Well I finally got one of my Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres (purchased from BikePro on the bike.. starting with the front wheel as it was easier to get off. Unlike various internet comments on this tyre I found it easy to change, I don’t think I’ve changed a bike tyre since I was a kid and I had no hassle.
Only thing I put it on with the “drive” label pointing the same way, but I dont think it will matter too much. Anyway it didnt have any effect on the very hilly 44km ride out to the country and back (to a picnic) that I immediately subjected it to.
Next step is changing the rear tyre.. this is a bit more work as I have not much idea how to get the back wheel off, I’ll also have to get some cable ties as I understand the operation involves snipping the ones that hold the power lead in place.
It’s hard for me to quantify how different the Schwalbe tyre is to the kenda knobbly trye that came with the bike.. mainly as with the Schwalbe I got a pump with a pressure meter as the marathon plus tyres need to be measured with a meter rather than just by feel… turns out looks like I have been underinflating my tyres a bit anyway.
[powered by WordPress.]
jour·nal n. A personal record of occurrences, experiences, and reflections kept on a regular basis; a diary.
25 queries. 0.173 seconds
December 24th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
A few days later and I have changed the rear tyre as well, this was a fair bit trickier due to the gears and the having to leave the power cable connected, but still not as hard as I expected.
January 8th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Note: there was a thread of other comments here re: an electric bike issue unrelated to Schwalbe Marathon plus tyres, I have de-approved them pending creation of an article better suited to them
February 4th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
hey zog! how many kilometres have you done now?
Anyways i just got back into my ebike after ordering a brand new motor+wheel for my greenewheels from joe. $200+$39 shipping. so cheap! also got an extra stock controller just in case i wanna go back to stock speed. Now i can once go at 45km/h again!
I’ve become an expert in taking off the back wheel now hahaha. I even changed the tires from the old wheel to the new wheel. Man i need to get your type of road tyres. Do they go much smooth and faster?
Also for tire pressure, i always pump them to 65PSI which is the max for the stock tires. I only pump it at service stations since they have a pressure guage.
February 5th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Hi,
I’m nearly up to 2000K on it now.. well about 1900 or so.. so far no hassles at all, the slick tyres definitely feel a few percent smoother and faster on roads and concrete, which is nearly all my riding.
The main thing is they are supposed to be heaps harder to get a flat with as well.
I’ve been itching to do a few tweaks to the bike, but then my main commuting distance doesn’t really warrant it. I finally added the packrack and basket (cabled tied to the back), very handy.
February 5th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
i only done 320km! so less.
I like speed but now i gotta use my throttle intelligently or else it might screw up my motor again.
That basket is very handy, i regret not getting one now. Cuz i need it to buy stuff sometimes.
I also saw one of those electric pedal scooters today, parked outside the local plaza. I also saw this man ride his ebike on a very busy main road in front of the traffic. I also saw this asian man riding it around the train station.
So many people lately has been getting ebikes, I’ve noticed.
I reakon when we get to the next GReat Depression, everyone will be riding bikes or ebikes to do groceries.
March 27th, 2009 at 8:36 am
i have done 4500km. on my cheatcycle now, i ride from ringwood to the city every day 60km return trip, i changed the kendas off my bike after 1000km for Continental Travel contacts did 3500km before i got a puncture on the rear found them to be an excellent tyre for my journey very fast low rolling resistance and great edges if you go off track.
I have now changed these over for Schwalbe marathon plus tyres as the bike shop recommended them to me as the distance i ride it will be a benefit, he says they are almost bullet proof and i found them slighty faster that the coni’s.
I did my first ride yesterday and can say they are really smooth and faster than the conti’s have not tried them in the dirt yet.
one thing you must do is make sure you really really tighten the bolts on the rear wheels because the tourque from the reat hub can twist it out believe me i know
I have done many mods to the bike
tyres Marathon Plus now
lights AYUP intermediates, because i ride on the eastern bike path and there is no stree light
pedals shimano 340 single sided clipless so i can use normal shoes as well
shoes shimano bike shoes found being clipped in gives me greater power
Topeak rack and bag
March 31st, 2009 at 9:51 pm
wow, well done! 60km a day!! I guess you have a charger at work.
my 22km a day is a walk in the park.. I guess why mine is mainly stock.. though I think I’ll tweak mine a bit more when I get up to a year on the bike.
Yes the Marathon plus a good upgrade for a primarily road bike, they are more slippery than the kenda knobblies on grass or gravel but that is to be expected.