PSI on Marathons / comments on Slicks?
 

I had to replace the tires on my Dahon Mariner last weekend, so I've gone from the stock 60psi tires to the Schwalbe Marathons, which are 100psi tires. I can't seem to get past 90psi with my frame pump (Topeak Road Morph), and the Marathons lose air much faster than the old tires.

Is there any problem with running these tires at 90psi, or less (e.g. 70)? I know they're rated from 30psi - 100psi, but I don't want to have any major performance penalties or increase the chances of getting pinch flats.

I'm also thinking about getting a pair of Marathon Slicks, and using the regular Marathons when on tour. Anyone try a pair of Slicks on their folding bikes?

Thanks....
B

Were it I, I would get the M. Racers before I got the M. Slicks. The Racers, IMO, are as fast as the Slicks at equal psi, but are much better in the rain.

Shouldn't be a problem running them at 90 unless you carry severe weight (250+ lbs.?).
But with regular Marathons in general, the further they are away from 100 psi, the more sluggish they become, in my experience.

In case you don't have one, it may be a good investment to get a floor pump. As good as the Road Morphs are, they are best used as emergency substitutes.

no problems running them at 90 or even much less ..lets say 60 .. they do become sluggish though.( when going 60 or below )

No reason that they should loose air .... both of them ? check the valve maybe you have a small sand korn in it. than take the tubes out and hold them under water ...

The racers are very expensive ... but in my opion worth the money ( of course he says that as he sells them , somebody will chime in ) but they are almost as fast as the stelvios with loads more puncture resistance and a smooth ride to boot ...

thor

More tyre matters...

Both versions of the Greenspeed Scorcher (ERTO 406) are now available in the UK. Price: £25 each. I checked with the distributor this morning after blaming my tyres for their astonishing lack of speed when attempting to chase down a roadie (I will not accept that my bulk or cardio-vascular system are culpable!).

I am currently deciding whether to Kevlar or not to Kevlar. I may mix and match…Will write a report when I have stopped vacillating.

Oooh, where? Where? I want the kevlar ones!!!! :eek:

Westcountry Recumbents - check out their website...

Well, the back tire definitely has a flat -- went from 100psi to 20psi overnight. The offending item appears to be a staple that was embedded on the inside of the tire. Probably happened somehow at the shop, since that tube was new & lost air from the start. Bleah.

The front tire seems to lose about 5psi overnight -- it's probably ok, but I'll check that one as well. If they're both solid, I'll try to ride the Marathons at a few different PSI's over the next week before deciding whether or not I need different tires.

BTW Spambait, I do have a floor pump. But I'm not planning to drag it along with me when I tour. ;)

So Brakemeister -- know of any problems using the 20 x 1.5 "wireless" / folding tires on 20 /1.5-1.75 wheels? Folding tires may be very handy as a backup when on tour....