Is it worth trying hybrid tyres.

[IR772]

My Hard Nine with Rapid Robs on, is great off road.

My Hard Nine with Big Bens on, is great on the road.

I thought Winter was just going to be a straight road only exercise, but stupidly I am still going off road and it is tricky on Big Bens.

I am looking for road manners ( quiet, smooth running, good handling and braking) with some off road grip ( the ability to NOT slip side ways at the first sign of dew and be able to go uphill in muddy not quagmire conditions ), do Marathon Plus MTB or Land Cruiser Plus work ?

 

[EddiePJ]

The Marathon Plus MTB tyres seem to have had good reviews on Chain Reaction, and at least they will offer very good puncture resistance. A big plus point during the winter months.

I was going to suggest Racing Ralphs, but these are a big risk, in that they are very puncture prone, and might not be heavy duty enough for you. I still run a Racing ralph on the front of my pedal mtb though, along with a Rocket Ron on the rear. http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/schwalbe-racing-ralph-performance-mtb-tyre-dc/rp-prod63918

 

[IR772]

It is just so appealing when I am riding by my usual haunts to turn off the road and go cross country.

It has not got really wet here yet but the frost has knocked down the Fern, Mallow and Nettles so the woods are wide open for daytime riding.

Would be lovely to do road and Forest and be puncture proof.

Not looking to cross six inches of mud just sure footed riding and braking.

 

[Croxden]

My Haibike has Hans Dampf tyres, they seem to fine for tarmac & off road.

 

[RobF]

I suspect any MTB tyre will be too similar to your Rapid Robs to give much advantage.

Equally, any trekking or tour tyre may be too similar to your Big Bens.

If you still want to try something, Marathon Plus Tours may be worth a go.

A bit more tread than Big Ben, but not full on MTB.

https://www.schwalbe.com/gb/tour-reader/marathon-plus-tour.html

 

[Rohloffboy]

For summer I use Verdestien "S Licks" 1.3" and winter change to Continental Travel Contact 1.75" for my rigid 26" wheel MTB.

Although I think the Verdestien "S Licks" went EOL a few years back, as I bought a bunch of them back in 2008.

Of course I am still on pedal power only, having not yet gone electric.

 

[Wicky]

I've used Big Apple Pluses for high Summer use and for the Autumn / Winter fitted Smart Sam Pluses allround tyres for road and trail use which they do well as centre tread is joined which is good for road but there is grip from knobblies either side for mucky conditions. Very puncture proof apart from sidewall vulnerability from thorns which has caught me out thankfully only once. And compared to Apples average speeds are only a mile or two lower with the SSPs fitted.

 

[Croxden]

Schwalbe reckon Hans Dampf translates as 'jack of all trades' it's better than 'Handyman' as google does.

 

[IR772]

Does any one use "Marathon Plus MTB"

 

[LeighPing]

I bought these, £12.99 for a pair. They're heavy, add drag, thick enough, and will do fine for winter use. The marathons would have been 70 quid.


Here's the reviews.

 

[electrickery]

schwalbe land cruisers ?

 

[IR772]

I went for Marathon MTB Plus.

On and off road I like them.

 

[Trevormonty]

My Haibike has Hans Dampf tyres, they seem to fine for tarmac & off road.

My cube 140 came with Hans Damp, for such aggressive looking off road tyre they are surprising quiet any easy rolling on road. No problems doing 27-28km/hr unassisted on flat with no wind and that is with offroad pressures.

 

[martin@onbike]

Marathon Plus MTB's are an awesome allround compromise tyre.
Seriously quick on tarmac at high psi.
No punctures yet (I even followed a hedge cutting tractor for half a mile)
Reasonable offroad/track handling....just avoid wet roots at all costs.
I'd say best for 70% tarmac/30% Trails mix

 

[stevenatleven]

+1 for Marathon Plus MTB. 1000 miles in off road and no punctures so far. I have to keep mine pretty hard 50+ psi as I find the sidewalls are on the soft side and feel squirrely when cornering. Expensive but hopefully worth it.

 

[Croxden]

Marathon Plus MTB's are an awesome allround compromise tyre.
Seriously quick on tarmac at high psi.
No punctures yet (I even followed a hedge cutting tractor for half a mile)
Reasonable offroad/track handling....just avoid wet roots at all costs.
I'd say best for 70% tarmac/30% Trails mix

I'll second the wet root observation, had me off twice on the Delite while the Haibike on the Hans Dampf sailed over.

 

[Andy88]

Hmm newbie here, how critical is tyre selection for town riding? Same rules as motorbike, in the wet don't brake to hard with the front?

What exactly are these airless tyres I keep hearing about that cannot be punctured?

 

[soundwave]

 

[Andy88]

Thats tubless but interesting

 

[Andy88]

Look at these two…