Schwalbe Marathon

[Martinsnos]

I’m a fair weather rider. Always been impressed with the grip of Schwalbe Marathon in the dry.
On a ‘dodgy’ smooth paving type wet surface the other day I slid out. Only that surface but it is like the 2 compounds don’t like each other.
Has anyone else had issues with Schwalbe Marathon in the wet (and particularly on certain surfaces)?
Is there a similar tyre know to give great grip on all surfaces and in all weathers?
Many thanks.

 

[Bazzer]

Personal experience but M+ have given me the most confidence. I am still wary on poor or wet surfaces, with them, but certainly more relaxed on such surfaces than with other brands.
There are downsides to them though. To me the ride is harsher and they can be challenging to fit.

 

[vickster]

I found M+ very slippery at the pressures recommended for my weight. As well as being then being heavy and dead. Never again.

What tyre width do you use. I like the Schwalbe gravel tyres with the little knobbles on and off road for wet surfaces, come in 35 or 40mm flavour, pretty much half price at Merlin
https://www.merlincycles.com/schwal...aceguard-folding-gravel-tyre-700c-100498.html

 

[cougie uk]

I’m a fair weather rider. Always been impressed with the grip of Schwalbe Marathon in the dry.
On a ‘dodgy’ smooth paving type wet surface the other day I slid out. Only that surface but it is like the 2 compounds don’t like each other.
Has anyone else had issues with Schwalbe Marathon in the wet (and particularly on certain surfaces)?
Is there a similar tyre know to give great grip on all surfaces and in all weathers?
Many thanks.

I rode them for years on my winter bike. Never had an issue.

Roads are more slippy in winter though so you have to adjust your riding accordingly. Any tyre will struggle with damp roads and wet leaves.

 

[Martinsnos]

I found M+ very slippery at the pressures recommended for my weight. As well as being then being heavy and dead. Never again.

What tyre width do you use. I like the Schwalbe gravel tyres with the little knobbles on and off road for wet surfaces, come in 35 or 40mm flavour, pretty much half price at Merlin
https://www.merlincycles.com/schwal...aceguard-folding-gravel-tyre-700c-100498.html

Hi thanks. These are the Marathon without the + and they are 28mm.

 

[Martinsnos]

I rode them for years on my winter bike. Never had an issue.

Roads are more slippy in winter though so you have to adjust your riding accordingly. Any tyre will struggle with damp roads and wet leaves.

Understood. However, I was going fairly slowly (worse for impact [all things relative] apparently according to me pro cycling commentators’ opinions) and I don’t see other cyclists being ‘thrown to the floor’ on the same bend, so I guess the tyre just doesn’t like that surface.

 

[Martinsnos]

I’m a fair weather rider. Always been impressed with the grip of Schwalbe Marathon in the dry.
On a ‘dodgy’ smooth paving type wet surface the other day I slid out. Only that surface but it is like the 2 compounds don’t like each other.
Has anyone else had issues with Schwalbe Marathon in the wet (and particularly on certain surfaces)?
Is there a similar tyre know to give great grip on all surfaces and in all weathers?
Many thanks.

Thanks to everyone who has replied.
Theoretically does lower pressure afford greater grip or (apart from tyre coming off lowness!) is there a too low pressure point where benefit drops off?
Thanks again

 

[T4tomo]

Theoretically does lower pressure afford greater grip or (apart from tyre coming off lowness!) is there a too low pressure point where benefit drops off?

yes, significantly and in practice, as at a lower pressure, the contact patch between tyre and road will be much bigger.

too low a pressure and you risk pinch punctures and riding the tyre off the rim

 

[Grant Fondo]

the only time I ever seriously under-inflate is with 2.2" MTB tyres ... riding on hard sand beaches!

@Martinsnos I would stick within limits set by Schwalbe
https://schwalbe.com/en/pressureprof

 

[MichaelW2]

The tackiness of the rubber usually gets lower with high wear compounds and at lower temperatures. Marathon is a comparitively hard, durable rubber.
When it comes to low traction surfaces, Marathon is not a top performer, but you always need to ride with care noting the slope direction, and minimise deviations from your heading and speed.

 

[Grant Fondo]

On a ‘dodgy’ smooth paving type wet surface the other day I slid out

Don't worry, I've had that on GP5000's which are twice as much! In summer they grip like a grippy thing .... not the same this time of year.

 

[mustang1]

I used a marathon Supreme some years ago, and for a few years, and cannot recall any such incident. Used mainly on road with gravel, in all weather.

 

[Jameshow]

Hi thanks. These are the Marathon without the + and they are 28mm.

I wouldn't go below 50psi if your an average 75kg guy. More if heavier.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

You need softer compounds for better grip. But softer compounds mean faster wear. The Marathon has a relatively hard rubber hence less grip. You also need to bear in mind that the elasticity of a rubber compound normally decreases as it gets colder. This is why winter tyres for cars as well as having a tread more suited to conditions, use a rubber compound suited to colder temperatures and remaining pliable.

There are bike tyres designed to be used in winter which will give better grip. Their puncture resistance won’t be as good as a marathon but still pretty good.

 

[fossyant]

Don't worry, I've had that on GP5000's which are twice as much! In summer they grip like a grippy thing .... not the same this time of year.

This. Oil, molasses from gritting, moss/alge growth, leaf mush all factor at this time of year. Moss and alge can be like ice.