another flat tyre and was preparing to put the Vittoria on when one of the controllers offered to do it for me while I got something to eat. Twenty minutes later three controllers, all experienced cyclists, had tried and failed to get the tyre onto the rim (Mavic MA3). I ended up abandoning the brand new tyre.
Recently bought a pair of Vittoria Zaffiro 700c x 23mm tyres (non-fold) for my training bike, but have found they're a pig to fit! Have got one on the front wheel minus inner tube (as I don't want to damage the new tubes I bought at the same time), the intention being to lever it on/off a few times in the hope that it will start to give a little and fit in the normal way. The other tyre is even trickier, and almost ruined a lever in the process.
I bought one of these at a control on LEL last year when my Conti UGS was clearly giving up the ghost. I arrived at the Ettrick control with yet another flat tyre and was preparing to put the Vittoria on when one of the controllers offered to do it for me while I got something to eat. Twenty minutes later three controllers, all experienced cyclists, had tried and failed to get the tyre onto the rim (Mavic MA3). I ended up abandoning the brand new tyre.
tubes I bought at the same time), the intention being to lever it on/off a few times in the hope that it will start to give a little and fit in the normal way. The other tyre is even trickier, and almost
tubes I bought at the same time), the intention being to lever it on/off a few times in the hope that it will start to give a little and fit in the normal way. The other tyre is even trickier, and almost
tubes I bought at the same time), the intention being to lever it on/off a few times in the hope that it will start to give a little and fit in the normal way. The other tyre is even trickier, and almost
a) Keep doing this b) Buy other tyres next time
Definitely in favour of option (b) ;:-) If I turn up at Darley Mill on Sunday lunchtime and the Gipiemme T-Quattros with Michelin Carbons off the Cougar are fitted to my winter bike, you'll know why!
tubes I bought at the same time), the intention being to lever it on/off a few times in the hope that it will start to give a little and fit in the normal way. The other tyre is even trickier, and almost
a) Keep doing this b) Buy other tyres next time
Definitely in favour of option (b) ;:-) If I turn up at Darley Mill on Sunday lunchtime and the Gipiemme T-Quattros with Michelin Carbons off the Cougar are fitted to my winter bike, you'll know why!
Recently bought a pair of Vittoria Zaffiro 700c x 23mm tyres (non-fold) for my training bike, but have found they're a pig to fit! Have got one on the front wheel minus inner tube (as I don't want to damage the new tubes I bought at the same time), the intention being to lever it on/off a few times in the hope that it will start to give a little and fit in the normal way. The other tyre is even trickier, and almost ruined a lever in the process. I've had an unexpected crop of bike repairs - with associated hefty outlay - to contend with of late, and am none too flush at the best of times, so am *very* reluctant to part with any further cash. Thus any solutions not involving shelling out for Var-style levers would be most welcome. Or should I just stick with the simple if time-consuming "on/off" method I'm already using [1]?
Thanks in advance, David Belcher
[1] Had to do same for Michelin Carbon slicks on the race bike last spring, and got the result I wanted in the end - said tyres now give no bother at all!
David,
tyr using a bit of washing-up liquid on the bead to help ease it over. The VAR tyre tools are very good for tight fitting tyres. They may bend into odd shapes when using it, but I have never broken one yet.
-- "You can't see paradise if you don't pedal" (Fowler, Chicken Run)
Recently bought a pair of Vittoria Zaffiro 700c x 23mm tyres (non-fold) for my training bike, but have found they're a pig to fit! Have got one on the front wheel minus inner tube (as I don't want to damage the new tubes I bought at the same time), the intention being to lever it on/off a few times in the hope that it will start to give a little and fit in the normal way. The other tyre is even trickier, and almost ruined a lever in the process. I've had an unexpected crop of bike repairs - with associated hefty outlay - to contend with of late, and am none too flush at the best of times, so am *very* reluctant to part with any further cash. Thus any solutions not involving shelling out for Var-style levers would be most welcome. Or should I just stick with the simple if time-consuming "on/off" method I'm already using [1]?
Thanks in advance, David Belcher
[1] Had to do same for Michelin Carbon slicks on the race bike last spring, and got the result I wanted in the end - said tyres now give no bother at all!
David,
tyr using a bit of washing-up liquid on the bead to help ease it over. The VAR tyre tools are very good for tight fitting tyres. They may bend into odd shapes when using it, but I have never broken one yet.
-- "You can't see paradise if you don't pedal" (Fowler, Chicken Run)
tyr using a bit of washing-up liquid on the bead to help ease it over. The VAR tyre tools are very good for tight fitting tyres. They may bend into odd shapes when using it, but I have never broken one yet.
Cheers for the detergent tip, Pete - I'll remember that one for future use. I can now actually get the tyres on the rims without tubes in, but still daren't risk an inner tube. Don't even know if a Var lever would help, as judging from the way they work, a pinch-puncture still seems highly possible. May resort to the bike shop and see what they can do for me.
Recently bought a pair of Vittoria Zaffiro 700c x 23mm tyres (non-fold) for my training bike, but have found they're a pig to fit! Have got one on the front wheel minus inner tube (as I don't want to damage the new tubes I bought at the same time), the intention being to lever it on/off a few times in the hope that it will start to give a little and fit in the normal way.
Hi David,
Sometimes a thick or very inflexible rim tape can prevent the bead of the tire dropping down right into the bottom well of the rim (depends on the profile of the rim). This leaves insuficient "slack" at the other side of the bead, making it harder to heave the rest of the tyre over the sidewall
Doesn't matter too much with a loose tyre, but when it's a tighter bead, it can be enough to make the difference.
You could try fitting the tyre with the rim tape removed and no tube. If it goes on more easily, a change of rim tape might be in order...
tyr using a bit of washing-up liquid on the bead to help ease it over. The VAR tyre tools are very good for tight fitting tyres. They may bend into odd shapes when using it, but I have never broken one yet.
Cheers for the detergent tip, Pete - I'll remember that one for future use. I can now actually get the tyres on the rims without tubes in, but still daren't risk an inner tube. Don't even know if a Var lever would help, as judging from the way they work, a pinch-puncture still seems highly possible. May resort to the bike shop and see what they can do for me.
David Belcher
VAR levers are very difficult to get a pinch puncture
Another tip, it that when the tube is in at most of the tyre, let the tyre come off slightly and work the rest of the tube in carefully, then come back to the last bit (which now has the tube nicely located .... if you see what I mean.
-- "You can't see paradise if you don't pedal" (Fowler, Chicken Run)
