More Tyre Worry

[Gubbins]

So it looks like we are discussing different things. I have ben running these on my road bike since February, on cold dark slippery winter nights on moorland roads covered in muck and rubble and found them really good. No hint of slides at all.

 

[anotherkiwi]

No we are talking about the same thing, the Big Ben is a grippy tyre that people riding in slippery conditions tend to prefer over vanilla Marathon plus. I have read that some MTB riders mount it as a summer tyre for use off road in the dry. The 700c x 38 version doesn't however have reinforced puncture protection. If it fits then the 700c x 50 Big Ben Plus does have high puncture protection, good grip and comfy ride.

 

[Gubbins]

No we are talking about the same thing, the Big Ben is a grippy tyre that people riding in slippery conditions tend to prefer over vanilla Marathon plus. I have read that some MTB riders mount it as a summer tyre for use off road in the dry. The 700c x 38 version doesn't however have reinforced puncture protection. If it fits then the 700c x 50 Big Ben Plus does have high puncture protection, good grip and comfy ride.

I hear what you are saying, but.. I bought these after reading the product description which is a bit at odds with what you are saying..
There is a link to report incorrect product information.. If its wrong..

Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tyre: 700c x 32mm Reflex Wired. HS 348, 32-622, Performance Line, SmartGuard

• Flat-less - with a purposeful trekking tread. Asphalt or off-road? Everyday use or bicycle expeditions? This versatile tyre always does the job. Its robust construction handles almost any mistreatment. Protected by SmartGuard, the most effective puncture protection belt available for bicycle tyres.
• It is impossible to guarantee that a flat will never happen, but the Marathon Plus has the best defense against everyday tyre wreckers such as glass, flints or metal shards. Use a pressure gauge to adjust tyre pressures as the common "thumb check" is insufficient due to the special construction of the Marathon Plus

 

[mountainsport]

Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tyre: 700c x 32mm Reflex Wired. HS 348, 32-622, Performance Line, SmartGuard

I bought these for winter riding and as they are a really stiff and solid tyre they were a right Dgs Bllx to fit. There are tools to make this job easy but they are workshop tools, not the sort of thing that is easily carried about.
I became a bit paranoid about doing a tube change away from home and took them off going back to the slicks that came with the bike, but I miss the feeling of security they gave me.
It took me two hours to but these on in the first place for two reasons..
1/ arthritis in my hand..
2/ the beads naturally spread quite wide so I couldn't get them to slot into the centre of the wheel and as i forced one bit over the rim another bit popped out so I was chasing it around the rim.
In the end I used a zip tie to keep one part in place whilst I levered the rest over the rim, but there must be an easier way without having to carry a large tool. (apart from myself that is..)

Attention! Zoom level Hazardous.

MS.

 

[Gubbins]

Attention! Zoom level Hazardous.

MS.

Wear you sunglasses then...

 

[flecc]

I hear what you are saying, but.. I bought these after reading the product description which is a bit at odds with what you are saying..
shards.

Here's the explanation of the different Marathon Plus tyres:

d8veh has spoken of using this one, which can lack grip.

You have this one which has a deeper tread. Currently unavailable.

There is also this one with even more tread.
.

 

[Gubbins]

Here's the explanation of the different Marathon Plus tyres:

d8veh has spoken of using this one, which can lack grip.

You have this one which has a deeper tread. Currently unavailable.

There is also this one with even more tread.
.

Thanks for the clarification... Interestingly, to the unwary, and taken individually they all appear the same..

 

[Deleted member 4366]

I think that last one will grip better than the normal one on grass and gravel, but the problem on the road is that the rubber is so 'kin hard. It lasts forever, but is very short of grip on wet and salty roads. If you want grip, you need soft rubber, which will wear out quickly.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/tyres/road/product/review-continental-gator-hardshell-10-37824/

 

[E-Wheels]

I hear what you are saying, but.. I bought these after reading the product description which is a bit at odds with what you are saying..
There is a link to report incorrect product information.. If its wrong..

Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tyre: 700c x 32mm Reflex Wired. HS 348, 32-622, Performance Line, SmartGuard

• Flat-less - with a purposeful trekking tread. Asphalt or off-road? Everyday use or bicycle expeditions? This versatile tyre always does the job. Its robust construction handles almost any mistreatment. Protected by SmartGuard, the most effective puncture protection belt available for bicycle tyres.
• It is impossible to guarantee that a flat will never happen, but the Marathon Plus has the best defense against everyday tyre wreckers such as glass, flints or metal shards. Use a pressure gauge to adjust tyre pressures as the common "thumb check" is insufficient due to the special construction of the Marathon Plus

Have you considered these other variants to the Marathon range; https://www.schwalbetires.com/node/5143
Or maybe these; https://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/road_tires/marathon_supreme
Both offer good on road grip and puncture protection

 

[Gubbins]

Have you considered these other variants to the Marathon range; https://www.schwalbetires.com/node/5143
Or maybe these; https://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/road_tires/marathon_supreme
Both offer good on road grip and puncture protection

Actually I didn't consider much at all.. I just went looking for a puncture resistant tyre with some tread for winter riding on my favourite next day delivery site. Picked these, read the reviews, bought them and found them hard to fit.
So far they seem fine and with all this slippery talk I have been trying controlled heavy braking on grates and white lines and stuff to see how they are..

 

[chris_n]

Don't forget what is slippery to some is fine to others, depends how hard you are pushing them. It's the same as hills, one persons hilly ride is anothers flat daily commute.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Don't forget what is slippery to some is fine to others, depends how hard you are pushing them. It's the same as hills, one persons hilly ride is anothers flat daily commute.

That's true, but the same with motorbike tyres, there are strong links between long life and hardness of rubber, and grip and softness of rubber. these things are measurable and not just a matter of opinion.

 

[Gubbins]

Don't forget what is slippery to some is fine to others, depends how hard you are pushing them. It's the same as hills, one persons hilly ride is anothers flat daily commute.

The bike has disc brakes so its pulling them on hard until it looses grip and skids.

 

[anotherkiwi]

A couple of years back the Marathon Plus was THE puncture resistant tyre. Since then Shwalbe has introduced Plus versions (3 mm layer of protection instead of 5 mm) to many of its other tyres some of which have their famous sticky rubber compound. Often these tyres are s-pedelec approved and marked ECE-R75. Unless you are riding continuously on flint and hawthorn strewn paths the Plus tyres with their level 6 protection are plenty.

My first bike had Michelin Protek tyres from which I extracted many sharp objects including a screw, without ever experiencing a flat. I know, now I am doomed...

 

[Gubbins]

Been out in the wet tonight and as I write this I must risk a few "I told you so's".
Seemed ok at first but I went down a really steep hill with a bad corner half way.. Nice and steady with mostly rear brake and just a tad of front.. Ooops! Few heart stopping moments as braking just enough to maintain my speed the rear was skipping and sliding all over the place.

 

[chris_n]

That's true, but the same with motorbike tyres, there are strong links between long life and hardness of rubber, and grip and softness of rubber. these things are measurable and not just a matter of opinion.

Totaly agree but I was talking more about peoples expectations, experiences and requirements .
I personally run soft sticky (ish) MTB tyres (Maxxis DHF 3c Terra compound on the front and a Maxxis Ardent on the rear)and don't expect them to last particularly long on my Haibike but I want all of the grip they can give me hooning down an Alp.
If I was touring or commuting I would not choose this level of grip and would slow down when conditions got tricky. The other thing is you can't measure expected grip by braking in a straight line, if you brake hard enough on the front wheel the rear will lock regardless of the tyre type. It's all about the cornering grip.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Been out in the wet tonight and as I write this I must risk a few "I told you so's".
Seemed ok at first but I went down a really steep hill with a bad corner half way.. Nice and steady with mostly rear brake and just a tad of front.. Ooops! Few heart stopping moments as braking just enough to maintain my speed the rear was skipping and sliding all over the place.

You just have to adjust yourself to them. I'm happy with mine since I learned to be careful on corners. It was just the bit about using them as winter tyres that got me. If you slip on a warm summer evening, you can imagine what they're like on cold winter roads that are slimy with salt.