Everyone has his own ritual. Once I get the tire on the rim, I work my way around the rim, squeezing the sides of the noninflated tire inward and making sure the tube is not between the tire and the rim. Then I inflate the tire just slightly, maybe 20 psi and check that the tire is properly seated. If I've been having trouble with pinch flats on a particular rim, I might inflate to a little more than 20 psi, then completely deflate, check for any pich points, then inflate to working pressure. The idea is that the partial inflation, then defaltion will hopefully position the tube inside the tire for the final inflation.
Of course, if you're having a lot of flats on a given rim, you should check the rim for any sharp or rough spots. And some rims will simply not accept wide tires. I tried for months to ride Panaracer 32 mm tires on Campy Omega aero rims and was constantly having pinch flats. I finally installed another wheelset with wider rims on that bike and had no problems. I've switched the Omega rims to 25 mm tires and had no more problems there.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Big Spring, TX
Mark Fulton <markfulton5@mac.com> wrote: Hi Brian,
I'm intrigued by the TUFO Tubular Clinchers too. But I haven't tried them yet because I'm one of the best tire mounters (IMHO). Before the
arthritis in my thumbs became a problem, I could mount 700 clinchers without using tire tools (INMTU). Here's my secret. The night before you're going to mount the tires inflate the tubes, just enough for them to form an ovoid when you hang them on a door knob. That gets them used to being round (in section) rather than flat. That way they
are less likely to try to squeeze between the rim and the bead. When mounting the tire, start like everybody else, slip on one side of the
tire. You should be able to do this without tools. Or not. Don't worry, you can't screw up until the tube's in there. Then while there's still a little air in the tube. put it into the tire. Now position it smoothly inside the tire, center it on the rim, and deflate it. Now you're ready to install the other side of the tire. Don't use the tire tools until you absolutely have to. Maybe when there's about 8 inches of bead outside of the rim. Carefully insert a
tire tool at each end of the open section and pry up. If the entire bead doesn't pop on, hold one tire tool in position and remove the other. Re-insert it closer to the first one and try again. Don't ever
slide the tool while the end is inside the tire, that's how you snag the tube. I guess it goes without sayingit has so far anywayalways
use the really good plastic or nylon covered steel tire tools. You'll
need three to remove some tires. Never use anything else! When I was changing tires on my racing motorcycles, I used commercial tire lubricant, but on the bicycles, all I use on the toughest tires is a little bit of baby powder.
Good luck. And if you try the TUFOs, let me know how you like them.
lure