kshapero

Can anyone compare them?

jcm

My answer is in the Armadillo thread.

kshapero

Why?

mander

This may not be exactly what you wanted, but I rode a set of Marathon +'s and found their flat protection to be top notch. I can't remember fixing a flat with those tires on. They're like tank treads. For my needs they were overkill though and I have since switched to a lighter flat resistant tire, Panaracer Pasela TGs.

PaulH

I have not had both tires on the same bike. However, my wife's road bike has Armadillos and my own commuting bike has Marathon Plus. I've gone about 15,000 flat-free miles on the Marathons. She's been flat-free for years, but it's hard to compare the flat resistance of the Armadillos, because she only rides a few hundred miles a year.

However, I do notice that the rolling resistance of the Marathons is significantly better than that of the Armadillos. Also, the Armadillos have a subjective "dead" feel that makes them less pleasant for me to ride on.

Paul

kwrides

What he said ^^^

snoogly

Which would have a 'nicer' (smoother, faster) ride, 26x1.75 Marathon, or 26x1.95 Armadillos?

(Here in Japan, only 26x1.75 Marathons are available.)

jcm

Sorry, I think that thread is in Touring. Something about Too Tight Marathons...

So, I'll offer the same thing here:

I've used the Schwalbe's and Armadillo's in both 28mm-X-700, 23mm-X-700, 1.5" X 26" While I like the Marathon's alot, they are definitely in my experience more difficult to put on. Conversely, the Army's, despite the oft heard statement to the contrary, are easier than many tires I've used. I even prefer them to the usual lightweight tires found on most road bikes. Why? Because they are stiff enough to hold their form when you are changing tubes in the dark and don't want to deal with a floppy tire.

The Marathon's have earned a great reputation, and they deserve it, but the Army's are just as tough, but the wrestling match is nil. I sold my Marathon's to a friend who rolls on the ground, fighting with them to this day, swearing through clenched teeth how fabulous they are. I just wait around grinning...

Good thing he doesn't have to do it often.

By the way, I swear by Pedro tire levers - the big yellow pry bars. Just spit on them and they'll get any tire on.

jcm

The question is too subjective for me. Almost impossible to say, given the different size, and they would have to be used on the same bike, with the same load and pressure.

kshapero

Sounds like the Marathon Plus's rides smoother. Right now I am riding Specialized Mondo Pro 700 x 23. They are very smooth but they are getting ragged.

nashcommguy

Have never used the Armadillos, but can't imagine them to be any better than the SMPs. The thing that surprised me...once I got them on, was the rolling resistance. Or should I say a lack thereof. I've got them on three bikes. 700x28mm are on a Motobecane Fantom CX. The 2 sets of 700x25mm are on an old c-dale rb and an old sf fuji ss. There was a learning curve as I had a few pinch flats in the beginning. Cured that w/wider rim tape. And the one 'debris flat' I had was from a 2" self-starting screw...nothing would've stopped THAT. I keep it in my tool bag as a reminder. I've got several thousand miles on the tires w/the most on the 28s as they're on my 'primary' commuter. So, I haven't had a flat in well over 6 mos w/a 40 mi rt commute. I do between 160-250 mi per week. For ease of mounting get a Kool Stop tire lever. I swap the one I have from bike to bike. It's WAY easier to mount them w/it.

PartyPack

I've done a lot of miles on both. The Marathons are much nicer to ride on. They roll better and provide more grip in the wet. They also appear to wear better. Both are top notch for flat protection.

They are both firm to fit but not even in the same ball park as the Veloflex Corsa's on my road bike

mawtangent

+1 Same tires/same viewpoint...When I got back into cycling about two years ago I was getting a lot of flats and did some research and looked at some tires in shops...All I can add (in comparing Marathon Plus to Armadillos) is that in the 700 X 25 size (according to what I read) Armadillos are about 100-200 grams lighter per tire than the Marathon Plus (I can't remember the exact numbers). If you are sensitive to weight issues (especially "rolling" weight) then that may be a factor in making your decision.

nashcommguy

The 25mm SMPs have some extra rubber on the 'rolling surface' which can cause rubbing if your fork crowns and chain stay/bb area have very close tolerances. I've got an 85 c-dale sr300 and the SMPs barely clear the front fork and chain stays...I mean 1/16 to 3/32" on either side. The front tire rubbed slightly on the underside of the fork crown, but I lowered the axle slightly in the forks and put a 'hard clamp' on the QR skewer...it's REALLY hard to undue and that 1/8" clearance seemed to do the trick. I think the bike was designed for 20-23mm tires and the 25s are just a little too big. But, it's my century bike and back-up commuter, so I wanted the SMPs on it and made the adjustments. Weight was a secondary consideration compared to flat resistance.

djayyy

I bought some Scwhalbe Marathon Plus tyres for my Specialized Sirrus about 6 months ago. I have tried to fit them twice now and just get sooo frustrated i gave up. Now i am a n00b however the wheels on my Sirrus are 700x28 so i bought the SMP 700x28 as this seemed logical Now without sounding completely thick i have got the right size i hope

Any tips for getting the dam things on?

I was thinking of just taking it to the LBS and asking them to fit them if they can.

snoogly

I'm getting some Marathon's fitted tomorrow at my LBS - I'll try to get some tips!

One thing though - I made sure when I got my my wheels built that I got deep rims (OK for tubeless tires), which should make things easier.

nashcommguy

Re-read my first post...#13. In in I mention the Kool Stop tire lever. Once you've got the 1st bead on insert the tube w/a little air in it and the valve stem in the hole. As you begin the process of working the 2nd bead on 'squeeze' the 2 beads together working your way around until you can't got any further by hand. Then while holding the left side of the bead work the Kool Stop from the right towards your left hand. Let air out of the tube as needed. If you need to add a little liquid soap use it sparingly as it can get messy causing the tire to slip out of your hand.

I've mounted 3 sets and have had 5 flats since purchasing my 1st set. 4 of them were 'pinch flats' and were totally my fault...I needed wider rim tape and kept trying to get by w/o changing it. When I 'finally' got new rim tape on all my commuters the pinch flats disappeared. Roadside re-mounting requires METAL tire levers NOT plastic. Pyramid makes a good set...sand down the edges though as they are cheaply made and will scrape the crap out of your rims. They're available at your lbs, usually or you can get them for sure @ https://www.bikepartsusa.com

mawtangent

Nashcommguy...I have a flatbar roadbike that came with 700x25 Michelin Dynamic tires. I first tried a Marathon Plus in 700x28 on the back rim and it contacted a center "numb" on the frame in the area where the brake is connected to the bike. The tire was too tall (I had measured/checked beforehand for width clearance but had not even thought of a possible problem with height clearance). I wasn't savvy enough to think of making adjustments in the axel area to make the tire fit (and I didn't have my heart set on using a 28 anyway). I exchanged the 700x28 for 700x25 and it fits the frame fine.

djayyy...There is a thread on BF about tips for mounting the Marathons. I will look for it. The search function doesn't seem to be working. Someone used "ties" (I assume the plastic garbage-bag ties) to hold the tire in place as they worked the rest of the tire on the rim. I have read that after the Marathons are on the rim for a week or two that they become easier to mount and dismount. (I put mine on amost a year ago and haven't had reason to remove it).

dwilbur3

I tried your link and got a "not found error". Any ideas?

dclaryjr

I got one--take out the slash after www and replace with a period.

randomgear

https://www.teamestrogen.com/content.ep?file=asa_levers

Try this.
Since your tire seems really tight, don't forget the tire levers.

nashcommguy

Oops, my bad...should've been https://www.bikepartsusa.com

dwilbur3

Doh! And I get paid to work on computers!

djayyy

All thanks very much for your help. When i get some time i will have another go and report back. Thanks again.

JoeSoMD

I have both. I run the marathon on the rear and the armadillo on the front. I started riding with armadillo's (700x25) but the flat protection was not adequate for the roads that I commute on. Further, all of my flats have been on the rear, and with the armadillo's they were averaging one per week, which sucked big time. I definitely prefer the ride of the armadillo's to the marathon's. The marathons are too "springy" for my liking. However, no flats in 1500 miles with the marathon on the back! And thank God... because I find it really hard to get the marathon off of the rim in my garage. I cringe when thinking about having to do a roadside marathon fix. (It apparently has wire in the bead). The armadillo elite's don't and I've found they are way easier to change. Schwalbe company... if you read this stuff please put a version of Marathon's out with no wire in the bead!!!!