Marathon Plus Tour Tyres

[Old Timer]

Fitted the Tour tyres today, they measure around 5mm narrower over the tread pattern than the standard marathon plus tyres. No problems fitting them at all and the rubber seems slightly softer and grippier than the standard tyre. The tread is spread out more with slightly larger gaps between so hopefully those gaps won`t make them more vulnerable.
On the road( on a basically dry) 18 mile run, I sorted out as many wet cruddy areas and heaps of centre road gravel to see how they performed and I`m pleased to say that they did tend to stay more on a straight line than the original tyres as well as the standard Marathon Plus tyres.( the standard marathons have always performed well and been easy rollers but these new tyres don`t float on loose gravel as much.
The bike definitely feels more secure on the new tyres and looking at the tread on the edges I would feel a lot more secure cornering under cruddy conditions which is the norm where I live and I felt no extra drag from the slightly heavier tread pattern.

Out of interest on the Aurora the rear fork lugs are fairly shallow, there are tabbed washers that fit on the inside of the fork end but they only just enter the opening so it`s probably as well that the axle shaft has two flats and is a fairly tight fit in the fork ends. Might be a case for a purpose made torque arm or something(although there was no sign of any damage in the fork ends)
The rear wheel was very easy to release from the drop outs and by cutting the cable ties all the way up to the controller there was easily enough free play in the cable not to have to cut it and fit a connector(which only adds more places for problems and water ingress)and OH Yes! I always split the chain and get it well out of the way, takes 30 secs and really simplifies the job.

Dave

 

[Old Timer]

More mileage this time on crud

Did around 25 miles (in two hits) today after heavy overnight rain which meant I could see better how the tyres compared to the standard plus tyres. Well, no contest, the Marathon Plus Tour tyres are the tyre of choice for this winter and to be honest for all general riding. They are not pushed off course as much as the standard plus tyres over muddy or gravelly conditions. I`m pleased.

Out of interest I tried this saddle out on the Aurora today Evans Cycles | Specialized Expedition Plus Saddle | Online Bike Shop It didn`t suit my light conversion bike but it did do nicely on the heavier Aurora, you can`t see it in the picture but it has under body springs stretched across the main seating area which on it`s own make it comfy but then has the added feature of rear suspension springs that seem to be just nicely balanced not to collapse when riding but soak up bumps. I`m impressed.

Dave

 

[onmebike]

Out of interest on the Aurora the rear fork lugs are fairly shallow, there are tabbed washers that fit on the inside of the fork end but they only just enter the opening so it`s probably as well that the axle shaft has two flats and is a fairly tight fit in the fork ends. Might be a case for a purpose made torque arm or something(although there was no sign of any damage in the fork ends)
The rear wheel was very easy to release from the drop outs and by cutting the cable ties all the way up to the controller there was easily enough free play in the cable not to have to cut it and fit a connector(which only adds more places for problems and water ingress)and OH Yes! I always split the chain and get it well out of the way, takes 30 secs and really simplifies the job.

Dave

Instead of buying torque arm's why not buy or make something like this to secure the axle. Either drill a hole in frame for securing bolt or make to fit to existing mudguard stay location. For different size's search tab washers on ebay. You may have to drill hole in tab for securing bolt.

LAMBRETTA. CLUTCH TAB WASHER. BRAND NEW PART on eBay (end time 06-Nov-10 17:18:01 GMT)

 

[flecc]

Instead of buying torque arm's why not buy or make something like this to secure the axle. Either drill a hole in frame for securing bolt or make to fit to existing mudguard stay location. For different size's search tab washers on ebay. You may have to drill hole in tab for securing bolt.

LAMBRETTA. CLUTCH TAB WASHER. BRAND NEW PART on eBay (end time 06-Nov-10 17:18:01 GMT)

That might not be enough. You could be surprised at thr twisting force that can be exerted, I've seen thick frame and fork sections expanded out of shape. There's no substitute for some length on an anti-torque arm.
.

 

[onmebike]

That might not be enough. You could be surprised at thr twisting force that can be exerted, I've seen thick frame and fork sections expanded out of shape. There's no substitute for some length on an anti-torque arm.
.

I hadn't considered the turning force, just stopping the axle from dropping out.
On my own I made washers with flats to stop the axle twisting and two locating pins that go into the frame to stop the axle dropping out.

 

[jbond]

+1 from me for Marathon Plus Tours as well. First long ride today with them fitted. They seem to roll well, are reasonably comfortable (at 70psi), not squishy feeling. But most of all they are much more secure on loose and muddy surfaces. Seem to be a very good compromise between tarmac and off road with the added peace of mind of the marathon plus puncture proofing.

Recommended.

BTW. These are 26"-1.75"

 

[Old Timer]

+1 from me for Marathon Plus Tours as well. First long ride today with them fitted. They seem to roll well, are reasonably comfortable (at 70psi), not squishy feeling. But most of all they are much more secure on loose and muddy surfaces. Seem to be a very good compromise between tarmac and off road with the added peace of mind of the marathon plus puncture proofing.

Recommended.

BTW. These are 26"-1.75"

It`s amazing just how different they are compared to the marathon plus standard tyres, I`m very pleased I fitted them and when the other bikes have worn out their Marathons then these will again be the tyre of choice for me.

You are running 70psi? I run 60psi and find the resistance fine and the grip great(14stone)

 

[dmcgoldrick]

best place to buy/price ???
do these need inner tubes ?

 

[weirdfish]

Cheapest I've found online is HERE for £19.95 each plus a flat rate of £1 postage per order. I've not ordered from them so I don't know how good the service is.

You do need inner tubes.

 

[weirdfish]

My question is if offroad ability wasn't part of the equation, would you still go with these or stick to the original marathon plus?

 

[jbond]

Cheapest I've found online is HERE for £19.95 each plus a flat rate of £1 postage per order. I've not ordered from them so I don't know how good the service is.

That's where I got them. 1st class post. Arrived in < 48 hours. Recommended.

 

[Old Timer]

My question is if offroad ability wasn't part of the equation, would you still go with these or stick to the original marathon plus?

I rarely go off road. The country lanes where I ride can be a biy hairey during harvest or after heavy rain during autumn and plenty of crud and gravel around and the tour tyres really do fit the bill. If I were to be riding on a swept clean tarmac( if you find some please let me know then they might not be so important but they have got to be better even on wet roads (just like Formula One wet tyres)

They certainly give a feeling of security when anything other than a billiard table finish is encountered.

 

[Old Timer]

After several more outings and now that the local farmers are bringing in spuds and sugar beet some of the roads are just like riding in a field and I can confirm that those Plus Tour tyres are the dogs private parts (@ 60psi)

and just an extra, today was superb autumn sun in North Norfolk, we went out for a 5 mile ride and landed up doing 17 miles and if God made many better things then I`ve missed them. Cruising around the lanes with a disney sky and warm sunshine really can be just like youv`e died and gone to heaven