Schwalbe Marathon Plus

[BSA]

After a couple of roadside flats recently I have treated my commuter to some Marathon Plus tyres.

I read reviews and opinions on here, the extra weight didnt bother me I just wanted a bullet proof tyre for commuting.

I also read that they were quite difficult to put on due to the extra stiffness etc... You were not wrong! My thumbs are sore this morning it took me over an hour to fit these bad boys, I just hope they are worth it.

Hats off to anyone that has fitted these tyres they were difficult!

 

[4F]

Good choice of commuting tyre, they can be quite tough to get on to start with however I have had mine for about 4000 miles without any punctures. I swopped them over to a different set of wheels a few months ago and they went on quite easily so they do become more pliable with age.

 

[annedonnelly]

I read a hint somewhere on here to warm them up. So I stuck mine in the oven on the lowest gas setting for about ten minutes. They went on quite easily but you do have to be careful not to burn your hands ;-)

And in case anyone gets any grief - they didn't do the oven any harm.

Anne

 

[BSA]

Thanks for the tips. I did consider heating them up but I didnt think they would retain the heat long enough for me to fit the tyre.

You live and learn I guess!

 

[Auntie Helen]

I put mine in the airing cupboard for a day and they weren't too bad at all to get on.

However I find the extra rolling resistance with them makes cycling much harder work. I'm switching back to normal Marathons for my tour in a fortnight, when a puncture won't mean I'm missing an appointment or anything. I expect I'll stick the M+ tyres back on when I return home, however.

 

[Maz]

I've got the Schwalbe Durano Plus on my Sirrus. Seem just as p*-proof as the Marathon Plus.

Tough to get on - wish I'd known about the 'heat em up' trick.

 

[goo_mason]

They do ease off after a bit of use, so they're not too bad to get on and off after a while. Having said that, they're so p-proof that it'll be a rare occasion that you have to !

 

[jimboalee]

"Yorn desh born, der ritt de gitt der gue,
Orn desh, dee born desh, de umn bork! bork! bork!"

Ello, todat ve vull be puttensee tyren hoopen int der oven.

Eer ist von I did eerlieren,,, Boing,,, Thwack,,, Owwww !!

 

[betty swollocks]

*tempting fate*

I've had these on my two main bikes - a tourer and a fixie since last autumn and not had a single flat and I ride in all weathers and in all conditions.

Getting them on in the first place though was worse than wrestling a python.

 

[purplepolly]

*tempting fate*
.

I've got marathon plus tyres and have now stopped going round glass when it's in small pieces and just go straight through.

 

[marinyork]

I have marathon plus on the hybrid. Not a fan. Although others say they are easy to fit I think they are horrid to fit, never got one on easily and roll very poorly (figures and other people say otherwise).

 

[andrew-the-tortoise]

Done about 600 miles on mine so far - no punctures yet.

But they were twunts to fit - had to resort to aluminium tyre levers - one of which ended up on the garage roof [nearly killing a blackbird] - the other one went straight through inner tube.
After a sit down and a couple of 'old peculiars' managed to get them fitted.

Will probably try warming them up a bit next time.

 

[Piemaster]

Think the problem I had fitting mine was in the way they had been stored, somewhat off the shape when fitted on the rim (sort of flat and beads not level) not so much that they were tight so putting on the last bit of the bead it would come off on the other side.
That said, I don't worry about the extra weight / resistance.
I'm probably going to regret this tomorrow, but I've stopped carrying a spare tube / repair kit I have that much confidence in them. The fairy? - I spit in her eye

 

[3tyretrackterry]

i have the schwalbe city jet tyres which have been fantastic over the last 18 months. they are difficult to fit however the last time i had an unscheduled roadside flat i used my new crank brothers speed lever and hey presto no problems i reccommend it whole heartedly a little bit tricky to get used to but works really well.

 

[Matty]

I had a good tip given to me - once you have got the blasted things on, get some warm water with a bit of fairy liquid in and with an old toothbrush, scrub all around the edges - particular on the tyre just inside the rim edge. This helps the tyre move and fit more evenly when inflating. I had three attempts prior to this to remove the lumps and bumps due to the tyre being folded up when posted.

Matt