stretching race tires

david ware

I got a new set of the Vittoria Corso EVO's to put on my hed 3 wheels.  I had a devil of a time getting them on the wheels, even broke a plastic lever.  If I have to change a flat in the race it would be a nightmare.  Is there a way to stretch them a bit to make on and off easier? I have 2-1/2 weeks to go for IMAZ.  Thanks.

Gene

 I've heard of people putting them in the dryer for a little while. The heat should allow them to stretch.  But I've never tried it. 

cgres123

I here you and I love that tire too but what a bitch to put on even if the tire is warm. New is new and even with a lot of miles it's still tight. As you know your not suppose to put a tire on using levers as they will pinch the tube... right ?
Yea I use them too ! Here is 1 idea if you want to pack it.

http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id=432670714143&d=single&c=Tools&sc=Tire-and-Tube&tc=Tire-Levers&item_id=KS-TJ

Michael Byerts

The first time, it was really, really hard. I got blisters on my thumbs and gave up after 45 minutes, letting the bike shop put it on. Each time thereafter it has been a little easier. I stick the tire into an empty sink and go over it with a hair dryer for a couple of minutes. That seems to work pretty well. The most successful bit of my last race this year was being able to get the tire on, with no tools, in about 5 minutes the night before the race.

harrast

When I installed it, I made sure the rest of the tire (already seated part) was well within the center of the rim V. I did this by pinching the part already seated within the rim whenever the tire resisted. I worked slowly and kept pinching the seated part into the middle of the rim V. This seemed to work. I didn't even use a tire iron. That's my best shot at it.

GMAN 19030

Posted By Gene Gallagher on 30 Oct 2012 03:47 PM

 I've heard of people putting them in the dryer for a little while. The heat should allow them to stretch.  But I've never tried it. 

I have been doing this for years.  Works like a charm.

david ware

@Bob: sounds like a winner. Just hope my wife doesn't see me try this. ;<)

Peter Greagg

I use the same tyre on Hed3 and just keep puting them on and take them off until I feel I will be able to cope in a race.
I'll try the dryer trick next time.

david ware

What setting and how long in the dryer. I am going to sneak it by my wide tonight while she hands out candy.

GMAN 19030

Just put it on a low setting and leave it in there for a few minutes. The tire will warm up quickly.

david ware

Do you then stretch it some after it comes out?  Sorry for all the dumb questions>

GMAN 19030

No. Just put it on the wheel and should go on much more smoothly.

tgarson

Posted By david ware on 30 Oct 2012 03:43 PM

I got a new set of the Vittoria Corso EVO's to put on my hed 3 wheels.  I had a devil of a time getting them on the wheels, even broke a plastic lever.  If I have to change a flat in the race it would be a nightmare.  Is there a way to stretch them a bit to make on and off easier? I have 2-1/2 weeks to go for IMAZ.  Thanks.

I was in the same situation a few weeks before my IM this summer, brand new set of Vittoria Evo's and a FLO60 wide rims. Were an absolute bitch and a half getting them on/off, but I have a Bead Jack that makes installing tires at home pretty easy. 

Now, where you don't want to be like me. I only got to put them on once or twice before my bike had to ship out almost 3 weeks before my race (shipped by truck from SoCal to Quebec is apparently a long journey). Once I got to QC, the tires were still very tight and I was out of ideas on how to emergency stretch them. 

Fast forward again to the 2nd loop of the bike where I get a flat and the tire is so tight that it breaks my tire lever trying to get it off. I spent the next almost 30 minutes prying them off my with my fingers, developing blisters, cursing, having a pitty party, etc, before finally completing the change.

Since then, I always carry Pedro's tire levers (based on recommendation) which are much beefier, and the tires have simply stretched out from use.

So moral of the story, don't be like me, be prepared!

Dino Sarti

I use Bob's dryer trick. The key is to work fast. The tire heats well in the dryer, but cools fast when you pull it out. Try and get it on before it cools down too much

Bob Irwin

I have those tires, and use them with zipp 404's. Never tried the dryer trick - my wife says tires don't go in the dryer. I use a single Pedro's tire lever as mentioned by Trevor - they are the strongest I've ever found. Use the lever only for the last few inches. Leave the part of the tire by the valve stem until last. When you use the lever, push the valve stem in as far as you can manage. This moves the tube up into the tire and helps avoid pinching it when using the tire lever. I ruined several tubes before the guy at the bike shop showed me valve stem trick.

Betsy Kantor

I wish I had seen this thread before I put my new Vittorias on yesterday. I was told by my bike mechanic to leave them out in the sun for an hour before-but there was no sun. I used a heating pad that was sitting out and that softened them very well. I will remember Bob's valve trick above because I two pinched two tubes before I got the front tire on.

tim cronk

@Bob-that's brilliant I always did the section by the stem first! Your way makes sense!

I gotta sat that the Renolds Carbon Clincher's 46/66 that came on my Felt are by far the easiest rims I have ever mounted tires . I have changed the OEM tires, corsa's, and continental 4000s all with none of the problems above.

Initially I was gonna use these wheels for training and my zip 808/1080 for racing but the carbon clinchers are a different width and would require brake adjustment's. Turns out I really like these wheels and just got a disc cover for the rear.

Can anyone else chime in with their experience with other brands of carbon clinchers? I'd like to know if all carbon wheels are easier than aluminum track wheels?

Dino Sarti

My Carbon Zipps have always been the easiest versus any other aluminum wheel I have ever used. My other carbon wheels are tubes...