Originally Posted by
bmorey
On my previous bike I had Schwalbe Marathon Plus -- never had a flat in 8 months. Prior to the Schwlabes I got one or two flats a week, always from slivers of glass. However as Retro Grouch pointed out they are puncture resistant rather than puncture proof. They met their match last month --
LBS tried to talk me out of the Schwalbes because 'they're heavy'. The man's an idiot. I'm 187cm and weigh 94 kg -- what do I care if my tires weigh an extra 50 grams? I bought from another bike shop and never looked back. When the stock tires on my new bike wear I'll be replacing them with Schwalbes, even though they're expensive.
Another big fan of the Marathons here. I've got three pair in 700x28, 27x1 1/4, and "Racers" in 20x1.5". The only flat in years of running these was a tack that must have been sticking straight up. I was disappointed when the 27's arrived in the mail and felt twice as heavy as the 700's, but although they showed down the bike they are fine once you're rolling and they are better than the 700x28 over rough pavement. I bought some Schwalbe HS-159 recently. In 27x1 1/4 they are $15 less, 110g lighter and a bit narrower than Marathons. I've mounted them but not ridden them yet so can't report on road feel. The Marathon in 700x28 is my favorite tire (and I've got a lot!) and I seem to remember hearing it was the #1 touring tire in Europe.