Hi Brian,
I'm intrigued by the TUFO Tubular Clinchers too. But I haven't tried them yet because I'm one of the best tire mounters (IMHO). Before the
arthritis in my thumbs became a problem, I could mount 700 clinchers without using tire tools (INMTU). Here's my secret. The night before you're going to mount the tires inflate the tubes, just enough for them to form an ovoid when you hang them on a door knob. That gets them used to being round (in section) rather than flat. That way they
are less likely to try to squeeze between the rim and the bead. When mounting the tire, start like everybody else, slip on one side of the
tire. You should be able to do this without tools. Or not. Don't worry, you can't screw up until the tube's in there. Then while there's still a little air in the tube. put it into the tire. Now position it smoothly inside the tire, center it on the rim, and deflate it. Now you're ready to install the other side of the tire. Don't use the tire tools until you absolutely have to. Maybe when there's about 8 inches of bead outside of the rim. Carefully insert a
tire tool at each end of the open section and pry up. If the entire bead doesn't pop on, hold one tire tool in position and remove the other. Re-insert it closer to the first one and try again. Don't ever
slide the tool while the end is inside the tire, that's how you snag the tube. I guess it goes without saying\u2014it has so far anyway\u2014always
use the really good plastic or nylon covered steel tire tools. You'll
need three to remove some tires. Never use anything else! When I was changing tires on my racing motorcycles, I used commercial tire lubricant, but on the bicycles, all I use on the toughest tires is a little bit of baby powder.
Good luck. And if you try the TUFOs, let me know how you like them.
lure