[Xteife]

Anyone currently or ever used any Michelin UST tires with a Mavic UST wheel?

I just got a Front S and XL S from SuperGo. Nearly broke my thumbs and wasted an evening getting one on! I can't imagine having to take one off and back on in the woods. Needless to say, they are going back. Now if I can get SuperGo to realize they are truly defective, I'll be much happier... :angry:

- gSS

 

[ohio]

which rims are you using? with my D3.1s I can mount tires bare handed pretty easily. Just make sure when you're mounting them yu get the bead into the center of the rim where there's that nice big depression. If the bead stays up by the sidewall, you won't be able to get ANY tire on there.

 

[Xteife]

I tried but it was like the tire bead edges were too thick to go down in there together...

 

[ohio]

Originally posted by Xteife
I tried but it was like the tire bead edges were too thick to go down in there together...

Strange. Like I said, I've only used the D3.1, not the X3.1... but if you start on the side of the rim opposite the valve, you STILL can't get the bead in there?

 

[Xteife]

I'll try it again later this week before I return them just to be sure. Thanks.

 

[oldfart]

Your probably doing it wrong. But it is possible that the tires or rims are out of spec. Part of the UST designation is that the tires must be mountable and removable by hand. I have Mavic X3.1 ust rims and I can get Michelins on and off by hand no problem. It sounds like you're not pushing the bead into the rim well that runs down the center of the rim. Mount it the usual way starting oposite the valve like ohio said. The valve will preven the tire from going into the well at that spot so if your trying to roll the last bit on at another spot, you're giving up a little slack. Once the tire is mostly on go back around tire and push the bead into the well again. You'll probably find that it climbed onto the bead seat somewhere. When new the tires are a bit tighter too. Make sure you use a little soapy water on the bead or rim too. I use a spray bottle with water and a little dish soap. I hold the axle and give the wheel a spin while spraying the rim. This not only helps to mount the tire it also helps the bead pop into place when you air up. Get back to us with your findings.

 

[Xteife]

Thanks. I will try it.

Do you guys carry soapy water in a spray bottle around with you? Seems silly that it's 'necessary' to mount these things. What do you do in the woods?

- gSS

 

[oldfart]

Not in the woods no. I use CO2 cylinders. Carry a tube, patch at home. I flatted the other day and destroyed the tire, Hutchinson Python. Picked up a 4 inch spike???? In the woods????hmmmm gotta wonder how that got there. Its not a trail with any stunts or structures.

 

[Ridemonkey]

The soapy water should not be required to mount the tires. It is only needed to get the bead seated correctly during inflation. In my experience this is the only weakness of the system. If you get a flat in the woods, you can fix it by putting a tube in the tire but you will never get it seated correctly without lubricant. It can still be ridden, but is a bit wobbly.

In the 4 years I have been using UST, I have had 4 flats, and most of those were my fault because I let the tires get way too worn out (they need to be replaced a little more frequently than regular tires).

 

[indieboy]

Originally posted by Ridemonkey
The soapy water should not be required to mount the tires. It is only needed to get the bead seated correctly during inflation. In my experience this is the only weakness of the system. If you get a flat in the woods, you can fix it by putting a tube in the tire but you will never get it seated correctly without lubricant. It can still be ridden, but is a bit wobbly.

In the 4 years I have been using UST, I have had 4 flats, and most of those were my fault because I let the tires get way too worn out (they need to be replaced a little more frequently than regular tires).

LOL you must have a lot of trouble w/ manythings with out some sort of lubrication eh but no seriously that's a crock of crap. i've never ahd any sorts of problems mounting those tires, and i've not once used soapy water

 

[Ridemonkey]

Originally posted by indieboy
LOL you must have a lot of trouble w/ manythings with out some sort of lubrication eh but no seriously that's a crock of crap. i've never ahd any sorts of problems mounting those tires, and i've not once used soapy water

The fry grease on your fingers counts as lubrication.

 

[Xteife]

I tried it again guys, this time with more attention to the beads being down in the groove and also starting the second bead opposite of the valve. No luck. In the meantime, Michelin replied to my email. They more or less just said "Look here for tips." What a joke.

I could see if these were my first tires and I had no clue. But I've had my tubeless Hutchinson's on and off like at least 4 times. Not a lot, but they were mostly in the woods. No problems mounting them and none seating the bead. Now I gotta fight with SuperHo about the return shipping...

Thanks for all the help guys.

- gSS

 

[ohio]

Originally posted by Xteife
No problems mounting them and none seating the bead. Now I gotta fight with SuperHo about the return shipping...

Thanks for all the help guys.

- gSS

Sorry it didn't work out. Supergo should def take them back. JensonUSA accepted a pair of Mich 24.1s back from me after I couldn't get them mounted up on a pair of WTB DH wheels, despite being covered in a healthy layer of talc... and that was the rim's fault, not the tire.

 

[Xteife]

They already told me that I'll be charged the return shipping if they are found to not be defective...