Upgrade tire, what is the correct tire width?

[Alex321]

Won't the knobbly tires that are the GT 365 be pretty slow on tarmac in comparison to my current Kenda's?
I have to say though, that the Kenda's don't feel safe, aka slippage, on gravel + wet conditions in general.

Yes, they will feel slow compared to the kendas, but that is partly just because of the added puncture protection.

Also what is the puncture rating (the one that Schwalbe use) of the GT 365? It seems they are discontinued and are replaced by 365. Note the missing GT in the new tires.
This review says the GT 365's are very slippery when wet, which is the weather the majority of the time here in the UK - https://radnut.com/product-review-schwalbe-marathon-gt-365-road-tyre-dualguard/
so surely these are not good tires for the UK?

I would ignore that bit of the review, since both that reviewer and others say the opposite in the text, but that specific review is badly ritten and repetitive, looks like a lot of cut and paste.
Try this review https://www.sevendaycyclist.com/schwalbe-marathon-gt365-tyre
Or https://www.bikeforums.net/general-...1-schwalbe-marathon-gt-365-review-update.html

Also now that we are dropping into sub zero temperatures, and soon there will be grit and possibly oil on the roads from cars, should I not buy a studded set of tires? Can studded be used on gravel etc? I am NOT commuting. I ride my bike for fun and fitness. I try to avoid roads where possible, but can end up on roads that go for miles. I ride 3-5 times a week I'd say.

If you are going to be riding regularly in icy conditions, it might be worth it, but those will be much noisier than non-studded, and give no benefits when it isn't icy. The studs don't make much if any difference to grip on grit or oil, only on ice or compacted snow.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

This review says the GT 365's are very slippery when wet

Not my experience and I’ve got great confidence in them when wet cold and / or snowy.

 

[Ajax Bay]

This review says the GT 365's are very slippery when wet, which is the weather the majority of the time here in the UK - https://radnut.com/product-review-schwalbe-marathon-gt-365-road-tyre-dualguard/

Read the review. It AI written; not by a human. I offered you a useful review to read, by a human. These tyres will offer you the freedom to climb to the summit and be a pathfinder.

the GT 365? It seems they are discontinued and are replaced by 365.

The GT365s may be being superseded/renamed - maybe that's why they're £10. So what?
https://www.schwalbe.com/en/spike-reader/marathon-365 - says 5/7 for puncture protection (M+ is 8/7 Spinal Tap style)
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/p/SCOETYRR100000000000/gt-365-performance-lone-race-guard/

Won't the knobbly tires that are the GT 365 be pretty slow on tarmac in comparison to my current Kenda's? . . . I try to avoid roads where possible, but can end up on roads that go for miles.

No, the GT 365s (which are not 'knobbly' are designed for exactly the type of riding you describe: mixed surface use. They have a bit more tread than the M+s which will stand you in good stead off road. Do you care if the tyres are 'slower' on tarmac? Why?

 

[Milena]

Read the review. It AI written; not by a human. I offered you a useful review to read, by a human. These tyres will offer you the freedom to climb to the summit and be a pathfinder.

The GT365s may be being superseded/renamed - maybe that's why they're £10. So what?
https://www.schwalbe.com/en/spike-reader/marathon-365 - says 5/7 for puncture protection (M+ is 8/7 Spinal Tap style)
https://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/p/SCOETYRR100000000000/gt-365-performance-lone-race-guard/

No, the GT 365s (which are not 'knobbly' are designed for exactly the type of riding you describe: mixed surface use. They have a bit more tread than the M+s which will stand you in good stead off road. Do you care if the tyres are 'slower' on tarmac? Why?
View attachment 714912

Do the gt's have more puncture protection than my kendas? How do you know?

 

[Spiderweb]

So @Milena did you buy the GT365’s?
At £9.99 I’d be buying an extra pair too.
As @Ajax Bay said they will be perfect for your type of mixed surface riding👍

With regard to your concern with dirty gritty tyres and rims, if you are repairing punctures at home then just give the tyre side walls and rims a quick wipe before you start.

 

[youngoldbloke]

So @Milena did you buy the GT365’s?
At £9.99 I’d be buying an extra pair too.
As @Ajax Bay said they will be perfect for your type of mixed surface riding👍

With regard to your concern with dirty gritty tyres and rims, if you are repairing punctures at home then just give the tyre side walls and rims a quick wipe before you start.

- or take the wheel off, get a bucket of warm water with a dash of washing up liquid and a sponge and wash the the rim and tyre. Rinse of with clean water afterwards and dry off with an old rag, or whatever. Don't overthink it. I keep my bikes in the house and if the tyres are dirty I quickly sponge them off before wheeling through

 

[simongt]

I think all the Marathon range has excellent puncture protection.

Agree, but obviously no air filled tyre is actually puncture proof.

 

[Ajax Bay]

Do the gt's have more puncture protection than my kendas? How do you know?

No, I don't know but Schwalbe have a higher reputation whereas Kenda are an economic choice for suppliers and are typically found on new value-for-money bikes. I would be dead surprised if the (GT)365's puncture protection was lower.
Here's another Schwalbe option: https://www.merlincycles.com/schwalbe-marathon-greenguard-touring-tyre-700c-85901.html @£22.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Here's another Schwalbe option: https://www.merlincycles.com/schwalbe-marathon-greenguard-touring-tyre-700c-85901.html @£22.

I have used those tyres (actually still using them) for commuting in all weathers for more than 10 years - not the same set lol.
Punctures are rare indeed, especially if one looks out for glass while riding.
My first bike came with Kendas, I soon changed them after asking on here

 

[Milena]

I have used those tyres (actually still using them) for commuting in all weathers for more than 10 years - not the same set lol.
Punctures are rare indeed, especially if one looks out for glass while riding.
My first bike came with Kendas, I soon changed them after asking on here

Are those better than the gt 365 puncture protection wise?

 

[Kingfisher101]

Smart Sams are good, Sons got them on his Marin

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/p/schwalbe-smart-sam-performance-tyre?color=blackreflex&wheelSizeWidth=700c+|+40mm&utm_source=google&utm_term=&utm_campaign=CRC_UK_GGL_PMX_SMA_MAN_MIX_ALL_NA_NA_NA_TIER1_NA_NA_Newstructure&utm_medium=base&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuOm5gLXnggMVCuztCh0cbgggEAQYDCABEgKY8_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I've had those and they were poor re puncture protection.

 

[Grant Fondo]

I've had those and they were poor re puncture protection.

Yeah, probably not the best for mix of road and tracks. He used them off road on Anglesey a lot and liked them.
Those £9.99 ones look a great bet!

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Won't the knobbly tires that are the GT 365 be pretty slow on tarmac

Your average speed might drop to 18 mph, but that’s still okay I presume?

 

[Milena]

Your average speed might drop to 18 mph, but that’s still okay I presume?

18?! I'm lucky if I'm able to average 10. I'll be much slower with these gt's right? I'm averaging around 8. So I'll probably be like 6 with the gt's? 😂

 

[Ajax Bay]

Previous CC thread on Carrera Crossfire 2 tyre replacement:
https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/tyres-for-carrera-crossfire-2-hybrid.260412/
The rolling resistance of the GT365s will be similar to the Kendas (shown below) if the same width and pressure.
What pressure are you running in your current tyres @Milena ? Your new pump has a gauge on it, right?
The grip of the GT365s will be better (but not much) for all the OP's preferred 'off tarmac' sections.

GT365s (those sipes will own the Kendas):