ColonelSanders

I was looking at what new tyres to get for my very soon to be hybridized Trek 830 Mountain Bike, and I was set to get the Marathon Supreme tyre(which I know is pretty damn good) but a tyre from Maxxis caught my eye, that I wondered if it could be even better than the Marathon Supreme?

The Maxxis tyre in question is the Maxxis OverDrive Elite Trekking Folding Tire Dual K2 26x2.00 inch and in addition to having what looks to be some serious protection against flats, I noticed it is also has 120 tpi casing vs 67 tpi casing for the Marathon Supreme.

Anyone had any experience with this tyre and if so, what are your thoughts?

Wanderer

Don't lose sight that Schwalbe only specs TPI for one thickness, of which there are three. 67 equals 191TPI for comparison.

ShortLegCyclist

High TPI/EPI is better for comfortable riding on pavement, but will also pick up and retain dirt more.

Low TPI/EPI is therefore better for off road use and has better puncture protection.

In case Wanderer's post wasn't clear, Schwalbe's website says that the 67 EPI listed for that tire is for each of the three layers in the wall, meaning you have to multiply by 3 to get the total TPI.

You said this was for a hybrid or trail bike?

andrei_r

I did have the regular wire bead Maxxis Overdrive in 700x38 (still do, but they are just hanging in my bedroom now). I found them very light for the size, much lighter than most comparable tires that the LBS had in stock (including some city continentals) when I was buying them. They did make the bike a bit slower than the previously mounted 28mm kenda K-west, but also made the ride much more comfortable. The tread is very long lasting and is excellent on asphalt and smooth gravel/earth trails. I found it wasn't aggressive enough on looser stuff, in the climbs. In over 3 years, I only got one puncture caused by a long sharp piece of glass, and it was on the sidewall, right where the kevlar protection ends.

ColonelSanders

I'm converting an old mountain bike to an urban hybrid, so I'm pretty much strictly asphalt.

I did understand Wanderer's post, but obviously there must be some doubt as to exactly how Maxxis determine their TPI count in their marketing.

My main concern is getting a fast rolling tyre with great grip.



I've currently got regular wired bead Maxxis Overdrive on my bike too.

But in reading through the specs on the Maxxis Overdrive Elite tyre I have referenced, it seems so much more advanced a tyre than my current Maxxis tyres, that it really has me intrigued.

Trailroaster

If you're going with 26" wheels. I've used with success in the past the Maxxis detonator in 26x1,5". There's a 1.25" width too but found very harsh ride and was scaryingly delicate with snakebites from the rim if you get low pressure on them. Performance on dirt wasn't so bad too.

BTW: From Detonator models you've the folding and the cheaper wire model.

dynaryder

Then those Maxxis tires would need to be pretty hot to best Supremes. I run them on my Marin and my Safari;they're comfortable enough to make the all-alloy Marin ride decent,and def pep up the tourer. I've gotten air under my rear tire twice panic braking on a steep downhill in the rain,and stopped without issue. I've also picked multiple bits of FOD out of the rear without a flat. I personally would need to see some pretty rave reviews from respected forumites before I would switch to those Maxxis tires.

ColonelSanders

That is fair enough.

Now I might go start that thread on Schwalbe tyres that I mentioned doing a week or so ago.