Newbie but Oldie

[langtry]

Marathon Plus Tyres

Hi John,

Thanks for the info,will keep that in mind.I have been looking at various bike shops on the net and they seem to show sizes of 26x175 more than 26x195.Where did yours come from?
I also have added my Ezee Liv to my home insurance for similar premium,but hope it will not be called upon.
I am always reading the posts on this forum,and now find,the more one reads the more confusing everything can become?
Taking a careful look at my bike to-day(thinking about change of tyres)and the wires going into the spindle on fron wheel looks a bit difficult to overcome?so much seems to be needed to remove to change a tyre?not a bit like my old bike,(non motor)Perhaps the sight of all this techie stuff just gives me a panic attack?But,when I am ready I shall tackle the change myself.

Regards,

langtry

 

[flecc]

Don't worry, advice when the time comes. There's no wires to disconnect, the tyre can be fitted without doing that.

26 x 1.75 is the size in Marathon Plus.
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[4beeches0]

Hi Langtry

No problem fitting 26 X 175 Marathon Plus in place of your 26 x 195. I did exactly this on my previous e-bike and the slightly narrower section is perfectly adequate and together with a better tread pattern gives a marginal benefit in reduced rolling resistance and reduced rolling resistance equals more miles per charge !

As far as the power lead to the front wheel there is no need to panic. Using the centre stand and the back weighted down to provide clearance for the front wheel to drop clear it is, with a little care not too difficult to change tyres without disturbing the lead to the spindle. Ensure the cable goes back in the spindle groove on replacement.

I was interested to hear you have added your bike to your home insurance as some insurance companies will not entertain powered bicycles. There loss I think. I have changed my home insurance simply to get cover.

John

 

[langtry]

Thanks again Flecc,and John,

Point of interest here?Went out to my only local cycle shop this morning only to find that they are closing due to end of lease,so there was a sale on,only one Marathon Plus in stock 26x175 so bought this one for £22.95 which I thought was a fair price? Now looking for a second one,will have a look around my home city of Portsmouth on the week-end so might be lucky there.so looks like I shall soon be looking to you experts for a little guidance in fitting?

Regards,

langtry

 

[flecc]

That's a reasonable price for local Langtry. Sometimes the web is cheaper, but once P & P is added, that difference can disappear.

Fitting tip is as 4beeches0 said, to hold the rather stiff and springy tyre into the rim and into the centre opposite the valve area, use some string or pvc tape etc. That keeps it in place while you pull on the last part by the valve. It's possible without that, though having three arms and hands with six fingers on each helps, since they tend to spring back off the rim at one point as you put on another. Great if your neighbours enjoy colourful language.
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[langtry]

How so different?

A couple of things still puzzling me so need a bit of expert advice here please/

Possibly wrongly???but I have been under the impression that the gears and the motor on the Ezee range of bikes was only relevant for peddling a little easier?So my question has to be/If the Ezee range of bikes all have the same battery power?how is one any more powerful than another?Or do I have the completly wromg idea on this?

I hope to have a go at fitting my new Marathon Plus tyres this week-end and would appreciate a little more guidance on this please,ie I notice a small black object(for want of a better description) fixed to the rear spindle and secured by an allen screw?I presume that removing this will not upset anything?And would like a bit of help on the front wheel,in particulat the wire at the spindle end/Trying to make sure I do not disturb anything I should not.

and finally,only as a point of interest,I purchased a second Marathon plus from a local shop at a cost of £24.99,not bad??


Regards,

langtry

 

[flecc]

The motor power is largely independent of the battery Langtry, in the way that three star petrol can power anything from a Daihatsu Charade to an Aston Martin. The Charade uses less juice of course, and in the same way, a higher powered electric motor drains more current out of the battery.

On your tyre changes, the black object sounds like you mean part of the 3 speed hub, just remove and replace in the same position.

On the front wheel, remove a tie wrap or two to leave a bit of slack in the cable that comes from the wheel spindle. Release the front V brake cable outer from it's stirrup at the brake end to widen the pads out, then turn the bike upside down.

Let the air out of the tyre, take off off one side and remove the inner tube to between wheel and fork. Undo the wheel nuts sufficiently to remove the wheel from the dropouts enough to remove the tyre and insert the new one.

You may prefer to do this with the bike on it's side as you won't risk tugging at the cable with the loose wheel flat on the floor. Put the first tyre side on the rim, then replace the tube with the tiniest touch of air in it to give it a little shape. Then start replacing the other side of the tyre. With some of it on in place opposite the valve, tie or tape the tyre at that opposite point into the rim with the beading forced towards the rim centre. This will keep it in place while you pull on the remainder of the side at the valve area. If you manage that successfully you'll be able to finish pulling the tyre on without using levers, but if you do resort to levers, take care not to pinch the tube with the lever tips. Push the valve in a little to allow the tyre to seat properly and not sit on the tube.

Jiggle the tyre about a bit to centre it and put some air into it. Replace the wheel in the forks and evenly tighten the wheelnuts. Finish inflating the tyre.
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[langtry]

Job Jobbed

Thank you Flecc for all your help,what would we Newbies do without your guidance?
Weather not good to-day so decided to spend time changing my tyres,and all done and dusted in just about two and a half hours.
Point of possible interest? I removed the battery,and lifted the bike up onto my work bench in my shed,up on stand and secured by ropes fore and aft,and a bit in the centre,I was able to do the job standing up the whole time,so no real problems,just a lot of care as advised by yourself,thanks again Flecc.

Oh,by the way,my shed which I built myself several years ago of a very sturdy timber construction,measures 18ft long by 12 ft.wide,and at one side in the centre I built a sturdy bench about 10ft.long by 6ft wide,This was a great help to me in this task of changing tyres,which I must confess has been putting my blood pressure up this past few days with worrying about it.
AND,as it transpired,there was no need for worry at all.

Regards as always,

langtry

 

[flecc]

Glad it all went well Langtry. Doing it that way was a good idea as it simulated bike stand conditions to some extent.

Your facilities are very much better than mine, I do everything in my flat since I have nowhere else but a small and very full garage!

Thankfuly a bit less full now that member aaannndddyyy has bought my Twist Lite.
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