Another way to ease mounting tire . . .
Take off the rim tape! Throw it away!
Blow some money and buy a product called VeloPlugs. Each plug inserts into the recessed hole for the spoke. Takes up less room than a rimstrip leaving more room for tube. Have actually installed and *removed* Maxxis 25mm Detonator (folding) tire utilizing thumbs only.
Or cheaper yet . . . use a narrower innertube.