I’ve been riding Ksyrium’s for about a year with Conti 4000s and had my first flat this setup this evening. Luckily the flat was in the parking lot after the ride considering what I was about to go through.
When I initially tried to mount the tires on the wheels they were extremely difficult but I figured it was just because they hadn’t stretched out. Embarrassingly enough, I actually had to take the rear wheel to my LBS to have them mount the tire and they even had a difficult time with it. Tonight when I was trying to switch tubes it was just as difficult as when the tires were new. I took the tire back off and tried to mount a PR3 and had the same difficulty. There was no way I could get these tires mounted with tire levers and actually had to use a bead jack to get them on.
Has anyone else had this difficulty with Mavic’s? For those of you that haven’t what tires are you running?
I run those wheels and they have been some of the easiest to mount tires on (1/2 the time I don’t even need a lever). I’ve used Conti 4000s, Michelin PRs, Vittoria EVOs, and Hutchinson tubeless.
Are you using a rim strip? I ask because they don’t require one, so having one in there might be causing clearance issues. It also might be some manufacturing variance (i.e. my set <> your set).
Yeah they are a bit difficult. My thumbs were sore from mounting a used GP4K on a Ksyirum SL Premium. Mounting a used Michelin Krylion Carbon wasn’t any easier. But I was able to mount them without levers.
But they are much much easier than mounting tires on a narrow rim (18mm) such as the Am. Classic 420 Aero 3. I could probably figure out my max HR just by trying to mount fresh tires on those.
I run those wheels and they have been some of the easiest to mount tires on (1/2 the time I don’t even need a lever). I’ve used Conti 4000s, Michelin PRs, Vittoria EVOs, and Hutchinson tubeless.
Are you using a rim strip? I ask because they don’t require one, so having one in there might be causing clearance issues. It also might be some manufacturing variance (i.e. my set <> your set).
x2, except that I usually wind up using a lever. others with stronger thumbs and better technique, though, could surely pass.
I too have the silver ssc sl’s and Conti 4000’s and have to use the tyre levers. I just put it down to my bad technique but now I m not so sure !!
Don’t think it is just the Conti’s either as I can get them on my Reynolds Strikes without too much hassle.
Yes, I am using rim strips on it. I’ll take them off next time I flat and see if the tires go on easier.
Thanks for the info on that.
Since there are no holes in the rim bed you can go without rim strips and save some weight. It also makes them basically factory read for tubeless road tires.
I have mounted quite a few tires on Ksyriums for tough tires like conti, sometimes adding just a little water to the bead (not a lot) helps immensely and they slide right on. Vittorias are generally a breeze and most other stuff with a higher TPI count is pretty easy as well.
There are tolerances that both tires and rims must adhere to. If you get a rim on the big side and a tire on the small side you may have a very tight fit. Most manufacturers are choosing to opt for the tighter fit especially with the unique issues of carbon rims. Of course things like thick rim tape can make this problem even worse.
I have found if you start installing the tire at the valve but end by pushing the last portion of tire bead onto the rim with the valve at 3:00 or 9:00 o’clock, (rather than directly across from the valve) you will have an easier time. If you finish directly across from the valve, the valve stem prevents the tire bead from slipping deeper into the rim thus giving you less leeway when pushing on that last bit of tire bead.
I ride these wheels with either Conti GP4000 or Michelin Pro Race 2 and both go on rather seemlessly. Definitely remove the rim tape, not needed on this wheelset and it is probably what is causing your problem.
Tubes… haven’t heard of anyone trying to run these tubeless, not sure that’d even be possible
I ran mine tubeless for a season (bought the Stan’s kit). Worked fine, but I hated the Hutchinson tubeless tires (the only option at the time): expensive, not very durable, not supple, and so so cornering. Went back to Conti 4000s.
The nice thing about the Mavics is that you don’t need rim tape.