Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Touring
Reload this Page >

whoa that tire was tough to install

Notices
Touring Have a dream to ride a bike across your state, across the country, or around the world? Self-contained or fully supported? Trade ideas, adventures, and more in our bicycle touring forum.

whoa that tire was tough to install

Old 06-23-06, 04:08 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 84
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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?
mr bill is offline  
Old 06-23-06, 04:12 PM
  #2  
Shredding Grandma!
 
Pamestique's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: So Cal
Posts: 4,803

Bikes: I don't own any bikes

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 46 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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!
Pamestique is offline  
Old 06-23-06, 04:48 PM
  #3  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 84
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by BCIpam

you need to make sure the holding level (right term?) is properly engaged.
explain in greater depth, please?
mr bill is offline  
Old 06-23-06, 09:28 PM
  #4  
nm+
Ultra-clydesdale
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Sacramento, CA or St Paul, MN
Posts: 572

Bikes: Titus Racer-X AL/Trek 520(RIP)/Trek 930

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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.
nm+ is offline  
Old 06-23-06, 09:46 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Monoborracho's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Small town America with lots of good roads
Posts: 2,710

Bikes: More than I really should own.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 203 Post(s)
Liked 19 Times in 17 Posts
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.
Monoborracho is offline  
Old 06-23-06, 10:55 PM
  #6  
Banned
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,115
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
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?
NoReg is offline  
Old 06-24-06, 12:27 AM
  #7  
totally louche
 
Bekologist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: A land that time forgot
Posts: 18,023

Bikes: the ever shifting stable loaded with comfortable road bikes and city and winter bikes

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times in 9 Posts
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)
Bekologist is offline  
Old 06-24-06, 04:43 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: England
Posts: 12,948
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 7 Posts
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.
MichaelW is offline  
Old 06-25-06, 04:12 PM
  #9  
In planning
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 81

Bikes: Revell custom tourer,Kona Stinky,Omega TI,Gaint TCR,Simonchinni,Raliegh ti,S&M Next Gen.

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
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.
challengea2z is offline  
Old 06-25-06, 05:15 PM
  #10  
nm+
Ultra-clydesdale
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Sacramento, CA or St Paul, MN
Posts: 572

Bikes: Titus Racer-X AL/Trek 520(RIP)/Trek 930

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Bekologist
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)
nm+ is offline  
Old 06-25-06, 07:17 PM
  #11  
totally louche
 
Bekologist's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: A land that time forgot
Posts: 18,023

Bikes: the ever shifting stable loaded with comfortable road bikes and city and winter bikes

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times in 9 Posts
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..
Bekologist is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.