I toured extensively from 2012-19 in the UK, Ireland and Europe. I used both the Kevlar guard Marathons and the Greenguard that superceded them, and changed them regularly.pjclinch wrote: ↑24 Mar 2024, 2:21pmWhen? They have changed a few times over the 20+ years I've been using them.robing wrote: ↑24 Mar 2024, 2:17pmWell I used to get a lot of punctures on the standard marathons.pjclinch wrote: ↑24 Mar 2024, 2:16pm
No such thing as "best" without a heavy dose of context...
I use "normal" Marathons and punctures are sufficiently rare that I've never felt the need to go to the plus, which are not only heavier but have higher rolling resistance.
For, say, winter commuting on wet, glass strewn streets I can see a niche for the Plus but the standard model remains a popular touring workhorse that doesn't need fixed as it ain't broke.
My experience with the older ones was once you got to a certain level of wear they'd puncture relatively easily, so that's time to change the tyre. But current ones ("Greenguard" IIRC) either don't do that or Mine aren't worn enough yet.
Pete.
Search found 1355 matches
- 24 Mar 2024, 4:15pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Best tyres for touring
- Replies: 27
- Views: 1028
Re: Best tyres for touring
- 24 Mar 2024, 2:17pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Best tyres for touring
- Replies: 27
- Views: 1028
Re: Best tyres for touring
Well I used to get a lot of punctures on the standard marathons.pjclinch wrote: ↑24 Mar 2024, 2:16pmNo such thing as "best" without a heavy dose of context...
I use "normal" Marathons and punctures are sufficiently rare that I've never felt the need to go to the plus, which are not only heavier but have higher rolling resistance.
For, say, winter commuting on wet, glass strewn streets I can see a niche for the Plus but the standard model remains a popular touring workhorse that doesn't need fixed as it ain't broke.
Pete
- 24 Mar 2024, 12:48pm
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Best tyres for touring
- Replies: 27
- Views: 1028
Re: Best tyres for touring
700c prev 32mm but tempted to go 35. Fully loaded touring 4 panniers and tent. But travel fairly light usually carry less than 20kg altogether . Road and good cycle tracks so not off road.
- 24 Mar 2024, 11:54am
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Best tyres for touring
- Replies: 27
- Views: 1028
Re: Best tyres for touring
They seem to be quite a popular choice. I got a lot of punctures with plain marathons so would be keen to try something better.rualexander wrote: ↑24 Mar 2024, 9:27am Marathon Plus have never been the best choice.
Punctures are not really an issue touring, you're unlucky if you get one in 1000 miles
Marathon Supreme have been my touring tyres of choice over the past decade or so.
- 24 Mar 2024, 11:52am
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Best tyres for touring
- Replies: 27
- Views: 1028
Re: Best tyres for touring
Thanks, I'll check them out. I had the plain marathons on it before but used to get quite a lot of punctures. I've got one marathon plus on my hybrid bike and no punctures so far .MrsHJ wrote: ↑24 Mar 2024, 9:19am I have continental contact plus. No punctures so far over a few years and many miles of touring (all though most of my mileage is touring so it’s going to be a few thousand miles) on varied surfaces from the USA to Italy including a lot of unsealed surfaces. My longest time ever puncture free (only puncture was on my other bike which has different tyres!).
So they have been astonishingly good and confidence inspiring. Am going to replace like for like this year. Are you tempted to go tubeless? I’m not atm- I’m not looking for the speed gains and as my current tyres have all the no puncture characteristics I want I’m happy with my current approach.
I like continental gator skins on my road bikes . No plans for tubeless .
- 24 Mar 2024, 8:24am
- Forum: Touring & Expedition
- Topic: Best tyres for touring
- Replies: 27
- Views: 1028
Best tyres for touring
Need new tyres for my dawes sg .
Are marathon plus still the best choice?
Or any better options. Puncture proof more important than weight .
Are marathon plus still the best choice?
Or any better options. Puncture proof more important than weight .
- 6 Mar 2024, 6:12pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Hub/Freewheel problem
- Replies: 36
- Views: 2452
Re: Hub/Freewheel problem
I think I've sorted it - slackened off then reapplied cable tension but not too tight;
then loosed both mounting bolts for the brakes and applied brake, then tightened bolts.
This should recentre the discs?
is that about right or any other tips?
- 6 Mar 2024, 5:47pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Hub/Freewheel problem
- Replies: 36
- Views: 2452
Re: Hub/Freewheel problem
update - the wheel is spinning freely now, but the rear disc brake is impinging.
I'm a bit of novice re disc brakes - is it easy to adjust/centre a cable disc brake?
I'm a bit of novice re disc brakes - is it easy to adjust/centre a cable disc brake?
- 3 Feb 2024, 9:22pm
- Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
- Topic: Default 20mph for Wales
- Replies: 574
- Views: 574058
Re: Default 20mph for Wales
Where I live I would say > 90% of drivers don't comply with the 20 mph limit.
- 2 Feb 2024, 6:25pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Hub/Freewheel problem
- Replies: 36
- Views: 2452
Re: Hub/Freewheel problem
Thanks for the advice. I should have gone back to the original retailer in the first instance.
- 2 Feb 2024, 2:30pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: Hub/Freewheel problem
- Replies: 36
- Views: 2452
Hub/Freewheel problem
I've been having a lot of problems with my bike, which I purchased from a well-known chain bike retailer almost 2 years ago. It's a Schwinn hybrid, slightly unusual make as it was one they got in during the pandemic.
The rear hub was faulty and had some side to side movement which was putting the gears out and making the wheel go out of true. I've been to 2 LBS and the solution was to replace the wheel (and hub). It was tricky to find the correct wheel as it's a freewheel (ie threads on) rather than the more common freehub which slots on.
What I have found since (and TBH was a bit like this before) is the wheel just doesn't spin as freely as it should. So there is more friction in the system making it harder work to cycle. Particularly when compared with my other bikes when the rear wheel just spins effortlessly - even my 30 year old MTB!
I probably should have taken it back to the store where I got it from. It's nearly 2 years old, but I don't think it should have had all these problems. I don't know what my rights are now, but feel it's not fit for purpose. TBH I'm getting to the point where I feel the bike is a bit of a dud and it's pretty heavy anyway so wonder if they would do part exchange?
The rear hub was faulty and had some side to side movement which was putting the gears out and making the wheel go out of true. I've been to 2 LBS and the solution was to replace the wheel (and hub). It was tricky to find the correct wheel as it's a freewheel (ie threads on) rather than the more common freehub which slots on.
What I have found since (and TBH was a bit like this before) is the wheel just doesn't spin as freely as it should. So there is more friction in the system making it harder work to cycle. Particularly when compared with my other bikes when the rear wheel just spins effortlessly - even my 30 year old MTB!
I probably should have taken it back to the store where I got it from. It's nearly 2 years old, but I don't think it should have had all these problems. I don't know what my rights are now, but feel it's not fit for purpose. TBH I'm getting to the point where I feel the bike is a bit of a dud and it's pretty heavy anyway so wonder if they would do part exchange?
- 26 Nov 2023, 4:00pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: wheel out of true
- Replies: 9
- Views: 691
Re: wheel out of true
Thanks, will do. I wasn't impressed with this bike shop as they did a poor job on something else so won't be going back so wondered if they had done a poor job with this.
- 26 Nov 2023, 3:43pm
- Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
- Topic: wheel out of true
- Replies: 9
- Views: 691
wheel out of true
Any ideas why my rear wheel keeps going out of true?
Just regular riding, not hit any significant potholes.
Had it trued at LBS a couple of months ago and now I've noticed its out of true again.
Poor workmanship? Didn't tighten the spokes properly?
Just regular riding, not hit any significant potholes.
Had it trued at LBS a couple of months ago and now I've noticed its out of true again.
Poor workmanship? Didn't tighten the spokes properly?
- 16 Sep 2023, 10:42am
- Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
- Topic: Default 20mph for Wales
- Replies: 574
- Views: 574058
Re: Default 20mph for Wales
I live in Wales and this is deeply unpopular. I'm not against 20 in most residential areas. But having a blanket 20 on almost all previously 30 roads is stupid. Dual carriageways and bigger main roads should not be 20.
And I don't think it will make the roads safer for cyclists. I would rather have a vehicle pass me safely and at reasonable speed. Traffic at 20 will just clog up the roads and encourage slow 'sticky' passes.
It doesn't address the real issues which is poor standards of driving and close passes etc
And I don't think it will make the roads safer for cyclists. I would rather have a vehicle pass me safely and at reasonable speed. Traffic at 20 will just clog up the roads and encourage slow 'sticky' passes.
It doesn't address the real issues which is poor standards of driving and close passes etc
- 16 Sep 2023, 10:25am
- Forum: The Tea Shop
- Topic: How to speak Welsh?
- Replies: 91
- Views: 8274
Re: How to speak Welsh?
I have recently moved to Wales and have been learning Welsh for over a year with the excellent learn Welsh online learning. I did my first year in England on Zoom and am continuing now I am here.
It's not actually that difficult a language once you know the basics. It's phonetic. The mutations and all the different versions of yes/no can be a bit tricky, but there's no need to get hung up on them.
It's also a very beautiful language and very sing songy.
Plus it is an ancient language and predates English. In fact an earlier version of Welsh was spoken throughout England and Wales.
Cymru am byth. Hwyl am a tro!
Not so keen on the rain and the new blanket 20mph speed limit coming tomorrow - but that's another matter!
It's not actually that difficult a language once you know the basics. It's phonetic. The mutations and all the different versions of yes/no can be a bit tricky, but there's no need to get hung up on them.
It's also a very beautiful language and very sing songy.
Plus it is an ancient language and predates English. In fact an earlier version of Welsh was spoken throughout England and Wales.
Cymru am byth. Hwyl am a tro!
Not so keen on the rain and the new blanket 20mph speed limit coming tomorrow - but that's another matter!