OK, quick tire question. Have a late 80's set of Wolber GTX wheels and was considering a decent set of Vredestein tires. They are folding tires, and am wondering if they will mount on these rims? Or should I stick with the wire beads?

Do the rims not have a lip?

Assuming they've got a lip , and given they were decent rims in the 80's I imagine they would (?) . I don't know why that'd be an issue.

Yes, they do have a lip. I've always used the wire bead tires and this would be my first set of folding tires. Didn't know if there was any difference other than the stiffness of the bead.

Sometimes folding tires are bit harder to get on, but otherwise you should be fine. OH aren't folders more expensive than their rigid counterparts? any special reason you feel the need for folders?

I've put the high pressure (160 lb) Vredesteins on a number of rims without any problem. Great tires.

+1. I don't think there would be a problem. I assume you want folders because of the generally lighter weight?

GTX's have the hooked rim profile, no problems securing folding clinchers.

If you're concerned about mounting them due to less bead stretch, toss the tires in the trunk of a car and let sit in the sun.

Lighter weight is definitely a plus, but at this point until I shed a few more pounds myself isn't a real issue. A couple of days ago I put a nasty cut in one of my tires. Didn't puncture, fortunately, but I do a 15 mile round trip commute to work every day and I don't want to lose it en route. Why is it that the local road department sweeps accident debris into the bike lanes? Was shopping around and yes Bianchigirll, the folders are a little more expensive than the rigids, but found a good price for the Vredestein Fiammante Duo Comp folders at Sun And Ski for under $20.00 apiece, the reviews look good so I bought a couple. Cheapest wire beads at my LBS are $15 and they are really not that great. Should be here in a couple more days. I've bought stuff from them before, so I trust what I'm getting from them.

wolber gtx is the biggest pita rim i've ever worked with as far as mounting a tire goes. there is no way any tire is gonna fall off of those things.

OK, got a nice surprise- box outside the door with 2 brand new tires!! Got them on after much stretching and pulling, but they seated good and ride much nicer than the old ones. And they look pretty sweet too! Thanks to everyone for their comments and help

LoL I have no idea about your actual question, I just love your threads title.

so true! i have a pair on my Zunow and they are such beeeyotch to get a tire on or off

And you are correct, Bianchigirll- they are much harder to get on and off. Had to do front tire twice. Put pinhole in tube and had to do again. Warmed oven up to 150, let it cool down for 5 minutes and put tire in for about 3 minutes. Baked till crust was golden-brown(just kidding) was a little easier to stretch, but not much.