DT Swiss rims - what are they thinking???

[67-59]

So I've just spent 45 minutes trying to mount a GP 4000s tire on a new DT Swiss RR 465 rim. I've been using the GP 4000s for years on OP rims, and have never had a problem mounting a tire in a couple of minutes. I decided to give the DTs a try after hearing from numerous sources that they are higher quality, more precise rims. Now, 45 minutes later, the first tire I've tried to mount still isn't fully on...and at this rate it could be another 45 minutes of wrestling. My thumbs are cracking.

I've tried everything I know about how to stretch a tire over a rim, with no success. There has to be a trick, or DT would've been out of business years ago...right? Anyone want to share the DT club secret with me?

What on earth do people do when they're out on a road and get a flat with these wheels...or is that just not an option?

[gomango]

So I've just spent 45 minutes trying to mount a GP 4000s tire on a new DT Swiss RR 465 rim. I've been using the GP 4000s for years on OP rims, and have never had a problem mounting a tire in a couple of minutes. I decided to give the DTs a try after hearing from numerous sources that they are higher quality, more precise rims. Now, 45 minutes later, the first tire I've tried to mount still isn't fully on...and at this rate it could be another 45 minutes of wrestling. My thumbs are cracking.

I've tried everything I know about how to stretch a tire over a rim, with no success. There has to be a trick, or DT would've been out of business years ago...right? Anyone want to share the DT club secret with me?

What on earth do people do when they're out on a road and get a flat with these wheels...or is that just not an option?

I am with you on this matter.

Buy a couple of Kool Stop tire bead jacks.

You will win a major victory over problem rims.

I did, even with the dreaded Challenge Parigi Roubaixs.

[thirdgenbird]

I've got dt 585 rims and recall them being downright easy in comparison to my Campagnolo or wheelsmith accelerator rims.

[SPOKE]

Talc (baby powder) the tube and inside of the tire. It really helps with getting the last bit of tire to slide over the rim during install.

[cmbicycles]

Make sure the last section of tire you try to put on is at the valve stem, that way you can squeeze the tire bead into the slightly shallower middle section of the rim all the way around to give yourself all the extra space you can manage.

[oldpotatoe]

So I've just spent 45 minutes trying to mount a GP 4000s tire on a new DT Swiss RR 465 rim. I've been using the GP 4000s for years on OP rims, and have never had a problem mounting a tire in a couple of minutes. I decided to give the DTs a try after hearing from numerous sources that they are higher quality, more precise rims. Now, 45 minutes later, the first tire I've tried to mount still isn't fully on...and at this rate it could be another 45 minutes of wrestling. My thumbs are cracking.

I've tried everything I know about how to stretch a tire over a rim, with no success. There has to be a trick, or DT would've been out of business years ago...right? Anyone want to share the DT club secret with me?

What on earth do people do when they're out on a road and get a flat with these wheels...or is that just not an option?

THIN rim strips, make sure the first side is in the center, deepest. Yep, these and 415 are challenging. 440 don't seem to have the issue.

[bluesea]

I like tight rims and 4000s'. My Neutrons are a couple of notches tighter than my 465s.

[buldogge]

Yeah...The older Nucleons are the hardest rims I've ever mounted tires on...especially combined with Conti GP4000s!

Schwalbe Ultremo ZXs are easier to mount and ride great...but...they are more fragile than the Contis.

In addition to talc, you can always throw the tires in the dryer on low for a few minutes...

Additionally, the steel-cored park levers usually finish the job if needed.

-Mark in St. Louis

I like tight rims and 4000s'. My Neutrons are a couple of notches tighter than my 465s.

[Len J]

In the last week I've changed tires (Pro4's) on both DT and neutrons..........the neutrons came closest to beating me.

Len

[soulspinner]

Talc and if yer home throw the tires in the dryer for a few minutes. Outside on cold days with flats i have trouble with my arthritic hands with my 415 and 465 rims.

[jpw]

wheel in freezer, tire in oven.

[soulspinner]

wheel in freezer, tire in oven.

:)

[rphetteplace]

ride Michelins :)

[bluesea]

The last time I helped with a flat out on the road, trying to get the first bead on, the whole tire kept falling off the rim. The first bead on a 4000s' snaps* in the Neutrons to where you can forget about adjusting your labels even just a smidge.

[beestee]

it's likely you had a very forgiving rim prior to this. conti's are tight across the line. with virtually every other brand of tire, bare hands is fine, but conti's are way easier with a tire lever. in my mechanic days i couldn't even mount new ones without a lever.

at least you don't have a campy rim. those things are outta control...

[Grant McLean]

As has been discussed to death on most forums,
the difficulty of installing a tire is determined by the combination
of the tolerances between both the rim bed and the tire bead.

Given that you may already own a wheelset that has difficulty mounting,
keep in mind:

Conti tires are among the tightest.
Vittoria tires are loose, stretch a lot after 1 install.
Thin rim strips are key - forget about velox tape, it's way too thick,
which makes the inner diameter of the rim bed larger, making
the tire harder to install.

-g

[fourflys]

wheel in freezer, tire in oven.

who has a freezer that big?? :eek:

[54ny77]

i have 465's and run that same combo, no problems at all.

make sure you use a very, very thin rim strip. makes all the difference in the world. i've had velox cloth and another rim strip (performance bike shop blue plastic strip) on there prior and could not get any tire on there without losing life and limb.

fyi i use zipp red plastic rim strip.

[rice rocket]

who has a freezer that big?? :eek:

You do, it's your backyard. ;)

[cachagua]

Fiberglass-reinforced strapping tape makes a great thin rim strip.

Are those little rubber plugs some rim makers sell any use? I've never tried 'em. But, couldn't get much thinner than nothing at all. . .

[fourflys]

You do, it's your backyard. ;)

very true... lots of things shrink here... :help: :banana:

[svelocity]

As has been discussed to death on most forums

Pretty much every topic has been discussed to death but we still come back and discuss it some more. :help::)

[Louis]

Pretty much every topic has been discussed to death but we still come back and discuss it some more. :help::)

What's your favorite way to glue tubulars? ;)

[SoCalSteve]

I love Conti GP 4000S tires...I sold a set of DT wheels cuz they were impossible to mount...they don't play together well. Either sell the wheelset or try a different tire...seriously!!!

[Louis]

Either sell the wheelset or try a different tire...seriously!!!

I'd try Michelin PR4 (or PR3 if you can find some leftovers cheap) - It's not as if there's a massive difference between that and the Conti. I've ridden both the Conti GP 4000's and PR3's quite a bit and there are some ride differences, but not enough that they would prevent me from trying the Michelins on that wheel.

[dgauthier]

I always damage the tube when I try to use tire levers.

I swab a little soapy water on the inside of the last bit of the bead with a kitchen sponge. Not enough to get the outside of the bead wet -- so my thumbs still have grip -- just enough to lubricate the bead. Works every time.

When changing a flat out on the road the tire has stretched out enough that it can be removed and replaced very easily.

[godfrey1112000]

some of the toughest workouts has been mounting Conti Attack/Force, the Gatorskins go on easy

same fear, don't flat on the road,

I did purchase the Park Tire mounting that seeds the tire in place, works great, but have not seen it available for a while

five minutes in the dryer in a pillow case also helps


So I've just spent 45 minutes trying to mount a GP 4000s tire on a new DT Swiss RR 465 rim. I've been using the GP 4000s for years on OP rims, and have never had a problem mounting a tire in a couple of minutes. I decided to give the DTs a try after hearing from numerous sources that they are higher quality, more precise rims. Now, 45 minutes later, the first tire I've tried to mount still isn't fully on...and at this rate it could be another 45 minutes of wrestling. My thumbs are cracking.

I've tried everything I know about how to stretch a tire over a rim, with no success. There has to be a trick, or DT would've been out of business years ago...right? Anyone want to share the DT club secret with me?

What on earth do people do when they're out on a road and get a flat with these wheels...or is that just not an option?

[67-59]

Thanks for all the feedback.

Re the PR4s: are these more flat-resistant than the PR3s? I used to ride PR3s, but switched because I flatted so often. Since riding Contis, I usually wear the tire out before I flat.

Other thoughts for "loose" tires that ride well and are pretty flat resistant? Vittorio Rubino Pros?

[54ny77]

OP--what kind of rim strip are you using? It just may be too thick.

Seriously, your solution might be a $5 permanent fix.

I have used Conti GP4000s, Gatorskin, and Vittoria CX clinchers on those same rims, without issues. I posted above that I use Zipp rim strip. It's skinny, leaving the entire rim sidewall open and unencumbered, i.e., the tire bead seats fine.

An extra mm or two of rim strip material will make or break your experience. I had Velox tape on there once before, and NO way a Conti tire would fit.

[Len J]

Thanks for all the feedback.

Re the PR4s: are these more flat-resistant than the PR3s? I used to ride PR3s, but switched because I flatted so often. Since riding Contis, I usually wear the tire out before I flat.

Other thoughts for "loose" tires that ride well and are pretty flat resistant? Vittorio Rubino Pros?

I had just the opposite experience. Ymmv.

The pro 4's now come in endurance and service course.....the endurance have longer wear and more puncture resistance at the expense of grip and suppleness.

Len

[dustyrider]

Seriously consider the advice here. It's not DT it's not Conti. it's the term "standard." There truly is no such beast. Before buying new rubber mess with your strips, even just getting the first bead to sit in the lowest portion of the rim can make or break your experience!

[AgilisMerlin]

pedros levers

http://www.pedros.com/product/levers/levers.jpg

wet the rim with water

or when screwed wet the rim with pledge/pedros bike lust etc..

how much are is not snapping over - 3 - inches ?


my vittoria's fit like loose jeans on open pro

[bluesea]

Out of laziness I just put Velox on the Neutrons and 465s. The increased effort is noticeable, but not a deal breaker. I tightened up my technique and use Lezyne levers which are short, narrow, and *thin* with a *flat* back. Its thinness is the key--that and the small and well shaped tips.

They make Pedros levers look like something from the Flintstones, although Pedros do have well designed tips. Lezyne levers are not burly--they don't have to be if you hold the lever right. With that set up I switch tubes on the road standing up with one end of the wheel resting on my knees.

[AgilisMerlin]

i take that as a compliment :eek: levers and all

[bluesea]

^ It is! Pedros are the best levers for most tire/rim combos.

When I was having issues with my first Neutrons, and went to the LBS to pick up some Pedros, looking at them it was obvious they weren't the right tool for the job. Bigger levers increase tension as they work. Smaller levers decrease tension. Lezynes are the new Pedros for these situations.


http://imageshack.us/a/img705/9898/imggje.jpg

[67-59]

OP--what kind of rim strip are you using? It just may be too thick.

Seriously, your solution might be a $5 permanent fix.



It's called Continental Easy Tape. Can't find specs with the exact thickness, but Excel Sports says "installing tires is far easier than using thicker style tapes." Clearly lower profile than Velox...so it looks like these issues are occurring even though I have a "thin" rim strip.:eek:

Regarding the other comments: I have tried several of the tips given in this thread already, from soapy water to baby powder (not at the same time:no:), and there is still a good 3-4 inches that isn't getting onto the rim. Not even close. My wife vetoed the dryer idea (even in an old pillowcase), and anyway, my dryer wouldn't be with me if I ever flat - I want to get comfortable changing these with the tools I could have with me on the road.

Maybe I'll try the Lezyne levers, otherwise maybe some PR4s. If those ideas don't work, I'll take SoCalSteve's advice and probably have an RR465 smashing party in my back yard. Anyone who brings beer would be invited.

[54ny77]

black or orangeish/yellow? i dunno about the black stuff, but i had the conti orangish/yellow stuff awhile back. too thick.

try this: http://www.excelsports.com/main.asp?page=8&description=Rimstrips+Pair&vendorCode=ZIPP&major=1&minor=38

seriously, if it doesn't work for you, i'll buy it from you for your cost (i need a set anyway for a new pair of wheels).

i have used them successfully on a variety of rims from dt, mavic and velocity.

when installing, use a bic pen of something plastic and non-marring to property seat it right smack evenly in the middle--MAKE SURE it doesn't "ride" up along the rim sidewall/bead hook.

fyi the zipp rim strip is 16mm wide vs. conti's 18mm. those addt'l 2mm can be a ballbuster!


It's called Continental Easy Tape. Can't find specs with the exact thickness, but Excel Sports says "installing tires is far easier than using thicker style tapes." Clearly lower profile than Velox...so it looks like these issues are occurring even though I have a "thin" rim strip.:eek:

Regarding the other comments: I have tried several of the tips given in this thread already, from soapy water to baby powder (not at the same time:no:), and there is still a good 3-4 inches that isn't getting onto the rim. Not even close. My wife vetoed the dryer idea (even in an old pillowcase), and anyway, my dryer wouldn't be with me if I ever flat - I want to get comfortable changing these with the tools I could have with me on the road.

Maybe I'll try the Lezyne levers, otherwise maybe some PR4s. If those ideas don't work, I'll take SoCalSteve's advice and probably have an RR465 smashing party in my back yard. Anyone who brings beer would be invited.

[buldogge]

I've been using the Schwalbe "cloth" rim tape for the last couple years. It's super thin nylon material...light, tough, and comes in both 15mm and 19mm.

I just keep a roll of the 15 around and have used it on both regular and 23mm rims without issue:

http://www.amazon.com/Schwalbe-Bicycle-Rim-Tape-15mm/dp/B000UJ41Q0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1364184836&sr=8-3&keywords=schwalbe+rim+tape

-Mark in St. Louis

[67-59]

black or orangeish/yellow? i dunno about the black stuff, but i had the conti orangish/yellow stuff awhile back. too thick.

try this: http://www.excelsports.com/main.asp?page=8&description=Rimstrips+Pair&vendorCode=ZIPP&major=1&minor=38

seriously, if it doesn't work for you, i'll buy it from you for your cost (i need a set anyway for a new pair of wheels).



I have the Conti in black...but I'll give the Zipp a try. Just ordered the Lezyne tire levers as well.

Thanks!

[Bob Ross]

I can't offer any answers...because I've never had the problem the OP describes. I use DT rims almost exclusively; my stable currently contains RR1.1, RR465, and whatever the stock rims on a set of DT 1450 Mon Chasserals is called. And I've used Conti GP400S tires exclusively for the past ~4 or 5 years.

To me they're no harder to mount when new than any other tire/rim combo I've tried (and fwiw they're a lot easier to mount than Michelin Pro3 Race tires on those same rims). And once mounted, getting the tires off & back on the rims for roadside flat repair is almost embarassingly easy.

[bluesea]

Stan's yellow tape will make a noticeable difference, but may need care to avoid interfering :no: with the bead grooves. Pretty slick stuff.

[BSUdude]

I've broken multiple park tools tire levers trying to get the last 4 inches of new GP4000s onto HED Belgium rims. That will wake everyone in the room up. No experience with DT Swiss rims though. My Neuvation rims aren't as hard to mount on though, IIRC.

Maybe next time I will get new rubber I'll try the dryer if I have issues....I think the secret there is to not ask the wife's permission first!

[10-4]

I've never had this tough of a time. Grab a Schwalbe Marathon and practice with that. If you can mount a Marathon bare handed you'll wonder how in the world you ever struggled with anything else.

Use the edge of your palm where the fingers meet, basically where you get the calluses on your hand, to roll the bead up over the edge of the rim.

No kidding, with enough practice I swear I can mount just about any rim/tire combo that was intended to go together (no, I cannot mount a 650 tire on a 700 rim).

[bluesea]

I saw a riding partner palm the last inches of a 4000s bead onto my Neutron. Might have been able to do it when I was working, but not now. :)

[67-59]

So what are the chances that a DT Swiss rim was really made too big? Make that two rims.

I've tried nearly all of the advice on this thread. Zipp rim strips, Lezyne levers, soapy water, baby powder. NOT EVEN CLOSE. Still a good 3-4 inches that isn't going on. And just to be sure, I pulled out another tire, and it's exactly the same. Just not going to go on. And this is in the comfort of my basement, with whatever tools I need at my disposal. I wouldn't even think of taking them out on a ride.:help:

[Louis]

It takes two to tango. Is the tire the correct size for that rim?

(I didn't bother to see if that was mentioned above.)

[dustyrider]

It takes two to tango. Is the tire the correct size for that rim?

(I didn't bother to see if that was mentioned above.)

650b.......:confused:

[JEMM]

gp4000s

[Black Dog]

who has a freezer that big?? :eek:

I do...It's called Canada! :fight:

[67-59]

It takes two to tango. Is the tire the correct size for that rim?

(I didn't bother to see if that was mentioned above.)

Yes, it is.

[oldpotatoe]

Yes, it is.

Trusting that you know how to put tires on...yep, DT rims can be challenging but I haven't seen any that were not possible..build hundred 465/415 plus or minus.

I'd say warranty them.

BTW-I sell more Conti GP and such than any other tire and yes, you can put them onto a DT 415/465 rim, w/o tools, just palming it on. Tough but possible..for the below post.

[schneiderrd]

Loose the GP4000 and get some vredesteins or Schwalbes.

[Lazer]

I roll Conti tyres on DT rims using only my thumbs, all day. Man up.

[cycling.james]

Just to offer some moral support here: the same thing happened to me. I got a set of wheels built up with the 465s and for the life of me couldn't mount tires on them. I tried 3 or 4 different brands of tire (both new and used) and could not mount a tire without extreme exertion over a long period of time, to an extent that I wasn't comfortable with the idea of changing the wheel if I had gotten a flat.

The strangest part is that I had previously had another set of wheels with 465 rims and had no trouble mounting tires at all. I wonder if they slightly changed the dimensions of the rim in the past year or so. I know this doesn't offer any help, but at least you know you're not alone.

[Ralph]

I have some old sharader valve 700 C wheels left over from the 80's with rims that seem a little more forgiving.....and it doesn't matter if I scratch them up with tire levers, ec. Can get cheap tubes at Walmart if necessary. I use them to stretch new tires. Helps me with problems you guys are describing.