Originally Posted by
WestMass
Like most of you, I've been changing flat tires on my bikes for many years.
Based on a lot of recommendations (and the vocal haters) I figured I'd give schwalbe marathon plus's a try when they were the only reflective sidewall 700x25 at my LBS. Shop gave me $10 off because the guy said I'm in there a lot - so that was nice but unexpected.
I got home and pulled off my old, beat up tire, and threw on the marathon. Except it wasn't that easy. I spent about 35-40 minutes trying to get both beads hooked in before giving up. I went online and looked up the tire to make sure it didn't need some super deep rim or something - but by the numbers it was the correct tire for the rim.
Later in the evening I spent another 25 minutes and finally got the bead caught, but pinched my tube and popped it. I don't want to take the tire off and swap the tube because I'm terrified to put all that work in again. Do these get easier after already being on the rim??!
Yikes.
I can't imagine having to change a flat on the road with this beast.
The Marathons are indeed hard to put on, but it gets easier with practice. When I originally put the tires on, it took me over an hour to do it. Now, on the rare occasions that I get a flat, it's pretty easy. Just make sure you use two tire levers instead of only one.
