Just to be clear -- the Supremes were the *worst* tires I've owned in the last 20,000 miles of riding in terms of flat protection. Same rider, same weight, same roads. They did not look worn out at all to me when I was running into lots of flats; I didn't think they were worn out until I started discussing it with Schwalbe.

In my email exchanges with them, we discussed 2 issues: life expectancy and flat protection. I told them that the tires had 1 or 2 flats at less than 1,000 miles, but quite a few at 2,000 miles, and continuing until I wrote them (at 3,000 miles). I said they didn't look worn, but asked them whether at that mileage I should expect more flats.

Issue one: life expectancy:

1. Here is what Schwalbe told me in an email: "Also, at +2000 miles, you are certainly already past the halve way point
for the life expectancy of theses tires." (When they wrote "halve" I think they meant "half.").

That suggests to me that they think the life expectancy of the tires is about 3,000 miles.

2. Flat protection. I sent them pictures of pieces of the sidewall that were pulling away from the tire; they said that had nothing to do with flats. They wrote that flats (as we all know) are caused by luck, bad roads, and the belt in the drive. My disappointment was caused by the fact that *on the same roads* I had a lot more flats with the Supremes than my other tires.

In terms of flat protection, Schwalbe said that I should consider using a tire sealant or one of their heavier models. Even though on their website they described the Supreme as "Exceptional. Outstanding. The best. A touring tire that can do everything" ....in their email communication with me they suggested their other models were better at protecting against flats.

So, here was my conclusion:
1. If the manufacturer says the life expectancy is 3,000 miles, that's not enough for a $69.95 tire, IMHO.
2. If the manufacturer recommends against using the tire in situations where I've encountered lots of flats, then I should switch.

I'm happy that everyone else is having good luck with them, I just didn't think I should buy another pair if the manufacturer was essentially recommending that I go elsewhere for tires that fit my needs. I now have Continental Top Contacts on my bike; I don't think they are as good on wet streets as the Marathon Supreme, but so far, no flats. And they are a relatively lightweight, not a super-heavy tire like the very heavy Marathon models.