Schwalbe Marathon plus

[StevoMC]

Hey All,

Im a 1st time poster so may have plonked this in the wrong place....

Having watched 5 youtube video's & following all the simple instructions I am struggling to fit my Marathon Plus tyres. They are 700 x 25c.

Anyone got any pointers before my fingers fall off?

Cheers
Steven

 

[al-fresco]

The Spa Cycles video is the one imo. Marathon Pluses will go on but it's usually a struggle. In desperation I have, occasionally, resorted to using a cable tie to hold one end of the bead so I can use both hands on the other end. Good job they're so puncture resistant - I dread having to do it by the roadside.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[slowmotion]

I used 16 re-releasable cable ties to get my first Marathon Pluses on, even after viewing the excellent Spa Cycles video half a dozen times. There was blood oozing out from beneath both of my thumb nails too, no kidding. They say that you should warm them up to make them a bit less stubborn.

It is actually possible to fit them but you may doubt it after the first fifteen minutes.

 

[steveindenmark]

I dont mean to be a clever sod but I have read posts like this before and cannot see the problem. But may have the solution

I have Marathon Plus tyres on all my bikes and they are easy to fit. You dont need cable ties or anything fancy. In fact you need something that is not fancy at all. You need 2 plastic tyre levers.

Because the tyre does get tight towards the end of fitting you need to use a bit of force. I dont use metal tyre levers because I am afraid of damaging the rim. With plastic tyre levers, you can use as much force as you like. I find that Marathon Plus tyres don't take more time to fit then any other tyre.

Plastic tyre levers is the answer....I think. Unless I am doing something else right that I don't know about.

Getting them off is as easy as getting them on.

I use 2 levers and they cost about a pound.

 

[andytheflyer]

Once they've been on, they are easier to get on and off - not that you'll ever need to....

 

[alicat]

Steveindenmark, wait until the day comes when, at the roadside, you trap the inner tube while deploying the tyre levers and you will prefer other methods in future.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Var tyre lever?

The string method?

 

[slowmotion]

I never had to change a punctured Marathon Plus on the road in two years of urban commuting, but I did fubar a valve stem out there. I was amazed at how much the tyre had become more supple and friendly. No tyre levers were needed to take it off and it went back on in a minute.

 

[LocalLad]

Because the tyre does get tight towards the end of fitting you need to use a bit of force. I dont use metal tyre levers because I am afraid of damaging the rim. With plastic tyre levers, you can use as much force as you like. I find that Marathon Plus tyres don't take more time to fit then any other tyre.

If you use too much force, you'll snap those levers...I reckon you've got the knack of getting the tyre out of the ridge without needing the cable ties.

 

[steveindenmark]

If you use too much force, you'll snap those levers...I reckon you've got the knack of getting the tyre out of the ridge without needing the cable ties.

You may be right. But I would still use plastic levers over metal for these tyres. The levers I use are pretty thick and would need hell of a force to snap them. I dont need to use anywhere near that force. The next time I change a tyre I will make a video. It may help someone.

 

[raleighnut]

Use one of these
http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rc...ns.pdf&usg=AFQjCNF3j0jrfJzIHlpuE-soelN-LoeeqQ

 

[jay clock]

I have a pair on my 26" wheel tourer and so far the have been on 3000km+. Am hoping they have improved with age.

The ones on my Brompton are bastards and have had to replace a tube 3 times now (rim tape related puncture not tyre related) and my record is 21 minutes. That does include the wheel removal/refit

 

[MichaelW2]

There is some variance in rim and bead diameter, so if you happen to have a large rim and a small tyre, you will find the procedure even harder than normal. You could try warming up the tyre on a radiator, and keeping the rim cool (outdoors)
Before you seal up your inner tube like an Egyptian mummy, you may want to give your rim a once over with emery cloth to smooth down sharp holes and joints, fit some quality rim tape (velox) and a new tube with a valve the correct length for your rim style.

 

[Sharky]

I too had problems when I first had M+ 700x25, but perseverance and eventually got them on. However, after about a year the side walls started to split from the main tread and with each rotation I had a slight bump where it didn't sit properly. The treads them selves had plenty of mileage left in them.

The combination of the difficulties in first fitting, the dread of having roadside problems and the sidewall splitting has now turned me away from M+'s and have switched to Continental city contacts for winter months 700x28's. They have also got puncture protection and are cheaper!

 

[shouldbeinbed]

I echo @steveindenmark 's tyre lever method & advocate Park Tools plastic (best standard tyre levers IMO regardless of getting on or off), as a last resort. Last week fitting 18 inch brand new Marathon Green Guards, I had to resort to tyre lever for the last couple of inches.
Dunno is Steve does the same but I nibble at the edge where the tyre is just about caught on and do this little and ofte rather than trying to hoik a good chunk of tyre over in one go. Usually I can use the lever to get the tyre to the crest of the rim, remove the lever and then thumb push the tyre the last bit.

I've never yet had pinch flat doing this, it is about the right prep and a finger in there pre fitting any bead to know the slight pumped tube is clear of snag areas.

+1/to Marathons getting easier after a few on and off's. I switch M+ and M winters on my ute bike a few times over winter as the snow, comes, goes and comes back again.