This could be common knowledge ... but not to me until today.

I have mounted Vittoria Rubino and Michelin Pro Race on Proton and Zonda wheels. All combos have been a bear to mount. I always end up with about 15-20 cm at the end that kill me. I just bought a set of Protons for the wife, and have spent several hours over two days trying to mount Michelins on the rims. I have huge blisters on both thumbs, and aches in my hands I never experienced before.

So at lunch today, talking to my friend about the issue, he asks "do you make sure that the bead is in the center of the rim? You know, the tube as airless as possible, and the tire and tube scrunched up in the middle? Um ... no, I actually try to make sure the far bead is as close to the other wall of the rim as possible. Why? I may have thought I knew a reason - read it somewhere probably - but I forget where I actually got the idea. So I came home, tried his method, and in about 30 seconds had it mounted.

I hope that this can help someone else. It sure makes my life easier.