Vittoria Corsa N.ext - elliptical?!

[Oo0cH]

I‘ve acquired a NOS set of Reynolds strike SLG Carbon wheels, rim brake version.
I wanted to set them up with vittoria corsa N.ext (the TLR) in 30mm, with new continental race inner tubes, rated from 20C to 25C, 80mm valve (saw the size after I bought them)
So: New rim tape, new tubes, new tires, but i can’t inflate the tire round, it always ends up elliptical:
I’ve tried the following:
- pushing the valve up into the tire while inflating
- Massaging the tube around the valve while inflating
- Ensuring the tire bead is in the middle of the rim before inflating
- Inflate to High pressure 120 psi (tires are tested up to 80)
- Low pressure - 60 psi
- Took off the tires and reseated them 180 degrees
- Tried my uses (1200km) Vittoria Corsa control’s
Always the same result:
Elliptical wheels.

I did a short shakedown ride while lowering the pressure from time to time, but to no avail.
Rims are true and round.

Could it be that there’s an issue with the tubes?
My hands are full of blisters, my patience is gone.

Any input from the hive minds?

[lexlion]

What kind of rim tape?
I find that tubeless tires can catch on cloth tape making it hard to seat. I use tubeless tape on all rims, even with tubed tires. You can also spray some silicone bike polish on the bead to help it set. Good luck!

[Wunder]

No idea, but I'd suggest using the tube type Corsa N.Ext if you are going to run tubes. They are MUCH lighter (like 70-80g). I have some 34mm ones set with latex tubes and they're quite nice.

Does elipitical wheels mean the tire is higher (closer to brake caliper) in some places or what exactly?

[thwart]

Been there.

We all pay a price for tires and rims now designed for tubeless applications, even those of us sticking with tubes. Many tires don’t seat easily like they did in the good old days, leading to what you’re experiencing. Out of round.

These tight clearances can make mounting tires much more of a task (read PITA). More of an issue with some rims and tires than others.

No expert here, that’s for sure… but I’d try good tubeless tape (thin and a little slick unlike the old Velox cloth stuff) and your lubricant of choice for the outer rim shelf and even a bit on the tire bead… that is if you can still manage to get the (now slippery) tire mounted.

Rant over.

[Mark McM]

Can you explain what you mean by the tires being "elliptical"?

(And no, inner tubes are unlikely to play any role in the final shape of the tire - they are made of very stretchy material, and will easily expand to fill the tire & rim in whatever shape the tire and rim happen to be.)

[br0qn]

Originally Posted by Oo0cH

vittoria corsa N.ext (the TLR) in 30mm, with new continental race inner tubes, rated from 20C to 25C, 80mm valve (saw the size after I bought them)

i'm no expert but wouldn't that be problematic ?

[slambers3]

Is what you’re describing that the bead isn’t seating? Try some soapy water around the rim/bead interface to lubricate so it seats uniformly

[ColonelJLloyd]

Originally Posted by slambers3

Is what you’re describing that the bead isn’t seating? Try some soapy water around the rim/bead interface to lubricate so it seats uniformly

+1 if this is the issue. FWIW, my Corsa N.EXT in 700x34 did not want to get up on the bead shelf. It took soapy water and 80psi (tubes). Kinlin XR26T.

[Oo0cH]

Thanks for all the inputs, i have just returned from the “soapy water on the rim bead” trick. Soaped very generously, pumped up multiple times to 120, but still, no “pop”. Scared to go any further than 120. The bulge around the valve is still there.

I’ll exchange the rim tape, which is notably thicker around the valve hole for some tubeless alternative (and consider going tubeless while I’m at it)

From all the messing around, the Vittoria tires are at least a bit more flexible, they were by far the absolute worst I have ever laid on a rim. Let’s see if it will seat with different rim tape.

Keep thinking I should have stayed with gravelkings like I have on my gravel bike

[robt57]

Originally Posted by fignon's barber

Just gotta go a little more. And maybe put a bit of dish washing liquid on the bead first.

Originally Posted by .RJ

Yeah, deflate the tire, push the bead in and wipe some soapy water around the tire bead/rim bed.

If you gotta do this, for me HUGE RED FLAG I don't wanna run this tire and rim. How are you going to get going after a flat on the road?? Without calling an UBER SUV for the price of the tires maybe?

[.RJ]

Originally Posted by robt57

If you gotta do this, for me HUGE RED FLAG I don't wanna run this tire and rim. How are you going to get going after a flat on the road?? Without calling an UBER SUV for the price of the tires maybe?

Generally the bead stretches a little bit after its been on the rim for a while and wont be a problem to de-bead later.

I have only run into one rim/tire combo that I couldnt pop the bead in by hand, although I didnt dabble in the early road tubeless stuff.

[Wunder]

Originally Posted by Oo0cH

Keep thinking I should have stayed with gravelkings like I have on my gravel bike

Or again, ditch the TLR and buy the tube type Corsa N.EXTs. They are lighter and should be considerably easier to mount/seat if you are planning to use inner tubes. I’d still use tubeless tape (2 wraps) regardless.

[cgolvin]

Originally Posted by Oo0cH

From all the messing around, the Vittoria tires are at least a bit more flexible, they were by far the absolute worst I have ever laid on a rim.

Ditto for me, paired with (disc) Shamals, forced me to go tubeless (they're nice riding tires that way but I live in dread of a puncture that won't seal).

[54ny77]

not to cause more confusion on the original post, but this one's helpful as i had a question about tr vs. non-tr tires and maybe the op will find it useful.

or, launch the tr wheels off a rooptop...

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showp...2&postcount=23

fellow paceliner markmcm pointed out something really important, and that's tr tires have a max psi (which i learned as well) of way less than non-tr.

and another fellow paceliner referred a terrific website for deals on good size 30 tires: https://bikecloset.com/product/vitto...clincher-700c/

this %&^$! drives me nuts and i sympathize with the op. good luck.

[.RJ]

Originally Posted by br0qn

i'm no expert but wouldn't that be problematic ?

no, not at all