Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Tire help needed

I have a wheelset built up with Campy Omega rims and another set built up with Fir Net97 rims -- both sets are 700c. I have been having problems getting the tires to pop on to the rims. It is a real struggle. First I tried a pair of Gatorskins -- no luck there. I did finally with lots of struggling get some low end Performance brand tires on. I was using 3 Park levers.

I do understand that the tires will stretch out after use. I just don't think I will be able to pop these off on the road if I get a flat. I'm using several wraps of electrical tape for rim strips (trying to keep it as thin as possible). Any tips or tools that might help me in this process? Can anyone recommend some tires that might fit these Italian rims better?

Thanks for the help.

Gatorskins are pretty tough tires, and cheap tires are just a *****. Try some folding tires - the Kevlar bead really helps.

just a question, how often do you change tires? If you haven't really done it that often it seems hard. I just don't know if you haven't changed tires that often or if its just these rims you having a problem with.

Also, I've always had good luck with armadillos

just a question, how often do you change tires? If you haven't really done it that often it seems hard. I just don't know if you haven't changed tires that often or if its just these rims you having a problem with.

Also, I've always had good luck with armadillos


Thanks for the suggestions. I have changed many tires on Mavic rims and a few other noname wheelsets. These older Campy Omegas and Fir Net97's seem like they are just a hair too large for the tires. Strange, I know. I will check out the armadillos and some of the folding tires.

Thanks again.

I had these cheap ass tires that were my first set and they were tan walled and I had a ***** of a time getting them on my rims, even when they were worn in. Those tires sucks. Punctures all the time.

Have those park tire levers snapped on you yet?

I had these cheap ass tires that were my first set and they were tan walled and I had a ***** of a time getting them on my rims, even when they were worn in. Those tires sucks. Punctures all the time.

Have those park tire levers snapped on you yet?


Yeah the Park levers are a bit off. They don't seem to grab the tire too well. I keep thinking they are going to bend my rims. I might try the Crank Bros. tool.

I've snapped plenty of park tires tires. Those ones will snap before it bends your rim. Try the Pedro levers.

Anyone here use the Quikstick to change tires? I've been using them for 10 years and I love 'em.

i just got new tires. one took me about 5 minutes to mount, and the other took me around 3 hours (an hour to get it on, then the tube popped, another hour to take it off, and another hour to put it back on)

i never use levers to mount tires though. though this time i tried and snapped two of them

I wouldn't be so quick to point blame at the tires. The older Campy clincher rims can be notorious for installing tires, or so I'm told. I have some Lambda Aero rims that are an equal pain. Fingers hurt like hell when it's done and I still use two levers. Keep at it.

Any thoughts on the Crank Bros Lever (http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001005.php)?

Any thoughts on the Crank Bros Lever (http://www.kk.org/cooltools/archives/001005.php)?
I think that supposedly hooking it up to the center of the hub is ********.

I've found the tool to be quite useful with stubborn tires, although the plastic isn't the greatest. Good thing they only cost $6.

Have you tried putting the unclinched side on the ground, then stretching the tire down from the top?

Also, I think SOMA makes steel core levers. Hopefully, you shouldn't have to use em to get the tire on.

Since this thread has come so many times in the last couple of weeks I will throw in my idea. There is one thing that nobody evers talks about but works everytime for me. Once you get the first half on the rim start to mount the second side. Use the tire lever to get as much of the tire on as possible. Once you can't put anymore of the tire onto the rim squeeze the sidewalls of the tire together all the way around the rim, pushing the unmounted tire side towards the center of the rim, you will then be able to push the rest of the tire on with your thumbs or use the levers and seat the rest of the tire. My second thought is that people don't know how to properly mount a tire or use a tire lever. I have mounted probably 200 tires in the past year and have never had a lever break. I have the same set of Park levers that I started with and I have used all types of rim and tire combinations including Sun and Campy rims.