Is it my Ksyrium SL rim or the Continental tire I am using? I find it very difficult to get that last part into the rim. In fact, my lever is cutting into the tire I am using so much torque. I am worried about ripping the tube and havignt o start all over.
I have Ksyrium SLs and use Cont. GP3000s with no major issues. They are kind of tough at first but should not be that hard.
If the tire/rim combination is that tight, grab another wheel you have and install onto there. Inflate and let sit for a day or two. It will be easier to then install it on the ksyrium rim after it stretches out a touch.
danke
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Contis are tough to install on a lot of rims - they are very tight. use some soapy water and they will slide right on. remember to wash all the soap off your braking surfaces!! Once they have been mounted, they will stretch a tad and be a little easier the next time.
That is the tubular gods trying to get even with you.
JImmy
You really have to stretch Conti tires out. It is best to use your hands to put them on but sometimes it is very hard to do. I have placed them in my dryer before to get them hot then stretch some more. Just wait till you have a flat and you have to hurry to change it. Thats why I dont ride them anymore.
Good Luck
I had the same problem with Conti 3000’s being hard to mount. To make things easier, I went to a thinner rim strip. I now use RoxUSA SuperDutE Rim Strips. I got a pair of them at my LBS for $5.99. With the thinner rim strips and some baby powder, it’s a lot easier to mount the Conti’s.
Ah but you don’t need rim stirps/tape with Ksyriums - good to know for other rims though.
Work the 2nd Bead on to the rim as much as you can. If you can get it to where there is approx. 8-9 inches remaining, use 3 levers spaced about 2-3 inches apart and flip them over one by one, snapping the remainder of the bead over the side wall. The Conti 3000’s are in a class of tires I call “3-lever tires” for obvious reasons.
Personally, I’ve always felt funny about stretching, scuffing or otherwise modifying tires.
Ugh, just spent way too much effort trying to install an inexpensive Conti clincher to use on my new indoor trainer. What a pain! Using the hair dryer worked – wish I’d tried it sooner…
Hardest tire I’ve ever done is the Kenda Koncept… Almost tore my hand apart getting that puppy onto a tri-spoke.
That works sometimes, but the newer clinchers are built so strong that there is minimal stretch in the rim beads. It’s more about finding the right rim/tire combo that goes on/off easily. I can put my Michlen Pro Race tires on/off my basic-not-sure-of-the-model Velocity training wheels very easily with my bare hands. Sure makes changing the clincher a heck of a lot easier
Fleck
Man this topinc died for a while.
I recently sold my Mavics and, frankly, am very happy I don’t have to deal with all that anymore.
I just couldn’t mate my Veloflex tires to my Neuvation rims no matter what I tried. Was also concerned about damage so I gave up and took it to a really good bike mechanic. It even took him half an afternoon but the job was done.
He then told me such a tight fit is a good thing because I’ll never have to worry about slippage causing a pinch flat.
You can also put the tires in the dryer for a couple minutes too…
Get an old Matrix Rim by Trek and try puting on a 18 mm German made Conti Grand Prix. Once you can get that on without tools, you’ll be able to install car tires by hand.
Practice, practice, practice.
Contis and Serfas on my Shimano wheels are a bear. So far the Vittorias on my Am Classics are a breeze.
Is it the Vittorias or the wheels.
Man this topinc died for a while.
Yes, I resurrected it because I found it when searching for help during my struggle last night…and I was very very thankful to have seen everyone’s suggestions. I didn’t see any way that I was going to be able to get that tire on the wheel!