Cycling UK Forum

It's both funny and interesting how a simple, possibly naive question gets hijacked and taken in various directions. My question was quickly answered in 15 words by the first contributor. Thank you Brucie.

We then went to various explanations on how I should have fitted the tyre, including one contributor rubbishing another's method. I watched the Spa video a year or so ago and found it very useful, particularly for my Marathon Plus tyre choice.

Thank you Colin for recognising my honesty in a way that I wasn't aware of. It was also explained why some thought my tyre choice was not good. It seems I might as well ride on solid rubber.

I regularly read the questions and answers on the forum and have learnt lots of useful information, so thanks to all.

Anyway, back to my tyres. When my wife and I started cycling 3½ years ago, after my first puncture, Marathon Plus were highly recommended on the forum. Since then, we've tried several bikes all with Marathon Plus' I've fitted, using either 700 x 28 or 32 with no real fitting problems. I've more recently used 700 x 25 which were a real problem as pictured. My wife can now, if pushed, deal with punctures so 700 x 25 Marathons (without the Plus) are very easy in comparison to fit and will be our choice now.

Colins method works. I can fit Marathon Plus with hands only. I did it today out on the road with cold wet hands wearing vinyl gloves. Used it with several other tyres including 23mm road tyres. I don't bother with the toe clips. If the tyre won't go on just keep working the bead of the tyre down into the rim until it does and don't have too much air in the tube.

bikerider wrote: gets hijacked and taken in various directions. My question was quickly answered in 15 words by the first contributor. Thank you Brucie.

-no worries... tho' I am also a sidetrackee.... ahem....

cheers

Why fit a 25 mm? Wider is much more comfortable and grippier, and faster on anything other than very smooth tarmac. My advice would be to fit the widest size you have clearance for. And do you really need the ultimate in puncture resistance, even if it slows you down half an hour a day? Even with a relatively fragile tyre like a Panaracer Pasela TG I would not expect more than one puncture in one holiday. And it will be so much faster and smoother.... Or compromise on a Marathon Racer.
Willem

willem jongman wrote:Why fit a 25 mm? Wider is much more comfortable and grippier, and faster on anything other than very smooth tarmac. My advice would be to fit the widest size you have clearance for. And do you really need the ultimate in puncture resistance, even if it slows you down half an hour a day? Even with a relatively fragile tyre like a Panaracer Pasela TG I would not expect more than one puncture in one holiday. And it will be so much faster and smoother.... Or compromise on a Marathon Racer.
Willem

If you read the OP's post at the top of this page I think you will find answers to your questions.

No John that post does not answer why a tyre as narrow as 25 mm, nor does it deal with the question whether such extreme puncture protection would be necessary.
Willem

One neglected aid to fitting bike tyres ( especially motorcycle tyres ) is to leave tyre in a warm place overnight, making tyre far more supple. I can't remember ever using levers to put a tyre on. And , now I use plastic levers to save the wheel rim, and a plastic saver when dealing with motorcycle tyres.The photo seems to show a rusty wire bead which suggests that the beading was damaged when initially fitted allowing the ingress of water.

willem jongman wrote:No John that post does not answer why a tyre as narrow as 25 mm, nor does it deal with the question whether such extreme puncture protection would be necessary.
Willem

Willem, the OP asked for opinions on whether his tyre was fit to be used or should it be binned. Brucey answered correctly in the second post of the thread. A few of us veered off topic to which the OP came back, thanked Brucey and commented on how it all went astray when it was answered so quickly. He went on to state he and his wife had been back cycling three and a half years and had gone from using marathon plus 32 to 28 and now to regular Marathon 25.

So as far as I can see he has chosen various tyres of different sizes for varying reasons. So as the OP did not solicit anyone's advice on his choice or size of tyre, why question his choice. I'm quiet sure what you state about bigger tyres being faster is correct in a scientific way, but I will hold back on ordering some forty or fifty mm tyres until I see Mark Cavendish and co beating through Paris on the way to the finish line of the Tour De France with them on their bikes.