Was waiting for break in the black conveyor belt of torrential showers heading east across the Dee valley before going for a ride on the Defy.
Then the doorbell rang; my new Marathon Racers and a Var tyre tool had arrived. 10/10 to Spa Cycles.. So I thought I'd fit them. Put the front (wired bead) on a storage heater to warm up and fitted the folding rear 26". OK. Hard, but not impossible, even if the folds in the tyre kept trying to push the bead back off.
Broke the tyre lever part of the Var tool on the first use trying to get the 20" M+ off the front. Resorted to good 'ole steel levers. Fitted the new front with the aid of the Var - to lever the last bit of bead on. Yes, I know you're supposed to be able to do it with your fingers if you get all the bead into the rim well. No you can't. Even with velcro straps to keep the tyre in place. Managed all but the last couple of inches by hand and the Var popped the last bit on easily. Then grappled the Var tool back from under the bead. Just as hard. The Var, a Crank Bros lever and 2 steelies have gone into my saddle pack. Just in case.
Don't need to go for a ride now - just need a lie down for an hour or two.
I hope I never get a roadside p*ture.......
Will let you know what I think about the rolling characteristics compared to the M+ ones that came off. And will go back on when the hedge manglers return to their devil-worship in the autumn. Standby.