Marathon Plus

[Oldie]

I recently fitted a pair of Marathon Plus tyres (26x1.75) to my Sirocco CD as I was fed up with the number of thorns puncturing my Kendas (often twice per ride). The Kendas were decent enough but were showing some wear and I saw the Marathons at £20 each delivered so gave it a go.

I've only done road work since fitting them but the difference is fairly significant. Much, much smoother, faster ride and a distinct absence of road noise (never realised how quiet my Sirocco is!). Pedalling without motor assistance is also surprisingly good.

I had no problems fitting them either and they didn't come folded (which I believe some retailers insist on doing) so they weren't out of shape.

So, overall, a very good purchase, even if it means sacrificing grip on the tracks. That won't bother me when I go back to Holland though.

 

[Fordulike]

Glad to hear you're happy with the Marathons. Been running the same tyres for over 1000 miles and only one puncture, but suspect that was down to a dodgy inner tube.
You can't go wrong with Schwalbe puncture resistant tyres, and well worth the extra cost, for the convenience of not repairing punctures at the roadside

 

[Oldie]

I maybe should add that the Kendas took me around the Netherlands without incident. They also performed well on several hundred miles of dirt tracks, wet and soft. Unfortunately, all of the roads which I cycle near home are notorious for thorns from the hedgerows and I now realise that puncture resistant tyres are the right choice for me. I'm not sure how the Marathons will fare once I venture off road

 

[flecc]

I'm not sure how the Marathons will fare once I venture off road

You'll probably manage ok when it's dry, but meet some mud and you'll be performing pirhouettes ending with getting more mud on you than the tyres!

 

[Fordulike]

Just to clarify something about the marathons. They do a knobbly tyre version, which is what I'm running and they perform admirably in muddy conditions.
I used to run the road version, and flecc's correct in saying that they are squiffy on muddy or greasy surfaces.
Likewise, if I'm on wet road surfaces with the knobblys, then they have slightly less inherent grip.
I must admit that after a few hundred miles, the knobbles wear down on the centre and the sides retain them, so you tend to get a good compromise.

 

[flecc]

That's the Marathon Plus Tour on this link I think you mean Fordulike, much more knobbly.

 

[Fordulike]

That's the Marathon Plus Tour on this link I think you mean Fordulike, much more knobbly.

I do like the look of those in the link, but the ones I put on are the Marathon Plus MTB. Treads pattern's way knobblier than even the ones in the link lol
Might change to the Plus Tour once these wear out.

 

[oldtom]

That's the Marathon Plus Tour on this link I think you mean Fordulike, much more knobbly.

Having recently purchased and fitted the 700x40C flavour of the Tour model, I have to confess to some surprise at how well they roll. After a little experimentation, I settled for 85psi front and back, the recommended maximum, which cancels out any inherent 'squidgyness' and provides a smooth ride with no appreciable harshness.

Despite Schwalbe's advertising hype, while I'm happy to go off the beaten track with the Tours, they would not be my first choice in really muddy conditions or very loose flint and gravel. A degree of circumspection would be wise as the shoulder and sidewall is not protected as well as the broad, road contact area and is less knobbly than the dedicated 'off-road' rubber seen on those bikes whose riders are always caked in mud, seen from behind.

My view is that the peace of mind provided by MP tyres is worth the extra money asked as I would seriously not like to have to mend another puncture or replace a tube on my bike, miles from nowhere, so anything which helps avoid that scenario, is more than welcome in my book.

Tom

ps Post crossed with Fordulike's who identifies the more appropriate MP model for rougher terrain.

 

[Cyclezee]

There are now several Marathon Plus tyres available, they all have Smartguard, their highest level of puncture resistance.
Below are links to the various types:

• Marathon Plus: http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/tour/marathon-plus/
• Marathon Plus Tour http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/tour/marathon-plus-tour/
• Marathon Plus MTB http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/mtb/marathon-plus-mtb/

Then for road bikes there is Durano Plus http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/tour/durano-plus/

If ultimate puncture resistance is less vital there is also the Energizer and Big Apple ranges with Greenguard, which are one level down from Smartguard.

 

[flecc]

Thanks Fordulike, I thought there was such a thing but it wasn't listed with the other two.

Confusingly it was only listed under MTB, and not under Marathon Plus choices as well. Here's the link to the knobblies

N.B. Crossed with CycleZee's post above.

 

[Croxden]

I have Marathon deluxe, what's the difference? Not just a bit of snobbery or is it?

 

[RobF]

I have Marathon deluxe, what's the difference? Not just a bit of snobbery or is it?

I have Marathon Supremes on the Rose, well I would, wouldn't I?

The straight answer is there is a bewildering array of Schwalbe tyres which have marathon in the name.

 

[Croxden]

I have Marathon Supremes on the Rose, well I would, wouldn't I?

The straight answer is there is a bewildering array of Schwalbe tyres which have marathon in the name.

I thought there was three of them?

 

[RobF]

I thought there was three of them?

Eight just in the 'tour' section of the website.

May be more elsewhere.

http://www.schwalbe.co.uk/tour/

 

[Croxden]

I should have said 'The Supremes, I thought there was three of them?

 

[drsolly]

Most of my biking is offroad, so thorns can be an issue. I don't like punctures, especially when a long way from base, so I use:

1) Kevlar Schwalbe Black jack tyres
2) Thick thorn-resistant inner tubes
3) A gel liner between the tire and the tube.

Details here: http://blog.drsolly.com/2014/03/puncture-resistance.html