Schwalbe

Marathon Supreme Tire - 700c EVO, Roadstar compound with SpeedGuard

After years of riding Conti Top Tours (700x32) I decided to take the plunge on the Schwalbe Marathon Supremes (700x35). Riding a big Rivendell with 40/48 spoke wheels (M 520's), I've never cared a lot about weight. But holy smokes - what a tire! Very light, ultra plush, and fast rolling. What's not to love? Sure, they're expensive - but I've seen folks spend an extra $100 on a derailer to save 20 g. And this is *200* g, (per tire) AND, in a place where the weight matters (overcoming intertia). To say nothing of the ride quality, which is rock-solid and silky smooth. Corners nicely, although I haven't pushed them hard. I like the confidence of a highly durable tire, and I wouldn't ride without that, a priori: Flats suck, anywhere, all the time (esp., commuting to work). Still too early to assess wear and durability. I'm expecting Supremes to live up to technical billing here. Also, a very easy tire to mount, and nicely balanced. Like the reflective sidewall! -Sure, most better tires have them now, but I wouldn't buy one without, anymore. The only surprise to the Marathon Supremes, was just how much taller the tire sits; it's a very 'round' 35, and necessitated a complete re-working of my (albeit, tight) fender lines. They needed an additional 7 mm to accommodate, despite nominal increase in tire spec. Tire also feels 'bigger' than I thought it would; I've ridden 37s (Panaracer) that felt smaller. That's nice, as I was initially leaning toward a 37 or 40. Nice work, Schwalbe.

I have put 4k-6k miles on these tires. I know there are new versions every year, and I bought mine in 2010. They have functioned great. On one tour, my buddies got 6 flats while I got none. I have had two flats, one from a siding nail sticking straight up on the road, and one because I had a rock flake in the tire I could hear, but didn't stop to take out. I have pulled out glass shards from the tires. I have had them on over 2k miles of fully loaded touring around Lake Superior and Spain/Portugal, and they have performed great on cornering, and are extreamly sticky when it is wet out still. I think the rubber is finally starting to wear some (Cracking), but I plan on riding them until I can see through the rubber in some places to the underlying layers. Great for commuting, as they spin very easy, but the lower pressure is much softer on my wrists than smaller width tires. MUCH better tire than the marathon plus.

Do not even hesitate! Get these! I've ridden a pair of 700 x 32 for a couple of years with ZERO problems. I got a pair of 700 x 28 for a bike with less clearance and they give the same exceptional ride. I will ride nothing else.

Excellent tire use it primarily for commuting and gravel rides and have even used it on the occasional fast group rides. I have the 700x32 which no longer appear to be available. Long lasting, I have 2.5 seasons on mine.