Well, I got my new Vittoria folding tires today which are supposed to be easy to install.

They came flattened out. As are most folding tires when they are shipped.

So, now, how exactly do I install them? It's actually very hard to get the bead to stay in the bead channel when the tire is flat. I tried giving them shape by pinching them but ... nope.

I guess I'll take it to the LBS and have them fit the tire and after a few rides they should have molded to the general shape of my wheel.

But what if I get new tires in the future and want to install them myself? How exactly do you get new folding bead tires onto the rim when they come with NO shape?

ETA:

1) Okay, I have wrestled the tires (without tubes) mostly on the rims. I have noticed that the Vittorias seem to stretch more than the Kenda Kalientes. Good sign. I'm sure with a bead jack they'll be completely on the rim in no time flat.

2) I'm just going to let 90% of the tire sit on the rim overnight and see if that gives them some shape. The other 10% isn't going on. I'm tired, my fingers are dirty and sore, and it's late. And the LBS has a bead jack I can use tomorrow myself.

3) Side note: These Vittorias definitely seem more fragile than the Kendas ... the casing just doesn't feel as sturdy as the Kendas. Fingers crossed for no punctures/sidewall slashes/failures.

4) I feel like the best way to avoid being stranded for me is to have Kenda Kaliente's with puncture resistant tubes on my bike and a spare Vittoria tire and tube in the wedge pack along with Pedro tire levers and a bead jack ... that way if I flat I can throw on a Vittoria relatively easily with a new tube rather than sit around for hours wrestling with the Kendas.