bikerjohn
Well-Known Member
Is the Schwalbe Marathon Plus the best commuter tire?
https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour-reader/marathon-plus.html
https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour-reader/marathon-plus.html
I run my Pluses at the lower end of the PSI range. I find it much more comfortable than running at the upper end and only a slight difference in rolling resistance.I'm hoping to compensate by running a lower tire pressure.
So I put this Continental Contact Plus, ( (Link Removed - No Longer Exists) ) on the rear of my CCS about 1500 miles ago. The Schwalbe Marathon Plus seems to be a favorite on this site for ebikes. This Conti tire offers everything the Marathon does at about 40% less cost.
So far I have been very pleased with the performance of the tire. FWIW, the Kenda tires that came stock on the CCS are great tires. I am still running it on the front, it looks like it will go well over 10,000 miles on the front. (5000 on it now; rear was replaced at ~3500 miles).
Could be a long wait before the "Pluses" need replacing, they are wear rated for 3700 to 7400 miles.I like the Marathon Pluses on my CCS. @Chris Hammond has been using a similar, less expensive tire from Continental that I'm interested in trying when the Pluses have to be replaced.
Perhaps the tire should be replaced under warranty. Although broken spokes and the damaged tire may have been caused by riding your bike down those 15 steps.Maybe I'm a minority here, but I switched my Juiced bike's stock Kenda tire to Schwalbe Marathon Plus.
The grip is not good especially in the rain. Apparently other members here have noticed the similar effect.
Maybe it is due to less contact patch (The Marathon Plus is very pointy) and harder tire compound.
Just yesterday, my Schwalbe Marathon Plus blew up.
I was on my way to take my final exam and there's a (approximately) 15 step stair on the campus and when I finished riding down the stairs I noticed that I got a flat tire.
I thought maybe I needed a new tube but it was actually the tire that gave up.
On the side wall, it had this balloon effect and tube was actually partially out. I was like.. what the heck I have never seen this before, and I have owned a few mountain bikes in my childhood and never had a ballooned tire.
I've only had this tire for like a month.. and it's already done. No, I did not change my riding/commuting habit.
I have broken 3 spokes on my Juiced, and my old Kenda tires were fine for whole time.
Honestly, I am a bit disappointed with Schwalbe Marathon Plus. (I do like the reflective stripe though)
I totally understand I'd be the minority by saying this, because I know many reputable ebike manufactures use Schwalbe Marathon Plus, and I know many members like the tire.. maybe I bought a lemon or bad luck.
But in my personal experience, right off the bat I was a little disappointed with the tire due to low grip. (Yes I know, some members told me "Since when did Schwalbe say the Marathon Plus was a rain tire?")
To answer your question, No. I will subjectively say this is not the best tire.
Perhaps the tire should be replaced under warranty. Although broken spokes and the damaged tire may have been caused by riding your bike down those 15 steps.
My wife's bike with Schwalbe marathon plus tires developed a sidewall bubble the size of a golf ball within the first 50mi. Replaced under warranty
Please keep us informed on the outcome.I should consider doing that! Schwalbe doesn't seem to give warranty period though, I wonder if it's a lifetime warranty. I'm gonna ask them.
Hmm? What Marathons are you thinking of?@Chris Hammond That conti is a great looking road tire but it appears to lack the more separated, aggressive side tread of the Marathons that make them reasonably capable on non-paved trails and gravel...this is a guess based on appearance.