Tight fitting tire
 

Anyone have any tips or advice, Im trying to mount a Hutchinson Top Speed tire and its so tight i cant even get the first bead on. I have tried stretching the tire to no avail unles im doing it wrong. Any help would greatly be appreciated. TIA

1: Make sure the rim and tire are really the same size; i.e. that you're not trying to put a 700c tire on a 27" rim.
2: A little soapy water on the rim edge can provide lubrication and help the tire slip over it.
3: Using the thinnest possible rimstrip will let the tire bead go as deep as possible into the rim channel and give you a bit more slack to get it mounted.

But - if it's that hard to get on in the first place are you sure you want to risk getting a flat and having to change it in a less convenient setting?

Assuming your rim/tire combo passes prathman's criterion #1, I use a wringing motion to get the bead on. Sit in a chair with the bead you're trying to get on opposite the rim from your body. Using both hands just keep wringing the tire onto the rim. It might seem like it's never gonna go, but eventually the wringing will warm the bead a bit and get it on there. I use the first knuckle joints (upper part of the palm) as the primary contact point.

For getting the first bead on, I'll frequently use a tire lever if it's tough to get it on.

Ah, the joy.

I'm really sure that rim and tire don't match. Check the measurements, millimeters (ISO) are most precise and don't get you fooled. http://sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html

they rim and tire are both 700c they were previously mounted when i bought the bike, but i replaced the tire with some serfas seca rs's

I use the VAR #425 tire jack:

http://www.biketoolsetc.com/Product_Images/VR-425.jpg

There are similar tools from other manufactures. Inexpensive and handy.

If you're sure the tire matches the rim, after you start the first bead, make sure it's settled into the center, depressed section of the rim. That should give you enough slack to force the opposite side over the rim.