Folding a wire bead “non-folding” tyre – a good idea?

Prompted by Nick T’s comment on an earlier thread, shown below –

– does anyone do this (folding wire bead tyres)?
– is it a good idea? (I’m guessing no, from limited personal experience).

[quote=PJ McNally][quote=Nick T]To be fair to Wiggle, any company posting wire bead tyres will send them in the round – I’d be upset if my brand new tyres were twisted into smaller loops or even folded so they could save a few bob on postage.

Kevlar beads are foldable and are packaged by the manufacturer like this, look in any lbs and you’ll see the racks of wire beads hanging the like an Essex girls stirrup earrings.[/quote]

Not true – I have ordered wire bead tires online, only to receive a smaller package, with them folded up (figure of eight, squashed flat, then zip tie holding things together). Don’t think it was wiggle, but other online bike shops definitely do this.

Once i had the bead then snap, and stab its way out of the tire, only a month or two after fitting. Not impressed! I wish they would not try to fold non folding tires.[/quote]