Tires for a downtube
 

My DT came with a 20x1.75 on the back, and a 20x1.5 on the front.

I'm looking to replace both with something more durable, like the Marathon Plus for long distance riding. I don't know a lot about tires though, and I'm still doing research.

My plan is to put same-sized tires on both the front and rear wheels. I know the 1.35 is going to have a stiffer ride than the 1.75, but this is a full suspension bike. Will that offset the bumpiness of the smaller tire enough to make it worth getting for the lower rolling resistance, or should I just go with the 1.75's? I will eventually be using this bike for riding in centuries, but I'm not really setting it up for speed or racing. It's more of an all-day comfort experience (though if a skinnier tire will cut a lot of time off the trip, then I'd weigh that against the comfort factor).

Also, is there anything else I should be aware of when choosing tires? I'm assuming both wheels are the same size, they just have different tires. I also see some tires have a fold bead and others have a wide bead. Can anyone explain this to me and which one should I buy for my bike?

Sorry for so many questions. Thanks in advance for the help.

I went with the 1.35 on my Boardwalk without and problems.

Thanks. Are there any other tires I should consider in the 20x1.35 range from other manufacturers?

Folding beads mean the tyre can be folded into quarters and stored easily - easy for touring when you want to pack a spare. These usually have a kevlar bead. Non folding can't be so easily stored, and are usually a bit heavier (bead is steel). You can use either on a 20" rim (ISO406 size).

Ah, thanks LP. :)

I've bought Marathon Plus pair 2day, perfect choice for FS model.

I changed from Marathon Racer 1.5 to Marathon Plus 1.75. I like the Plus.

Tradeoffs:

Slightly better ride, much greater puncture resistance, much greater weight.