norcalhiker

What curent model run Schwalbe tires are you using? Which ones do you have an opinion about? It seems there is a new-ish run of tires.

Marathon Extreme
Marathon Dureme
Marathon Plus Tour

markf

I used the Marathon Cross in a 26 x 1.75" in Sicily last year (April/May 2008). Very sturdy tire, almost indestructible, but they weigh a ton. They were heavy enough that it actually became difficult to steer the bike on fast descents. I've still got them in storage, I've got a few dirt road tours planned next summer where they should come in handy.

I currently have the Marathon Supreme on my bike in 26 x 1.6" size. Good puncture resistance, although I did get a sharp wire through the sidewall not long after I bought it. Fairly light, good semi-slick tread that works well on pavement. This is a good tire for touring on paved roads.

The Marathon XR HS 359 in a 26 x 1.6" looks like a good touring tire for a mix of paved and dirt roads, sturdier than the Marathon Supreme but not quite as heavy as the Marathon Cross. It could be worth trying for my next long tour, although I should probably wear out my current 2 pair of Schwalbes first.

I've noticed that Schwalbe offer 700C touring tires in a really good range of widths, but the 26" tires tend to only be available in fairly wide sizes, like 26 x 1.75" or wider. I've pretty much settled on 26 x 1.6" as an optimum touring tire size, and 26 x 1.75" is a close fit on my bike when the fenders are installed, so this is kind of a nuisance for me. Maybe if touring on 26" tires becomes more common Schwalbe will start offering 26" tires in more widths.

DukeArcher 

I doubt it, as Schwalbe are a German company and most Germans, let alone Europeans, tour on 26ers.

Cyclesafe

The XR's have been discontinued. Buy them up if you can! Supremes are not a valid replacement: they wear out much more quickly and suffer flats far more readily than the XR's. The Pluses are anchors.

mev

I've had XR on the back and Marathon+ on the front.

I switched to Schwalbe in 2007 after running through my stock of Continental Top Touring which became sparse/discontinued. I was pleased with their durability. I put new Marathon+ tires on in Amsterdam and the front made it to Vladivostok (~13000km) and the rear was replaced half-way across with an XR.

BigAura

I think the Duremes are supposed to be the XR replacements. They look interesting but extreme price and limited sizes are an immediate issue, I see. Only the real world will disclose their suitability.

vegenaise

i've tried a few schwalbe tires and i've found that the bead/size of the tire is too small/loose and they constantly pop off my 700c velocity dyads. i know other people have experienced this as well. i eventually gave up and only run conti touring tires.

xilios

We only use Marathon + 700 35C, never had any problems. For us they average, rear +/- 8000, front +/- 12000.

aggri1

I use the Marathon Plus ATB tyres (700x35). 5000km now (since I mounted them) without a puncture. The front is wearing down a little, but I expect to get quite a few thousand more out of them.

Not much grip in hard corners though (commuting, not with a heavy load). The bike has fallen over a few times while I was riding it. ;-)

bboy314

I rode Marathon Pluses from Richmond, VA to New Orleans, LA without a single flat. I've now been riding them around the absolutely TERRIBLE streets of New Orleans for two and a half months - still no flats. And I love how they ride. They're the only Schwalbe tires I've used though.

Abneycat

I use Marathon Plus 26x1.75 on the rear wheel of my cargo bike, 26x2.0 Marathon XR on the front. Both very good tires, both extremely durable, i'm disappointed that the XR has been discontinued - if it ain't broke?

20x1.6 Supremes on Bike Friday Pocket Llama, opinion has been pretty good so far. The one tire had some nicks in it out of the little box it came in. Very light, nice smooth profile.

20x1.5 Marathon on Dahon Speed D7, fine tires indeed. I'd like a slightly wider set of the 1.75s for my Llama. More all-round touring tire than the supreme with a more pronounced tread. Good tire for the money.

20x1.5 Marathon Racers previously used. Nothing particularly wrong with them, not cut out for heavy touring though, IMO. Puncture protection is light.

26x2.35 Big Apples previously used. Surprisingly, i'd tour on these, sure. Heavier and chunky, but soo comfortable, and very decent on rolling. Durability is good enough for touring.

Cyclesafe

The Marathon XR, Supreme, and Racer (used when unloaded trying to be a roadie) all fit well on my Dyads. Velocity had a small batch of Dyads some years ago, maybe you were one of the unlucky ones?

LeeG

seriously? damn, that explains it.

LeeG

Last years short tour I did on a Llama with 1.6 Supreme on the rear and Big Apple on the front. Wickedly comfortable front tire with low rolling resistance. It provides a lot of security when flying down a mtn at 30+mph and there's pebble sized rocks on the highway.