As stated in another thread, I just received a new pair of Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires and was told that I had to post a complete review since they were new. However, I don't really want to review the tires so much as the effect they have had on me. The various properties of these tires have been discussed and rediscussed so many times, I don't think you really want to hear about them again... do you????

Well, here is the thing... Everything I read about these tires said that they are heavy and they are going to slow me down. Fact: they are heavy. Fact: I am slow to begin with.

On my first ride with these tires (5 miles to make sure I hadn't pinched the tube somewhere) I felt faster, lighter, more agile, and more stable. The bike looked sexier. Now, I know that I definitely wasn't lighter (these tires ARE heavy). And I'm pretty sure I was still slow. But I felt faster and lighter. On my 2nd ride (today's commute) I still felt all of those things.

I know the bike certainly isn't lighter, and I'm fairly positive that we (my bike and me) aren't faster. I am, however, completely convinced of the improved sexiness of my bike though.

I think upgrading the tires was kinda like taking a sugar pill. They didn't actually make me lighter and faster, but I am weak minded enough to 'think' they did.

I can't wait to install my new fenders now... they've been sitting around for about a month now waiting for the new tires before I installed them. Once those bad boys are on I'll be the fastest, sexiest thing on the road (at least in my own mind).