Scwhalbe Marathon Plus Tour

Yesterday the two Schwalbe tyres arrived in office and I installed them right away last night itself, replacing the stock Continental tyres. My odo on the Catseye Velo reads 653 km. Let me see how long they last. 

I was very disappointed with the packaging by BOTS (though technically it was packed and couriered by Ozone Ventures of Pune but BOTS is responsible). The tyres were packed in a figure of eight with plastic strips and cello tape. No cardboard box was used. I was shocked to find the wire beading had lost its shape in one place. Tried to adjust it a bit by hand by pressing it. Didn't improve things much. I installed it on the front wheel. I spoke to Rana about this and he said that's fine. Once you instal it doesn't really matter. I hope he is correct.

The new tyre sat on the rim rather easily without much trouble. However, due to my carelessness I had pinched the tube and it burst when I pumped it up to 50 psi. 

When I took the wheel off to change the tube (I had a spare Schwalbe tube in my saddle bag) I noticed a little bit of thread had come off the edge of the tyre. The wire is not exposed but it might get exposed if it is rubbed more. Malcom thinks it is because of the tube burst but at the same time he thinks it must be an old tyre that was perhaps sitting in storage for a long time. Otherwise a tube burst shouldn't normally injure the edge of the tyre.

Anyway, I ignored it and installed it once again. The folded bead part does not show any more. I am just hoping that nothing happens to the tyre during my trip. 

The rear tyre got installed without much fuss.

This morning I had meant to go out to test ride the tyres but couldn't wake up on time. Went out in the evening for a short spin around Peep Inn - Menoka and Southern Avenue. About five kilometers. The tyres are rolling rather well. Perhaps because they are new. I also reduced the seat height just by a centimeter or so. It feels much better now. 

The treads look really nice. I hope they serve me well. 

But frankly if I was buying these tyres off a brick and mortar store I wouldn't buy them. One of the tyres even had mud marks on the side wall. I don't think they are used tyres. They are just old and took a very long time to be sold.

Accessories and component retailing in India is just about taking off. It is yet to mature. Expensive and famous brands are now available in India but they don't sell fast and hence gather dust in warehouses of distributors. My new Surly was four years old. The SKS mudguards were also obviously very old. 

Also these retailers try to spend the least on packaging the larger items that they sell. This is very unfortunate.

27th March 2019
This morning I went for a 10 km ride. My usual course. Peep Inn, Menoka, Gol Park, Guru Saday, La Marts, Exide, Hazra, Rashbehari, Home. The bike rolled like a dream. It's smooth as silk. Is it because of the new tyres? Don't know. They are supposed to be heavy and slow. At least that's what all reviewers say across the touring world. I loved them though and didn't feel either the weight or the slowness. The weather also perhaps plays a role. A very pleasant morning it was. At 1.75 the width of course is more.




I am beginning to wonder if the wheel needs just a bit of truing. I am checking out truing techniques. Not sure I want to try it out before the trip.

March 29, 2019

Looking at the burst front tube which came as OE from the company I realised it's size 1.25 to 1.5. Therefore it is not adequate for my new 1.75 tyres. Have to replace it right away. I will go for a ride tomorrow but now I am a bit scared. What happens if you put a tube that is one size narrower? I don't know. But this OE tube is definitely narrow, compared to the Schwalbe tubes bought from Giant store.