Thank you for checking and posting here Paul. I like the CR18’s, must admit I didn’t have any trouble mounting the Schwalbe Marathon tires, I squeezed the bottom and tied a foot strap to keep it depressed then squeezed around the rim until it just popped on.

Re modern IGH I just replaced the derailleur on my commuter with a Nexus-8, really appreciate being able to shift down when stationary in stop and go traffic. Thought about getting a previous model year Breezer downtown-8 which uses the same Nexus-8. The old stock is currently being sold off through Performance Bike stores which means you can get a steel 8-speed IGH for just $400 which is a steal given the Nexus-8, chain tensioner, and revoshift shifter just cost me $285. This is not a popular move with local bike shop owners like the one I go to who have now dropped Breezer because of dumping by the parent company. It doesn't make much economic sense either given for 2018 the Breezer Downtown has been downgraded with the less expensive Nexus-7 IGH - who is going to buy one until the older stock is cleared out? Sadly the current owners of the Raleigh brand have similarly burned bridges with the local bike shops after their decision last year to sell the bikes on Amazon.