Schwalbe Marathon Plus 26" X 1.5 or 1.35 for touring?

[Mad_Hatter]

I am just about to build a Surly Troll for touring. I am sourcing the parts which suit my needs. With tires, I like the sounds of the Schwalbe Marathon Plus 26", but have read the ride can be quite harsh and with panniers etc I wonder if 1.5 would be better than 1.35. I will be touring around UK and Europe mainly road, but some off road ( bridle ways etc ). I like the idea of 1.35 though, as it would be less road resistance.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

[peckham]

I built a troll a while back, I'm using Continental Travel Contacts 1.75. They are slick in the middle with slightly heavier tread on the edges for looser ground when you need grip, but have really good road speed.

[geocycle]

I would not use marathon plus as a touring tye. They are great for glass strewn commuting routes but I'd suggest standard marathons or marathon supremes from the schwalbe range. I use 26x 1.6 supremes at the moment. They are great on road, puncture resistant and grippy. They are also fine on bridle ways, toepaths etc although you need to be carefully if it gets very rocky or muddy.

[peckham]

Just a note, I rode the Dunwich Dynamo 120miles on my Surly Troll + abit more.... on my Continentals and kept up with most people, with no punctures and in comfort...I did have a pair of 700c Supremes which were also good for the job...it's all instinct and aesthetics really...

[horizon]

I use Schwalbe Marathon (not Plus) 1.5 26" on my Sardar and they are the most fit-and-forget tyre I have ever had. I simply cannot think of any issues I have with them. I do like the thought of a wider tyre for the loads I carry and the lanes I cycle down and this one does that as well as the road stretches. Maybe an issue - on gravel I noticed a (slight?) sideways slip. But otherwise apart from a very occasional pumping up they don't even figure in my thoughts. I previously had 1.4 with lighter loads.

[matt2matt2002]

I use 1.75 on my Thorn Raven. Just done 91 road miles from Inverurie to Perth. No probs.
I also had them on my Sardar, like the previous poster.
Maybe the 1.75 are over kill for road but I have them on in preparation for a long loaded tour to the East.
As has been said, fit em and forget em.
Matt

[willem jongman]

The Marathon Plus is heavy, stiff and horrible, but useful in particular situations. On a European Tour I think you want a much more flexible tyre for more speed and comfort. And you want it wider for even more comfort, and grip on soft road surfaces. I think the 50 mm Schwalbe Big Apple is the best choice. It is faster and more comfortable than nearly all alternatives. The Big Ben is comparable, but with a deeper tread for less speed but more grip on loose surfaces. It is a common misconception that narrower tyres are faster. On a touring bike they are slower in most circumstances. Next spring you will also have the choice of the new for 2014 Schwalbe Almotion, an apparently very fast touring tyre.
Willem

[Si]

I've used M+ on tour with camping stuff. Not the fastest tyre in the world by a long chalk, but then it's a tour not a race. Comfort wise on my OneDown (old version of the Sardar) it was fine. Have been down BWs and sustrans paths with no probs. But reading other posts about them I must surmise that it is my superior cycling ability that makes up for them

[Mad_Hatter]

Hi guys,

Thanks for all the great responses.

I currently use a a Schwalbe Marathon standard which is quite slick and it feels good n the road. I have not really had much load though, hence trying to find a stronger tyre. I like the idea of the Schwalbe Marathon Supreme, as it looks slick like mine and hopefully will be fine on the gravel paths as well as my standards do. Not cheap though I see, but worth it n the long run.

Many thanks

[pjclinch]

I currently use a a Schwalbe Marathon standard which is quite slick and it feels good n the road. I have not really had much load though, hence trying to find a stronger tyre.

I use standard 1.5" Marathons for touring (with full touring loads on a heavy bike), as dos my wife, and we've have never had any issues. We've run a Thorn Triplet with them for a few years with no issues (including for 3-up touring). I use 2" Marthons on my freight bike and (you've guessed it) no issues.

The Marathon does loads fine in my experience, I don't think you'll need anything stronger unless you're doing something particularly bonkers. You say you haven't loaded yours much, is there any reason to suspect things will go badly if you do?

Pete.

[willem jongman]

The basic Marathon (Now Marathon Greenguard) is indeed a very sturdy tyre. In fact I think it is unnecessarily heavy for most loaded tours in Europe. A Big Apple is robust enough, and much nicer.
Willem

[pjclinch]

Though with a Big Apple check the clearances on your 'guards. 2" is as thin as they get.

[willem jongman]

The 50 mm is about 45 mm in reality, on Exal SP19 rims.

[Mad_Hatter]

I currently use a a Schwalbe Marathon standard which is quite slick and it feels good n the road. I have not really had much load though, hence trying to find a stronger tyre.

You say you haven't loaded yours much, is there any reason to suspect things will go badly if you do?

Pete.

Hi Pete,

I do not expect anything to go badly, my concern was the more weight going over puncture type objects the easier it might be to actually get a puncture, this is why I assume the M+ would be better then the standard.

[Mad_Hatter]

The basic Marathon (Now Marathon Greenguard) is indeed a very sturdy tyre. In fact I think it is unnecessarily heavy for most loaded tours in Europe. A Big Apple is robust enough, and much nicer.
Willem

Hi Wiilem,

Looking at the Big Apple tyres, they sound impressive with the semi slicks and comfy ride. The price is a bit crazy at £53.00 each. Anyone seen them cheaper?