Folding Bikes - Problems with fitting 451 Schwalbe Stelvios?

I do on my Velocity rims. My first set had wire beads and very difficult to get on the rims, so I bought a set of folding Stelvios with the flexable kevlar bead, I thought these would be easier, WRONG!!
I've changed so many tyres in my time that I've lost count, but these Stelvios are the worst I've ever had, I tried the dishwashing detergent trick...no good, I've yelled at them....they don't listen. I've even used the tyre levers to force them on the front rim, that worked, but when I tried that on the rear I pinched the tube....I'm about to give up and try another brand because I'm building up a R20 with a Sachs 3x7 hub as a tourer, so I need a tyre that will be reasonably easy to deal with when I'm away.

Has anyone tried either 451 KENDA KWEST or 451 Primo Comets?

Never tried the Stelvios. But the Schwalbe Marathon weren't easy to fit on my Brompton. I use a "Bandenhulp", makes it a little easier.
Photo Bandenhulp you find here: http://www.fietspunt.nl/shop/showarticle.php/artid/302672/supid/1/name/bandenknecht__900050_Simson

I do on my Velocity rims.
Has anyone tried either 451 KENDA KWEST or 451 Primo Comets?

I've got the Primo 37x451 over Velocity rims on my Reach City .. they went on fine and are actually a pretty good tire.. I would think for touring, they might be better than the 28x451 Stelvio... I also have 28x451's Stelvios over Alex rims on my Reach Road as well as 26x451 Primos.. I didn't find the Stelvios to be a problem removing or installing.. the Reach Road came with the 26x451 Primo .. I never put too many miles on them as the bike was new and I got 2 flats in the first 10 miles .. my confidence was broken, I was eager to put a some miles on a new bike, I had the Stelvios in hand, so on they went, Velo Plugs instead of tape, and that was lots of miles and 2 years ago ..

yes the Kevlar beads are usually much harder to install than the wire beads... nthertheless they should fit, make sure that there is only very little air in the tube when you install the tire and try to have the beads in the center of the rim ( on the opposite side ) where you want to push the bead over the rim shoulder... sometimes depending on rim you need to find the sweetspot where the tire sits when 4 /5 of it is installed and just the rest doesnt want to slip over ....
:-)

Thor

I've got the Primo 37x451 over Velocity rims on my Reach City .. they went on fine and are actually a pretty good tire.. I would think for touring, they might be better than the 28x451 Stelvio... I also have 28x451's Stelvios over Alex rims on my Reach Road as well as 26x451 Primos.. I didn't find the Stelvios to be a problem removing or installing.. the Reach Road came with the 26x451 Primo .. I never put too many miles on them as the bike was new and I got 2 flats in the first 10 miles .. my confidence was broken, I was eager to put a some miles on a new bike, I had the Stelvios in hand, so on they went, Velo Plugs instead of tape, and that was lots of miles and 2 years ago ..


I did a 6 day tour on the Stelvios with panniers F & R and they seemed OK, but I think a wider tyre would be better. I've used the Primo Comets on 406 rims and they're good too, but they do wear fast. I wonder what the Kenda Kwests are like? Bike Friday give them a good review.


yes the Kevlar beads are usually much harder to install than the wire beads... nthertheless they should fit, make sure that there is only very little air in the tube when you install the tire and try to have the beads in the center of the rim ( on the opposite side ) where you want to push the bead over the rim shoulder... sometimes depending on rim you need to find the sweetspot where the tire sits when 4 /5 of it is installed and just the rest doesnt want to slip over ....
:-)

Thor


Thor,

Done all that and still they're monsters to put on, makes me hesitant to use these on a tourer in case I get stuck in the middle of nowhere with a puncture and I can't get them off/on. As I said, done a lot of tyre repairs but these are shocking.

I have mounted six 451 Stelvios on three different style Velocity rims with no problems. I ask this question in another thread, what width rim tape are you using. The 17mm width is a little iffy unless it is centered
exactly on the rim. Otherwise the tire might not seat properly and become more difficult to install.

Bob

Has anyone tried either 451 KENDA KWEST or 451 Primo Comets?
I use the 20 x 1 3/8" Primo Comet on the rear wheel of my Bike Friday (I think the rim is a Sun CR-18) and it's the loosest tire/rim combination I've ever had. Never even a thought of using tire levers since the tire can be pulled right off the rim instantly. Installation is also quick and easy.

I also have some of the Kenda 451 tires but haven't installed them on a rim yet. Could give them a try if you want.

I use the 20 x 1 3/8" Primo Comet on the rear wheel of my Bike Friday (I think the rim is a Sun CR-18) and it's the loosest tire/rim combination I've ever had. Never even a thought of using tire levers since the tire can be pulled right off the rim instantly. Installation is also quick and easy.

I also have some of the Kenda 451 tires but haven't installed them on a rim yet.
Could give them a try if you want.

If that's not too much of a hassle, then yes please.

I have mounted six 451 Stelvios on three different style Velocity rims with no problems. I ask this question in another thread, what width rim tape are you using. The 17mm width is a little iffy unless it is centered
exactly on the rim. Otherwise the tire might not seat properly and become more difficult to install.

Bob

I will look into this.

I run KENDA KWEST on two commuter bikes. It’s a good cheap tire for commuting. They don’t handle very well and when it’s cold out, like 32 or lower watch out they are super slick. Long lasting though. I got about 7,000 out of my first set.

I run Primo Comets on a Rans Rocket (that’s what it came with) recumbent and I like them. Handling is good, puncture protection not so good.

I like Schwalbe Stelvios the best, very good handling and puncture protection. Durability is not bad either, for a sporty kind of tire.

As far as mounting the tires I haven’t had any trouble at all with any of them. In fact the last time out I had a bad rim strip and it blew out the tube. I R&R the tire by hand, no tire levers. (I left them back home dummy me.) It was not easy by any means, but I did it and it was a Schwalbe Stelvio.

I've had Primo comets w/kevlar belt on my pocket rocket for about 200 miles and it is a very fast, smooth riding tire. Comets feel like they are 1 gear faster than the stock Kenda Qwests that came with the bike. I can't comment about durability or puncture resistance. The roads I normally ride or very smooth and wide suburban roads.