Cycling UK Forum

The bulge I mentioned was on a basic HS368 marathon. It didn't put me off too much - we still have 2 other bikes with them on.
We have never had bead problems on schwalbe tyres.

The damage mrjemm's tyre does look very much like off-road / rock damage to me. I got something very similar on one my tyres when on a land-rover track.
As Colin says the 'lite-skin' sidewalls can be vulnerable in such situations. However they do make for very nice tyres on the road.

I use Schwalbe Marathon Mondial (the folding 'double defense' version) for on /off road touring and find them excellent and very robust. I would guess anything with the 'double defense' construction would be good - there are still some of the discontinued Marathon Dureme folding available at discount at some on-line shops and they look good all-round tyres to me.

I do think the Marathon Supreme is perhaps mis-described as a 'touring tyre that can do anything' - it really is a pure on-road tyre IMO - but a good one if you can stick to tarmac.

On the wider subject, I am generally happy with schwalbe tyres - I bet we have bought 20 in the last 5 or so years and only had one that was a bit duff (it developed a strange bulge, so I threw it away)

I have them on a old rigid mtb that I use as a utility bike. If you are looking for a cheap and reliable on /off road tyre I would say they were good.
I don't find them particularly heavy - I think they are lighter than the standard Marathon HS368 in similar size and probably have more supple side-walls.
The only issue I have found is lack of grip on very fast cornering on road - I guess due to the off road tread on the shoulders. I guess you can't have it all ways.

I am very happy with STI levers and full size V brakes when using Travel Agents. Fitting the rear travel agent where the cable pops out of the bar tape (as suggested elsewhere on this forum) gets rid of the sponginess and makes fitting a rear rack much easier too.
I use the version with the built in barrel adjuster and have done 1500 miles without any problems. I get good performance and good clearances. The only downside for me is having to keep an eye on the cables - but I plan to change them every year. Personally I reckon that's a price worth paying.

We have 26 x 1.5 marathons on our tandem, and inflate at around 100psi. No problems at all in 18 months on road and trails.

Perhaps you have been unlucky or the tyre faulty?

We have standard Marathon 368 on two bikes and find them fine on trails where there is some sort of hard surface, but for greater off-road preformance I use Marathon Cross (26 x 1.75). I haven't found anything better for the on / off road stuff I do. I think they are a little lighter in weight than the Land Cruisers - if that concerns you. But might be a bit much if you are 80-90% on road.

They are definitely flattened on mine to some extent (about 2008 model year). Although how much I can't say without checking. But it was something I remember noticing with interest when I got the frame.

I hope you and your bike are OK!

I have 26 x 1.75 Marathon Cross on my Snypers and have no concerns with fit or ride. I haven't had the rims long, (2 or 3 months) but they seem very good so far and were easy to build up.

I haven't seen 26 x 1.375 - are they mountain bike size (ie 559 diameter)

Has your FCR frame got clearances for the 35mm marathons? I dont think the one we have would have enough room for them, even without mudguards. Just a thought...!

There is a scan of a 1994 Dawes catalogue here if it helps.


http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=94770

I have a 1995 one in a bluey purple colour. 531 throughout. I find it great for day rides and have also done a couple of week long tours with about 7 or 8 kg on it. (It starts to get a bit unstable beyond that weight).
Not sure how a 'nearly new' one would compare...

Can get 25mm tyres and some 28mm tyres under the mudgards without getting toe overlap.

We have the green ones on both our road bikes, both with dual pivots.
Excellent performance wet or dry, and have not noiced any change in rim life.
1 set is about due for replacement; will have no hesitation to get them again.