My commuter is actually running an Araya rim from the mid-80's without a hook bead, running an Avocet 700x32 Kevlar bead, (and has been for months, 70psi). Some tires, regardless of the bead, don't work. In my experience, since it's a wire bead, if it is difficult to mount (i.e. get the bead over the rim), you're probably okay. If it's not nice and tight, fergetit. A blow-off will leave you with an unpatchable tube (as you've probably discovered), and low pressure helps, but will not prevent the problem for the wrong tire.