calstar 

This is the same post as CV, thought I'd put it here too for those of you that don't go there often.

OK, other than multiple duplicate postings on the last thread things are going smoothly. Uh.... wait, until I tried the install. MA40s, no way I can do it, thought I'd be smart and install the front without a tube. My thinking was the install and removal will stretch a bit and make it easier with the tube. Nope, took about 20min to get both beads to seat, using levers and toe straps. Took me a few minutes to get one bead off, and after 15min I set it aside for tomorrow. Pics below show it as I left it. The bead is on so tight I can barely get one lever tip under it, there is zero slack. The best thing about it was I stayed remarkably calm. Oh, also that I will not use(try) these on the MAs, I have some Super Champion/Phil wheels(marginally wider) I 'll try and if not sell them unused. If anyone has done this same install easily(or at all), please let me know, I will be in total awe. Another good thing are these wheels, I got them on CL for $125, the MA 36 hole(I'm a big guy so thats good) laced to early 90s Zipp hubs. If you have used these tires, please let me know on what rims.

Mr. Fly

Replace the good but thick Velox rim tape with something thinner (or use Veloplugs if the rim's not double-eyeleted).

As you eluded to, different rims will have different mountability. I use the Challenge PRs almost exclusively on 2 of my bikes and don't have problems with mounting. Easy to mount rims include (in no particular order): Velocity Synergy and Synergy O/C, H Plus Son TB14, Velocity Aerohead and Aerohead O/C, IRD Cadence and Cadence VSR (made by Kinlin I think) and the carbon rims of Campagnolo Hyperons. I can actually mount and unmount the PRs on the Synergy rims without using tire levers; the rest takes very little effort with 2 levers, sometimes 1. The key again is to use thin rim tape or Veloplugs.

zebede

Here is a recent discussion of how others address difficult to mount tires. Some very useful info.

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=#post14747371

I use kool stop tire bead jacks and velo plugs.

AlphaDogg

Your rims aren't 27" are they?

calstar 

Nope.

TimeTravel_0

+1to switching to veloplugs. just measure to get the correct size.

Mr. Fly

Mavic MA40 rims have double eyelets, so Veloplugs won't work. What the OP needs are thin rim tapes, such as from ROX or Ritchey (narrow or wide).

zebede

I use velo plugs with Mavic double eye let rims! I have about 20,000 miles on a set of A719 and have never had a single issue with the velo plugs.

Why do you think that velo plugs do not work with double eyelet rims?

Mr. Fly

Hmmm, interesting. The design of the Veloplugs "require" (obviously not a true assumption) an edge on the inner wall of the rim, so as to hook onto the said wall. With double-eyelets, the eyelet's inner surface is smooth and does not allow hooking of any kind so (at least for my Ambrosio Excellence rims) the Veloplugs do not stay put. What color Veloplugs did you use?

zebede

On the Mavic A719 I have the red. Even though I have had a fair number of flats and tire changes in 5 years, I ignored the velo-plugs and they have not fallen out. It's been so long since I installed them I could not tell you if there was an inner ridge or if I put a dab of glue or what I did.

On an old set of narrow Matrix rims that have large spoke holes (not double eyelet) I have the yellow velo plugs. This is the wheel set that has been EXTREMELY tough for me to mount continental grand prix tires. I was flatting due to "thick" rim tape being pushed by the bead during install and exposing the unusually large spoke holes. It took a hand full of flats for me to properly diagnose the cause. I have not flatted (thank goodness) on this bike since putting in yellow velo-plugs. I would agree with you that properly sized thinner rim tape would achieve the same results.

I have a sympathy for the OP or any one who has EXTREME difficult to mount tires. I have learned a few things here on the subject that I have yet to try, the use of toe straps to hold the bead in place while placing the last (hardest) portion of the bead over the rim.