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?

[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.)

[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.

[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

[.RJ]

Originally Posted by br0qn

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

no, not at all

[robt57]

Originally Posted by br0qn

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

I would think not, just be maybe too thin inflated. But I suspect rim tape is the culprit. As 'lexlion' said, loose old school tape with modern rims.

I use kapton tape on everything, and if tubeless one layer 'whatever' TL tape over the kapton. Also give rim an alcohol wipe where the tape will land. And use the right width. Tape can not be on the bead hump, I suspect this is the OP problem, or at least high probability.

And here is where the kapton shines. If a touch narrow for the rim, being you use 3 layer of ultra thin material, you can go a bit wide on two revolution edging closer to the bead, The stuff is so thin, and the high temp adhesive you'll find it co-operative.

Modern adhesive designed to high temps, been using this for a decade. eBay el-cheapo costs as well. You can run as many layers as you please before it build up with any significance.

3 layers for tubed, 2 plus one TL tape layer for TL tires been working great for me for years. Makes me cringe thinking of the days I used the Velocity frigidity plugs way back when.

Observe:
Kapton® film thickness is 1 mil (0.03mm), silicon adhesive is 1.5 mil (0.04mm) thick which give a total thickness of 2.5 mil (0.07mm).

[54ny77]

my $0.02: you need bigger tubes. get the 28-32 versions. tpu or butyl.

i run those same size tires on a bike and after blowing out 3 tubes in short succession that were sized for skinner ties, learned a lesson on thou shalt not put skinny tubes on fat tires.

and the quick answer is get a different tire, a cheap one if you just want to have a sanity check. non-tubeless ready.

[fignon's barber]

I would bet with almost 100% certainty that the final portion of the bead is not up on the tubeless shoulder of the rim. Inflate untill you hear the beloved snap.

[thwart]

Originally Posted by fignon's barber

I would bet with almost 100% certainty that the final portion of the bead is not up on the tubeless shoulder of the rim.

Agree.

Originally Posted by fignon's barber

Inflate until you hear the beloved snap.

He’s already tried that… 120 psi in an 80 psi rated tire should really do it.

[fignon's barber]

Originally Posted by thwart

He’s already tried that… 120 psi in an 80 psi rated tire should really do it.

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

[.RJ]

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.

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

[marciero]

It sounds like the tire is not spinning true.
Did you try the tires on a different rim? Over the years I've had two or three tires with imperfections that cause either a high spot or a swivel type thing visible when you spin it, and such that you could feel it when you ride.

It sounds like you may have mostly ruled out any seating issue, what with 120 psi and possibly soap, talc, or other to facilitate.