Removing a 20" Marathon Plus tyre.

[BlackPanther]

Last week I got a front wheel pinch flat after hitting a pothole on my way to work. The tyre was a Durano 23mm, and I remembered I'd had a bit of a faff fitting it. However, getting it off proved even harder. 2 broken tyre levers later I had to resort to an insulating tape coated screwdiver to get it off.

Anyway, today I thought I'd fit a spare Marathon plus I had laying around. OMG it was hard work. Even after lubing the tyre I only just managed to get it on. Although M+s are virtually impossible to puncture (I've had 1,000s of puncture free miles on 'em) I decided that I'd better have a go at taking it back off. Now before anyone starts to think that I'm just a crap tyre changer, I've had no probs fitting/removing M+s on my road bike, and even the same size (20 inch) M+s on my trike are fairly easy to do.

However, the rims on my Optima Baron (velocity) made removal impossible (although the rear 26" rear M+ comes off easy enough). Yes, I used all the methods known to man. Pulling the tyre round the rim, lubing, etc etc. One snapped steel reinforced tyre lever. Even the screwdriver wouldn't grasp the thing. Long story short. I can't trust 100% that I'll never need to change the front tyre, so it HAD to go. Even with a garage full of tools, it still took me 1/2 hour. Now my front wheel is shod in the easy to change Marathon Racer. Yes, the protection ain't as good, but at least I know I can swap the tube inside 10 mins. I've seen threads with people saying M+s are a b****r to fit, and some say they're a doddle (I used to think the latter) but it really is down to the rim size and make.

Here's a pic of my handiwork. Those with weak stomachs should look away now. It ain't pretty!

 

[Gez73]

I've always found that the first on/off with a M+ was the hardest you'll ever have to do. They seem to get easier or maybe I get better. I use 35mm anyway so can't comment on rim size/make. The picture did make me cringe though, .

 

[Herbie]

Last week I got a front wheel pinch flat after hitting a pothole on my way to work. The tyre was a Durano 23mm, and I remembered I'd had a bit of a faff fitting it. However, getting it off proved even harder. 2 broken tyre levers later I had to resort to an insulating tape coated screwdiver to get it off.

Anyway, today I thought I'd fit a spare Marathon plus I had laying around. OMG it was hard work. Even after lubing the tyre I only just managed to get it on. Although M+s are virtually impossible to puncture (I've had 1,000s of puncture free miles on 'em) I decided that I'd better have a go at taking it back off. Now before anyone starts to think that I'm just a crap tyre changer, I've had no probs fitting/removing M+s on my road bike, and even the same size (20 inch) M+s on my trike are fairly easy to do.

However, the rims on my Optima Baron (velocity) made removal impossible (although the rear 26" rear M+ comes off easy enough). Yes, I used all the methods known to man. Pulling the tyre round the rim, lubing, etc etc. One snapped steel reinforced tyre lever. Even the screwdriver wouldn't grasp the thing. Long story short. I can't trust 100% that I'll never need to change the front tyre, so it HAD to go. Even with a garage full of tools, it still took me 1/2 hour. Now my front wheel is shod in the easy to change Marathon Racer. Yes, the protection ain't as good, but at least I know I can swap the tube inside 10 mins. I've seen threads with people saying M+s are a b****r to fit, and some say they're a doddle (I used to think the latter) but it really is down to the rim size and make.

Here's a pic of my handiwork. Those with weak stomachs should look away now. It ain't pretty!

Ouch!!!

 

[pshore]

Have you watched the spa cycles video? Sounds like you tried the technique but just checking!


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

 

[Smurfy]

I've never owned a marathonplus, but I've found with other tyres that they can be tight to get on when new, then after a few weeks at 120psi they become a lot easier. There's the risk of a long walk if you get a puncture, but you could've tried running it at 120psi, or as high as the sidewall spec. allows, then try again in a few weeks to see if it's still much too tight to get on and off at the road side.

 

[Jdratcliffe]

I've never owned a marathonplus, but I've found with other tyres that they can be tight to get on when new, then after a few weeks at 120psi they become a lot easier. There's the risk of a long walk if you get a puncture, but you could've tried running it at 120psi, or as high as the sidewall spec. allows, then try again in a few weeks to see if it's still much too tight to get on and off at the road side.

found this with my gp4000s nightmare on and then the "test removal" but when they did first puncuture which was a good 1000miles or so it was a doodle to remove guess was it had stretch after 4 weeks being at 120psi

 

[kedab]

haha! i am a massive fan of the hacksaw taking centre stage in that pic - that must have been an utter ballache to sort out!

 

[Smurfy]

found this with my gp4000s nightmare on and then the "test removal" but when they did first puncuture which was a good 1000miles or so it was a doodle to remove guess was it had stretch after 4 weeks being at 120psi

Just out of interest, did your GP4000s have steel or aramid beads (rigid or foldable). I'm going to hazard a guess that a steel bead might not stretch as much as an aramid bead. I don't know what type of bead the Marathon tyre has, but they're rather heavy, so they may well be steel beaded. For this reason, what I've previously said might not work so well on a Marathon tyre.

 

[Jdratcliffe]

they were the folding ones so aramid bead.

 

[bigtrike]

Getting those 20" tyres off my recumbents varies from hard to almost f ing imposable and then for no apparent reason it comes off but I have resorted to using aluminium leavers from Lezyne at the expense of making "bite" marks arround the rim where the leavers cut into the edge after breaking a string of quality plastic leavers. Some rims are a fraction larger than others and that seams to make all the difference.

 

[gary r]

Getting those 20" tyres off my recumbents varies from hard to almost f ing imposable and then for no apparent reason it comes off but I have resorted to using aluminium leavers from Lezyne at the expense of making "bite" marks arround the rim where the leavers cut into the edge after breaking a string of quality plastic leavers. Some rims are a fraction larger than others and that seams to make all the difference.

God lets you struggle for a while and then helps you out!thats what i think !!!

 

[byegad]

I had a similar experience with a 700C M+ by the side of the road in the wet and then, after 30mins and bloody knuckles and a rescue by car then an hour in the shed, I swore* never to use them again. As you say they are pretty well protected, but nothing is ever 100% in life, except death and taxes, so I use other tyres that will go on and come off without blood, swearing and tears of frustration!

*In fact swearing was steady and profane during the whole sorry business and a shameful loss of self-control and temper didn't help my reputation as a mature, well balanced person one iota.