clx1

I have recently fitted a pair of these tyres to my Fulcrum Racing 3 2 Way Fit wheels, I am more than happy with their performance but I had a hell of a job getting them on to the wheels, also managed to pinch one of the tubes.

They were so difficult to fit I am now dreading getting a puncture out on the road, it's one thing fitting them in the comfort of a warm and dry garage but on a rainy country lane is quite another.

I've changed plenty of tyres in the past and have(in the garage at least) a wide selection of tyre levers so I don't think it's me.

Anyone else had this problem and is there any way to make it a bit easier, do they loosen up at all when they have been on a while?

Thanks

2sixR

you thought those were bad... try popping on a set of Conti GP400s tires... I know guys who have broken tools on those things...

JTGraphics

I have been using Pro 3 tires for some time now.
I just make sure I get as much of the bead of the tire into the center of the rim to give it as much space as possible and it goes on much easer.
They do seem to go on easer once you've had them on for a bit.
I have some Easton EA90 SLX , Ritchey WCS Protocol, Flashpoint 60 and AC 420 wheels and all fit about the same but the WCS Protocols are the tightest fit of them all.

dmp

I've not had problems with the PR3's on the older (non 2 way fit) Fulcrum 3's- that is the combination I've used for more than a year. Have you tried using soapy water on the bead? Of course, that won't help you out on the road...

BarryJo

Yeah, once you get a few miles on them they are much easier to get on and off.
And I've pinched a tube or 2 when putting a new one on a rim.

JamieElenbaas

The same wheel and tire set came on my current bike. I changed a couple of punctured tubes with no problem. After I put a tear in the sidewall of one of the Pro3's I had to replace it. I experienced the same problem - pinched two tubes before I finally got one right. Mentioned it to LBS guy and he stated that the Michelin Pro3's are tough to install new but after they've been mounted a couple of times they're fine, so in answer to your question, apparently they do loosen up.

Spring Water

The PR3's are tighter than the GP4000's.

The PR3's are tight, but they aren't that bad if you've got a good lever. I flatted 1.5 miles from the finish in a road race this year on PR3's (it was on a gravel road) and still managed 11th because switching the tube took all of 30 seconds.

2sixR

PR3's tighter than the 4000s'... not looking forward to changing a flat on my son's bike if that is the case...

milliron

Had no problems putting PR3s on my Mavic Open Pros. Have 800 miles on them now and love the way they ride.

JandersUF

They were hard to get on the first time, but once they have been mounted for a little while, they are much easier to off/on. Unlike my silly trainer tire, which is a beast after a couple years...

guadzilla

No problems with my PR3s on my Kinlins either. The first one or two times was tough, now they pop on and off easier than a stripper's clothes.

rm -rf

My tires are really tight on the rims, too. Mounting tires was always easy for me until I got my new Kinlin rims. I had mangled levers and sore fingers the first time (even with a used tire), and wondered how I would manage it out on the road.

I now have an easy mounting method that's fast and takes very little force on the levers. The key is to just try to lift over an inch of bead at a time, then slide the lever over and repeat. I like the lightweight butyl tubes (18-23 size), they seem to tuck up into the tire easily.

Here's a how-to thread with photos that I posted. There's some good comments in the thread, too.

sbxx1985 

It gets better once the tire is mounted.

MooCow

Forget the bead, I had issues with the Pro Race 3 getting all cut up. I used to use the Pro and Pro 2 but I switched to the Conti 4000s after said bad luck. I have had little problem mounting either though.

Creatre

Awesome how-to, looks like it'll work good. I had so much trouble with my new 30mm rims when I first mounted the tires. It literally took about 6 hours to get the tires on and my hands were so far past sore you have no idea. I hope this write up will help if I ever get a flat!

sbxx1985 

Getting the tires warm first usually helps in the mounting. I leave the Pro3s in the sun on the deck for a while before I put them on. It seems to help.

chasmm

This was my experience also. After less than 500 miles, my Pro3s looked like I had been riding through a dump. Cuts, pits, flats, etc. I switched to Conti GP4000s after hearing so much good about there here on BF.

My comparison (not that anyone asked for it). The Pro3s are tougher to mount when new, but they do loosen up. I know this from experience having had to replace 3 tubes on the rear within 3 weeks. The Contis are a little easier to mount the first time, but they're still no piece of cake. I can't speak about whether they loosen up or not...I haven't yet had to take them off yet (and I know I've just jinxed myself).

Ride quality...and it may be my imagination...I think the Pro3s rode a little better, but I'm still very happy with the Contis.

Charles

Inertianinja

i have a set of those, and a set of conti gp4000s. both were super hard to mount.

the GP's haven't had a flat yet (knock wood) but i've had two with the pro race 3's so far. not pinch flats - bits of glass going right through.

AngryScientist 

no worries, they'll break in.

fasterTHANyou

if he's old enough to ride, he's old enough to fix his own flats

achoo

That mirrors my experience exactly.

PR3s grip and ride a bit better, but GP4000s don't cut anywhere near as easily.

sbxx1985 

They do cut and pit easily, but it hasn't developed into a problem for me on either bike.

Shelf life is awful.

johnileo61

Ditto... and ditto.

Inertianinja

+1 for that experience, both tires.

some dude said to me "that's why you race on the PR3's and you train on Gatorskins.
but that's kinda BS. I train on the same roads that i race on!

scirocco

My experience as well. But the key is not to worry about the cuts and throw them away as soon as they get some like several posters in this thread seem to have done.

I also have been using the OP's Fulcrum 3 and PR3 combination on one bike and agree that they aren't the easiest to get off and on. Combination of technique / practice and the fact they do seem to stretch a little with age seems to help.