Touring - whoa that tire was tough to install

I just tried to install my first schwalbe marathon XR, and man was it a PITA. I ended up needing to use my plastic tire levers to get the damn thing on, and it even seemed to bend the hell out of it. i'm wondering if anyone has these tires and has any tips and suggestions. i'm not entirely experienced installing and removing tires, but i've never had this kind of trouble before. to be fair, i've never tried to install tires on this bike before (trek 520).

on a side note, i tried filling it up with my brand new topeak road morph, and it seems the PSI meter wasn't working. any idea what i might have been doing wrong there?

OK if you want to try a hard tire to put on - try Mutanoraptors (MTB tires) on tubeless rims. I loved how the tires worked in sandy and silt butfeared a flat on the trail as I coudln't remove and replace the tires myself.

As to air gauge, you need to make sure the holding level (right term?) is properly engaged. The meter doesn't move all that quickly but should work. I love my Morph pump!

you need to make sure the holding level (right term?) is properly engaged.

explain in greater depth, please?

26" wire bead Conti Town and Countries (Wire bead) on Rhyno Lite.
I had to use metal irons because the plastic one's would snap. However I got no flats till they wore out (more than a year), so it was only a pita when spokes broke and when they were put on.

You are right, they are tough tires. I use them, and the current set has 1500 miles on them without a flat. However, had to change tubes the other day as my Scrader stem developed a leak.

I use four plastic tire irons to get them on and off. Works for me.

These days most folks install light rim tape. But in the good old days of rubber band rim tape, that alone would make a significant dent in the available space. A turn of filament tape is all one needs and can leave more space for tire changes.

I hadn't any problem with my schwalbes. I did need my quick stick. I get it a little wet first.

Usually the culprit is the rim not the tire. Look for rims that have a lot of depth. D-V rims should be better, but I don't know if they are?

i just pop fat touring tires on and off with my fingers. sun rhynolytes make them tougher to do. just installed some Panaracer t-serv for messenger 35s ( a very fat 35 too! and 90 PSI rated on the sidewall)

I tried fitting some Marathon Plus onto my rims, they do seem to be a bit snug. Eventually I gave up and switched them for std Marathon. Maybe your rims are towards the wider range of the 700c tolerance.

I've got Marathon XR's on Traipimp rims and i can take them on and off by hand no need for tyre levers I'd say you rim wall is either very high or your rim tape is to thick.

i just pop fat touring tires on and off with my fingers. sun rhynolytes make them tougher to do. just installed some Panaracer t-serv for messenger 35s ( a very fat 35 too! and 90 PSI rated on the sidewall)
Uhm, those are folding bead, so much easier to install than wire bead.
(Its my backup tire)

um, i install most wire bead tires the same way.

i still carry an iron (Quikstik) to make the tough ones a little easier. but i always try to slide tires on and off with the 'hands only' method..