Rolling resistance on Marathon XR?
 

I hate to beat the dead horse anymore but I have to!!! Yes, its about Schwalbe Marathon tires, what else right?

Those of you running Marathon XR's - how is the rolling resistance on these bad boys? I know they'll last a long time but am not sure I want to compromise these for the occasional dirt ride I'll be doing with my bike (using XR's if I got them) compared to the Supremes (what I'll get if I don't get XR's). I'm just hoping I can use these tires for two purposes.

If I get Supremes I'll only use this tire set for touring and have separate sets for road riding and probably a cyclocross set too (a bit much if you ask me).

I will be using these for mostly (95%) paved touring and the occasional dirt ride (fire roads/singletrack).

Here is a picture of the two different treades (although I don't know how worn these tires are); http://www.flickr.com/photos/eddoklo...an/3551471562/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eddoklo...an/3551471562/

Sorry again for a beaten topic, really!!

The XR has a harder, heavier rubber compound that gives better durability and puncture resistance compared to the Supreme. It's tread isn't particularly aggressive so IMHO there is very little rolling resistance penalty. But this is moot anyway. Schwalbe has discontinued the XR and is only supplying out of a dwindling inventory. There is no better touring tire for mixed conditions. I stocked up with a three year supply of 37-622's and 50-622's.

The Supreme has a softer ride, has better wet grip, and is lighter than the XR. If you want some tread, especially for touring on rough surfaces, Schwalbe recommends the Dureme, which along with the Extreme varies only from the Supreme in its tread pattern.

not exactly sure what you're asking but if lower rolling resistance and occasional dirt use is a priority why not the Extreme? According to Schwalbes info they have better grip in all conditions and better rolling, all you get with the XR is longer wear. I've been riding with a variety of tires on my LHT around town and with loaded groceries using an XR on the rear and Supreme on the front along with other tires. For loaded riding I think it's kind of irrelevant(unless using thick liners and thick tires) and the place where rolling resistance is perceived is a completely light bike.

I'm kind of soured on Schwalbes just from the cost.

Seems to me, the Supreme would work best for your intended use. I ride my 26x2.0 Supremes on 50% forest service road and 50% pavement in mostly hilly areas. Don't let the mild tread pattern fool you, the Supremes can handle some heavy off roading. Also, the inverted tread allows minimal rolling resistance on pavement. I have been on these for about a year now and have never had a single flat. They are also not wearing quickly as others have speculated.

Don't get me wrong, because I love my Supremes; but, I am going to be very interested in what comparisons to the Dureems, Supremes, and Extremes, show.

Specifically - traction, wear, ride, durability, roll.

Like others, I am concerned with the cost of these tires, and would definitely like to see them more competitively priced; but, their performance (at least the Supreme) is awesome.

I agree with all of this. I have 26X1.6 (40mm) supremes, which i got for 43 bucks each from SJS cycles, and have ridden them for about a year now on all surfaces in Wash. DC and S. Arizona. they handle dirt roads just fine, I havent had a single flat, and they dont seem to be wearing much at all... My lady got the XR's which are a bit more beefy, but honestly dont seem much better on the dirt road tours we like to do... if I had to choose between the two, Id get the supremes again in a heartbeat. they are AWESOME tires. On the road, they cant be beat.

I think Schwalbe's biggest problem (other than price) seems to be their inability to keep their product in the marketplace. Frequently, there just aren't any available for sale.

Like many on this BBS, I find the Supremes to be just plain awesome in performance.

I currently ride Supremes in 700X35 front, and 700X40 rear, which is an awesome combination for me. I even have another set, just like them, in reserve.

I ride a lot of paved MUPs, some paved road, some gravel road, and some fine chip paths, with occasional dirt and grass. They do fine everywhere, and really shine on pavement.

I totally agree that the Supreme is an awesome tire. The 37-622 rides very smoothly and it really gives confidence on wet pavement. It's my choice for the front tire when touring on asphalt. When touring off-road I'd rather have a little tread on the tire edges as in the Dureme (which I've not yet used). Unfortunately, the Extreme is not available in 622 in wider widths.

But I have already worn out 3 Supreme tires - used in combinations of front and rear - in half the mileage (3500 miles) compared to same-sized XR's in similar conditions. I also got many more flats (1/500 miles versus 1/7000 miles). Tire failure on the Supremes is at the tread, while failure in the XR is in the sidewall. The softer rubber is the reason for its relative advantages and disadvantages versus the XR, since the protection layer is apparently the same in both tires.

Schwalbe EVO series tires are indeed expensive, but not if your alternative is a cheaper tire with a Kevlar liner (SpinSkins, Flataway).

Supremes are available from Wallbike.

I have 2.25 XR and 1.5 Marathons. The XRs are maybe 10% slower