Marathon Plus 700c Insanley tight?

nwallace

Got 2 of these with steel beads, pigging nightmate fitting them.
Destroyed 2 tubes in the process, plastic tyre levers proving useless on them, and while huge steel park tool ones have helped hasn't stopped me inevitably pinching the tube on fitting the 2nd tube.

Should I just pay the extra for kevlar bead in future?

nwallace

hm, hold on I've gone and fitted the original tube again, but the 2nd one does have a hole in it.
Sadly Wiggle also arsed up and sent me 4 Tour 26 Slims an 1 Tour 28 Slim so I don't have any more tubes. to try so both are getting patched unti lthe correct ones turn up.

fidbod

Hmm,

not a problem I have had. Marathon pluses went onto my open pro rims using fingers only.

nwallace

hm, Rims are Mach 1 250's
Back wheel was tight but the front's been a nightmare.

Finding it fairly resistive in pushing the beads together though so could jsut be I'm not strong enough for them.

nwallace

Those rims are 19mm so may be a bit wide for 28mm tyres.
Open Pro's 12mm?

nwallace

and Bang...
inflated for 10 mints then blow out sitting still, me with the tyre lever I think judging by the fail point.

I'm obviously just having a plain old mare...

nwallace

I think i'm just having a plain old 'mare...

lackofgrip

I have some of those they were proper bitches!!!!!!!

nwallace

I asked google "how to fit a bike tyre"
I returned me this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUFVrl0UT4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUFVrl0UT4

I'll be trying that with the cheap junk tubes I'll be buying from Halfords tomorrow night. (Just don't have time to get down to one of the LBSes)

rubbernekker

What rim tape have you got on your rims? is it velox- this is very thick.

nwallace

Yeah it's Velox.
Have noticed I tend to catch it with the bead.

keef66

I was about to post you a link to the Spa Cycles video but I see you've found it yourself

They clearly have a reputation for being a b@stard to fit.

Twostage

The video is good and since I watched it I can get marathons on with no levers without the aid of those straps he uses. Recently got marathon pluses and needed both feet and levers to get them on :evil: . They are difficult to get started as they are nearly flat and really resist going onto the rim. Keep pinging back off. Not looking forward to a road side inner-tube change.

nwallace

Right... well it's on.
Just giving it a bit to go bang.

Still a tough fit even following that video, but I know for next time...

I think given how tight it is, if I do puncture out on the road, I'll try running flat.
Although would preffer it if it was a back that did it not front.

woodywmb

The shop gave me a heavy duty reusable zip tie when I bought my Marathons. They said this would help with fitting.
Only hope there's two of us out if I puncture on a ride.

nwallace

Well I've riden it aroudn the drive a bit now and it seems to be fine, not heard a bang from the garage so

Now if Wiggle had sent me the right bit today I would have the front brake on (they sent the caliper bracket for a 200mm rear disc not a 160mm front disc, 160mm discs are I would say excessive enough on the road)

Just:
Finalisation of cable set up
Tuning brakes and gears
Deciding what colour of bar tape to go for
Mudguards and Rear Rack

And then it's ready for winter commuting.

lackofgrip

always go for black bar tape doesn't show the filth lol

woodywmb

And go for Lizard Skins. See new Cycling Plus review. £28 but worth it. You'll be stroking the bars as you pedal.

nwallace

See the pictures I linked to on the "What frame should I buy? ... This one?.... Ok I've bought it"
Thread in Road Buying Advice.

I think Black just looks wrong on this bike.
I'm thinking Yellow or Honey leather. Although the LEather stuff shouldn't really be taken out in the winter...

viewtopic.php?f=40042&t=12808702

mikenetic

Unless you have a pro mechanic wrapping new fancy coloured tape on for you before every ride, go for black bar tape.

It's the most practical, and discrete and it matches your saddle and seat post too. May I also refer you to http://www.velominati.com/blog/the-rules/ in particular Rule #8

nwallace

That saddle is temporary.
I don't like it, or at least I didn't like it when I was 15 stone due to it being far too narrow, not tried a decent ride on it since I dropped to just over 11.

I don't mind stuff showing wear on them, that's why I'm thinking leather tape and leather bars.
Oh and obviously honey leather would go with the bronze frame.

I'm not liking the black on the bronze, although I'm not liking the silver bottle cages either.