Is this problem with mounting tires on certain rims related to the trend toward tubeless tires on road bikes and resulting changes in rim design? I know that with my GP4000s 700x25 tires on my wheels with H+Son rims that I was able to mount them without tools. My older road bike has 700x28 Gatorskins with wire beads and that does call for some tool assistance. Fortunately, in the three years or so that they've been on there I've been flat-free and will probably just have to replace them soon due to being worn out.

And another thing: exactly what does "tubeless compatible" mean? It can be used either with or without tubes?