Cnti wire bead tire
#1
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Cnti wire bead tire
I have a 28mm Conti Super Sport tire on my back wheel. It is a bear to install and the bead does not completely seat in one spot so I have a slight hitch in my getalong.
Anybody else have the problem and have you found a solution?
Anybody else have the problem and have you found a solution?
#2
Senior Member
I like the Kool-stop bead jack for stubborn tires. If you're only going to do it once or twice, just carefully use a tire lever.
As far as the spot that won't come all the way up? Deflate the tire a good amount (not dead flat, but enough that you can press the bead away from the hook) and swipe some soapy water all the way along. Try to re-inflate the tire and see how it goes. Park makes a plier-type lever (essentially a channel lock with pipe sections welded on) for pulling up on particularly stubborn tires. Maybe 1 in 100 requires that tool.
As far as the spot that won't come all the way up? Deflate the tire a good amount (not dead flat, but enough that you can press the bead away from the hook) and swipe some soapy water all the way along. Try to re-inflate the tire and see how it goes. Park makes a plier-type lever (essentially a channel lock with pipe sections welded on) for pulling up on particularly stubborn tires. Maybe 1 in 100 requires that tool.
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I hate to have you struggle to remove and remount this tire, but that may be the only remedy. When mounting, follow these hints for an easier, lore reliable install.
1- pre-inflate tube to give it shape, but not enough to stretch it.
2- stuff inflated tube well up into the tire, and push it across so it's supported by the rim and the tire is lying against the outside face.
3- start OPPOSITE the valve, and work the tire onto the rim in both directions working toward the valve.
4- when it gets hard, let some air out so the tube is limp.
5- go back opposite the valve, push the tire to the center of the rim where it's deepest, and push tire in and forward so all slack moves toward the valve.
6- if you do this right you should be able to push the tire over without tools (OK to go back and try to push more slack forward, if necessary).
7- push valve in to pull out any tube that might have been trapped by that lest section of tire, then gently pull it back out to settle the tube inside the tire., then inflate, chec, and inflate to full pressure.
If it takes you longer to do the above than it took me to type it, you're doing something wrong.
Good luck.
BTW- while you have it off inspect the rim for crooked mis-located rim tape, and/or anything else that may be in the way.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
“Never argue with an idiot. He will only bring you down to his level and beat you with experience.”, George Carlin
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
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If you wind up needing a bead jack or other tool to install the tire, be sure you have it with you on the road or you will be unable to re-mount it when you repair a flat.
#5
Senior Member
Being a wire bead, first things first, make sure the bead isn't bent/creased. I've seen a few wire beads that are bent because wholesalers squish the tires up to fit in a shipping box. If it is bent, you can easily straighten it back out with your hands.
With the tire mounted but not yet inflated, spray a little dish soap/water solution between the bead and rim. This will help it slide up while inflating.
With the tire mounted but not yet inflated, spray a little dish soap/water solution between the bead and rim. This will help it slide up while inflating.
#6
Hello
I use to pack the VAR compact wire bead jack when I had a an EXTREMELY difficult tire (Continental grand prix 4000) to mount. Tires gone now.
#7
Banned
I bring 2 VAR tools in my kit. they are light .. I bring a 3rd tire lever to get tires off..
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I like the Kool-stop bead jack for stubborn tires. If you're only going to do it once or twice, just carefully use a tire lever.
As far as the spot that won't come all the way up? Deflate the tire a good amount (not dead flat, but enough that you can press the bead away from the hook) and swipe some soapy water all the way along. Try to re-inflate the tire and see how it goes. Park makes a plier-type lever (essentially a channel lock with pipe sections welded on) for pulling up on particularly stubborn tires. Maybe 1 in 100 requires that tool.
As far as the spot that won't come all the way up? Deflate the tire a good amount (not dead flat, but enough that you can press the bead away from the hook) and swipe some soapy water all the way along. Try to re-inflate the tire and see how it goes. Park makes a plier-type lever (essentially a channel lock with pipe sections welded on) for pulling up on particularly stubborn tires. Maybe 1 in 100 requires that tool.
#9
Senior Member
Thread Starter
When any tire doesn't seat well, the first suspect is that something is keeping it from settling. This can be an overly wide or thick rim tape, a bit of the tube trapped under the bead and against the rim, or something wrong with the rim. Otherwise the natural tendency of a bead is to settle, especially one that is tight.
I hate to have you struggle to remove and remount this tire, but that may be the only remedy. When mounting, follow these hints for an easier, lore reliable install.
1- pre-inflate tube to give it shape, but not enough to stretch it.
2- stuff inflated tube well up into the tire, and push it across so it's supported by the rim and the tire is lying against the outside face.
3- start OPPOSITE the valve, and work the tire onto the rim in both directions working toward the valve.
4- when it gets hard, let some air out so the tube is limp.
5- go back opposite the valve, push the tire to the center of the rim where it's deepest, and push tire in and forward so all slack moves toward the valve.
6- if you do this right you should be able to push the tire over without tools (OK to go back and try to push more slack forward, if necessary).
7- push valve in to pull out any tube that might have been trapped by that lest section of tire, then gently pull it back out to settle the tube inside the tire., then inflate, chec, and inflate to full pressure.
If it takes you longer to do the above than it took me to type it, you're doing something wrong.
Good luck.
BTW- while you have it off inspect the rim for crooked mis-located rim tape, and/or anything else that may be in the way.
I hate to have you struggle to remove and remount this tire, but that may be the only remedy. When mounting, follow these hints for an easier, lore reliable install.
1- pre-inflate tube to give it shape, but not enough to stretch it.
2- stuff inflated tube well up into the tire, and push it across so it's supported by the rim and the tire is lying against the outside face.
3- start OPPOSITE the valve, and work the tire onto the rim in both directions working toward the valve.
4- when it gets hard, let some air out so the tube is limp.
5- go back opposite the valve, push the tire to the center of the rim where it's deepest, and push tire in and forward so all slack moves toward the valve.
6- if you do this right you should be able to push the tire over without tools (OK to go back and try to push more slack forward, if necessary).
7- push valve in to pull out any tube that might have been trapped by that lest section of tire, then gently pull it back out to settle the tube inside the tire., then inflate, chec, and inflate to full pressure.
If it takes you longer to do the above than it took me to type it, you're doing something wrong.
Good luck.
BTW- while you have it off inspect the rim for crooked mis-located rim tape, and/or anything else that may be in the way.
I have inflated the tire to over 150psi and it still won't seat.
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Well, my solution given a history of poor performance from Continental tires is to not use Continental tires. Solves all kinds of problems
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I'm a little surprised that you're having trouble with this, with so many miles under your belt, @davidad.
Must be a stinker of a tire, indeed. What rim tape are you using? Any chance that the tube is twisted inside the tire?

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If that's the case, deflate your tire to about 5 psi and push the valve stem straight down into the tire. When you reinflate your tire, the bead will be properly seated. Oftentimes, especially with tires that are hard to install, the thick are at the base of the inner tube valve stem prevents the tire beads from seating. Pushing down on the valve stem gets that thick portion of the tube out of the way.
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Unless the tire is damaged, the biggest reason a tire is hard to install/seat is mostly due to the rim. A lot of older clincher rims have really high rim beds and the overall height of the hook area seems taller. It pretty much affects all tires regaurdless of brand.
I use some park tire seating pliers and lots of air pressure on tires that have a low spot and are difficult to seat, plus maybe some windex of soapy water between the rim and tire.
I've installed a LOT of contis over the years, and in general, they haven't been an issue on most rims.
I use some park tire seating pliers and lots of air pressure on tires that have a low spot and are difficult to seat, plus maybe some windex of soapy water between the rim and tire.
I've installed a LOT of contis over the years, and in general, they haven't been an issue on most rims.
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Tires are cheap. Well just a single set anyhow.
I did keep the crappy Contis on my truck till they wore out, but that is more like $1k+ worth of tire.
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Occasionally a tire and rim will just not get along.
Life is too short to ride tires like that; take your hand off your heart and buy something that works better...
Life is too short to ride tires like that; take your hand off your heart and buy something that works better...
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OK, we now have to look at specific odd issues. For example, if the rim is a hook edge type with a crowned belly, too much rim tape near the edge can reduce the clearance between the hook and belly. If the tire is a bit thick between the bead and inside edge the thicker tire combined with the narrower clearance can cause the tire to be both hard to mount, and impossible to seat.
In some cases, the issue is tire mold flash which can be trimmed away, or you might try a thinner or narrower rim tape, or spoke hole plugs.
In some cases, the issue is tire mold flash which can be trimmed away, or you might try a thinner or narrower rim tape, or spoke hole plugs.
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“Never argue with an idiot. He will only bring you down to his level and beat you with experience.”, George Carlin
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
“Never argue with an idiot. He will only bring you down to his level and beat you with experience.”, George Carlin
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.