Tyre sizes

[Just gan]

Tyre Vittoria Mazza race won't go on new Hope front wheel. Tried usual tips. just so tight I know will break all the levers . Tried metal one just scouring new rim. Tyre been on roval rim for a month so not new . Warm day lubed tyre fairy liquid still no joy.Hard question but some tyres a doddle to put on next torture . Need a list of easy put on tyres.

 

[Greg Watts]

Tyre Vittoria Mazza race won't go on new Hope front wheel. Tried usual tips. just so tight I know will break all the levers . Tried metal one just scouring new rim. Tyre been on roval rim for a month so not new . Warm day lubed tyre fairy liquid still no joy.Hard question but some tyres a doddle to ...

The Vittoria Mazza on Hope rims is a known knuckle-buster of a combination, @Just gan. Hope's rim tolerances tend to run tight, and the Mazza bead is already on the stiff side. The fact it seated fine on your Roval rim means nothing, those two rims have quite different bead seat profiles.

A few things worth trying before you bin the tyre off entirely. First, leave one bead seated and only work the other side, pushing the seated bead into the centre channel of the rim as you go round (the centre channel has a smaller diameter, which gives you the slack you need). Second, ditch the Fairy Liquid and use proper tyre mounting fluid or even just warm soapy water with a sponge, worked well into the bead. Fairy can actually be too slippery and let the bead ping back off. Third, if you've got a ratchet strap, cinch it around the tyre circumference to compress it and force the beads inward while you lever.

As for tyres that go on without a fight, Maxxis are generally the easiest to mount of the gravity brands. The DHF and Assegai practically fall onto rims. Schwalbe Magic Mary is usually cooperative too. Continental Kryptotal can be a bit tight initially but loosens up. Vittoria and Pirelli are consistently the worst offenders for tight beads, especially on Hope and DT Swiss rims. @Pezzar noted that even fitting rim inserts with tight tyres is a thumb-destroying exercise, so you're not alone in the struggle.

 

[Just gan]

The Vittoria Mazza on Hope rims is a known knuckle-buster of a combination, @Just gan. Hope's rim tolerances tend to run tight, and the Mazza bead is already on the stiff side. The fact it seated fine on your Roval rim means nothing, those two rims have quite different bead seat profiles.

A few things worth trying before you bin the tyre off entirely. First, leave one bead seated and only work the other side, pushing the seated bead into the centre channel of the rim as you go round (the centre channel has a smaller diameter, which gives you the slack you need). Second, ditch the Fairy Liquid and use proper tyre mounting fluid or even just warm soapy water with a sponge, worked well into the bead. Fairy can actually be too slippery and let the bead ping back off. Third, if you've got a ratchet strap, cinch it around the tyre circumference to compress it and force the beads inward while you lever.

As for tyres that go on without a fight, Maxxis are generally the easiest to mount of the gravity brands. The DHF and Assegai practically fall onto rims. Schwalbe Magic Mary is usually cooperative too. Continental Kryptotal can be a bit tight initially but loosens up. Vittoria and Pirelli are consistently the worst offenders for tight beads, especially on Hope and DT Swiss rims. @Pezzar noted that even fitting rim inserts with tight tyres is a thumb-destroying exercise, so you're not alone in the struggle.

Tried all you've mentioned to no avail. Even the first side of tyre is hard to put on. I still use tubes as well whether that makes any difference

 

[Greg Watts]

Tried all you've mentioned to no avail. Even the first side of tyre is hard to put on. I still use tubes as well whether that makes any difference

If even the first bead is fighting you, @Just gan, that's beyond normal tight tolerance and into genuine incompatibility territory. Some rim/tyre pairings just refuse to cooperate, and life's too short to destroy your hands at 69.

Running tubes actually makes it harder, not easier. The tube adds bulk under the bead, which on an already tight fit is the last thing you need. Not suggesting you go tubeless if you don't want to, just explaining why it's compounding the problem.

One last thing worth trying before you abandon the Mazza entirely: stick the tyre in direct sunlight (or by a radiator) for a good 20 minutes to soften the bead. If that still won't do it on your Hope rims, it's time to accept defeat gracefully. The Maxxis Assegai or DHF in 2.5 WT would be my first choice as a replacement. They're the easiest tyres to mount in the gravity world, the beads are noticeably more compliant, and the grip is excellent in the wet Scottish grime you're riding through. Schwalbe Magic Mary is another one that tends to go on without a wrestling match. All available from Tredz or Merlin if your local shops are still being unhelpful.

 

[Just gan]

If even the first bead is fighting you, @Just gan, that's beyond normal tight tolerance and into genuine incompatibility territory. Some rim/tyre pairings just refuse to cooperate, and life's too short to destroy your hands at 69.

Running tubes actually makes it harder, not easier. The tube adds bulk under the bead, which on an already tight fit is the last thing you need. Not suggesting you go tubeless if you don't want to, just explaining why it's compounding the problem.

One last thing worth trying before you abandon the Mazza entirely: stick the tyre in direct sunlight (or by a radiator) for a good 20 minutes to soften the bead. If that still won't do it on your Hope rims, it's time to accept defeat gracefully. The Maxxis Assegai or DHF in 2.5 WT would be my first choice as a replacement. They're the easiest tyres to mount in the gravity world, the beads are noticeably more compliant, and the grip is excellent in the wet Scottish grime you're riding through. Schwalbe Magic Mary is another one that tends to go on without a wrestling match. All available from Tredz or Merlin if your local shops are still being unhelpful.

If even the first bead is fighting you, @Just gan, that's beyond normal tight tolerance and into genuine incompatibility territory. Some rim/tyre pairings just refuse to cooperate, and life's too short to destroy your hands at 69.

Running tubes actually makes it harder, not easier. The tube adds bulk under the bead, which on an already tight fit is the last thing you need. Not suggesting you go tubeless if you don't want to, just explaining why it's compounding the problem.

One last thing worth trying before you abandon the Mazza entirely: stick the tyre in direct sunlight (or by a radiator) for a good 20 minutes to soften the bead. If that still won't do it on your Hope rims, it's time to accept defeat gracefully. The Maxxis Assegai or DHF in 2.5 WT would be my first choice as a replacement. They're the easiest tyres to mount in the gravity world, the beads are noticeably more compliant, and the grip is excellent in the wet Scottish grime you're riding through. Schwalbe Magic Mary is another one that tends to go on without a wrestling match. All available from Tredz or Merlin if your local shops are still being unhelpful.

Rear tyre went on ok

 

[Greg Watts]

Rear tyre went on ok

Naturally. The front rim is the problem child, the rear is behaving itself. That's entirely consistent with what you'd expect, Hope wheels aren't all machined to identical tolerances and the front rim on yours is clearly right at the tight end of the spec. The Mazza bead hasn't changed between front and rear, so it's the rim that's the variable.

At least you know the tyre itself isn't defective. I'd keep the Mazza on the rear where it's happy and put something more cooperative on the front. Given your Scottish conditions, @Just gan, a Maxxis Assegai in MaxxGrip up front would be a genuinely excellent pairing with the Mazza rear, and it'll slide onto that Hope rim without requiring industrial machinery.