Swalbe pro 1 are easier to fit
I’ve got Flo wheels from 2019 and it takes the big old “claw” tool to get them on. I don’t even bother riding with a tube because if the sealent doesn’t patch it up, I’m screwed.
Fitted a brand new Conti 5000TLs last night on a set of Alto CCX52. It took 45+ minutes, a few scratches, and plenty sweat and swearing. After mounting, one of the tire seated first try with a standard floor pump. The second mostly seated, but I had to get a quick second set of hands to help the beads along. In retrospect, it would have been easier if I had a second set of hands to hold one side of the bead while I work on the other side. Hopefully they’ll stretch enough to make it easier in case I have to work on it roadside. As it stands, it will be a phone call home!
I am due for new sealant in my wheels after sitting 6 or so months and I know I should probably take the 5Ks off and clean out the old stuff but they were such a b*tch to get on I am incredibly reluctant to do it.
The old tires came off no problems, so I feel they would have re-mounted much easier too. They were too worn however, so I decided on a new set, and kept the old ones for “just in case”.
I hope so. I would think that there would be some stretch over time but there were so awful the first time. I got one on using all the tricks possible and finally had to concede defeat on the second. Even the LBS had a hard time. I’m still dreading the encounter.
So this spring I decided to take my tires off and clean out the crap. But when I went to reseat them, I did something different…I did it inside where it was 70F instead of on my balcony which was around 50F last year. (I remember because it was kind of cold.)
That extra heat allowed me to get them on with just my thumbs. No blisters either. Pretty easy this time if you had to ask me. Maybe I will throw a tube in my kit afterall…
I did it inside where it was 70F as well, and ended up in a puddle of sweat 
I have worked hard mounting mine.
Leather gloves and SECTRET SAUSE.
Made life easier.
Mounted GP5ks to a set of Giant SLR wheels. The rear went on no problem. The front was a pain. I could not get the valve to seat properly as the rim is narrow and bead on these things so thick. Finally 4th try was a charm. Oh, and gloves definitely make a difference in grip, but also in calluses!
Not sure I’ll get another set of GP5ks to be honest. While I appreciate the tires will be harder to seat, both sets were a bear so far.
Fitted GP5kTL on a Ultegra wheel (just the front) and I’d say it was only marginally harder to do than older GP4k. Only thing that left me in doupt was the missing of that clear SNAP/DING-sound when I added air. I used compressor and it is holding air just fine, but I’m so used to hearing that clear sound with mtb-tyres that I started thinking am I doing something wrong and is it all the way there?
This might be obvious, but there is a very faint line embossed in the rubber along the tire that runs right next to the rim edge to make sure it’s consistently mounted. I always hear a clear ping when mounting them, even on a tougher older rim that required soap.
Just bought this tool, or the BBB equivalent actually.
Amazing. I have previously been reluctant to change tires more often than necessary but with this tool it’s no problems. Best 10 bucks I spent in my life.
So…I just wrestled my tire on and realized it’s backwards. It seems like it’ll be as hard to take off as put on…
Any harm in running it backwards lol
Totally fine
Wrestled one on Monday night, I did seat first time though. Doh, after fitting it I noticed the valve and the logo don’t line up.
Don’t think I’ll be taking it off in a rush though. The last one was there for 8k miles, no p’tures. I decided not to risk it a y further though when it looked like this:
I seem to recall that the original GP4000 didn’t even have directional arrows. They added them at some point later - maybe on the GP4000 IIS? I think I rode GP4000s for 10 years before I finally noticed the arrows. 
I also think the arrows are there mostly for aerodynamics and aesthetics. The tread that touches the ground is smooth.
To all my cycling friends who understand this pain,
We spent 2 hours putting a set of GP 5000 TL 700x28 tires on yesterday. For the rear wheel we had to wrestle it into submission, taking several breaks, praying to all deities, using hand crimps a rock climber would be proud of, and at long last the bead popped in and we seated it with an air compressor. After adding a little bit of sealant and testing it around the block, we high-fived and put the bike away.
And of course the rear wheel won’t hold air today! I sprayed soapy water and found a few air leaks through the spoke nipples. I think my local shop removed the stock tape from the manufacturer and put gorilla tape on it when the wheel was being serviced… urghhh
Pray for me and my partner’s sanity as go back for round 2 with this tire and re-tape it.
I’m gonna see if my local shop has one, it was a struggle yesterday.
It’s not a magic bullet. I have one and it’s still a bitch to mount the GP5Ks. It’s the tire not the tool