Schwalbe Marathons questions
 

hello, what are the differences between the racer, plus, supreme? I'm looking for the best I can get for my DT 8FS that's been getting flats from NYC street glass regularly, and fast speed.

thanks

Marathon regular ? Or marathon PLUS ..BIG difference ..sure the Plus is pretty indistructable but also heavy and can feel sluggish The regular marathon is a very good tire for mixed surfaces and can take a a beating ...
Racer is a little less weight and feels faster
surpremes are the best of both worlds with buttery soft feel but lightning fast feel and medium to good flat protection ..they are expensive !

thor

I love my Supremes, so much - that I have 2 more sets in the basement..... They sure resolved my flat problems, which used to be horrendous.....

I agree with brakemeister's comments... but would add that Racer isn't nearly as flat resistant as the others.

Look at Schwalbe North America's own description of the various tyres, you'll get a fairly good idea how they compare against each other.

http://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/road_tires

--J

Thank you thor, can you tell me the difference between the foldable and non-foldable version of the tires since they cost quite differently. How is the puncture resistance on the Racer and the Supreme compare to the Plus?

Also, all the flats has been the rear tire(it's a Kenda 20X1.75). I ride in NYC street and a lot of times I can't avoid running over glass. You said the supreme has "medium to good flat protection", now would that be good enough for nasty urban streets?

thanks again.

thank you very much, I was about to hit the google for their website and saw the link you provided. much thanks.

hi, thanks for chimming in, there aren't many users nor "reviews" on the Schwalbe Marathon Supreme so I definitely appreciate your comment.

may I ask you how bad are the streets your supremes usually have to endure?

hate to say as it might be a little arrogant ...all the schwalbes are nicer than the kenda ... its a different kind of tire.
the Plus are the absolutely top of the line with puncture protection ....
as said earlier

the supremes work nice in most conditions but are NOT as puncture resistant that the Plus

having said that I would personally never use the Plus and rather have surpremes ( than I pay wholesale )

thor

I used top average a flat every hundred miles, about 2.5 per week. Some of my tubes are polka dotted. And, I'm really good, and fast, at patching tubes, now.

Offenders, always found and removed, included sharp flints, glass, wire, wooden slivers - etc.

My main reason for getting the Supremes was flat protection ---- and I haven't patched one of my tires in almost two years. (2 sets of tires)

My reviews are on Schwalbe's website, could be listed under Phil Jungels, or Wanderer. I tried to go into as much detail as I could, both short and long term.

They are GREAT tires...............

p.s. get the Schwalbe rim savers, and their tubes - you will be glad you did.

I have the Schwalbe Marathon Racers (foldable) and have been very happy with them. I also ride in NYC and haven't had any problems with flats so far but I've only had them for a few months. If flats start becoming an issue, I'll try the Supremes.

According to Schwalbe, the Supremes have higher rolling resistance than the Racers.

The recumbant page lists only the models that have small size version

http://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/recumbent

I've narrowed down between the supreme and the racer, both seems suitable for my application, one cost twice as much as the other.

Would it be okay if I just replace the rear tire with a puncture resisting tire? All my flats seems to be at the rear.

also, newbie question alert, does the rim tape go between the rim and the tube, or between the tire and the tube?

Get a bottle of slime. I use it and ride in in NYC. I've never gotten a flat yet! It helps keep the tire pressure up too.

rim tape ON the rim - between the tube and the rim.

I rode for quite a while with a Racer in front, a Marathon Plus in rear. Upright hybrid bike, relatively slow speed commuting, utility and touring use. Worked well for me, but YMMV and all the usual small print. Ride comfort is subjective.

And sorry for not noticing it's a 'bent you're riding. :)

--J

When (not if) you do get a flat and need to replace the tube, please let us know how it went. From what I've heard, slime makes quite a mess inside the tyre?

--J

I'm using Slime in three of my folders atm and no flats yet. I will let you know how it goes IF I ever get a flat. I've seen some of it come out of the valve when I go to inflate the tire pressure, but I just sprinkle some water on it and it comes off clean. According to Slime, the liquid doesn't harden, but small particles of rubber seal flats when there is a leak. So, technically if I get a flat, I should be able to wash off whatever slime is in the tire.....I hope.

It is called Slime for a reason ;-)

ordered a pair of regular Marathons, decision based on it's 100 psi.

I find the opposite to be true...I have a bike that has a factory slime tube with schrader valve in the rear wheel and a Schwalbe presta valve non slime tube in the front. The rear always needs air before the front tire does.

Also they make a helluva mess if you blow one out...

Aaron :)

just installed a brand new pair of Schwalbe Marathon(regulars) on my Downtube 8FS, pumped up to the max at 100psi, significant improvement on rolling resistance over the Kendas. I had to take the long route for my morning commute thanks to the United Nations general assembly, and I still made reall good time getting to work.

PS, I had real hard time removing and installing all the tires with a 1.50 width, the original Kenda 20X1.75 rear tire was so much easier. Any suggestions and advice?

They get easier, I have soaked them in hot water or left them laying in the sun for a couple of hours to soften them up. I also use some seriously heavy duty tire irons.

Aaron :)

I have had very good experience with these levers

http://www.sunlitecycling.com/produc...vers&cl1=TOOLS

Long, strong, hold the tire well and do not scratch the rim.

thanks folks!!