Originally Posted by
dsbrantjr
If you need a tool to mount your tire you had better have it with you on the road or you are going to be stuck when you have a flat. I will not ride a tire-rim combo I cannot easily mount by hand.
If you are using Velox or similar fabric tape and you are determined to use those tires you might consider putting on a thinner rim tape, or a couple of layers of Kapton tape instead. I like Continental Easy Tape, it is thin and slick and makes tire mounting much easier.
I have some Gatorskins & Gator hardshells.
I think they're ok on my Velocity Aerohead rims, but are a major hassle to install on the Shimano RS-10 rims.
Another option for thinner "tape" is to use Veloplugs instead.
Velocity Wheels - Hand Made in USA
https://www.amazon.com/Velocity-Velo.../dp/B01CWDVPKG
They're good for may style of rims, except single wall (obviously), also potentially problematic with rims with a deep center channel or off-center drilling.