Schwalbe Marathon Plus Easy Fittingwithout tools

How to fit Schwalbe Marathon or Marathon Plus tyres without tools

[@zamphzibaha]

I want to thank you heartily for this excellent video. I was fitting my first Marathon Plus and was stuck at the last few inches... it seemed like there must be a knack, rather than it being just brute force. Your explanation made it very clear and having watched it, a few minutes later the tyre popped on without really much effort. Thank you again.

[@terrysallbikes]

Thanks, pleased to be of assistance

[@acap650]

Having just mounted some Schwalbe Marathons I can say it's anything but easy, just as you showed. One thought occurred to me, it might be easier to keep the tire down in the rim channel with a bit less air in the tube.

[@terrysallbikes]

acap650 yes I agree, I’ve fitted several more since I made this and found that does help

[@NomadicFrames]

I've watched many Schwalbe Marathon Plus videos and I think yours is the best. Thank you.

[@terrysallbikes]

Thanks that’s appreciated

[@fairburn1970]

Your tip was on the spot...I made it through two Marathon Plus tire changes on my Brompton. Couldn't have done it without your help. Thank you very much!

[@terrysallbikes]

That’s great, pleased to be of assistance 👍

[@caligulashorseXIX]

I tried doing this a couple of weeks ago and it made my thumbs bleed - not joking. I took it to the bike shop and the guy did it really easily, I felt embarrassed as I'd been wrestling with it for about two hours. Now I have a rear puncture so will try again and follow this video.

[@terrysallbikes]

Hope it worked for you

[@TazRoxOn]

You might want to try the Zip Tie method. Makes a hard thing easy. (Zip tie one end of the last few inches that are to be fitted. It then can not pop out or move. Push the other end of the tire into the rim moving toward the Zip Tie. Easy as pie.)

[@terrysallbikes]

Dana J. Hoffman thanks for that, I’ll give it a go👍🚴‍♀️

[@TazRoxOn]

Terence Hilbert You are very welcome. If no Zip Ties, u can use twine, etc.

[@timculp4126]

I'm on day two of a fight to the death. You see, now it's personal.

[@terrysallbikes]

Hang in there, you’ll come out on top!

[@platypushatstand]

When I fitted Schwalbe Big Ben Plus to my dad’s bike, I put a tiny amount of air into the tube to form the basic shape and put the tube inside the tyre and started at the valve hole first and worked outwards, so that the tyre beads were pressed together with the tube up into tyre well, by pushing the tube with a finger and pressing the tyre beads together between thumb and forefinger of the other hand (so as not to trap the tube) and fitted the tyre over both sides of the rim. When I’ve gone 1/4 of the way round from the valve hole on both sides, I tie the tyre to the rim equidistant in two places with string. Then repeat the process with the rest of the tube and tyre. I find the string method helps to pump the tube up and allow the tyre beads to seat evenly, undoing the string a little each time as I inflate the tube. If the beads don’t sit evenly, I let out some air and try again.

[@mickp10]

Thanks for the excellent tutorial on how to fit the Marathon tyres. This will help me fit the Marathon E Plus 700x40mm tyre I purchased for my wife's Trek 7100fx to test. They are a great bike, but was looking for something a little wider than the original 700x35c for rail trails. I was also looking at the Marathon Plus Tour, but wanted as puncture resistant tyre as possible, and looking at converting our Trek 7100fx bikes to e bikes (thinking mid drive). As, I purchased second hand Kristal E5 hub drive bikes, and love the assistance,but want it paired with the ride quality and comfort of the Trek's. Reason for mod drive, is my wife wants a more natural feel of peddling and not being "pushed" along of the hub motor. Also, the reason for upgrading bikes to ebikes, is the price mark-up on ebikes compared to the equivalent non ebike version can be almost three+ times the price.

[@terrysallbikes]

Recently fitted Marathons to my Giant Explore Ebike, no more punctures!

[@Listermintsluesh]

Bleedin ell just like mine. I really struggled and actually put hole in inner, which, had to repair. Well, got it on but can say prefer my original tyre which pops on much much easier. Can see this is a 20 inch. My bikes a dahon speed uno. Wheels are dainty seems like beads are just too big for it. Good vid though thanks !!!!

[@terrysallbikes]

Thanks

[@ikkink]

Thanks for sharing! But professional bike repair people tend to forget that normal people don't have freakishly strong fingers. My god, this thing is impossible.

[@ikkink]

Furthermore, even if I manage to get this thing on the wheel somehow, what the hell am I going to do if I have a flat tyre on my way to/from work? Usually I just replace the inner tube with a spare one, but that won't help me if I can't get the tyre back on.

[@terrysallbikes]

Hi, I made the video to show it’s possible to fit without tools, I will add this was an early attempt for me and I now find it easier. It’s a matter of going around the wheel pushing the tyre into the well in the wheel. Having said that if I was fixing a flat on cold rainy day I might well use levers on the last few niches to speed things up a little. Hope that helps

[@mickrhodes4567]

Thanks helped me get a pair onto my road bike with ease!

[@terrysallbikes]

Thanks pleased this was helpful

[@triciamcintyre4947]

Ive used my shoe laces when i ran out of zip ties👍🚴🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@terrysallbikes]

That’ll work 👍

[@grahamphillips3099]

I did front and rear on a new brompton 2 weeks ago, thumbs hurt for several days. Rear wasn't too bad but for some reason the front was impossible. Ended up heating it up with a hairdryer, went on fine after that

[@terrysallbikes]

I’ve found it gets easier with practice, however I’ve now switched to the Continental Urban tyres no flats in 2 years and much easier to fit

[@Met182]

Good video thanks. What's the reason for them making them be so rigid? Does it benefit the tyre in some way?

[@terrysallbikes]

I can’t answer that I’m sure there must be a reason but not that I know of. I’m currently running continental urban’s and they’re much easier to fit

[@DavidHeath21]

worked great, thank you for the careful explanation!

[@terrysallbikes]

Thanks, I’m pleased it helped

[@TheMisterPatrak]

I am wondering if some soap applied on the remaining bit of tire that is difficult to fit-in would help or on the contrary if it would drive things worse... Any thought?

[@terrysallbikes]

Patrack TheMister thanks for your comment, since making this video I have done this several times more, it gets easier every time. It really is more about the technique of getting the tyre rim into the centre of the wheel.

[@DerGolf2000]

I got problems with these tires. They won't pop out correctly. The tire wobbles a lot. Any tips for getting this done correctly?

[@terrysallbikes]

I think you haven’t got them seated properly in the rim, I use the reflective line on the tyre to try and ensure it’ seats evenly all around, good luck

[@DerGolf2000]

@@terrysallbikes Yes, i also use the reflective line as reference. I looks OK before i put air in the tire. But then it does not pop out even the way around. I also tried to give the tire 10 psi, massage it and try to get it to pop out more evenly....No succes until..... I will try to give the tire 40 psi and take the bike on a ride....maybe this will massage the tire out.

[@daveadriffield7296]

I use metal tyre levers or spoon ends on last bit.

[@terrysallbikes]

Yes definitely makes it easier, I just wanted to show that it’s possible without tools

[@peterkenworthy9219]

Id like to see it done outside, in cold weather in winter, 30 miles from home cold and dark... freezing hands .... let’s hope you never have to ..

[@terrysallbikes]

I have been in a similar situation and have to admit tyre levers did finish the job!

[@Eshironde]

Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Eshironde]

Still had to use the tools, but at least it became physically possible!

[@terrysallbikes]

Thanks, pleased to be of assistance

[@MobileBicycleRepair505]

There can only be one highlander and person that can put the Schwalbe marathon plus on by hand!

[@terrysallbikes]

Thanks, I think!

[@briandavies2833]

Are you using Marathon Plus tyres on a Brompton with mudguards, Terry? I've heard they could rub against the mudguard?

[@terrysallbikes]

Brian Davies hi, I currently run marathon on the front and marathon plus on the back. I’ve not had any problems. Check out my video on my bikepacking setup for more information

[@briandavies2833]

@@terrysallbikes thanks Terry. Good to know.

[@briandavies2833]

@@terrysallbikes Yesterday I fitted a Marathon Plus to front and rear. The front Brompton rim was fairly simple using a Koolstop tyre bead jack (recommended) as I have arthritis in my thumbs. However, the rear with a Rohloff hub in a Sun CR 18 rim was a b****r. The Sun has a deeper lip than the standard Brompton rim. The first problem was getting the second wire bead of the Marathon Racer OFF the rim! I think that was the harder challenge in fact. Fitting the new Marathon Plus was very challenging but I managed it quite well. It took me about 3 hours total to change both tyres including setting up and finishing off. I certainly wouldn't want to be changing a tube out in the wilds of southern Spain under a hot midday sun any time soon. I'm not sure if there is a technical reason for using the Sun rim with the Rohloff but I have a spare Brompton rim and will look at putting the Rohloff hub in that to make the job a bit easier.

[@terrysallbikes]

Sounds like you had a real battle with that one Brian, keep the tyre pressure up around 100 PSI and you shouldn’t have many flats to worry about. I’ve had one in the last year and use the bike almost daily

[@briandavies2833]

@@terrysallbikes All's well that ends well Terry. I did set them up ar 90 front and 95 rear but I was thinking on this morning's ride that they could go up a bit. Rolling resistance is noticeably higher than the Racers I was on before. Not sure if that will change as the tyres bed in. We'll see. I'll top those tyres up now. That might make a difference.

[@jacobbockover1628]

I have had no problem with mtb or cruzer tire mounting (folding models are easier) i have had issues with road tires on thin rims mostly its just less wiggle room and for some reason road tires can have a sharp edge that has cut my hands

[@terrysallbikes]

Unfortunately folding versions aren’t available for the Brompton

[@danieldobre6126]

Thank you for sharing! :-)

[@terrysallbikes]

My pleasure 👍

[@absbse]

can these tyres fit on older 1970 raleigh bike size 27 x 1 1/4 (32-630) because these marathon plus tyres have wires on the sides but my old tyres are panasonic panaracer pasela tyres without wires?

[@terrysallbikes]

Hi, I would have thought so, but to be certain I would try another wired tyre first, if that's not possible maybe take a wheel to your local bike shop and ask there.

[@abegranderson4253]

Man if a pro has this much trouble with these things, no wonder they’re a challenge for amateurs. He got it done, but it didn’t look easy.

[@terrysallbikes]

Not easy but very satisfying

[@briandavies2833]

I have a Sun CR18 rim on the rear (Rohloff hub). I have read that, because of its deeper lip, it is virtually impossible to fit a Marathon Plus onto that rim. Do you have any experience with that?

[@terrysallbikes]

No, but you could check out the Kinetics website, there are bikes on there with both Rohloff and M+ fitted

[@briandavies2833]

@@terrysallbikes Good point. Yes, I'll drop Ben an email.

[@ShortCycle.]

Thanks for this how-to. I didn't make it look quite as easy but helped alot!

[@terrysallbikes]

Thanks that’s great to hear

[@ShortCycle.]

Well I tried a slightly different technique for the front tyre, once getting 3/4 of the tyre bead seated to help with the final struggle I used zip ties to hold the tyre in while levering the last part over the rim.. takes some strain off your hands that way. Still one of the hardest types of tyre I've had to fit, hopefully will be worthwhile on my roadbike for daily all season commuting.

[@red2]

Nicely done. The Marathon Supremes Tubeless are much harder I find, since they are air tight.

[@terrysallbikes]

Thanks. Not tried tubeless yet , but going tubeless on my ebike soon, so will give them a go

[@paul6894]

I order three new one's online for my trike. Tomorrow i will see if i can change them.

[@TwoFingeredMamma]

He didn't tell you he's a former world arm wrestling champion 😁

[@terrysallbikes]

🤫 don’t want everyone to know 👍

[@rando716]

Cela m'a pris le meme temps que vous pour monter 8 pneus des vélos de la famille !!!

[@terrysallbikes]

Thanks

[@leefreak]

Not had a puncture for 15 years then had two in the space of a month. After the first one I took it into a bike shop having spent a frustrating afternoon trying to get the tyre back on. Almost ready to give up this second time and found this video. Popped the tyre back on within a couple of minutes using this technique. It took me three or four times running my fingers back around to the valve side, pinching round to get back to where the tyre wouldn't go back on, then it suddenly popped on.

[@terrysallbikes]

Thanks for sharing, pleased it worked for you

[@John_Wood_]

Did you get the direction right?

[@terrysallbikes]

Yes, I think so! Just replaced this tyre, did it in half the time, practice makes perfect as they say. I might have to do another video

[@bmwofboganville456]

After 60 miles with the Marathon Plus on Brompton got a thorn puncture not far from the centre, disappointing

[@terrysallbikes]

That is disappointing and unlucky, hopefully be a lot more miles before you get another

[@JamesWilliams-se3vr]

Cool!

[@terrysallbikes]

Thanks

[@daveadriffield7296]

What size wheel are they?

[@terrysallbikes]

16” Brompton bike wheels

[@misaelramos83]

I use some nylon tire levers for the last stage I'll admit

[@terrysallbikes]

Nothing wrong in that, I just wanted to demonstrate that it is possible to do without tyre levers

[@misaelramos83]

@@terrysallbikes I got it on without levers!

[@beemanrunning977]

Easy fitting without tools... provided you have the arms of a large gorilla.

[@terrysallbikes]

I which, I think!😂👍

[@eggchaser86]

Not all heroes wear capes.

[@terrysallbikes]

!😂😂

[@andybrown8293]

Tyre soap and plastic levers.

[@terrysallbikes]

Andy Brown yes of course that works a treat although it’s very easy to break plastic levers

[@daveadriffield7296]

@@terrysallbikes Use metal one or spoon handles.

[@jeanyluisa8483]

If your bike has the chain on the right side, like 100% of all bikes I have seen, you put on the tire in the wrong direction.

[@terrysallbikes]

Hi, it’s a long time since I made this video, l don’t remember making a mistake ( I always check the rotation) but maybe I did, anyway the procedure for fitting is the same.

[@jeanyluisa8483]

@@terrysallbikes Its of course no big deal. The important part is that you told people to put it on in the right direction. Many people dont know about it. Its just a bit funny to watch you explain how to do it right, while you are doing it wrong. The reason I noticed it and think its funny is, that I did exactly the same several times. I looked at the rotation, even doublechecked it, then mounted the tire. Then some days later when using the bike I noticed the tire is mounted in the right direction.

[@newjawn9004]

Now think of doing this on the side of the road in the Middle of Nowhere in a cold rain.

[@terrysallbikes]

Too right been there and used my tyre levers for the last bit, it’s good to know this technique though, definitely makes it easier to fit

[@newjawn9004]

@@terrysallbikes I used the zip tie method and there is no way that I could have done it without it. I used 8 zip ties on each wheel. It was a huge, huge struggle. I have 700 X 32 tires. Maybe my hands are too weak. But I was absolutely shocked at how hard they are to get on the wheels. When I go to my bike shop again, I will absolutely tell them that, in my opinion, customers should he cautioned when buying for the first time and also encouraged to look at various methods on KZbin to install. Or just pay the shop whatever fee they charge and let them suffer.

[@terrysallbikes]

Ah, obviously not a Brompton then, I have used these tyres on several bikes and currently have them on my Giant Ebike, they went on that relatively easily but my last bike a 26” Ridgback was as you found really difficult so it obviously depends on the wheel

[@budte]

I saw the ten year old video if the old boy doing this too.

[@terrysallbikes]

Don’t think I’ve seen that, I’ll try and find it

[@thomasshortall2028]

Zip ties

[@terrysallbikes]

Yes might be of use to some people

[@VideoNOLA]

Define "easy."

[@terrysallbikes]

Some strength and perseverance is required, but no great skill

[@gotchie1591]

My ghad.. use Velcro strap with buckle and your problem will be solve and u can put the tire faster..hahahahha

[@terrysallbikes]

What doesn’t break you makes you stronger! 👍😂😂

[@dickbuist]

Too long! Edit it. Don’t need to show every second of the process

[@terrysallbikes]

Fair comment, I wanted to show the full process