An annular wedge suitable for use in a tire bead assembly preparation apparatus. The annular, resilient, flexible, compressible wedge has a generally T-shaped axial cross-section with an outer head portion, an inner trunk portion and an inner-connecting throat portion with a generally triangular cross-section therebetween, and a continuous reinforcing annular textile fabric strip integral with said head, throat and trunk portions, said wedge being of a continuous structure having a core of especially prepared microcellular polyurethane and an outer densified relatively smooth skin.