Re: [CR]Tubulars-Sew-Ups

I agree with most of what John recommends except his first and TRUE? way of stretching. TRUE?? In over 60 years of pre-stretching tires, I have found that unless one has a dynamite super stiff unlaced sew-up rim, the rim will bow and flex. This reduces the power and stretch needed to put on the rim often making it impossible to get over the edge and pry on. I've cracked and broken rims at the seam trying to stretch the tire over. It's much better to use a laced used?, new wheel, or, as I did, get a good used or new rim and lace in 8-10-12? whatever # of spokes on any old junky hub and make a wheel/rim up for sew-up stretching. Maybe you need more than one. Be my guest. Now you can put some REAL energy and force into your stretching and if you need some help or a couple of small round tools to work the tire over the rim edge, you will have the RESISTANCE necessary to pry the tyre over the edge, and follow John's procedure. How you stretch the tyre isn't as important as doing it. I personally like the wheel because it "shapes" the tyre into it's proper roundness and prepares it accordingly with form and contour. Go now and do thou likewise. Or, make it more difficult than it needs to be.
To each his own.
Ted Ernst
Palos Verdes Estates
CA 90274