I use Schwalbe tires for my touring bicycle and generally get over 10,000 miles before replacement. I use the Marathon plus because it's almost bullet proof and flats are almost eliminated. This tire works well with touring bikes but is much too heavy for racing enthusiasts.
Used for commuting to work. I have had no flats with these tires and the last pair i got thousands of miles out of with only a couple flats every.
The marathon plus is my choice for touring. I have used the tire on four trans continental rides, the longest from Anchorage,Alaska to Naples, Florida with one flat. In that case a piece of metal flashing bristling with nails jammed between the rear fender and tire driving a nail into the sidewall. That would have stopped a truck tire so you have 8000 miles without one conventional flat. On average I anticipate one flat in a 4000 mile loaded trip, two at the outside, down from four with conti contacts or gatorskins. Initial mounting of the wire bead model is very difficult but once seated for a time they change out like any other tire. I rotate once in a trip and finish with plenty of tread left even after the 6000 mile trip just completed.(2 flats)- Bad luck with nails through hurricane debris along the gulf coast.
I use these tires (700c x 28)on my 80's vintage, steel-frame Miyata. They are very heavy, which drastically increases rolling resistance. However, for me, I am a C rider (Clydesdale 215) leading a weekly D group so I still get a good workout.
It was very hard to get the tires on the rims but the you-tube video was helpful. It's a good thing these tires don't flat as I would hate to have to re-install them on the road. I bring two toe straps on rides just in case (See you-tube video).
I especially like not having to hold my breath during those inevitable times when I have to drive over to the right where all the broken glass usually collects. With these Marathon Pluses, I don't even have to give it a second thought. As well, I can traverse the worst dirt roads I come across without fear.
Handling is superb with excellent grip. I've ridden them on muddy dirt roads as well as dry pavement. Even pump all the way up, they yield a firm yet supple ride.
Another big plus is the reflective strip on the sidewalls. It is very effective and can be seen from any angle, not just from the side. I complement this with some added reflective tape on the rims (placed between 7 consecutive spokes), a reflective crossing guard vest, reflective tape on the back of my helmet and back of my shoes. For actual lighting, I use two blinkies on the back (one on steady mode and the other on blink) and a small front light. I ride a lot by myself at night and find the motorists are more respectful when I am lit up.
Above all, even though I can't go very fast due to their heavy mass, I fear nothing while riding with them and that, alone, allows me to qualify myself as a Bad Ass.
The Schwalbe Marathon 700c has little rolling resistance, handles well at high speeds down steep curving grades, and it's puncture resistance is second to none. I'll never use another tire on my Trek 520. Having these tires on my bike is sheer heaven...no more flats and that's a wonderful thing!
I have bought the Marathon plus tires for about 3 years now...and they are the only tire i ever use, because of their flat protection ,,, I would rather be riding then fixing flats,,, they are a little heavy but are a very good solid tire,,,I'm Happy...
Cross country touring.
I commute daily to work in all weather, about 30 miles roundtrip. I also do loaded touring. For a long time I have been reluctant to try these tires because of the horror stories I have heard about difficulty in mounting them. I finally broke down and gave them a try and have been extremely satisfied. They were rather stiff when I first mounted them, but so are all tires. I used fingers on the first one, finishing the last four inches with levers. The second one I mounted using fingers only (the secret is to go very slowly and not force it). I have Velocity Dyad rims (another reviewer also uses these rims and experienced no difficulty mounting them). I have ridden 4,900 plus miles without a single flat. Not much tread wear. Looks like I will get another 2,000 miles or better on them. Another common criticism is weight. They are somewhat heavier than comparable size road tires, but when doing loaded touring or commuting in the dark in bad weather, weight becomes insignificant to me. After a day of riding I no longer noticed it. On the other hand, I seem to gather more speed on descents. I am very satisfied with these tires, and will replace them with the same when the time comes.
This are definitely not light tires by any means, I haven't had the chance to ride it much yet, but so far i like it. I have been using a set of specialized armadillos. I liked them but wanted something a little fatter on my touringcommuter bike.
I recently purchased these Marathon Plus tires in 700x28. Installation went smooth following the steps in the YouTube video. These tires replaced my Michelin Pro 2's (700x25), which I am saving for the spring group rides.
My first impression after taking the Marathon Plus's out on the first ride. Much slower than the Michelins. No surprise here. There is no way more than a 2 lb. jump in rotational weight isn't gonna slow you down big time. It started to rain and the tires had plenty of reassuring grip. Moving onto dirt from tarmac, the treads offered plenty of grip on muddy dirt road going uphill. Wouldn't even have tried this on the Michelins.
On the road, the Marathon Plus is stiff, yet supple. I didn't detect any sqirming. I had the rear pumped up to its max of 100 lbs. and the front at 80 lbs. I weigh 215 lbs. Going downhill in the cold rain (fingers numb), I detected no slipping under cornering or braking.
Day turned to night for the return leg. One nice surprise was that I got more respect from autos, which I attribute to the reflective sidewalls. They can actually be seen from behind, not just from the side. I also use two blinkies, one blinking, one steady, and a small front light.
I gave these tires a high rating because they are everything I want in a winter non studded tire. The beauty of their heaviness, is that I can get the same workout going slower, which means I'm not gonna freeze from wind. Knowing I am not going to have to change a flat in the cold is comforting. Of course, I have an extra tube and a pump, just in case. In fact, I am stowing two extra toe straps (see You tube video). The reflective stripes on the side is a beautiful thing.
I also have a set of Schwalbe Marathon Winter Studded tires on my other bike, which I take if it is gonna be below freezing on my ride. Just one patch of ice could cause a broken hip at my age and I'm not taking any chances. The Winter studded tires ad another rotational lb. to the bike over the Marathon Plus's. Since it is even colder when I use the studded tires, the added weight forces me to ride even slower for the same workout. I like riding slow in the cold to avoid wind chill.
I have been riding hybrids now for 10 years and schwalbe marathon plus tires are the without a doubt the best tires available. They are so well made and their roundness is amazing. The 35c to the 38c are just perfectly smooth and low friction. I will never own anything but a Schwalbe marathon tire
This is the best flat resistant tire on the market. When it's foggy, raining, or freezing outside, I have confidence that I won't get a flat on my 40 mile round-trip commute. I've also done two tours with significant weight with these tires on my touring bike. These are the best!
I rode about 3000 without a flat on my last pair Great tire.
Great touring tire (35). I got over 6,000 miles on my rear tire that I replaced. Even works well on gravel.
I've been thru Armadillos, Continentals, and none of them can hold up to the durability and secure tracking that I feel with this tire. It's a little heavy, but hey why did I buy this tire.....no punctures, no delay trying to get to work, and I get a little better workout.
Even though these tires are a little heavy...I would Rather keep riding instead of fixing Flats... I Love these tires...been riding with nothing else for a couple of years and am extremely happy with them..
Don't have a lot of miles but with the lower pressure requirements they have improved the ride on our tandem.
I put a set of the 25's on my bike for winter commuting, which in California means rainy season. My commute includes a gravel stretch that eats up expensive race tires. These tires can deal with. They also give me the peace of mind I seek when riding home on a cold dark night, knowing I'm not going to have repair a flat with numb fingers.
The only drawback is that they certainly are heavy. You'll really feel the extra rotational weight when going uphill. What doesn't kill you though, makes you stronger.
I've never had the mounting issues that some have had, but not all rims are created equal. I've found Mavic rims are by far the easiest to mount tires on.
I own a 29er mountain bike, but use it to commute. I have put around 1,000 miles on a pair of these tires and they still look new. Best of all no flats.
I get about 4000 miles on the rear tire before I need to change it. The roads are coarse and hot here in south Florida promoting excessive tire wear. You could use cheaper tires but you'd be changing tires two or three times and still not achieve the mileage these Marathons will give you. The puncture protection is also excellent.
If you're doing your homework and reading all the reviews, try a pair. I do about six hundred miles a month and I wouldn't mount any other tire on my rims. I hate doing tire changes.
