Folding Bikes - High load-bearing capacity 406-40 tire?

My friend is 200lbs and rides the same Speed D7 as I do, but 19kms each way, daily, on some rough roads. He's not that mechanically inclined, and isn't going to be gentle with the bike... in four months he's blown the stock rear tire. It's basically shreded where the bead ends and the sidewall starts. I'm guessing pressure was low, last I checked it for him it was about 40lbs.

Can you guys recommend a good tire for this guy? I would give him mine as spares and upgrade myself but I'm afraid he'll destroy them too. Budget friendly is better, but all contenders will be considered.

Thanks!

I can't personally say that I would be bothered in finding one exactly 406-40 for width, but if your friend is not mechanically inclined nor gentle with the bike, i'd recommend the Schwalbe Marathon Plus in 406-47, it will fit the Dahon Speed D7 without issue.

The Marathon Plus is built like a tank all around. The sidewalls are thick, the puncture protection is supreme. It will handle a 200lb guy without trouble.

If he's keeping his pressure low because he likes to ride that way, the Schwalbe Big Apple is designed to run at lower pressure and has excellent pinch flat resistance, along with good puncture protection in general. This tire may possibly cause clearance problems with the Speed D7's stock fenders, but I can not confirm that.

At a lower price point, I would recommend the Maxxis Hookworm, which is a BMX tire. It has a nice smooth tread pattern, and lots of toughness to boot. Again though, this is considerably wider than the stock tires and the Marathon Plus.

On a side note, the stock tires that are included with the Dahon Speed D7 are generic Kendas, and while being an acceptable budget tire, are nowhere near being the pinnacle of durability. I switched mine out for the standard Schwalbe Marathon right off the bat, they are available in a 406-40 size if he is particularly picky about matching up sizes perfectly, and they are a well rounded and durable tire themselves, although they will not compete with the Marathon Plus in durability, nor the Big Apple in the ability to run at a very comfortable low pressure, they are lighter and well balanced in design.

Schwalbe Marathons:thumb:

I am around 215# and ride 47-406 Marathons on my Twenty. Best money I have ever spent!

Aaron:)

We have been riding on 406 - 1.35" Marathon Plus tires for about a year and a half. We have never had a flat on either BF. Even found a goat's head thorn at the tread edge of my front tire last week. Doesn't appear to have done anything to the tire. The wife likes them, too. Expensive, but worth it.

FYI: I weigh-in at about 205 lbs in riding gear.

Suggestion: Besides new tires, your friend needs a tire pump and a lesson in how to use it. I think your life will be less stressful if he can become self-sufficient in the basics.

Lou

Thanks guys. I had a talk with him at work today and it turns out he's only 185lbs, apparently he let a heavier friend of his try it out, he weighs about 220 - and might have hit a few bumps. There was also a spill involving a large pothole one very cold day which may have contributed.

Yes the quality of the Kendas was an issue for me when deciding on the bike, but I intend to upgrade to something respectable soon. Weighing 145 myself and preferring high pressures due to years of riding tubulars on a vintage Legnano I'm torn between a Marathon variant and something ... lighter.

I know attention to tire pressure would solve a lot of problems, I'm fanatical about mine, but I don't know if this guy can be convinced to put in the upkeep. I might be able to get him to subscribe to a good service regimen at the LBS where he bought it, though, and have them keep an eye on the pressures.

Thanks for all the advice and experience. I may end up upgrading my bike and giving him my old rubber. I think if he's careful and doesn't let that friend abuse the bike again, he could be alright.

While we're here, anyone have experience with the Marathon HS or the Marathon Supreme?

A decent floor pump takes all the pain out of keeping tires up to pressure.

mike alanko, HS is used in the model reference for all of them. Which one are you referring to? The standard Marathon?

The Marathon Supreme is one excellent tire. I personally use these on my Bike Friday Pocket Llama, with great result.

They have a very smooth tread pattern, a little noisy at speed, but quite smooth to ride. Enough volume that they take a good edge off the bumps, but also the lightweight and good rolling characteristics to make a pretty good quick tire. Vectran is an extremely good material for use as a puncture resistant layer, and as a plus, the tire folds, although that is not that relevant for city riding. The service life of the supremes should be very good, although the entrance cost is also very high. I would certainly not hesitate to recommend them as a high end touring tire.

Regular Schwalbe Marathon are also an excellent tire. They're not the best in any one category, but in all categories they do quite well. A very well balanced tire at a reasonable price.

As for lighter tires in the Schwalbe line, i've not used any except the Marathon Racer. That's also a pretty good tire, they're the lightest and likely quickest tire that Schwalbe manufactures that still includes a reflective sidewall, it also has relatively decent puncture protection.

I'm sure you could find a lighter, speedier tire to some degree, but it would be difficult to find one that balances domestic function with sportiness like the racer does.

I double checked my tires I run the regular Marathons on both my Twentys as well as my 700c wheeled city bike, and probably will be putting some on my Raleigh Superbe shortly. The Twenty gets the most miles and the most abuse and so far so good.:thumb:

Aaron:)

Abney, thanks for the info!

FYI guys I will be trying out a set of Marathon Plus soon, just picked them up today after the Kenda in the rear flatted last night. A nice 4mm steel sliver (maybe from a crane cable??) pierced the tire and tube, but luckily held til I got back from a 10k ride in a blizzard - getting groceries ;)

The Plus look VERY strong. I like the width, too, 1.35.

Thanks again for all the help.

A decent floor pump takes all the pain out of keeping tires up to pressure.

AGREE. And that means a floor pump with an air pressure gauge. A good one can be had for $40. at REI. It will last many years.

http://www.rei.com/product/782782

...but, even this one at $30 would do: http://www.rei.com/product/751436

Lots of similar pumps out there at similar prices.

AGREE. And that means a floor pump with an air pressure gauge. A good one can be had for $40. at REI. It will last many years.

http://www.rei.com/product/782782

...but, even this one at $30 would do: http://www.rei.com/product/751436

Lots of similar pumps out there at similar prices.

Agreed that a pressure gauge is a plus, but the biggest thing is using the pump. A hand held gauge isn't a bad idea either, it will let you do a quick check on the tires without having to pull the pump out.

Aaron:)

Yes - I think he had 35-40lbs in there most days. His 200lb + friend must have hit a bump or something. Maybe I can get a pic of the tires next week, he's taking my old ones.