NNNN

I've been looking around for some old mavic or campy clinchers, and a few times I've heard people saying that it's very difficult to get new (I guess contemporary would be the better word) tires on them, because the rim diameter is slightly larger (?) or some other reason.

can anyone shed some light on the matter? would it really be such a struggle trying to mount tires that I should avoid vintage clinchers all together?

piwonka

what you heard is true. every campagnolo clincher rim i've ever messed with was a mutherfugger to get any wire bead tire on. a folding tire may be easier.
also, if you use a really thin rim tape/strip it may make it a little easier.
get some steel levers though because the plastic ones will just bend a bit then shoot across the room...it is a very angering process.