New commuting tyres?
- Thread starter PJ79LIZARD
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Shut Up Legs
Down Under Member
I'm no bicycle tyre expert, but I do know the 28mm Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres I got in November have been fantastic. No you-know-whats since I put those on. I think you can ride over pretty much anything using those.
Aperitif
Meme bar
- Location
- ...I don't have much idea - really.
Correct, Victor!
OP
OP
PJ79LIZARD
Über Member
- Location
- WEST MIDLANDS
Well Ive gone for the schwalbe marathon plus, ordered a set last night. Bring on the winter! Lol I doubt I'll be that enthusiastic when it does arrive though!
potsy
Rambler
- Location
- My Armchair
What width did you get? I would have recommended them earlier but thought you were after 23mm tyres for some reason.
Great commuting tyre once you get them on,Schwalbe are now my tyre of choice for both bikes
OP
OP
PJ79LIZARD
Über Member
- Location
- WEST MIDLANDS
I got 25, don't have much clearance with my mudguards so can't go to wide, I'm currently using the same size.
Echolalia
Guru
I ran Michelin Axial Sports 700x23 on a recent tour of the Hebridean islands, suffered many punctures - all on the rear, the increased weight of the slick increased the surface area of the tyre on the ground, riding over anything (sharp stone, puddle and anything sharpish), I would hear a fluctuation of air, then that dreaded thud thud thud, brakes on, off bike and straight onto the quick release.
So when I got back, I ordered a pair of Schwalbe Marathon 700x25 for £30 a pair from Ebay seller Highonbikes. I opted against the Plus's as they weigh that little bit more. Fitting them onto the bike, which is a learned skill really, so far they have been brilliant, confidence has been restored in my bike.
So when I got back, I ordered a pair of Schwalbe Marathon 700x25 for £30 a pair from Ebay seller Highonbikes. I opted against the Plus's as they weigh that little bit more. Fitting them onto the bike, which is a learned skill really, so far they have been brilliant, confidence has been restored in my bike.
After reading the comments on here about the Conti's, I've changed my mind and just ordered a pair of Marathon Pluses. Can't wait to get out on the road with them now, plus they look a bit grippier on the edges and indeed overall compared to the Gators. This will give me a bit more confidence in the corners!
Howard
Senior Member
Unless you are riding on the trail, tread makes no difference when it comes to grip, right, Sheldon? I don't have MP, but I understand that what you get in increased puncture protection you lose in weight and performance. If was going touring though, I'd probably pick up a pair.
I've been using SMPs for years and I've never had a puncture in one yet.
I've had armadillos puncture and hardcases puncture and Continentals puncture but I've never had an SMP puncture.
Puncture puncture puncture (I don't believe in fairies) puncture puncture.
They are, however, a real bugger to get onto the rim. Last time I had to use a shoehorn.
gaz
Cycle Camera TV
- Location
- South Croydon
So if you get a puncture with marathon pluses, good luck fixing it at the side of the road?
Howard
Senior Member
How to fit a SMP with only the strength of your bare hands (and some ties).
Moodyman
Legendary Member
So if you get a puncture with marathon pluses, good luck fixing it at the side of the road?
Not quite Gaz.
Once they're on, they soften after a few rides and become more supple. They're a lot easier to get off and on after the first time.
There's no doubt the tyre is heavy, so the best solution is to run the SMP+ on the rear and another tyre of medium level protection on the front.
You get max protection where you need it and don't upset the handling of the bike.
Not quite Gaz.
Once they're on, they soften after a few rides and become more supple. They're a lot easier to get off and on after the first time.
There's no doubt the tyre is heavy, so the best solution is to run the SMP+ on the rear and another tyre of medium level protection on the front.
You get max protection where you need it and don't upset the handling of the bike.
Schwalbe Ultremo Evolution tyres on my road bike (I commute on it). Tough, very grippy and super light.
http://www.schwalbetires.com/ultremo_r1
http://www.schwalbetires.com/ultremo_r1
He uses toe straps which I don't have any more, since going clipless. But I use cable-ties in exactly the same way. I still needed a shoe-horn; I guess that my thumbs have lost some of their strength now that I only need to fit tyres once a year instead of once a month.
At one time I could remove tyres without levers.
