Just in case anyone is wondering, a new 23 mm Rubino Pro(folding) will mount on a Mavic MA 40 rim much more easily than a year old 25 mm Continental UltraSport(folding) will come off. I had to use two Pedros levers to get the second bead off. And even with that, I struggled quite a bit. The 23 mm tire has a 28 mm tube inside it to boot. And now to go for a test ride. It has been easily 20 years since I've ridden 23 mm tires. Or 100 psi.

good luck. i only do 23 on my carbon bike as otherwise my teeth turn into a fine mist. (roads here are rough)

I tried a pair of 23 Vittoria graphine.. very plush for the width. Better with higher preassure of 125/130. Didn't like them around 100.

I remember the Ultrasport being a very tight tire. It's weird how there are tight tires and loose tires, and the tightness doesn't correlate with size (very much) or price or much of anything.

Yep, the Conti Ultra Sport 2 is a tight bugger. I need a Kool Stop bead jack to horse it on. Removing it isn't too bad. Installing and removing get easier with repeated use. By my third flat repair it was about like any other tire. I suspect some excess rubber gets scrubbed off over the bead, making it a bit easier to get over the rim.

Schwalbe One V-Guards were pretty tight at first but after a couple of flat repairs I could remove 'em with regular plastic levers and usually needed only my fingers to put 'em back on.

The only Vittoria tires I've tried are the entry level Zaffiros. They were easy to install and remove, neither too tight nor loose. Not great tires though. I planned to use them for the indoor trainer, but got lazy and just used the Conti Ultra Sport 2. Turns out the US2 have been fine on the trainer, no excessive wear. Saves time when switching between indoor and outdoor rides.

I had no flats during the year I rode them. I changed them only to see how I like the rubino pros.

Those are my favorite tires, very light and fast. But man, they don't last long.

I don't recall any issues mounting 25 mm Ultra Sports, but I have a pair of 28 mm Hutchinson Nitro tires that have been nearly impossible on every rim I tried. I am afraid to use them on the road, lest I might need to fix a flat.

The Rubino Pros?

The US2 came off the Araya CTL 370 just fine.

Yep. They're light and (imo) ride great, but I wore them out within a few months/ They were also heavily flat prone.

Well, I'll see how it goes. I've ridden them once. I have gotten no flats on the UltraSports nor the Open Paves. This part of Yucatan is very lightly settled so there isn't a lot of trash on the roads.

Those things are hard and tight. Cheap, too. Not a supple tire at any presure. I bought a half dozen at something like $3.75/ea at a year end blowout. So far I have only managed to mount them on one set of rims

Wow, I'll have to check this out. I have been very happy with the Pro's, the ride as you say and the flat protection with everything growing in Southern Arizona having thorns. I have to admit I have way too many bikes to keep track of milage.
I appreciate threads like this as we age one of the first places arthritis shows up is in the hands and that make difficult on the road repairs.

"Originally Posted by Pompiere
I don't recall any issues mounting 25 mm Ultra Sports, but I have a pair of 28 mm Hutchinson Nitro tires that have been nearly impossible on every rim I tried. I am afraid to use them on the road, lest I might need to fix a flat."

I got some Nitro's at the same sale. Very difficult to mount, but persistence and a 3rd lever worked for me. They also required much care ensuring the bead remained seated during 1st inflation. Slow inflation + weight on the tire + rolling back & forth. Noticed the harsh ride at 1st but with use, mine seemed to get more flexible over the Summer and ride got smoother. Later when I moved them to another set of wheels, they were easy to get off/on. Don

I'll have to give them another try, since I have four left. I bought them with flip bikes in mind, but I have enough wheel sets that maybe I can work them into the rotation somehow. I have a good tire jack, but like someone else who posted above, I dread the thought of having to deal with super-tight fitting tires should I get a flat in the middle of a long ride.

I find them to be only slightly less supple feeling than the Vittoria open paves. The reason I can't bring myself to even consider the GP4ks2.

Yeah they're great tires, super quick and responsive - and light! But I think in like 2-3 mos I noticed I'd worn through the tread in several spots on the rear tire. This was with around 150 - 200 miles a week of riding. And bear in mind I weigh around 135lbs, so they weren't exactly getting stressed. I don't have a set of them on my bike right now since I threw on some Hutchinson's I had lying around, but I'll eventually buy some Pros again.

I bought a set of the Continental GP 5000 clinchers. They mounted easier than any other tire I have ever used. They feel really fast and handle good. I don't know how long they will last but so far I love them. The price was a little steep but hey its just money and if it makes my flat fixing and riding better I can justify it.

Inflated to 125 I can decidedly feel a difference.