Issue mounting Marathon Racers

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rw1911

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May 19, 2012, 9:35:18 PM5/19/12
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I don't think it's me, maybe it is, but these are the most difficult
tires I have ever dealt with. Normally when I think of tires being
difficult to mount, they're really tight and require multiple levers
and a lot of force to get on.

My problem is the opposite. These things are so loose that it's a 15
minute procedure of getting the tire on the rim, a little air, check/
seat the bead, a little more air, repeat, repeat. So the tire is now
mounted and the bead looks evenly seated all around. I cruise down
the driveway and back up through the yard. Bang! the tire blows.

It's obvious the bead popped out and pinched the tube. I think OK,
I'll just throw in a new tube. Checking, airing, checking, airing.
The bead let's go at about 50 PSI and I just lost another tube, my
last spare and the local shops are closed tomorrow. I'm more than a
bit agitated/bummed.

Apologies for the long rant to get to this point... Has anyone else
experienced such difficulties with these tires? 35c Marathon Racer's
on Velocity Synergy rims.

Peter Morgano

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May 19, 2012, 9:42:50 PM5/19/12
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I have had this problem.  Had to put alot of air into the tube and then seat it,  alot more than I usually would to get it to be tighter around the wheel. Then pump it up,  deflate and repump a few times with the wheel on the upside down or suspended bike to make sure it wasn't pinched.  Pain in the ass for sure,  use a little baby powder to help it slip around the bead rather than being pinched.  This technique worked for me.

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PATRICK MOORE

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May 19, 2012, 10:57:37 PM5/19/12
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I've found Big Apples, both vanilla and Liteskins, to be supremely
loose on both Alex DH19 and SnoCat SL 44 mm rims; so loose that,
installed before any air is in the tube, they will literally fall off
the rim if the wheel is held sideways. But adding air, carefully so
that the beads remain seated, has always kept them in place without
any problems with the tube: I just have to pump, inspect bead, pump,
inspect bead, and repeat until the tire is at normal pressure.

Now "normal pressure" for these tires, used by me, is anywhere from 12
to 35 lb -- 50 lb would make them ride as hard as stone. Usual
"compromise" pressures, when I want them to offer cushion and float
offroad but don't want excessive wallow on pavement, is approx. 18/23.
When I want max speed on pavement, say 25/30.

Point being that, as "falling off" loose as they are, they do stay one
if you have carefully kept any eye on the bead while inflating.
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Patrick Moore, Albuquerque, NM
For professional resumes, contact Patrick Moore, ACRW
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Bill M.

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May 20, 2012, 10:00:16 AM5/20/12
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I had the same problem with 650b Marathons on Synergies.  Could NOT keep them seated.  Had one blow off of the rim a couple of times just sitting in the garage.  Thought I had them seated, then on a ride one tire blew off repeatedly.  When I got home I found the bead must have rubbed on a brake pad during one of the moving blow-offs, and worn some of the rubber down to the steel cord.  Trashed that tire, removed the other and have never mounted it again.

Not to blame Schwalbe entirely, some of the early 650b Synergies were made undersized.  Every tire I have tried fits loosely on those wheels, it's just that only the Marathons actually blew off.  I have since built a new set of wheels with Dyads and they are a bit better fit.  Maybe they cut some 700's short as well?

Bill
Stockton, CA

Thomas Lynn Skean

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May 20, 2012, 11:54:52 AM5/20/12
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Well, there was a time when I was putting Pasekas on a CR18 rim and bending steel tire levers in unsuccessful attempts. The Lezyne's aluminum levers worked, but man it was *hard*. Same tire on a Dyad required no tools at all. I've never needed a lever with any other rim.

Some rims (maybe largely along brand lines, but still...) are bigger than others.

Yours,
Thomas Lynn Skean
who has a collection of now useless tire levers

cyclotourist

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May 21, 2012, 12:38:27 AM5/21/12
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Some rims' mothers are bigger than other rims' mothers...


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Cheers,
David
Redlands, CA

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