Cycling UK Forum

Thanks to everyone who helped with my Schwalbe Marathons query

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=80909

Can you tell me, are they always a right pain to fit? I tried before work the other day and had to give up and take the second bike - really stiff and as soon as you get one bit on the rim, another pops off.

I'm going to sit them next to the radiator and see if that helps, but any other tips gratefully received! Thanks, Ed

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/index.php
Scroll down to the funny-looking old bloke fitting a tyre......

^^^ this method works well - and with M+ you only need to do it once (though re-fitting is easier I'm told)

Also, try fitting tyre without the tube and leave for a day or two.

SJS sell a handy little tool for levering stiff tyres on. I have used it for getting 20" M+ tyres on without any struggling. I think it is called a Simpson bike tool?

WaterLab Rat wrote:SJS sell a handy little tool for levering stiff tyres on. I have used it for getting 20" M+ tyres on without any struggling. I think it is called a Simpson bike tool?

Plastic tyre levers and use of a strap (old-fashioned toe-strap for instance) to keep on the bit you've already managed to fit makes the job quite straightforward. But then most tyres are a fairly loose fit on my rims.

531colin wrote:http://www.spacycles.co.uk/index.php
Scroll down to the funny-looking old bloke fitting a tyre......

What also helps is when the tyre bead is being pushed into the well of the rim, use the floor and massage the tyre round.

What is puzzling tho', is when the tyre is being replaced after a roadside puncture, its much easier.

+ 1 to Colin's system - can't think how I managed before - no need to struggle at all - use this system and take a decent pump (I recommend one of the Topeak Morphs) and laugh in the face of punctures on the road.

I use nylon boot/shoe straps - permanently kept in the seatpack - doube up as spare shoe laces.

Thanks again Colin

Another +1 for Colin's method - I now manage getting my M+ on without toooo much hassle.

Mind you, over the past two years or so, the only reason I've had to take the M+ off is not to fix a p*****re but to change them for my preferred touring tyre prior to a long trip (Marthon Supreme) as the M+ are heavy by comparison.

when I get new tyres on my motor bike they always brush the rim with what seems some kind of soapy soln to help. I suppose it help to slide the tyre edge over a slippy edge. I've never tried this on bike tyres as I can always manage without but maybe worth a try.

Just got some. looked and felt impossible to put on then put on a six inch segment first then cable tied that firmly in place. Next moved along another six inches and tied off with another tie.etc Prob used six in all and went on a treat. Simples!!!!

mercalia wrote:when I get new tyres on my motor bike they always brush the rim with what seems some kind of soapy soln to help. I suppose it help to slide the tyre edge over a slippy edge. I've never tried this on bike tyres as I can always manage without but maybe worth a try.

The soap solution is so that the bead pops out to the same distance around the rim without using excessive air pressure.
I tend to use washing-up liquid for the same reason on my 20" wheels as it's hard to get them to sit right with just air pressure alone.

Tigerbiten wrote:I tend to use washing-up liquid for the same reason on my 20" wheels as it's hard to get them to sit right with just air pressure alone.

Washing up liquid not recommended:

cycle tramp wrote:Generally it's been noted in the world of cars and motorcycles, too.. with the advice of don't use washing up liquid to mount tyres. Apparently some washing up liquids contain salt, which will react with the alloy of the wheel rim..

It depens on the rim I think, I have had little to no fuzz with fairly wide 559 rims; much the same for wider 622 rims, and old 584 and 635 (650B, and 700B). I haven't tried Marathon Pluss on narrow racer type rims. Which type or brand of rims are problematic?

The 20" bog standard rims on my Carry freedom trailer are the worst. Even going to a silly overpressure the tyres never sit right without some type of lube.
The 20" Alex rims on the trike are a bit more forgiving. The tyres normally seat right at around max pressure, but I tend to lube them just in case.

531colin wrote:http://www.spacycles.co.uk/index.php
Scroll down to the funny-looking old bloke fitting a tyre......

That's exactly what I've been doing for the last 50 years. If that's as hard as it gets with these tyres then - what's the problem? I'm sure I've had a lot worse over the years. I also make sure the inside of the tyre and the inner tube have a good coating of talcum powder or similar (I've been using an old tub of athlete's foot powder of late) which avoids the tube sticking to the inside of the tyre and allows it to have some movement inside the tyre. This can be useful for some of the more difficult combinations of rim and tyre. I've especially found some of the older Campag MTB rims very difficult.