Reviews of Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tire - 20 x 1.75", Clincher, Wire, Black/Reflective, Performance Line

Pros

I had a pair of continental contact 700x37 for 4 months...and got 4 flats. At the recommendation of a friend, I bought some Schwalbe 700x35. Since then, the only tires I've changed have been my riding companions. Would definitely buy again.

Cons

Seems to roll a bit slower than my previous tires, but the reliability trumps it.

Pros

I installed these tires on my Surly Disc Trucker in March of 2018 right before leaving on a six month self supported bike trip in Western Europe. My wife and I rode about 7,000 miles and I didn't have a single flat tire. I've put another 1000 miles on them since getting home and they're still in great shape. The previous set of these tires lasted about 14,000 miles and I didn't get a flat until shortly before I put the new tires on. I keep the tire pressure around 70 PSI which gives a smooth ride and they don't seem to have much rolling resistance.

Cons

They can be tough to put on the rim when they are new.

Pros

No flats

Cons

None

Other Thoughts

Where's the beef.

Pros

These tires are on my single speed town bike. Purchased for reflective sidewalls. I like to be seen at night!

Work well.

Cons

Not as much reflective material as my previous tires, but these will be fine.

Pros

You recognize the quality of these tires as soon as you look at them and feel them -- thick walls and extra "padding" on the top to protect against punctures.

Cons

None that I've found yet!

Pros

Excellent uniformity (round/true)
Nice combination of quiet/smooth rolling and traction on unpaved paths.
Minimum pressure loss

Cons

Really none except they were not cheap, but then...They're really high quality tires, so great value.

Other Thoughts

Fitment on 2 recumbent bikes to ride rails-to-trails. A great choice, would certainly buy these again.

Pros

Incredible durability, puncture resistant, good rolling resistance

Cons

A little pricey up front

Other Thoughts

Purchased in early spring 2016 and put 1500 miles on during the riding season. Zero flats, zero issues, lots of tread remaining. Hard to imagine a better tire for all around trail and road use.

Pros

I have been using these tires on a tandem for about 3 years and about 4000+ miles. I have yet to experience a flat. They are also wearing better than the Continental Gator Skins the bike came with. I have not worn one down to the blue warning layer yet, much less to the cords. I have been changing them out to new of the same model when the tread disappears. That has been happening at about 2000 miles on my first and second set of these tires. This is my first tandem, but it is my understanding (and is also logical) that shorter tire life is to be expected on this kind of bike. The Gator Skins wore through to the cords in 1470 miles.

Cons

There is a audible hum from the tread, especially when new, but it is not bad. Still, I would prefer there be no tread, so that there would be zero hum. Bicycle tires do not hydroplane, so tread isn't a benefit for that. Instead of tread I'd prefer they build these tires with wear warning dimples in the tread (like Continental is now doing) in addition to the blue layer under the rubber. That is because I don't know how long the blue layer will last once it appears. It could be a hundred miles (I hope), or ten.

Other Thoughts

The sidewalls stiffest I've experienced when changing the tires. It is a challenge to change these tires to a new set without a bead mounting tool. I've done it without the tool four times, so it's not like it can't be done. It's just going to be much easier next time now that I have that special tool, which I also keep on the bike.

Pros

Durability, puncture resistance, great looks.

Cons

Weight, slightly higher rolling resistance, can be difficult to mount.

Other Thoughts

These tires have been great. I put them on my tandem and they have performed flawlessly. Our team weight plus the bike is pushing 450 lbs and we rode on these tires for the entire week of RAGBRAI and had no flats. The tires had great traction in wet and dry conditions and are well worth the price.

Pros

70# tires instead of 40# tires makes our TerraTrike Rover Tandem pedal much easier. No flats after >1500 miles.

Cons

None.

Pros

Urban and puncture resistance touring tire. Not too heavy. EASY TO INSTALL. Not supertight and a knuckle breaker like some other durable tires out there.

Cons

NONE

Other Thoughts

I paid full price and am happy with my purchase.

Pros

Not bullet proof but they are bullet resistant. I have many miles on more than one set of these tires and I have never had a flat from a puncture.

Cons

They are really stiff and I had a REALLY hard time getting them on the rim. In fact, I pinched more than one tube getting them on the rim. This is probably because I don't get any practice putting new tubes in tires.

Pros

DURABLE, easy to maintain

Cons

n/a