Anybody having a similar problem getting tyres off the ZIPP 404 clincher?
I am quite proficient at changing tyres but it is just impossible on the 404. I have tried 3 different tyres and they are all so tight I just haven’t got the strength to get the tyre on or off. 2 hours of fighting with the darned things, broken tyre levers missing bits of skin/nail and I give up.
If I have a puncture in a race I am in serious trouble. There were 2 sets of rim tape on there so have stripped both off and ordered some new tape hoping that will make a difference.
Any advice because I don’t want to risk an IM on them if I can’t change the tyre in a reasonable time. I can change a tube/tyre in 2-3 mins on my Reynolds/Bontragers so it isn’t as if I don’t know what I am doing.
Use Veloplugs; that will maximize bead depth for you on the 404s. Next best would be Stan’s tape (really thin). Cotton tape (Velox, etc.) is on the thick side.
Try Vredsteins, I’ve had 404 alu clinchers since 2001 with no rim tape at all and never had a problem with tires except Michelin 700 x 19. Vredsteins would practically fall off on their own.
your wheels are duds, I’ll swap 'em out for you with some brand new Mavic Opens with 105 hubs…
I’ll send the delivery address for your 404s ok…
no need to thank me…
but I’ll second that Vredelstiens are at the easier to fit & remove as are Michelim Pro
The first obvious question is: what kind of tire are you working with? I have been riding a Cervelo P3C with Zipp 404 clinchers since 1996 and today I actually got a flat while on a solo 56 mile training ride. I am using 700 X 23 Zipp clincher tires. I was able to remove the deflated inner tube with the help of three plastic tire levers with little difficulty and replaced the inner tube (I always use ones with a 80mm stem, there fore don’t have to screw around with extenders) and inflated the tube with a 38 gram CO2 cartridge. After the ride I checked the tire pressure and it was at 110 psi (I normally ride at 120 front and back, but lower them to 115 for rides in the rain). You might want to check the specs on your tire, as it might not be the right size for your wheel (like maybe you got a 650 tire and are trying to put it on a 700 wheel). Best of luck, Tim
Stumps are these 650c 404s by any chance. If so they’re notoriously tough to get tires on and off. With 650s you really need to pick an easy tire to deal with and a tire jack really helps too.
I cut the handle in half on one to make it easier for my wife to carry.
Use the Kool Stop Bead Jack that SciGuy posted a photo of above. The new rim tape should help. Use the new nylon loop style which are thin and help with tire installation. Better yet is Stan’s yellow tubeless tire tape. This is thin and won’t be pushed aside accidently during a tight install like standard tape and nylon loops.
I’ve had two sets of aluminum rim Zipp clinchers - 303 and 808. Both were terrible for new high end tire installation. Vittoria (Zipp) were the worst. After install and inflation they stretched enough to make them a little easier. But they were easy death for latex tube installs.
Stumps are these 650c 404s by any chance. If so they’re notoriously tough to get tires on and off. With 650s you really need to pick an easy tire to deal with and a tire jack really helps too.
I cut the handle in half on one to make it easier for my wife to carry.
They are 650s I don’t feel quite so inadequate now. I bought them 2nd hand and they came with worn Continental Triathlon tyres on there, I decided to swap them out for Continental 4000s II which are brand new. Yesterday I convinced myself it must be the Conti’s as they are both really really tight, so I tried a Schwalbe Stelvio off my road bike and a Bontrager off my turbo wheel. Both of those are just as hard.
I have ordered some really thin rim tape so hopefully that will help. I have never come across a tyre jack before so will try and locate some.
Same wheels and had the same problem 1 mile into an IM race…argh!
Lost close to 15’ changing that tube.
I did find using different tire irons made it much easier. I practiced one weekend prior to my next IM and found the different tire irons were the key for me as they clicked and locked which made whole thing easier and faster. Try using Pedro tire irons. My normal go to tire iron are Park but Pedros work for me on my Zipp 404s.
Stumps are these 650c 404s by any chance. If so they’re notoriously tough to get tires on and off. With 650s you really need to pick an easy tire to deal with and a tire jack really helps too.
I cut the handle in half on one to make it easier for my wife to carry.
They are 650s I don’t feel quite so inadequate now. I bought them 2nd hand and they came with worn Continental Triathlon tyres on there, I decided to swap them out for Continental 4000s II which are brand new. Yesterday I convinced myself it must be the Conti’s as they are both really really tight, so I tried a Schwalbe Stelvio off my road bike and a Bontrager off my turbo wheel. Both of those are just as hard.
I have ordered some really thin rim tape so hopefully that will help. I have never come across a tyre jack before so will try and locate some.
Thank you so much everyone for your help.
Here is a picture of a normal Cool Stop Tire Jack along with the one I modified. You could even cut one a bit shorter and still have plenty of leverage to get even the toughest tire over the rim.
