Road Cycling - got new tires... hardest to put on rim, yet...

I just got myself new Hutchinson Kevlar tires.. By far, these were the hardest tire I have to put on my rims...

I wrestled with it for about 30 mins. then gave up and let the LBS guys do it...:D

It took my mechanic 5~8 mins just to put on the tire.. this was the longest I have seen him[tires] do it. He said, the tires are just new that's why its "doing" this... Over time it will "loosen up", he said laughing... :D

What i'm concerned with is, what if I get a flat...

Anyone w/ experience with these tires(foldable kevlar bead tires)?

i had a hutchinson kevlar/carbon comp tire on my front for a while...i never got a flat on it, but i did take it off to put on another bike a couple times, and i just took it off about an hour ago to put on some new (free) conti gatorskins to "evaluate" for work. they do loosen up after a while. have no fear, and just don't get a flat for a week or two! ;)

i put on my hutchy carbon comps no problem the first time. be systematic about it and it can be done easily within the 5-8 mins your LBS guy did it. i bet the next time you try to put it on it'll be easier, not just because it's stretched a bit, but also because you're just less frustrated/will know what to expect.

sd

I just got myself new Hutchinson Kevlar tires.. By far, these were the hardest tire I have to put on my rims...

I wrestled with it for about 30 mins. then gave up and let the LBS guys do it...:D

It took my mechanic 5~8 mins just to put on the tire.. this was the longest I have seen him[tires] do it. He said, the tires are just new that's why its "doing" this... Over time it will "loosen up", he said laughing... :D

What i'm concerned with is, what if I get a flat...

Anyone w/ experience with these tires(foldable kevlar bead tires)?

I usually have to help my poor fingers with tire levers. With my touring bike ( larger rims) it was no problem at all but with my 5200, I got many, many pinch flats. The solution for me has been to get the bike shop to do it for me but that option is a bit frustrating as it won't always be there when I need it! I have had the bike for 5 weeks or so now and thankfully the frequency of the flats is decreasing but I reckon I had 25 over the period of 2 weeks! (all self inflicted)

the nice thing about tires that go on the rim tight, is that they usually seat very securely on the rim once they're on. so, if you flat, you'll be less likely to roll the tire off the side of the rim, and you'll have a little more control...at least, that's been my experience anyway.

I usually have to help my poor fingers with tire levers. With my touring bike ( larger rims) it was no problem at all but with my 5200, I got many, many pinch flats. The solution for me has been to get the bike shop to do it for me but that option is a bit frustrating as it won't always be there when I need it! I have had the bike for 5 weeks or so now and thankfully the frequency of the flats is decreasing but I reckon I had 25 over the period of 2 weeks! (all self inflicted)

that's a lot of flats. i haven't had one flat on the road this spring, about 1300km. why are all these flats happening? are the roads really bad/are you riding heavy (not getting up when u see hard bumps/etc)/are the tubes bad/are the tires bad..?

sd

I've had tires that I had to wrestle with to get on the rims, I've also had tires that just about mounted themselves. It's all about the tolerance of the tire you have vs. the tolerance of the wheel you have. ie; slightly smaller tire + slightly larger wheel = new cuss words. Not all tires have the same inner diameter at the bead just as not all wheels have the same diameter either.

I change my own motorcyle tires, all bicyle tires are cake in comparison. Use at least three good tire levers (the kind that have hooks for the spokes because you don't have three hands) and if really needed a water based lube like KY although dishsoap may be enough for cycle tires and I think its safe for long term rubber contact(some will get in where it cant be washed) plain water may even do the trick. I say water based so it won't damage the rubber chemicaly, it can be washed off easy, and it will dry if not washed off.
And kevlar doesn't stretch nearly as much as steel(the normal wire beads)