Schwalbe Tyres

[jerrysimon]

I thought I better do a different post as this is not really part of my first MTB ebike conversion.

I have been advised here to look at Schwalbe Big Apple's especially with their built in suspension which is kinda what I wanted without putting on suspecsion forks. However when I phoned around Cambridge they are not easily available so its mail order or ebay.

The shops I rang and the keen cyclists here at work have suggested I get some Schwalbe Marathon Plus 26*1.75s ? though I am told they are hard to put on.

I have found some locally, not cheap, but I am told they are pretty bomb proof puncture wise.

Thanks

Jerry

 

[jerrysimon]

Sorry search is my friend

Found this

This seems great value.

Still like to know if the puncture resistance is worth the sarifice of built in suspension of the big apple's. Also are they VERY hard to fit ?

I am recovering from a puncture from the weekend

Regards

Jerry

 

[Barnowl]

Sorry search is my friend

Found this

This seems great value.

Still like to know if the puncture resistance is worth the sarifice of built in suspension of the big apple's. Also are they VERY hard to fit ?

I am recovering from a puncture from the weekend

Regards

Jerry

Try this thread

http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/electric-bicycles/4041-suspension-withdrawal-any-advice.html?highlight=big+apple#post52276

 

[jerrysimon]

Barnowl,

Thanks for the link. Seems like the choice is super comfort or super anti puncture.

Though I am told the Big Apples offer some protection.

Decisions

Regards

Jerry

 

[Barnowl]

All depends on what your local roads and byeways are like. If they're not to bad I'd go with the Marathon Plus. I have no suspension on my bike, Aluminium forks and 700 X 32 tyres at 110 psi and I don't have a problem. Mussels does a serious 18 mile each way commute into London I believe - so I guess you can rest assured he's fully tested them and derives substantial benefit.

 

[jerrysimon]

I have no suspension on my bike, Aluminium forks and 700 X 32 tyres at 110 psi and I don't have a problem.

Thanks

My MTB also has an Aluminium frame and forks so perhaps the Marathon Plus tyres will be ok.

Jerry

 

[flecc]

I doubt it Jerry, aluminium frames and forks are far less comfortable than the old steel frames were, the material too rigid to absorb shock.

Marathon Plus are the worst possible choice for comfort, simply because the thick inner liner makes the tyre carcase substantially more rigid. I've had MPs on my bikes for some while and their puncture resistance is superb, but they are far less comfortable than they were with their original tyres. However, the degree of comfort required is very subjective of course, each of us having different views on what is acceptable, but I'd never choose MPs on comfort grounds.

The members who swear by the Big Apples say they are as good at avoiding punctures as so called puncture resistant kevlar lined ones, but I've no way of checking that of course.
.

 

[Mussels]

The members who swear by the Big Apples say they are as good at avoiding punctures as so called puncture resistant kevlar lined ones, but I've no way of checking that of course.
.

I've had loads of punctures through my Big Apples* so while they may be puncture resistant they are not puncture proof and as they take a large volume of air a small pump is not a good idea. Punctures don't bother me and take on average 5 minutes from stop to start.



* That sounds very wrong.

 

[flecc]

I've had loads of punctures through my Big Apples* so while they may be puncture resistant they are not puncture proof and as they take a large volume of air a small pump is not a good idea. Punctures don't bother me and take on average 5 minutes from stop to start.


* That sounds very wrong.

I must say I'm not surprised Mussels, I wouldn't have expected them to be very puncture resistant, but some in here seem to find them so. My recommendation of Big Apples in another thread was only as an alternative to Jerry fitting sprung forks with all that introduces, puncture resistance not part of that of course.
.

 

[jerrysimon]

Difficult to decide

I think what I might do is just change out one tyre first. The front tyre is new and came with the new ekit wheel so I will change out the old back tyre first.

I think its then going to be a case of try it for myself and see. I will start a new big apple on the back.

If I get lots of punctures in it then I can change out both to the Marathon Plus later. If the back big apple proves reliable and comfortable then I will swap out the front with another big apple in a month of two.

Its a plan I guess

Thanks for all the advice.

Regards

Jerry

 

[flecc]

Sounds like an excellent plan Jerry. I ran a Lafree for years on a normal front tyre where punctures were dead easy to deal with and the comfort was wanted, but a Marathon Plus on the rear to avoid the added hassle of punctures and tube changes there, comfort less important there with most of the added e-bike weight keeping it tamed.
.

 

[Tiberius]

Jerry,

Have a look at the Marathon Supremes. I found them good for suspension.

There is a good article available from Schwalbe about tyres, have a look around their website for product details too.

Try this for starters http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/shopdata/files/TechInfo2-GB.pdf

HTH

Nick

 

[Nick]

I've lost track of when I fitted Schwalbe Maraton Supremes to my bike but think I've done between 1000 and 1500 miles, with no punctures. Mine are 28 x 2 which I think I got from Bikes | Bike Parts | Cycling Clothing | MTB Road BMX| Dotbike although they haven't got that size on their site at the mo - and it looks like buying two tyres singly is cheaper than a twin pack. SCHWALBE Marathon Supreme :: £25.00 :: PARTS & ACCESSORIES :: Tyres - Touring :: Spa Cycles, Harrogate - The touring cyclists specialist. is cheaper but again, doesn't have the big sizes.

I'd be interested in trying them at a more conventional size to see how they compare with the Sports Contacts I used to use, but I'll stick with these until they wear out, and may well replace them with another pair.

Cheers
Nick

 

[Andrew harvey]

Most bike shops could order Big Apples in, I have used them for a while now, they are puncture protected not puncture proof. It comes down to your route, we get lots of thorns when the farmers are trimming hedges, but I've only had 1 puncture in several years, that was on some Marathons.
The lads who have tried them around here have all dumped their Knobblies for them for general road use.

 

[AndyOfTheSouth]

What about Big Apples plus Slime?

Another approach might be to use a Weltite type repair inflator at the first puncture. This is supposed to be temporary, but the one occasion I used one on my Brompton was several years ago and I've not had a problem since...!

 

[jerrysimon]

Still Pontificating

Thanks for the replies.

I had a plan, I was going to start by ordering a big apple for the back first as this is a very old tyre anyway and NEEDS changing. It currently has a 26*1.95 on so I am pretty sure the new one will fit ok. If I didn't like it then I would just go for two new martahon plus which I know would fit both.

The new one on the new front motorised wheel however is is 26*1.75 not 1.9 as I intially thought. The rim width (if that is the right term) is definately narrower. Would a Big Apple 26*2 go on that at a later date ?

Sorry for the indecison

On an up, today was my first day riding to work. I really enjoyed the ride and had a big smile on my face most the way. I did actually pedal a lot more than I thought I would even getting up my heart rate etc. However when I tired a lot or going up inclines I used assistance. This is why I have tried the kit to at least get me out on my bike and doing some exercise. I have both back problems and have type one diabetes. Hypos are not much fun if your out on a bike!

I did get some ribbing from work colleagues (add a wheel and it will be a mobility scooter, are you old and infirm etc etc). However when one of the hardened riders went for a ride on it, he was actually quite impressed, even used the word cool. He said it was actually quite neat and said when riding in a head wind he wouldn't mind the assistance

Regards

Jerry

 

[flecc]

The new one on the new front motorised wheel however is is 26*1.75 not 1.9 as I intially thought. The rim width (if that is the right term) is definately narrower. Would a Big Apple 26*2 go on that at a later date ?

Anything from 1.5" to 2.125" usually fits a rim that's normally specified for 1.75" and is stable on the road. They often look very narrow compared to the tyres, but balloon tyre carcases are constructed with stability in mind.
.

 

[jerrysimon]

Thanks flecc, Andy, Andrew/all

I have bit the bullet and ordered a Big Apple, plus a new Schwalbe inner tube as well.

I will fit it to the rear wheel first and report back

Riding back tonight from work I decided comfort is paramount rather than bullet proof anti puncture.

In an absolute emergency I now carry a bottle of slime anyway. I would only use it if I had a puncture mid journey or if when I left work I found my bike had a flat.

Regards

Jerry

 

[jam05]

Marathons only?

Why not try some Schwalbe Marathon Tyres, not the plus ones, but the plain old Marathons that have been going for yonks making many thousands of touring cyclists very content with their reliability and comfort.

The Marathon is often cited as the touring cyclist's favourite tyre - and considering a touring bike tends to be very heavy, carrying a lot of weight and is used constantly for thousands of miles daily - there must be some strength in the argument that they are the 'best' tyre.

They may not have the bombproof puncture resistance that the plusses offer but I seriously doubt you'd get punctures with Marathon tyres. I have found the plusses I have used for a year on my commuter (non electric) very puncture proof but also very bone rattly. Marathons are more comfy, they're also cheaper. If I was a manufacturer with a brilliant product, I think I would also put out a different version and call it a 'plus'.

I always take a spare inner tube with me for emergency puncture situations. Far easier to take the wheel off, remove the cause of puncture and then put a new inner tube in than to faf about with puncture glue and rubber patches on the side of a wet and windy road.

 

[Mussels]

In an absolute emergency I now carry a bottle of slime anyway. I would only use it if I had a puncture mid journey or if when I left work I found my bike had a flat.

I assure you that fixing a puncture normally will be quicker, easier and more likely to work than applying slime after a puncture. Have a practice as a repair kit weighs a lot less too.