Balloon tyres

[Scimitar]

I've been looking at Schwalbe Big Apple tyres and fancy fitting one on the rear motor wheel, so to give some bump absorption and I see they have a Kevlar belt, so might avoid some punctures (thorns abound when hedge-cutting is going on).
I just wonder if the BA is the bees knees of balloon tyres or is there any other make that is as good or better, or cheaper?

 

[kitchenman]

I've been looking at Schwalbe Big Apple tyres and fancy fitting one on the rear motor wheel, so to give some bump absorption and I see they have a Kevlar belt, so might avoid some punctures (thorns abound when hedge-cutting is going on).
I just wonder if the BA is the bees knees of balloon tyres or is there any other make that is as good or better, or cheaper?

Hi Dave. What bike do you have? I have BAs on my Spirit recumbent. I have Marathon Plus tyres on my Hybrid. Both are puncture free.

 

[Scimitar]

Hi Dave. What bike do you have? I have BAs on my Spirit recumbent. I have Marathon Plus tyres on my Hybrid. Both are puncture free.

It's an old Claud Butler mtb, converted. The rear stays narrow considerably at the front, so I reckon I might be restricted to a max of 2.15" width of BA - I doubt the 2.35" would fit. The original tyres were 1.9" Vredestein Monte Carlos.
I considered Marathon Plus, but they're not particulary balloony, are they?

edit: I just measured properly and if the claimed 2.35" is slightly less, they could fit.

 

[Biged]

I fitted 2" wide to my Agattu and they are spot on, will replace with the same if they ever wear out.

 

[Mussels]

MPs are most definately not balloon tyres, the difference in comfort is huge.
I've had loads of punctures with Big Apples, they are just the same as any other tyre with kevlar strips. Fine when new but puncture easily as the tread wears out.
Unless MPs turn out to last many more miles I favour the BAs. There are various other balloon tyres but most from the same company, BAs are a good all rounder.

 

[Scimitar]

I like the notion of BAs, but I'm a bit leary of the fairly smooth tread on them. I'd prefer something like a BA but with more tread and (like a BA) kevlar belt. Round here, the back roads are as rough as a hedgehog's bum, so a bit of extra air suspension would be nice.

 

[Mussels]

I like the notion of BAs, but I'm a bit leary of the fairly smooth tread on them. I'd prefer something like a BA but with more tread and (like a BA) kevlar belt. Round here, the back roads are as rough as a hedgehog's bum, so a bit of extra air suspension would be nice.

They have plenty of tread on them, too much IMO.

 

[Scimitar]

They have plenty of tread on them, too much IMO.

The photographs of them don't show it as being more than a millimetre or so (at a guess)
http://www.schwalbetires.com/files/l_img_bigapple.gif

 

[Mussels]

The photographs of them don't show it as being more than a millimetre or so (at a guess)
http://www.schwalbetires.com/files/l_img_bigapple.gif

It's not, that's plenty. I've used them on and off road, on sand, gravel and mud and I've never had a problem with grip. They aren't good on ice and probably not good on deep mud or lose dirt but they are meant to be road tyres.

 

[piotrmacheta]

I use BA's on my 20" wheels and had no issues - they look cool and work well on roads but are rubbish off-road in muddy conditions (I fell off but it was my own fault as they are not designed for that).
My puncture protection is for a set of BA's and a slime tube - so far so good - damn I knew I shouldn't have said that.

 

[kitchenman]

I like the notion of BAs, but I'm a bit leary of the fairly smooth tread on them. I'd prefer something like a BA but with more tread and (like a BA) kevlar belt. Round here, the back roads are as rough as a hedgehog's bum, so a bit of extra air suspension would be nice.

Hi Dave, Can you get some photos of those back roads to see what your up against? I've commuted on my BAs and I have some fairly rough terrain and the BAs coped very well ...

 

[TylerD]

Hi Dave, I've just bought a pair of Schwalbe 2.35" Fat Frank balloon tyres ( I thnk I'm going to have to remove the mudguards )and am about to get them fitted to my Wisper 705. From what I 've read they seem to be newer than but similar to the Big Apple, I not sure what the differences are other than that I think the Big Apple may come in more sizes. I'm really looking forward to getting the Fat Franks on as I ,ve read so many reviews which say how comfy they are. If you do get either it would be interesting to know how you get on with them

 

[banbury frank]

hi

With Balloon tyres if you filled them with helium would they make the Bike lighter and easier to pedal

I am thinking of lighter than air helium Balloon

Frank