The tires in question are not cheap by any means. They are Vittoria Open Corsas and the rims are NOS Ambrosio (not sure of the model name but they are polished box-section rims). I've found Vittorias a bit more difficult to mount in general, at least with the Zaffiros and Rubinos that I've had.

The rims are defintely a factor as well though because the Serfas Secas that I have a couple of pairs of go onto or off of my Alex rims or Velocitys so easily but they are much much harder to get onto these Ambrosios. Difficult tire + difficult rim = I go crazy! I snapped another tire lever after my last post. I'm going to have to get some beefy levers for this combo. Damn I just want to try out the tires and I had to give up until I get better levers! What a frustrating evening!

Who would have though? Italian tire + Italian rim should work fine right? I'm pretty sure I am far from the first person to mount Vittorias onto Ambrosios. haha "mount".