Schwalbe tires

[Salsa fan]

I currently ride with 42 Schwalbe Mondials. I love the tires for gravel grinding but am looking for something as reliable in the Schwalbe line for street riding. Any suggestions on which is better regular Marathons or Marathon Supremes? I will still do some 1-2 weeklong touring but the majority of my time will be for light commuting and fun rides on city streets.

[dombrosk]

Based on my experience with both, I'd go with the Marathon Supreme's over the regular Marathons.  I felt like they were noticeably faster tires, with excellent flat-resistance.  I just wish Schwalbe would make the Supreme in a 650B size...

[aggie]

I've been using the Marathon Plus tires on the bike I use to commute to work for the last year as well as run various errands.  I've been happy with their performance and haven't had a flat yet. 

[chrisch]

I've been using the Marathon Plus tires on the bike I use to commute to work for the last year as well as run various errands.  I've been happy with their performance and haven't had a flat yet.

For six years I've had Marathon Plus tires on my touring bike without a single flat.  I highly recommend them.

[staehpj1]

Before buying the Marathon Plus be sure they are what you want.  They are super heavy.  When I say heavy I mean more than double the weight of something like Continental Gatorskins.  Then there is the extremely stiff sidewall.   The stiff sidewall gives a ride that is the opposite of lively.  In the continuum from racing sew-ups to solid tires, the MP is pretty close to the solid tires.

They reportedly are very flat resistant and very long wearing.  If that is important above all else they may suit you.

Me, I hated them enough that I took them off after a couple hundred miles.  I value light weight and a lively ride feel highly enough that I'll accept a bit shorter life and the occasional flat.

[morganjg]

Great post, I have been looking to replace my old tires with some new Schwalbe's as well and have similar needs and riding styles. I really love the grip pattern of the marathon plus, as I have been riding all winter with the Marathon Winter studded tires, but the Supremes weigh as much for the pair as a single Plus. Looking forward to some more insight on this topic.

[aggie]

On my "touring" bike I use Gatorskins.  However for my commuting I prefer the Marathon Plus.  I only ride about 7 miles each way and I don't have time to change a flat at 4 am when I'm on my to the train station.  They may not be "lively" but for this short ride I don't care.  I've used Gatorskins and have gotten flats on trips to the grocery store.  It's a royal pain to unload my groceries to fix a flat.  As with most things it is all about personal preference.

[staehpj1]

On my "touring" bike I use Gatorskins.  However for my commuting I prefer the Marathon Plus.  I only ride about 7 miles each way and I don't have time to change a flat at 4 am when I'm on my to the train station.  They may not be "lively" but for this short ride I don't care.  I've used Gatorskins and have gotten flats on trips to the grocery store.  It's a royal pain to unload my groceries to fix a flat.  As with most things it is all about personal preference.

A very good example of a setting where the MP is likely to make sense.  I might even run them myself for that commute if the roads are especially glass strewn.  I personally would probably never tour on them though.

[Salsa fan]

Thanks for all of the great advice. I've heard similar comments about the weight and difficulty of mounting MP's. Of course they never fail. For my needs it doesn't appear that the Supremes are going to be any compromise but in fact may be what I'm looking for. A little greater speed, easier mounting and no great compromise in durability. Thanks all.
p.s. For my next question,wire beaded or folding? As I will probably be purchasing the tires through ebay.

[John Nelson]

If the tires are otherwise identical, then wire bead and folding will work equally well. Wire bead is usually a bit less expensive and folding easier to store and carry. But be aware that in some models (e.g., Mondials), the wire bead is a completely different tire than the folding tire of the same name.

[staehpj1]

Wire beaded are a usually a good bit cheaper and a little heavier.  Personally I think that is the criteria to apply to the decision.  look and the difference in weight and the difference in cost and pick.

Some folks who carry a spare value the folding feature of Kevlar beaded tires, but wire bead tires fold pretty well, so even if carrying a spare, Kevlar beads aren't a necessity (look up the three ring fold).

[Salsa fan]

Thanks again!