Submitted by
Rollinabout
a Weekend Warrior
from Bay Area, CA Date Reviewed: July 24, 2008
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
Online
Strengths:
The Schwalbe Marathon Plus ATB is great. I mounted it on the rear. I wanted smoother road riding with no flats, durability, plus the chance to do light dirt riding whenever I saw the chance - and it delivers on these fine. I've had no flats in a year of riding. It has worked well in easy-going combo road/dirt usage. The reflective sidewall is a nice road feature. The bead around the center makes road riding pretty smooth and hasn't seemed to get in the way of light dirt/gravel riding where it's been a reliable gripper. After a year, the center bead is wearing well though starting to show some wear, and the knobs have held up with no cracks at all.
Weaknesses:
None. I have read that others consider it heavy but I don't have any issue with its weight.
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager Revolt Super X.
Bike Setup:
The Schwalbe Marathon Plus ATB is on the rear of a front suspension Stumpjumper with a Bontrager Revolt Super X on the front. This combo has worked well.
Bottom Line:
It is working nicely for weekend warrior road/dirt combo riding, and all-around town riding. Tough and reliable. They were a little pricey, but have shown themselves to be a value because it has really delivered on the promise of durability.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Humpje
a Racer
from Holland Date Reviewed: May 19, 2006
Favorite Trail:
hard road & deep mud
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Strengths:
very puncture resistant. looks. very low rolling resistance on hard surface. versatile.
These are good tires if you're looking for reliability and versatility. I chose them because i got sick of flat tires. One time i noticed a thick, sharp piece of glass in my front tire when coming home after a ride. When i tried to pull it out i saw that the thing had embedded itself deep into the rubber. When it finally came out a big hole remained visible for a while, but no air leaked out! A normal tire would have been killed by this, i'm sure. Soon after i noticed a strange noise when riding. When i stopped to look i saw the tire had been hit again with a big piece of glass. Pulled it out, checked for leaks. Nothing! This tire is one tough cookie! But, as with anything armored, it's heavy. 1.2 kilograms per tire is no lightweight! Though i must say i hardly notice the weight when riding (or climbing). In return you get a low as can be rolling resistance (which gives you a lot of speed on the road)and a reasonable grip in the dirt. I found deep mud not too much of a problem, the tire 'sinks' easily, providing grip. Cornering with this tire is also no problem. Also in sand and loose soil, the grip is ok, better than most semi-slicks i guess. And the 'rib' in the center helps keeping you on track. Bottom line is: this is one of the best all-round tires. And though not 100% leak-proof, if you want puncture resistance, this is the best. Unless they start making tires from titanium.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ifestion Papadam
a Downhiller
from Thessaloniki - Greece Date Reviewed: January 29, 2006
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$65.00
Purchased At:
Local Cyclist Shop
Strengths:
Absolutely FLATPROOF!!! Robust construction, it seems they will last for ever.
Weaknesses:
Only the weight, almost 1.2 Kg, but that's the price for none flats.
Similar Products Used:
Continental, Hutchisson
Bike Setup:
Canyon All Mountain 1, Chris King, Marzocchi, Mavic, Deore XTR
Bottom Line:
An amazing tyre for someone who want's to FORGET THE FLATS FOREVER, and doesn't care for the extra weight. I use them daily for more than 40 Km distance, going through broken glasses, nails, thorns and going up and down the pavement. I tested them even on normal off road tracks and they behave very secure. I'm still using my first tubes on them and the bottom line is that they are very robust and relliable tires for normal all around use, on the most hostile conditions.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Steven
a Cross Country Rider
from Petaluma, CA Date Reviewed: February 22, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$50.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
NO FLATS. Seriosuly. Good slick tread, with some grooves - not for serious off roading, more for touring and/or commuting. Reflective sidewall. Rated to 80psi.
Weaknesses:
HEAVY! Hard to find in the states.
Similar Products Used:
Ritchey Speedmax 700X35, Continental Sport 1000 700x23
Bike Setup:
Takara tourer from the 70s converted to a fixed commuter/beater bike.
Bottom Line:
This review is for the normal Marathon Plus, 700X38, with SmartGuard - not the ATB version. These have a more slick tread for road riding.
SmartGuard works. Period. Before I got these, I was riding Ritchey Speedmaxes WITH Mr. Tuffy liners, and I was STILL getting a few flats per month on my commute to and from work (I ride about 8 miles on a highway on the shoulder - crazy road debris). Once I switched to these tires, the flats disappeared. Really.
I've done SOME off roading with these (my commute also has about a mile or so of some fire road/trail), but I wouldn't recommend it. These are definitely designed for on road commuting and touring, for which they are perfect. The reflective 3M sidewall is a nice touch for visibility at night, too.
If you're looking for decent, easy to find, do everything (including pavement and trails and commutes) mountain tires, check out my review of Specialized's Crossroads Armadillos.
$ 41.76
Overall Rating:
