anybody riding with this tire/measure? Flat-resistant as larger ones?

I've got Continental Ultra Gatorskins in 700 x 25C, and they are awesome. I've only had one flat, and that was due to installer error. I'm sure the Schwalbes will work similarly well.

I have the Marathon Plus in 700 x 25. I first tried a 700 x 28, but it was too tall and bumped up against my frame. I exchanged it for the 700 x 25. Both of those sizes (28 vs 25) seemed to be practically the same in flat-resistant "toughness"...this of course was not a scientific comparison, just based on the look and feel of both tires held in my hands on two different occations. The 25 is relatively heavy (for a 700 X 25 size tire), I think around 500-600 grams. It has the same "nougat" filled center-layer (the same as the 28) that protects the tube from road debris (a promo picture shows it taking, what looks like, a thumb-tack).

I have about 1000 miles on my 700c x 25 marathon pluses.

No flatsyet.

I've ridden them through some really rough rocky areas (ok, actually roads that were technically closed to traffic since they were under construction) that would have scared the beejesus out of me with ordinary road tires.

Yeah, I've got this size on 2 of my bikes. One's a singlespeed w/Sun Cr-18 rims 32/36h, frt/rr and the other's a 1x8 C-Dale SR300 w/bar-end shifter. Rims are Sun MZ-14 32h rr and an Alex 20h frt. Both bikes are combo recreation/commuters. I've got a seatpost rack/trunk combo I swap out between the 2 depending on which one is being used for commuting. The tires are GREAT. Have no trouble staying w/group rides on the C-dale...I've got to work a little harder, but that's ok. Have done a couple of ss/fx group rides and again, no trouble holding the pace.

Would recommend getting as wide a rim tape as possible and the proper valve length for your rims. The recommended psi is 115, but I run mine around 125 during cold weather and 115 when it warms up. I've got at least 1-2000 miles on each set, some loaded, some not. I think they're great and will use SMPs on all my bikes in the future. Some complain of the 'drag', but I don't notice it as I'd been running Nu-Teck airless for 3 years. I'd rather have the 'flat rate issue' as close to minimum as possible.

If you want a narrow 'roadfeel' type tire the 25s are the ones for you. If you prefer a 'softer' ride and have the clearance then get the 28s or even the 32s. I've got 28s on my #1 commuter which is a Motobecane Fantom CX(bikesdirect.com yellow/black) and it 'glides' like a dream. It's got an aluminum frame and the SMPs take the 'jar' right out...it feels like a 'aggressive geometry steel tourer' if that makes any sense. W/a Delta Mega Rack, Jandd Saddlebags, Topeak RM w/G, Duel NR Trailrats w/Univ. taillight and SKS Raceblades it makes a real sweet ride.

Other than 'pinch flats' w/t 25s that were totally my fault and one mega-flat on the 28s from a 2" self-starting screw that NOTHING would've stopped I haven't flatted in well over 6 months(knock on wood ) Get 'em. You'll be glad you did...but get the Kool Stop mounting tool. It'll save on pinch flats and foul language...A bargain at 11.00US. And use a little liquid soap, too.

thank you all, giving them a try

I'm liking the sound of these tires more and more. I'm thinking of swapping my hybrid's stock 700x38c Kenda Kourier's with 85 psi, with another smooth tire of the same size, maybe narrower.

I'm a little confused by the additional size information on my Kendas: 28 x1 5/8 x 1 1/2 this appears right after the: 700x38c

I ride on the 700cx28 SMPs, and have just over 5000 flat free miles on the set that is on my commuter now. If they ever wear out, I am thinking of replacing them with the 25s. Actually I would buy one 25 and put it on the front, then move the tire that I have on the front to the rear.

You'll be able to run 32mm SMPs which will give you the 'cushiony feel' of the 38mm Kendas w/a lower rolling resistance. Added thickness is the 'Plus' part of the Schwalbe Marathons. You'll be able to run them at 100 psi, too. Wont need to go any bigger unless it's your preference. Not sure what the extra notation means on your tires, but someone will probably post w/t answer.

Try https://www.biketiresdirect.com for good prices. Get new tubes, Kool Stop tire lever and rim tape, too. Figure on dropping 100.00US for everything, but it is SO worth it for someone who commutes. How long will 100.00 worth of gas last? You'll be rolling on those SMPs 2 years from now. Great tires...can't say enough.

Yeah, I checked out some mounted tires and some shops today to compare (visually) some sizes. 35s looked identical to my 38s. I can see riding on 32s. Higher pressure sounds good but I don't need "cushioning". Also I think I might go with an even smoother tread pattern. The Marathons don't have a constant center line like others I've seen, or like a slick of some kind, you know?

i run 700x25 SMPs. They were a beast to install at first, and when I finally got them on, I kept getting flats from incorrect tube alignment. This finally went away when I installed the tires with some of dish soap, which made installation MUCH easier. Installed them coreectly in August, have not gotten flats since riding here in Boston.

They are a little stiff and I now wish I had gone with 28s or 32s. But I'm not willing to spend more money, so I'm happy with them.

I was about to ask how you mounted yours. I killed three tubes putting on my 700x28 SMPs. I finally spotted that Kool Stop "Bead Jack" at my LBS yesterday, and I definitely want one for myself now.

I have them on my bar bike. They are quite wide for a 26mm tire, heavy, have really bad grip in the wet, and ride like bricks. That being said they are just as flat resistant as the larger ones.

I found a bottle of the Schwalbe bead lube (or whatever they call it) works wonders. It's well worth the price, and a bottle should last for many years.

True, they're bigger than standard 25mm road tires, that's where the 'PLUS' comes in. If one has tight clearance running 23 or 25mm tires the SMPs are going to be too big. On my C'Dale SR300 rb I had to sand down the rubber a little to get the tire to stop rubbing on the underside of the fork crown. Were I to do it over I'd order a Schwalbe Marathon 700x25mm for the front and an SMP for the rear as 90% of my flats are on the rear tire. But, live and learn and they're probably the last or 2nd to the last set of tires I'll ever need on this bike.

But, I don't agree that they have 'really bad grip in the wet' or they 'ride like bricks'. Quite the contrary has been my experience. I've had Hutchinsons, Panaracers, Continentals, Michelins, Kendas, Cheng Shen(walmart...) and have found the SMPs to be VERY grippy in the wet and they ride smooth when it's dry. And I don't babysit my bike(s) in wet weather, either. In fact, that's one of the reasons I got the SMPs. Others' claims of the superior 'wet weather' handling. They ARE heavy, but that's the implication one gets from the name Schwalbe Marathon PLUS. Otherwise, they'd be called Schwalbe Paper-Thin Ultra-Lite Racers. Use for 1 century ride and discard.

You want 'ride like bricks'...try Nu-Tecks @ 140psi. I have and 25mm SMPs @ 125 psi ride like 'Cream o' Wheat' in comparison.

The 'Plus' refers to the extra layer of flat protection, not their width.

As for their wet weather grip and ride quality, I'll stick to my opinion. I know they are horrible in these regards as I used them for several years on my main commuter. You might not notice their weakness if you only ride on MP tires, but if you have several bikes like I do with different tires, and switch between them, the poor grip and lousy ride quality are very clear.

Marathon Supremes on the other hand have a much better ride quality and wet weather grip.

I know what the 'Plus' means. I stated they're bigger. The implication being they are taller AND wider. They happen to be both. I don't mind being corrected when I'm wrong, but find it annoying when I'm simply misunderstood. Heck, I gave you a pass on the tire size...they're 25mm not 26mm as stated in your op. In owning a total of 7 bikes w/different types of tires I find the SMPs well above the rest in ALL conditions. You're entitled to your opinion, I just happen to disagree.

There is no need to get your knickers in a twist; we're only talking about tires. If you find it annoying when people misunderstand you perhaps you should try to write a bit more clearly.

We'll just have to agree to disagree.

Now you're taking a veiled 'little snot shot' w/the 'knickers in a twist' blast. Typical 'go to' cheap attempt at wit. C'mon, you're better than that. Everybody gets scalded from time to time here on BF. Nothing personal in my op, but you felt compelled to be dismissive of my language skills when the misunderstanding was on your part. Take your lumps and go for a nice cafe ride. You'll feel better. I'll recommend the house blend w/half 'n half and honey.

Jaa, this is real clear. It also happens to be wrong.

The Plus actually refers to the flat extra SmartGuard protection as compared to the regular Marathon tire.

I'm not into proving myself 'right' to strangers on the internet, but when you are giving out bad info I'll call you on it.

https://www.schwalbetires.com/marathon_plus

Uh... would the extra protection make it a little thicker..?


(fwiw, I don't really like how they ride, either, even in 28.. they've got hard sidewalls, and the tread is kinda squirrelly. No big deal unless you're really hustling along, though.)

Even if it does they didn't name it 'Plus' due to it's size. It's not like it comes from Lane Bryant.....

Forgive me for resurrecting this thread, but I got a pair of SMP 700x25c tires for my 1987 Trek 560 Pro Series. It came with a pair of inexpensive 700x25c tires on it, but the SMPs were too tall. The rear tire clears the brakes by a fraction of a millimeter-- actually the "fringe" from the mold line rubs against the brakes at one point-- and the front tire couldn't be put on the bike at all, unless I was willing to create some extra clearance with a Dremel tool.