Originally Posted by
B. Carfree
2. Marathons aren't bulletproof and there is some virtue in speed and the ability to accelerate. Marathons interfere with both.
I've never tried shooting at mine (Marathon Plus) so can't say whether they are literally bulletproof (I suspect not).
I have ridden them over broken glass, hawthorn clippings, brambles, sharp gravel etc and never once has anything pierced them. One time I pulled an inch long thorn out of a tyre, chucked it in the bushes beside the trail and carried on cycling.
I don't feel I have issues with acceleration, but I'll know for sure when I replace my worn out rear tyre with a Marathon Extreme which is some 500g lighter. It too has puncture protection. Going downhill I've managed to freewheel up to almost 40mph so I don't think there's much interference with speed.