Any Pro Tips for mounting Challenge Tubeless Gravel Grinders?

[Lewis Moon]

I got them mounted but I buggered the rim tape in the process.

[Gummee]

The most important thing is to keep the beads in the lowest point in the rim. Start opposite the valve and moving towards it.

If you don't have a Kool Stop Bead Jack, that helps too.

M

[Lewis Moon]

Originally Posted by Gummee

The most important thing is to keep the beads in the lowest point in the rim. Start opposite the valve and moving towards it.

If you don't have a Kool Stop Bead Jack, that helps too.

M

Watched a video on the bead jack...buying one.

[2metalhips]

Warm them up in the sun or in the dryer.

[yinzerniner]

A couple things:
-use baby powder. Seriously. It doesn’t affect your grip too much on the tire, but makes it easier for the beads to stretch and move in the rim bed. This video is for the clincher but equally helps with the tubeless

https://youtu.be/RpCAlIzzr1c?si=fPuP5akroOhqLS9a

-as stated earlier technique is key. Need to make sure tire stays in the channel at tbe lowest point as you work your way around. It’s pretty tough since the open tubular style is naturally flat so it wants to pop back out.
-warming them up a bit to help stretching is also good

They’re a bear the first time but get better afterwards. Good luck.

[gravelreformist]

As Challenge tires are shipped flat, they should be slid on to the rim without seating either bead at first. Then seat one side completely, making sure it's fully in the center channel as stated. Then seat the second bead.

See the method here. https://www.challengetires.com/warranty-instructions

[martl]

I had good success with this method:

Put the first side not inside the rim initially, but slide it completely over, so that the tire is flat on the rim and each bead sits outside, the left one to the left, the right one on the right side. Then start moving the first bead inside the rim and make sure it is on the deepest part of the rim.

[GOTHBROOKS]

they are a pain in the ass, but since they are tubeless, i just use toestraps and two koolstop levers. theres no fear of pinching a tube but there is a slight fear of wrecking the sidewalls. knock on wood.

[sg8357]

Originally Posted by Lewis Moon

Watched a video on the bead jack...buying one.

I got the KoolStop bead jack, and the official Challenge seating gadget.


When a tyre company has a special tool for seating tyres, and the brand name is "Challenge" I think they're trying to tell you something.
For once a brand name is not hyperbole.

https://www.challengetires.com/shop/...ing-tool/55172

[Gummee]

Originally Posted by Lewis Moon

Watched a video on the bead jack...buying one.

Kool Stop is theoretically coming out with a bigger version and I think someone like Vittoria has a bigger version out already for big gravel tires and mtn bike tires.

Kool Stop Bead Jacks are great for Supercomp HDs (and other hard to mount road tires from days gone by) and maybe up to 40c. IME after that it takes some 'finessing' of the tool and the bead to make it work

They aren't indestructable. A minion broke one of mine so the one I have now is my 2nd

M

[Lewis Moon]

Got the front one on and it's holding air. I ordered a tub of talc and a bead jack so I'm waiting for those to arrive prior to attempting the rear.

[martl]

Let me add to what I said before:

I mounted 3 sets of Challenge tubeless tires so far. The first seemed impossible and was achieved after hour of struggling, heavy cursing, desperation and the use of some illegal tools. The second one was hard. The third set I did without any tools bar a standard yellow Michelin lever for the last few inches. So there is hope

I would not recommend to try your first set on something delicate like cfk rims. Maybe use an old wheel set just to pre stretch the tire. After it has been mounted once, subsequent mounts are way easier.

[cgolvin]

Quick note of appreciation to everyone who provided advice and pointers to the successful technique, just mounted a set of Challenge Strada 27c road tires. Amazing how much difference a bit of talcum powder makes. Thanks!

[martl]

Originally Posted by Lewis Moon

I got them mounted but I buggered the rim tape in the process.

Challenge tires have a reputation for being challenging to mount.
The first set i got iwrestled on with several tire levers (breaking 2 in the process), a bucket of soap water, and several woodworking clamps (really)

the last set i mounted, went straight out of the box with no tools. It is possible!

The main change in technique on the path to success is the first step. Instead of putting the bead directly ito the rim, put it *across* the rim *entirely* so that the tire sits flat on the rim, the left bead is on the left side of the rim, the right bead likewise on the right side.

Now start putting the first bead inside the rim, go slow, always make sure the bead rests everywhere on the lowest (center) part of the rim, not on the shoulder.
Sice these tires are stubborn and stiff out of the box, soap water helps with the friction tire vs rim, it also makes lifting the last bit over the rims hook easier.

After the first side is done, continue with the second in the same fashion.

With new tires, it can help to do the first mount without inner tube.