F***ing tyres!!
Discussion
JRM said:
Why do you say that? I'm curious because I'm using Ultremo ZX at the moment due to lack of supply of Conti GPIIs
Same here. Ultremo's were the next best tyres with a yellow stripe and I need the yellow stripe because I'm a massive tart!I've had Ultremos before, though, and was very happy with them.
TheGreatSoprendo said:
Same here. Ultremo's were the next best tyres with a yellow stripe and I need the yellow stripe because I'm a massive tart!
I've had Ultremos before, though, and was very happy with them.
I'd agree. They're not the most hard-wearing tyres, and can cut up quite badly, especially toward the end of their useful life, but I really rated the Ultremos, so much that I've bought 3 pairs. I still have some with an orange stripe (cheap, direct from Schwalbe UK at a cycling festival) that will go onto the new bike just as soon as I've worn out the Bontrager R2 hardcase tyres that were on there from new.I've had Ultremos before, though, and was very happy with them.
I've not had major issues fitting them though, least ways not on the wheels I had on the old bike, so I can't really help with your fitting problem.
TheGreatSoprendo said:
JRM said:
Why do you say that? I'm curious because I'm using Ultremo ZX at the moment due to lack of supply of Conti GPIIs
Same here. Ultremo's were the next best tyres with a yellow stripe and I need the yellow stripe because I'm a massive tart!I've had Ultremos before, though, and was very happy with them.
Mine are orange to match my cables - it's well known fact that bikes in matching colours/tyres go 5% faster...
Pit Pony said:
I swear by my nan's (RIP) solid silver desert spoons. Rounded handles and really strong.
Tyre-some troubles...
I snapped my plastic tyre levers...they were cheap useless s
te.Used a table spoon and damaged the rim (ended up with plenty of aluminium shavings inside)...
Finally, a new inner tub wouldn't fit inside - seemed far too big...b
ks!TheGreatSoprendo said:
JRM said:
Why do you say that? I'm curious because I'm using Ultremo ZX at the moment due to lack of supply of Conti GPIIs
Same here. Ultremo's were the next best tyres with a yellow stripe and I need the yellow stripe because I'm a massive tart!I've had Ultremos before, though, and was very happy with them.
I say this in the nicest possible way but the video that I posted earlier really does work in putting even the toughest tire on to your wheel. The trick is to squeeze the tire all the way round continuously and that will eventually allow you to roll the final bit of tire into the rim. What you are doing by squeezing the tire is allowing the beading of the tire to fall into the deepest part of your wheel thereby giving you more leeway to help fit the last bit of tire on to the wheel. It does take a little bit of practice but not much and the trick is to be patient and never to force anything if you have to force it you're doing it wrong.using this method you do not have to use tire levers or silver spoons at all to get the tire on. Trust me when I say it is as simple as that because from my experience it really is.
scubadude said:
JRM said:
I'm curious because I'm using Ultremo ZX at the moment due to lack of supply of Conti GPIIs
Answered your own question there- why is there a lack of Conti tyres? :-)Have the 4000's on my bike year round, its a do-anything tyre.
Looks like Wiggle have got black ones back in stock, so i might play safe and follow the crowd, even though I won't have matching colours
Bin the Schwalbes (or take them back for a refund), get some Conti 4 Seasons on there and then 4000s in a month or so. I have Ultegra tubeless ready rims that are notoriously difficult to get tyres onto and the 4 Seasons went on easily, no levers required. Kevlar beaded tyres go on much easier than steel wired ones.
Tyre levers break for a reason, so you don't apply too much force to the rim and damage it, otherwise they would be made from titanium/Kevlar etc. and be indestructible. If you can't get the tyre on in the comfort of your own home with soapy water available, warm hands and warm tyres then you don't stand a chance out on the road, so you may as well not bother taking spare tubes etc. out with you, as you'll be stranded.
Tyre levers break for a reason, so you don't apply too much force to the rim and damage it, otherwise they would be made from titanium/Kevlar etc. and be indestructible. If you can't get the tyre on in the comfort of your own home with soapy water available, warm hands and warm tyres then you don't stand a chance out on the road, so you may as well not bother taking spare tubes etc. out with you, as you'll be stranded.
In case anyone is trying to get the Conti's, I noticed that Rose Bikes had them in black/black (the slow version !) - £52 a pair. However they sold out between me seeing them this morning and ordering them this afternoon.
Wiggle still have them for £60 a pair, so I grabbed some as I suspect they'll be out of stock quickly too.
Wiggle still have them for £60 a pair, so I grabbed some as I suspect they'll be out of stock quickly too.
MiseryStreak said:
Bin the Schwalbes (or take them back for a refund), get some Conti 4 Seasons on there and then 4000s in a month or so. I have Ultegra tubeless ready rims that are notoriously difficult to get tyres onto and the 4 Seasons went on easily, no levers required. Kevlar beaded tyres go on much easier than steel wired ones.
4 seasons are fairly easy to put on in my experience, as they have quite a soft side walls. Gatorskins can be a bit of a pig, especially when they are new. Schwable marathons are a real pain to get on a rim. Schwable tyre levers are excellent. I used to struggle with the smaller levers, but I've never snapped a Schwable lever yet 
Went to the sorting office this morning to collect the new levers and tubes, and the tyres are now on!
A combination of the technique in the video above and using the crank bros speedier lever (recommended) did the job without too much trouble. I also hit on the idea of using some over size peg things (intended to be used to hold you towel in place on a sun lounger) to hold the 2 sides of the tyre bead together in the well of the rim, which seemed to work quite well. Letting some air out of the tube also helped I think.
Thanks all for the advice!
Not seen that punch smiley before!I've now got a new set of the Ultremo ZX and a set of Conti Grand Prix 4000 IIs' so thought I would give my initial comparisons.
The main thing I noticed was how much thicker and robust the Conti's felt, compared to the ZX on which you can easily see how much thinner they are on the sidewalls for example. They feel like ultra race tyres compared to the Conti's which feel much more robust - although any online reviews I have read, rate the rolling resistance and race performance of the Conti's higher than the ZX's.
The next comparison was to fit them - following the advice on the you tube video the ZX's pop on with virtually no drama at all, to the extent that if you had to replace them in a race you definitely wouldn't need levers, which is an advantage.
The Conti's on the other hand I think are impossible without one lever at the very end as the thread is so stiff, I just can't see how you would do that with just thumbs, so definitely a harder replacement if you do get a puncture.
I'm riding them both this weekend, so will let you know if I can feel any differences on the road.
The main thing I noticed was how much thicker and robust the Conti's felt, compared to the ZX on which you can easily see how much thinner they are on the sidewalls for example. They feel like ultra race tyres compared to the Conti's which feel much more robust - although any online reviews I have read, rate the rolling resistance and race performance of the Conti's higher than the ZX's.
The next comparison was to fit them - following the advice on the you tube video the ZX's pop on with virtually no drama at all, to the extent that if you had to replace them in a race you definitely wouldn't need levers, which is an advantage.
The Conti's on the other hand I think are impossible without one lever at the very end as the thread is so stiff, I just can't see how you would do that with just thumbs, so definitely a harder replacement if you do get a puncture.
I'm riding them both this weekend, so will let you know if I can feel any differences on the road.
Ultremo zxs were on my new bike so kept them on , the bike is sh so they are quite old
Seem ok , no punctures been on 2 x near century rides around Cotswolds they do the job . Appear a quick tyre , sidewalks do seem a bit weak as per other posters , but smooth and quick when on smooth surfaces , think they would suit Spanish roads more than UK ones!
Seem to tolerate higher psi than my other tyres and had them up at 130/140 psi
Think I will replace them with my tried and tested forezza tricomps if I can still get old stock in red
Seem ok , no punctures been on 2 x near century rides around Cotswolds they do the job . Appear a quick tyre , sidewalks do seem a bit weak as per other posters , but smooth and quick when on smooth surfaces , think they would suit Spanish roads more than UK ones!
Seem to tolerate higher psi than my other tyres and had them up at 130/140 psi
Think I will replace them with my tried and tested forezza tricomps if I can still get old stock in red
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