Originally Posted by
RonH
I'm asking the other old timers (like me) what "flat resistant" tire is easiest to get off the rim and back on if you have a flat on the road or bike trail? I'm talking 700x23.
The reason I ask is because I've always used Continental GP4000Si and haven't had problems. But yesterday I was in the garage mounting a new set of tires on my new wheels. After two attempts and two pinch flats I gave up and went to the bike shop. The mechanic (who is younger and much stronger) had a heck of a time and he too had two pinch flats before giving up.
The shop owner said they sell a lot of Michelin Pro4 Service Course. I was thinking maybe those or Michelin Pro4 Endurance for the extra flat protection.
Any thoughts?
First rule is to only use Kevlar bead tires, not wire bead. If they were wire bead, try a foldable tire. I find Conti Gatorskins easy to mount on any of my rims but must sadly tell you it may be the wheel rim and not the tire. Wheels with a fairly deep groove in the middle lets the tire bead sink into it and thus makes the tire easier to stretch over the other side. Wheels with little or no dip in the middle are much harder to mount a tire on. A little soapy water can also help the tire slip over the rim. If you aren't ensuring the tire bead is in the middle of the rim that could be another possible issue. Even pro's have moved to 25c tires as they are softer and roll better than 23c tires. Consider them but that's another thread.