Author Topic: Schwalbe Marathon Plus Selection  (Read 8118 times)

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Offline flatire

Schwalbe Marathon Plus Selection
« on: September 10, 2019, 03:59:54 pm »
I am trying to decide on a different tire for my new bike. I don't like the ones that came with it so I thought I would try a Marathon Plus. It seemed simple enough until I started looking. In theory you punch the brand model and tire size in a search engine and boom there you go. In this case it comes up with many different options. You have the HS supreme, HS and any number of numbered variants, RLX, Slx and the list goes on. Price also differs from the $30's to over $80. The tech info I am finding is limited on individual models keeping it confusing. So I will just ask you all. I am going to run a 700x35c on my Co Motion. I live in south Texas and ride mostly road (usually chip seal) and the occasional dirt country road as well as an occasional well maintained park trail. Which one do you run and why? 

Offline aggie

Re: Schwalbe Marathon Plus Selection
« Reply #1 on: September 10, 2019, 07:57:39 pm »
Schwalbe Marathon Plus 700c (HS 440)

Offline John Nelson

Re: Schwalbe Marathon Plus Selection
« Reply #2 on: September 10, 2019, 11:54:01 pm »
There are a lot of different Marathon tires, but only one Marathon Plus.

I run Schwalbe Marathon Mondial (folding version only—not the wire bead one, and not because I care about the bead).

Schwalbe rates each tire in a number of areas. Since everybody has different priorities, there’s a Marathon for everybody, but not the same one. The folding Mondial has the right combination for me—good protection, very durable, good rolling resistance and not too heavy or stiff. The Plus has great protection, but it’s too heavy for me.

Offline staehpj1

Re: Schwalbe Marathon Plus Selection
« Reply #3 on: September 11, 2019, 05:57:08 am »
There are a lot of different Marathon tires, but only one Marathon Plus.
Isn't there a Marathon Plus Tour and a Marathon Plus MTB or something like that?

To the OP...
Be sure you know what you are getting with the Marathon Plus.  It is a very stiff heavy tire.  It weighs more than twice what some other potential choices would and depending of the size you choose the weight difference will vary but will be about a pound per tire in the most common sizes.  Also the sidewalls are very stiff, to me that was a deal breaker.  I hated the ride feel.  The weight was bad enough, but the ride feel put it over the edge for me.  After a few hundred miles I took them off and sold them.

Depending on the tire/rim combination some people have found them really hard to get on and off the rims.  I have one family member who has changed many tires with no problems who was defeated by the Marathon Plus when they had a flat on one that needed repair.

My dislike for them is not to be taken as universal.  A lot of people love them.  The extra weight and stiffness doesn't bother them and they love the extra flat resistance.

The bottom line is that you should go in knowing what the trade offs are.  If you like a supple sidewall and the lively feel it provides you are likely to hate the Marathon Plus.  If you are at all finicky about weight you may also balk at it.  On the other hand if you are less concerned with either of those and are after flat resistance and long wear above all else you may love the Marathon Plus.

Offline flatire

Re: Schwalbe Marathon Plus Selection
« Reply #4 on: September 11, 2019, 09:24:38 am »
There are a lot of different Marathon tires, but only one Marathon Plus.

I run Schwalbe Marathon Mondial (folding version only—not the wire bead one, and not because I care about the bead).

Schwalbe rates each tire in a number of areas. Since everybody has different priorities, there’s a Marathon for everybody, but not the same one. The folding Mondial has the right combination for me—good protection, very durable, good rolling resistance and not too heavy or stiff. The Plus has great protection, but it’s too heavy for me.
I thought there was one marathon plus as well. Just on amazon alone however there was the plus hs, the plus hs420, the 440 (and a couple others as well), there was the plus Supreme,  plus tour, plus MTB, the plus RLX and SLX, some duplicated with wire or folding bead, and those are just those I can remember of the top of my head. All are at different price points as well. The Plus Supreme
is a different tread pattern then the others but it's the only discernable difference I could find other then price. So, are they all the same and only 1 marathon plus?

Offline staehpj1

Re: Schwalbe Marathon Plus Selection
« Reply #5 on: September 11, 2019, 10:24:15 am »
It looks to me as if there are at least three models that have the Marathon Plus name listed in the tour category on the Schwalbe US page:
  • The Marathon Plus HS 440
  • The Marathon Plus Tour 404
  • The Marathon Plus MTB HS 468

There are several others with the Plus moniker that aren't Marathons and some Marathons that aren't Pluses.

I can't say anything based on first had experience about any except the regular Marathon Plus.  They do give a pretty good bit of info on the page for each model though.  Pretty sure none of the Marathon Plus models are my personal cup of tea, but everyone is looking for something different.  They are pretty much at the opposite end of the spectrum for me and my tastes in tires, but look at the characteristics, they may suit you.  Just understand what you are buying, they are way at the heavy stiff end of the spectrum.  So if flat resistance and long wear at the expense of very high weight and a very stiff sidewall are your cup of tea this is probably your tire.
« Last Edit: September 11, 2019, 10:31:59 am by staehpj1 »

Offline John Nelson

Re: Schwalbe Marathon Plus Selection
« Reply #6 on: September 11, 2019, 11:23:36 am »
When I said that there is only one Marathon Plus, I was perhaps being too narrow in my language. I consider the Marathon Plus Tour and the Marathon Plus MTB to be different tires. The Marathon Plus Tour is a very similar tire with a bit better off-road grip, for a bit more money. The Marathon Plus MTB is in a different class altogether, offering even more off-road grip, for even more money, and at the cost of even worse rolling resistance.

The Marathon Supreme and Marathon Mondial (folding) are more expensive than the Marathon Plus, but, in my opinion, worth the extra money. One of those two tires is probably best, again in my opinion, for long-distance, mostly-paved touring, for somebody not on an extremely tight budget. An extra $50 on tires is not a lot compared to the total cost of the tour. The Mondial (folding) will give you better durability and more grip (when you occasionally venture onto dirt), but the Supreme will give you better rolling resistance. For me, the reduced chance of blowing out a sidewall tips the scales in favor of the Mondial (folding). I don't mind fixing an occasional flat, but I don't want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere with a failed tire.

Offline flatire

Re: Schwalbe Marathon Plus Selection
« Reply #7 on: September 12, 2019, 08:33:01 am »
Thanks everyone for the input. I ordered the Marathon Plus HS 440 while at work yesterday and with an Amazon warehouse just up the road they should be here today. With several rides right around the corner I should quickly learn if they will work for me.