Folding tyres

[densmall]

Are folding tyres easier to get on and off rims.

[pwa]

I've found them to be easier.

[531colin]

Are folding tyres easier to get on and off rims.

No.
The whole secret is to get the tyre bead into the rim well, this allows you to get "the last bit" of the bead over the rim......or the "first bit" if you are taking it off.

[Mick F]

It depends.

Getting them on when brand new can be problematical because they come flat, folded and non-circular. They take some "arranging" around the rim and it's not easy getting the tube in.

Once fitted for a while, they are just the same as a wired tyre ............ in my long experience with them.
Given the choice, I would have folding tyres over wired ones any day.

They are excellent for taking a spare with you. They fold up and will fit in a pocket, but take a used one and not a brand new one.

[Brucey]

Are folding tyres easier to get on and off rims.

IME they seem to vary more (from one manufacturer/model to another) than wired tyres, in terms of how easily they fit an average rim.

Some manufacturers seem to use a slightly stretchy bead, and to allow for the stretchiness, they make them a tight fit to start with, and they stay tight for ever. Others are tight going on the first time, but are then looser to fit and remove thereafter. Others again are easy on day one and stay that way.

FWIW I've used a lot of Michelin folding tyres on Open Pro rims and these are usually a fairly easy fit, barely needing tyre levers to remove them in most cases.

If you have a choice of wired or folding bead in the same tyre, the primary advantage of the folding bead is that the tyre is lighter in weight, but you will pay for the privilege of folding beads; wired beads are nearly always a lot cheaper.

cheers

[fastpedaller]

One drawback I've found with wired tyres is if the bike is used a lot in the wet, the steel wire may rust and degrade the tyre around the wire.

[Bez]

If you have a choice of wired or folding bead in the same tyre, the primary advantage of the folding bead is that the tyre is lighter in weight

If you're the sort of person who *cof* buys a wide variety of tyres, there's an even bigger advantage, which is that they're easier to store

[Grandad]

Before doing the Daylight 600 audax I bought 3 identical folding tyres. Easily fitted 2 for the ride and carried the third as a spare.

Was glad I had it when I punctured and found a badly cut tyre. No problem - on with the spare. After a 30 minute battle to fit it I gave up and fitted a boot under the cut.

Are folding tyres easier to fit . . . yes and no

[Redvee]

It depends.

Getting them on when brand new can be problematical because they come flat, folded and non-circular.

I've found this too, the first fitting can be a challenge but a tyre lever and a few curses usually works but out on the road when you do eventually get a puncture they are much easier to turn inside out to find the offending item.

[MikeF]

I think the size of the tyre and rim can also make a difference, so we may not all be comparing like with like.

[reohn2]

If you have a choice of wired or folding bead in the same tyre, the primary advantage of the folding bead is that the tyre is lighter in weight

If you're the sort of person who *cof* buys a wide variety of tyres, there's an even bigger advantage, which is that they're easier to store

Err,yes typing as a Hyper hoarder I agree

[reohn2]

It depends.

Getting them on when brand new can be problematical because they come flat, folded and non-circular. They take some "arranging" around the rim and it's not easy getting the tube in.....

I find the best way to 'arrange' them is to unfold the tyre and let it do it's own thing,ie twist about as much as it likes.I then,with my fingers on the inside and thumbs outside and the tread facing me shuffle my hands around the tyre a couple of times,this seems to settle it into a tyre like shape.
I then put enough air in the tube so it takes shape,then fit the tube inside the tyre and fit the lot as one.
With the valve in the hole,get the first bead on and most of the second,which is usually easy.
I then let juusstt enough air to get the last bit of bead over the rim,this helps not to nip the tube between rim tyre bead,it's rare for me to need a tyre lever,though there can be certain tight tyre/rim combinations which do need one for the last bit of bead.

[meic]

The first one that I fitted wriggled like an eel and was a real fiddly job. Now I have developed a technique for controlling the eel. You hook one part on the rim, furthest from you and pull on the tyre holding that in place and letting it feed through your hands but unable to escape from the rim until you reach the other side and then you have caught it. Carry on from there just like with a rigid tyre but it seems a little easier to get the final bit of bead over the rim as it is more flexible.
Now I wonder what on earth my problem was the first time I fitted one.

[Grandad]

I think the size of the tyre and rim can also make a difference, so we may not all be comparing like with like.

This also applies to wired tyres. I once took a wheel into my LBS to try a range of tyres before finding one that wasn't excessively tight

[Tiberius]

If it's not a time criticle job then I unfold the tyre and hang it up in the shed.... leave overnight...pops straight on in the morning.....