Marathon Plus Tyre Sizes

[Mandy]

Don't worry about the wet Mandy, the smooth tread grips well. It might sound odd, but grip is highest when the maximum amount of rubber is on the road, smooth treads being the best in that respect.

The reason for grooves in the tread is not grip but clearing surplus water. In bike tyres which run at much lower speeds than motor vehicles, that's only important when banked on corners, and as you can see, there are tread grooves on the outer areas that contact the road when banked.

To ensure those work properly, make sure the tyres go on the right way round as shown on the tyre walls, The tread has an "arrow" formation, so make sure the point of the arrow when it's on the ground is pointing to the back of the bike. That makes the tread bite into the water film and spread it out and away from the bike.
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Thanks Flecc
I think you have convinced me now to fit the tyres and I guess it isn't like they are those super slick one's you can get out there .

If it actually stops raining tomorrow I will fit them, however, I have never changed tyres before so could be an experience
I also plan on giving my bike a good clean as after the torrential rain on Friday morning the bike is filthy and looks like it has been in a mud bath!

I am off to Halfords tomorrow to buy tyre levers, as I can't find mine anywhere or my little tool kit. I also want to buy a new foot pump as the hand pump I have is so tiring! Do you use one that you could recommend?
I believe you cannot use the rule of thumb with these tyres so plan on pumping them up weekly, or is that an overkill?

Thanks again
Mandy

 

[flecc]

Weekly is fine Mandy. I don't use a footpump even on the car, too much like hard work. The best all round I think is a stirrup pump, something like this:

Stirrup Pump

They are easiest of all, the whole body helping with the pumping rather than just a few muscles. There are smaller bicycle versions too, called track pumps, and those are good, but the full size track pump is best.

I recently gave one to my elderly brother who was fed up with footpumps on his car and he's delighted at how easy it is to use in comparison.
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[Mandy]

Weekly is fine Mandy. I don't use a footpump even on the car, too much like hard work. The best all round I think is a stirrup pump, something like this:

Stirrup Pump

They are easiest of all, the whole body helping with the pumping rather than just a few muscles. There are smaller bicycle versions too, called track pumps, and those are good, but the full size track pump is best.

I recently gave one to my elderly brother who was fed up with footpumps on his car and he's delighted at how easy it is to use in comparison.
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Thanks Flecc

That looks like a good possibility for me and the price looks good too

Would I be likely to find one in Halfords tomorrow? Or even B & Q as I have a large one of those near by.

Mandy

 

[flecc]

I can't find stirrup pumps at either of those Mandy, though Halfords have track pumps, the smaller portable version for bike use.

It's mostly sports shops that stock track pumps now, for use on footballs, inflatable boats etc, and there's plenty of suppliers online like that one on the previous link.
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[Mandy]

I can't find stirrup pumps at either of those Mandy, though Halfords have track pumps, the smaller portable version for bike use.

It's mostly sports shops that stock track pumps now, for use on footballs, inflatable boats etc, and there's plenty of suppliers online like that one on the previous link.
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Thanks Flecc, maybe I will have a look at the Track Pump tomorrow in Halfords. However, if it is pouring down with rain the tyres will have to wait till next weekend and may then buy a pump on line
Thank you
Mandy

 

[frank9755]

Continenatal also make a tyre that works in the same way as the Marathon Plus with a thick layer to stop drawing pins etc. Although interesting they do not offer the 12month pucture guarantee as they do with their Kevlar layered tyres.

Continental Contact Security

I'm a big fan of Marathon Plus having done 2,000+ punctureless miles with them, spread across three bikes, over the last year. My new bike came with Continental Contact tyres - ie the basic one with what they call their 'Safety System' puncture protection as opposed to this higher level 'Security System'. I think these are the same ones as are fitted to the Agattu. I had been minded to replace them with Marathon Plus, but I have to say they have been great. I've now done over 600 punctureless miles on them - a combination of London commuting (including glass dodging) and country touring (including rough bridleways strewn with thorns). Also they roll very well, possibly slightly smoother ride than the Marathon Plus. I think either are excellent and, based on my experience, I feel Agattu owners can be confident that (unlike virtually every other e-bike) the factory fitted tyres are not likely to let them down!

Frank

 

[echowind]

Regarding big apple tyres. I have rode over two years on mine without a single puncture. I ride aggressively and really pound the peddles. If these tyres had been found wanting in any way, it probably would have occurred by now. Part of their secret regarding comfort and performance is that big apples still roll well at a relatively low psi of only 35.

 

[robert44]

Stirrup Pump

Mandy - Flecc's recommendation of a stirrup pump is well worth taking up. In relation to a hand pump, it's like going from an ordinary bike to an e-bike!
Argos do a stirrup pump for £8. It fits Schrader and Presta valves and has a pressure gauge. Certainly suitable for the occasional user.

 

[Mandy]

I'm a big fan of Marathon Plus having done 2,000+ punctureless miles with them, spread across three bikes, over the last year. My new bike came with Continental Contact tyres - ie the basic one with what they call their 'Safety System' puncture protection as opposed to this higher level 'Security System'. I think these are the same ones as are fitted to the Agattu. I had been minded to replace them with Marathon Plus, but I have to say they have been great. I've now done over 600 punctureless miles on them - a combination of London commuting (including glass dodging) and country touring (including rough bridleways strewn with thorns). Also they roll very well, possibly slightly smoother ride than the Marathon Plus. I think either are excellent and, based on my experience, I feel Agattu owners can be confident that (unlike virtually every other e-bike) the factory fitted tyres are not likely to let them down!

Frank

Hi Frank and Flecc

Well I haven't fitted the new tyres yet as in a quandry as Flecc has rightly stated that the deeper tread on a tyre will try to deflect the water away from the bike and I have the standard hybrid tyres fitted by Wisper at mo.
Well after much cleaning on Sunday my bike again looked like a mudbath this morning on arrival at work after again being caught in the rain, but thankfully the mud didn't get me!
I am kind of wondering if this is going to be much worse with the semi slick Marathon Plus tyres? I do have some mud to contend with on occasions on an otherwise lovely path through a part of our local nature reserve and do not want to stick to the road because of this.
I have not got city mudguards fitted and don't wish to change them at the mo, but can this make such a huge difference? Stupid question, I guess so logically, lol!
I need to find the right combination!!

Unlike you Frank, I have had a puncture already, but guess in some ways that was just unlucky?

Flecc, I can hear you now? A woman can never make up their mind? Well you would be totally right!
Regards
Mandy

 

[Mandy]

I agree it's a great tyre, but it hasn't the puncture resistant layer of the MPs though echowind, and on hub motor bikes that's what most members value. I did over 4 years in an urban area on three bikes with MPs without a single puncture, and no other cycle tyre could do that.

As Schwalbe's own charts show, the rolling resistance is very little different in practice from the Big Apple. As you say, not for 700c, and I'd think that's unlikely anyway as it's too wide for most 700c rims.
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Hi Flecc

As you know I want the puncture resistance and the moon on a stick!! Do you think the below tyres may suit my SE and has anyone else tried them?

Schwalbe Marathon Plus ATB 26 x 2.0 | Tyres MTB Cross Country | Cycle - Cycle Sports UK

Mind you I would shop around at that price
Sorry I don't mean to be a pain .com,
Regards
Mandy

 

[flecc]

Flecc, I can hear you now? A woman can never make up their mind? Well you would be totally right!
Regards
Mandy

No, I wouldn't say that Mandy. Deep treads can be useful in deep mud, but standard tyres are usually ok on thin muddy patches. Obviously it's best to take care on mud when riding two wheels, whatever tyre is fitted, but as long as the bike is upright and not banked for corners there should be no problem. Whole areas of my local lanes are mud coated and sometimes under water but I have no problem on my MPs ploughing through either.

The only difference the MPs will make with throwing the mud is that it will be more concentrated in the centre line rather than thrown from the whole tread width of a more heavily treaded tyre. Either way mud will be sprayed and only full mudguards could catch most of that.
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[Mandy]

Mandy - Flecc's recommendation of a stirrup pump is well worth taking up. In relation to a hand pump, it's like going from an ordinary bike to an e-bike!
Argos do a stirrup pump for £8. It fits Schrader and Presta valves and has a pressure gauge. Certainly suitable for the occasional user.

Thanks Robert44

I will definitely check that one out, that looks like a good buy!!
Can weekly be considered occasional? I would think so?
Thank you
Mandy

 

[flecc]

Just seen the other post on the MTB versions.

These are definitely cross country tyres and will be very inefficient, possibly noisy and uncomfortable in road use. For deep mud off road, yes, but if much of your riding is on roads as I'm sure it is, I'd advise against them.

You definitely wouldn't beat that price, and might find it difficult to find that type at most places.
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[Mandy]

No, I wouldn't say that Mandy. Deep treads can be useful in deep mud, but standard tyres are usually ok on thin muddy patches. Obviously it's best to take care on mud when riding two wheels, whatever tyre is fitted, but as long as the bike is upright and not banked for corners there should be no problem. Whole areas of my local lanes are mud coated and sometimes under water but I have no problem on my MPs ploughing through either.

The only difference the MPs will make with throwing the mud is that it will be more concentrated in the centre line rather than thrown from the whole tread width of a more heavily treaded tyre. Either way mud will be sprayed and only full mudguards could catch most of that.
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Well maybe I should just put them on and look into the mudgauards I have without maybe going totally being full? I have seen some options out there?
I guess what I am after more is the pucture resistance and can live with the mud in a way so long as I turn up at work looking clean But black on my bike does show up the muck more than I thought? lol
My son is after my new tyres if I do not want them for his non "Leccy" bike and has offered me the price I paid but has encouraged me to put them on mine, bless I guess he is used to his mum's indecision

I guess I should just try them and see?

Thanks Flecc
Mandy

 

[john]

continental travel contact

I used slick tyres for a while on my commute but found that they were too slippery on mud, and wet grass is even worse. Yes you are ok when going straight but off-road conditions are generally uneven and you have to weave about.

I am now using Continental Cycle Tyres UK which seem to be a good compromise for all conditions and have good puncture protection.

 

[Ian]

Thanks Robert44

I will definitely check that one out, that looks like a good buy!!
Can weekly be considered occasional? I would think so?
Thank you
Mandy

Lidl have a number of cycling offers during w/c next Monday, including a stirrup pump with gauge for £4.99. Might be worth checking out but offers such as this tend to sell out quickly.

 

[frank9755]

Hi Frank and Flecc
Unlike you Frank, I have had a puncture already, but guess in some ways that was just unlucky?
Mandy

No Mandy, you're not unlucky if you are still using the Kendas that come on the Wisper. I got a puncture in mine after about 160 miles. I recall Aldby had a puncture with his at a similar mileage. The Kendas are not really up to it!

I think what Flecc says is best advice - Marathon Plus and full mudguards - that's what I have on my Wisper but obviously it's your choice, so if you don't mind:
- spending time fixing punctures, you could just stick with the Kendas
- putting a bit more effort in to go slightly slower, then tyres with lots of tread would be fine
- getting you and your bike muddy, don't bother with the mudguards!

Frank

 

[robert44]

Lidl have a number of cycling offers during w/c next Monday, including a stirrup pump with gauge for £4.99. Might be worth checking out but offers such as this tend to sell out quickly.

I couldn,t resist a recent Lidl offer of a cycle computer for £2.99. Since then I have been running it in parallel with my £20 Cateye and the Lidl cheapo is spot on! No difference between the two, but have yet to test it in the wet.

 

[flecc]

I used slick tyres for a while on my commute but found that they were too slippery on mud, and wet grass is even worse. Yes you are ok when going straight but off-road conditions are generally uneven and you have to weave about.

I am now using Continental Cycle Tyres UK which seem to be a good compromise for all conditions and have good puncture protection.

Mandy's MPs aren't slicks though John, they have more centre tread than the Continentals you show:

 

[john]

The Continentals have very little tread in the middle (for road rolling) but quite a lot at the edge which seems to come into play in mud or if the wheel starts to slide sideways then they bite in.