Cycling UK Forum

Not a big problem, I know people mix their tyres but just looking for a few views in case I've missed something.

I can't get Marathon Supremes anymore for my 26" Surly LHT tourer. Well not at an acceptable price.

I've decided to go to Greenguard Marathon Originals 1.5" for puncture protection and longevity. However I have one 1.6" Supreme left (tried to sell but no luck). I'm thinking of running with the Supreme on the front and the Greenguard on the rear. The reason for this configuration is that I have damaged the sidewall of 2 or maybe 3 Supremes by slipping off rocks or down potholes etc on the rear, effectively trashing the tyre, but never had a problem on the front. Also, I reckon that a Supreme on the front will last about 2 or 3 times than on the rear.

Anyone any thoughts on this mix or would I be better with Greenguards front and rear. Discuss.

Use is longhaul touring and utility at home.

I can't see any issue. I'm often on mismatched tyres, sometimes through choice, other times just because it's what I have.
EDIT - I have the Marathons on my 24" wheel folder, they're a fairly stiff tyres, particularly if compared to the Supreme, if available I'd choose 1.75" over 1.5".

there is nothing wrong with what you propose. Having a slightly more robust rear fitment is fair game IMV.

1.5" would be far to juddery on my 26" solid MTB tourer/ multi use......have run 1.5" on front with front suspension. However, have mainly stuck to Continental Travel Contacts 1.75" for touring/general use.....fairly light and run really well on most surfaces. .....but probably not enough puncture protection for you.

My 700c tourer has for 20+ years been run with a larger tyre on the back than front.

Thanks for replies. I posted because of the very different nature of the tyres. Thin walled semi slick and more robust treaded.

Duh! When I dug out some old tyres I realised that I had used this configuration before replacing a rear Supreme with a Greenguard for a tour in Burma in 2019. It handled the good and the bad for a month before over the border for another month in the hills of northern Thailand.

Oh me of little faith!

Re the 1.5 Greenguard. I went for that as it is 730gms v 875 for the 1.75 and according to the Rolling website has a lower rr. Have now received 2 x 1.5s and was pleasantly surprised that they seem less hard sidewall wise than my previous very early ones.

Anyway this will be my touring set up for the winter so hoping it's good. Thanks again.