Schwalbe Marathon

[All uphill]

I personally love the Marathon plusses, I went to check prices today in fact, sadly the cheapest were at Halfords but I couldn't bring myself to give them my money so will go to lbs in the week.

They are £32 each at St John St Cycles if that helps. You're welcome to the part worn one off my utility bike for the cost of postage if I can get it off the rim!

 

[vickster]

I personally love the Marathon plusses, I went to check prices today in fact, sadly the cheapest were at Halfords but I couldn't bring myself to give them my money so will go to lbs in the week.

Try Spa cycles
https://www.spacycles.co.uk/product...ults_qty=50&results_order=alpha&submit=SEARCH

 

[craigwend]

https://www.spacycles.co.uk/m14b0s142p31/SCHWALBE-Marathon-Plus-HS440

Above often have good deals on Marathon / +. (EDIT too slow posting)
My least favourite tyres, tried / persevered / gave up... Took the the joy out of cycling on the Galaxy
Used as a replacement when Conti stopped doing Top Touring
Now using Victoria Randouner and feels like riding a bike again

 

[Andy in Germany]

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.

In the last decade (at least) I've used M+ in about every conceivable weather condition and most surfaces, mainly paving and gravel.the only time I had trouble with M+ was when being bl**dy stupid and riding them on an snowy surface (Winter came suddenly that year and I hadn't swapped them for spikes).

I usually pump them to 4 bar and generally have absolute confidence in them. I've experimented with M+ tour and they're noticeably better on mud or unexpected icy conditions, and I didn't notice more rolling resistance so I'll be changing to those as I wear out my regular Marathons.

 

[Andy in Germany]

I personally love the Marathon plusses, I went to check prices today in fact, sadly the cheapest were at Halfords but I couldn't bring myself to give them my money so will go to lbs in the week.

A pair of new M+ tour tyres turned up in their packaging at the charity shop I work for a while back (in my Pre bike workshop days) the manager sold them to me for 0.50€ per tyre because he wouldn't be able to shift them otherwise.

I didn't argue.

 

[Alex321]

I personally love the Marathon plusses, I went to check prices today in fact, sadly the cheapest were at Halfords but I couldn't bring myself to give them my money so will go to lbs in the week.

Out of interest, why that attitude to Halfords?

It seems quite common on here, but they are just another chain shop, I don't see them as better or worse than any other.

I can understand a preference for using your LBS, just to keep independent specialists going.

But I really don't understand this gut-level hatred of that one chain.

 

[Oldhippy]

Shop local specialists. The large chains are the places killing the independent shops. I know my not using them is a mere drip in an ocean and won't save a high street shop however.

 

[Vantage]

I think it's more the internet that's killing them off.
Halfords and the like have been around ages and the local shops in Bolton at least seemed to be doing fine. When the tinterweb took off however, they became almost extinct.
My entire bike despite being built by me was purchased in bits from several online sources.
The hatred against halfrauds and so on is I believe down to their lack of mechanical expertise. I wouldn't trust those monkeys to peel a banana correctly.

 

[Sallar55]

Best using your LBS, the internet has one slight problem it can't fix bikes. Today it's an expensive hobby fixing bikes so many different tools are required, every bike upgrade usually means buying more specialized tools.

 

[Scottish Scrutineer]

Marathon Greenstars seem to have a decent compromise of rolling resistance, puncture protection, weight and grip. Although the latter was lacking when Mrs SS fell off her bike last Monday breaking her clavicle . However as it was black ice, nothing short of spikes would have worked.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Marathon Greenstars seem to have a decent compromise of rolling resistance, puncture protection, weight and grip.

My favorite Marathons (aka Greenguard or Originals), but yes, me too fell on ice with them.
to Mrs. SS, get her a set of Marathon Winters for Christmas - I haven't fallen on ice since using them after the excellent tip on this forum.
Some of us have to commute at 6am

 

[Andy in Germany]

My favorite Marathons (aka Greenguard or Originals), but yes, me too fell on ice with them.
to Mrs. SS, get her a set of Marathon Winters for Christmas - I haven't fallen on ice since using them after the excellent tip on this forum.
Some of us have to commute at 6am

Are those the spiked ones? If so I second that: amazing for riding on ice and snow; the bike handles almost like it's dry concrete. Just think before puting your foot down...

 

[Scottish Scrutineer]

My favorite Marathons (aka Greenguard or Originals), but yes, me too fell on ice with them.
to Mrs. SS, get her a set of Marathon Winters for Christmas - I haven't fallen on ice since using them after the excellent tip on this forum.
Some of us have to commute at 6am

Thanks @Pat "5mph"
Yes Greenguard, not Greenstar

I have ordered a set of Marathon Winters from Wiggle yesterday at £19 each. https://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-winter-kevlar-guard-rigid-spiked-road-tyre?sku=562379

They are going to be a swine to wrap, but ideal timing as she should be back on her bike around then. She commutes a couple of days each week normally, and gritting of cycle paths is a rare occurrence.

 

[Sallar55]

Hope she only cycles in a straight line ,stubs only in centre tread.🫢

 

[Alex321]

Hope she only cycles in a straight line ,stubs only in centre tread.🫢

They are on the edges of the tread, and the blurb says they work well even in fast cornering.