Which Schwalbe

[Tim]

I just found out that Schwalbe is going to throw me a set of tires as a sponsor for my ride/event.  www.opawakening.com

Needless to say i was hoping to ask the group a question on choice of Schwalbe touring tire you'd choose.  I'm going to run the 700x35c size tires and was leaning toward the Marathon Plus HS 348's.  I'm wondering what the opionions are on these tires from folks who may be running them or have ridden them in the past.   

Thanks a bunch.

Tim Tuomey

[mdxix]

I just switched to use the Marathon Plus in 700x32. They seem bullet proof, can go anywhere, with good traction on corners and loose gravel.

There are hundreds of internet reviews on these classics. They are mostly positive. I read two common complaints that I did not experience:

1. Difficult to mount: this seemed a bit harder than usual, taking a few extra minutes to get used to it and figure it out. The hope is, because of their construction, you never have to take them off.

2. Heavy: I suppose they are a few mg heavier than others, but I did not notice.

There is surely more rolling resistance than the sleek ones I was using before, but that was what I wanted, to ride on multiple terrains.

[John Nelson]

Every tire of the Marathon line has a large set of dedicated customers. That's because every one fits a different need and desire. Some are lighter, some are faster, some are more puncture resistant, some handle off-road better, some last longer, some have better traction. Obviously all of these are important, but try to rank your priorities. The Schwalbe web site will then make it easy for you to pick--it does an excellent job of comparing the tires. You'll do a much better job picking for yourself than we can do for you.

[Tim]

Really, john.  I've been there and even talked to my rep.  And yes there is a sea of reviews that I've gone through.  But the reason for asking this group is because I enjoy the experienced opionions that various folks share here.  From there I might be able to gather a collective opionion that will help me make an educated decision based on others real time expierences.  Like mdxix did before you.  If I'm putting others out please let me know and I'll delete this thread.

 

[tonythomson]

Just crossed Australia on Marathon Plus 700x32 no punctures no prblems and still plenty of life in them.

I was unsupported so carrying all camping gear and up to 10 L water, so it was a good load.

[staehpj1]

2. Heavy: I suppose they are a few mg heavier than others, but I did not notice.

A few mg?  The Marathon Plus series weigh more than twice what some other touring suitable tires weigh.  In the size you mention they are just under 2 pounds a piece.  Also they have a very dead feeling ride that is at least partly due to the stiff sidewalls.

They are very flat resistant though, so if flat resistance at all costs trumps ride feel and very a significant weight difference they may suit you.  I rode on a set for a few hundred miles and hated them enough to take them off.

Personally I would pick a lighter tire from their line.  I don't have much experience with their other models so I won't recommend a specific one.

[John Nelson]

The intent of my previous reply was to offer my suggestions on the process. I was unaware that you had already gone through it. If you want to know what conclusions that process led to for me, I prefer the Marathon XR in 35mm width. They no longer make the XR. The Mondial is the nearest equivalent, so it will be my next purchase. I prefer a compromise: not the fastest, not the heaviest, not the toughest, and not the most flat resistant, but a good balance of these factors. Tires like the XR, Mondial, Supreme and Dureme fit this criteria. I tour on pavement. Like Pete, I think the Plus and the Tour Plus exact too much of a weight penalty for a modest improvement in puncture resistance.

Good luck with your choice.

[litespeed]

I use 35mm Schwalbe Marathon Supremes. They are much tougher than the Continentals I used to use - wear longer and have much fewer flats. My total touring weight - me at 205 lbs., clothing , gear, water, racks, bike, etc. - is almost 300 pounds so I don't worry about a few extra ounces of tire. Changing tires under miserable conditions - rain, heat, cold, heavy traffic, sitting in a ditch, etc. - is something I really try to avoid.

[staehpj1]

I use 35mm Schwalbe Marathon Supremes. They are much tougher than the Continentals I used to use - wear longer and have much fewer flats. My total touring weight - me at 205 lbs., clothing , gear, water, racks, bike, etc. - is almost 300 pounds so I don't worry about a few extra ounces of tire. Changing tires under miserable conditions - rain, heat, cold, heavy traffic, sitting in a ditch, etc. - is something I really try to avoid.

Just to be clear...
The tire you just recommended is way lighter that the Plus.  I think Supreme weighs about half what the Marathon Plus weighs (about a pound vs about two pounds).  We aren't talking a few ounces if considering the Plus.  Given that there are two tires on a bike the difference is about 2 pounds.

I have heard mostly rave reviews for the Schwalbe Marathon Supremes.

[Tim]

John I apologize for the terse response.  I come from the rock climbing world and normally getting info from climbing forums is a lesson in tolerance (i.e. loads of bravado and attitude).  But I do enjoy these type of responses and wanted to thank the group who gave their opionions to my inquiry.  Thanks everyone good feedback. 

[BikeFreak]

2. Heavy: I suppose they are a few mg heavier than others, but I did not notice.

A few mg?  The Marathon Plus series weigh more than twice what some other touring suitable tires weigh.  In the size you mention they are just under 2 pounds a piece.  Also they have a very dead feeling ride that is at least partly due to the stiff sidewalls.

They are very flat resistant though, so if flat resistance at all costs trumps ride feel and very a significant weight difference they may suit you.  I rode on a set for a few hundred miles and hated them enough to take them off.

Personally I would pick a lighter tire from their line.  I don't have much experience with their other models so I won't recommend a specific one.

I fully agree on that reply. I have been using the Plus tires ... once ... and will never do it again. If I had to commute 2 mi through glass debris, nails etc I would probably choose them. But for touring: Never. Unless you like the additional exercise by the rolling friction.

Lucas

[Tim]

Thanks guys.  It looks like it'll be the Mondial HS428's.  Preciate the breakdown on rolling resistance and weight. 

[jrswenberger]

Anyone used either the 700x32 or 35 Supremes? Have you actually measured the width when mounted? How wide are they when fully inflated?

Thanks,
Jay

[bogiesan]

I use 35mm Schwalbe Marathon Supremes. They are much tougher than the Continentals I used to use - wear longer and have much fewer flats. My total touring weight - me at 205 lbs., clothing , gear, water, racks, bike, etc. - is almost 300 pounds so I don't worry about a few extra ounces of tire. Changing tires under miserable conditions - rain, heat, cold, heavy traffic, sitting in a ditch, etc. - is something I really try to avoid.

Just to be clear...
The tire you just recommended is way lighter that the Plus.  I think Supreme weighs about half what the Marathon Plus weighs (about a pound vs about two pounds).  We aren't talking a few ounces if considering the Plus.  Given that there are two tires on a bike the difference is about 2 pounds.

I have heard mostly rave reviews for the Schwalbe Marathon Supremes.

The math is irrefutable: 2 pounds of rubber is less than 1% of the total estimated mass of 300 pounds, 0.067. Thirty-two ounces is roughly two liters of water. That delta of the effort to move this mass uphill or forward cannot be perceived. Nor does it translate directly into a 1% change in the total energy required to travel the same distance.   

the tradeoff for hauling this additional mass may be one or ten fewer flats across the trip but no one can predict results based only on a tire's marketing or actual physical composition. Many nearly invisible, common and largely unavoidable objects on the nation's roadways will easily penetrate any flat resistant material.

I'd start with a basic reduction of the total mass in motion before rationalizing changing only the rolling mass. Lose 20% of the tent/sleeping bag/clothing/kitchen/tools. Heck, even sets of panniers and racks vary by many more than 2 pounds.

[Pat Lamb]

The math is irrefutable: 2 pounds of rubber is less than 1% of the total estimated mass of 300 pounds, 0.067. Thirty-two ounces is roughly two liters of water. That delta of the effort to move this mass uphill or forward cannot be perceived. Nor does it translate directly into a 1% change in the total energy required to travel the same distance.   

the tradeoff for hauling this additional mass may be one or ten fewer flats across the trip but no one can predict results based only on a tire's marketing or actual physical composition. Many nearly invisible, common and largely unavoidable objects on the nation's roadways will easily penetrate any flat resistant material.

The math may be irrefutable, but that doesn't mean it's significant.  I've changed tires in mid-trip and wondered, "What happened to the bike?  It feels sluggish!"  A heavy tire changes the feel of the bike more than a gallon of water, in my experience. 

Your second paragraph shoots down the alleged benefit of "flat-proof" heavy tires so well I can't add to it.