Schwalbe Big Apples or Primo Comet

[Kenal0]

Advice please- Picked up a Dahon Helios P8 at my LBS. The bike is spec'd with Schwalbe Marathon tires, but it came with Big Apples. I called them and asked if they would switch the tires for the narrower tire with a higher psi. They did not have the Schwalbe tires in a narrower with but had a Primo tire that is 1.35 width and 85 psi. They would be glad to swap them out for me if I want. The bike was built a few months ago so they are not sure why they had those tires on. Should I keep the Big Apples or switch them to the Primos. If I will not notice a big difference then I will just keep the Big Apples. The bike is used primarily for recreational riding on flatland in the Chicago area. Any thoughts?

Kenal0

[brakemeister]

you sure those are big apples 20 x 2.00 and not marathons in 20 x 175 ... anyhow if the bike has the big apples than I would NOT switch ... these tires are pretty primo ..( lol ) they cushion the ride and have very little more rolling resistance but not by much .

are better in rough roads as well

thor

[Kenal0]

I have been leaning toward staying with the Big Apples. From what I have read, there are very few unhappy Big Apple customers.
Kenal0

[stargazer48]

Does anyone know if Big Apple tires will fit on a Swift Steel frame? When I got my Swift last month(my 1st folder), Peter wasn't sure if the BAs would fit on the steel frame so he got me a set of Marathon Plus 1.75. They feel pretty rough and the bike feels a bit slow. Would BAs be a bit faster than MPs? As we all know, Wav raves about BAs and was the 1st to try them on the Alum frame. Since one of MPs has a bad defect and I need a spare, I have an opportunity to get BAs. To complicate matters, I just bought planet bike fenders so the BAs would have to fit with them as well.

[randya]

I like my 20 x 1.5 Marathons. A lot.

[maunakea]

The BAs will ride alot better than the PCs on rough surfaces, and may be faster because you won't push the PCs on rough surfaces. If you do only pavement the PCs are significantly faster, and given good pavement, the ride is not too different from BAs. So ... to me, on a non-sus folder, it depends upon your riding profile. On a sus folder, you can have your cake and eat it too.

[Trocadile]

I ride Primo Comets in the 1.50 width and like them a lot, but mine are the Kevlar version and also go up to 100psi. From what I've heard, a fair number of people have had flat problems with the non-Kevlars so I'd only consider trading the BAs for them if I was getting Kevlar.

[james_swift]

If the Comets are the Kevlar version, then I highly recommend them. They're super light @ 368 grams (500 grams for the Big Apples), and have very low rolling resistance: http://www.greenspeed.com.au/tt20.htm

The Apples will give a much more plush and comfortable ride. The Comets will accelerate and cruise faster with less power input than the Apples.

I'm pushing over 1000 miles now on my Comet Kevlar 20 X 1.35 tires, including the unusually wet last 3 months here in SF, and not a single puncture. They're fast and light, but a little on the rough side in terms of ride quality. When my Comet 1.35's wear-out (which upon inspection, doesn't look too soon), I'm going to replace them with the 1.50's.

[maunakea]

Good point. If you buy Comets, only buy the Kevlar version. They're about 50% more expensive then non-Kevlar Comets ... but worth it.

[Kenal0]

I think for the riding I will be doing with this bike and for my wife and kids that will be using it, the Big Apples are a better choice. I have a Bike Friday Pocket Pilot coming any day now for when I want a traveling road bike.
The Dahon with the Big Apples are more for riding around the city and recreational riding around on the go.
I can always get some of the Primo's in the future if I want to try them out but I think the Big Apples ride pretty nice as is.
Kenal0