In a message dated 12/28/2003 4:33:12 PM Mountain Standard Time, classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.org writes: Before third coat and attempted to mount tire thought it would be clever if I cleaned up my ugliness. This reminds me of the stories of the "First time I rode a bicycle"! One thing I have not seen mentioned is prestretching those tires on a spare set of rims. Makes it a bit easier to get a tire on cleanly imo.
Also, the technique of getting a tire on can be as important. The more you mess with it the more mess you have!
I usually do this barefoot:-) Start with seating the stem in the hole with the opposite side of the rim on the ground and the tire on the side facing you. Then, stretch the tire as you start to stick it and work it about half way down. Flip the whole thing over, tire and rim. Hold that sucker down with your toes as you pull up and stretch the rest of the tire and seat it to the rim. Check for straightness, inflate a couple psi and check again. Make your adjustments, and then inflate to what you normally ride at and let cure for 24 hours.
Works for me. And the clear glue makes those messes not as visible. Goo gone on sides of rims gets rid of what ever mistakes you made as well!
Oh, and a dusting of baby powder on your hands after you mount the tires makes it easier to flip through the local paper with it sticking to you.
Mike "Challenge is the perfect name for tubulars" Wilkinson Castle Rock, CO