schwalbe marathon plus tour mtb

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Schwalbe Marathon Plus Review

Schwalbe Marathon Plus

Schwalbe’s three-tire Marathon Plus lineup is among the company’s most popular, and has been around for more than a decade and a half. For the most part, it’s immensely popular among most who’ve tried it. After all, they report it delivers a solid mix between comfort, low rolling resistance, high puncture protection, and a variety of tread patterns from which to choose, depending on terrain. As with most products in the cycling industry, though, you’ll pay for the technology.

• Fitting/Removal
• Puncture Resistance
• Responsiveness
• Rolling Resistance
• Long-standing favorite among cyclists
• Great puncture protection
• Ultra-low rolling resistance
• Resistance to wear and signs of aging
• Variety of models/tread patterns available
• Suitable for a wide variety of terrain
• Can handle a range of air pressures
• At the upper end of the price spectrum,
• Will come with higher rolling resistance than thinner tires, or those without tread patterns

User Review

After riding Schwalbe Marathon Plus bike tires for hundreds of miles, as well as finding out what online consumers are saying, we’ll help you learn more about the lineup, including their technologies, pricing, and competitors.

Now that the northern hemisphere is squarely in the midst of fall, many cyclists are changing out their tires for something more robust, puncture resistant, and ready to take on less-than-stellar weather. And near the top of many lists is the Schwalbe Marathon Plus .

This three-tire lineup features patented, 5 mm-thick puncture protection belts made from a highly elastic combination of natural rubber and recycled material. Together, the company promises they deliver “the best possible protection against glass, flints, or metal shards,” dubbing them “the only tire worldwide that can be called “flat-less.”

Despite this, Schwalbe advertises the lineup is lighter than, and rolls as dynamically as, third-party tires without puncture guards.

As mentioned on the website, it’s impossible to guarantee that you’ll never have a flat tire. But, is it worth sacrificing weight for the added protection potentially provided by Marathon Plus’s puncture belt?

Here, we’ll combine our first-hand experience, along with publically available online information, to help you narrow down your options. Before exploring the differences between each tire in the lineup, though, let’s zoom in on their commonalities.

The Technologies You’ll Find in Each Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tire

Each Marathon Plus tire comes in a Black-Reflex color, with a wire bead, and 67 ends per inch, along with the following technologies:

SmartGuard & Flat-Less

Schwalbe’s SmartGuard technology, which is attached to the tire’s carcass as a belt, is the primary component that delivers Marathon Plus’s ‘flat-less’ functionality. According to their website, they’ve used it on their tires for more than 15 years.

Related: A Visual Guide to Bike Tires

This technology involves 5 mm of flexible rubber, part of which is natural, while the remainder is derived from recycled polymers. It’s thickest in the center for maximum top puncture protection and gradually thins toward each sidewall.

E-Bike Ready 25 & Performance Line

Schwalbe’s E-Bike Ready technology can accommodate the higher loads and average speeds of motor assist bikes (otherwise known as e-bikes), up to 50 km/h.

On the other hand, the Performance aspect is said to deliver excellent quality for intensive use, and the best value tires for the money.

What Are the Differences Between Each Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tire?

Now, let’s look at their differences. Here’s a quick overview of the aspects we’ll discuss:

Marathon Plus Original HS 440

According to the Schwalbe website, this is the company’s best-selling model, which they advertise as “The most puncture resistant pneumatic tire there is.”

Compared to older versions, the new Marathon Plus Original features Anti-Aging sidewalls that last longer and are more resistant to cracking caused by adverse weather conditions or insufficient air pressure. It also comes with a new Endurance compound that’s said to offer thousands of miles of “excellent performance characteristics and low abrasion.”

The Original offers the broadest range of sizes among the Marathon Plus lineup, with 18 different versions in 16”, 20”, 24”, 26”, 27.5, 650B, 700C, and 28” sizes available. Weight varies between 480 g and 1,010 g, with load between 65 kg and 115 kg, and PSI ranges between 50 and 100.

Depending on size, MSRP is between $47 and $57, although third-party online retailers offered it for $43 to $53 each as of this writing.

Marathon Plus Tour HS 404

The Marathon Plus Tour model adds a more robust and distinctive trekking tread than the Original, which is designed for long tours and everyday use alike, both on and off-road. Together, they advertise it offers the same rolling resistance, road grip, protection, and durability, but adds a slightly improved off-road grip.

Schwalbe only offers five different versions of this Tour model in 26”, 700C, and 28” sizes. MSRP is $57, while many online sites sold it for between $23 and $60 apiece.

Load is measured from 105 kg to 130 kg, with 30 to 85 PSI and weight between 890 g and 1,100 g.

Marathon Plus MTB HS 468

The MTB version of the Marathon Plus is available in 26”, 27.5“ and 29“ versions up to 57 mm wide. Built into its dual-compound rubber are central ribs designed to reduce rolling resistance on roads and hard-packed dirt, with smaller outer ‘lugs’ to maximize off-road traction.

Together, this model—advertised as the most puncture resistant MTB-tire available—offers the same road grip, protection, and durability as the Original, and adds a slightly improved off-road grip. As expected, this also slightly increases the weight to between 1,150 g and 1,350g, as well as the tire’s rolling resistance.

Load ranges between 120 kg and 132 kg, with acceptable air pressure between 30 PSI and 65 PSI.

Schwalbe’s MSRP for the Marathon Plus MTB is $62, while we found online retailers selling it for between $32 and $61.

My Experience With the Schwalbe Marathon Plus Original Tire

I rode a set of 26” Marathon Originals across Missouri’s Katy Trail, a rail-to-trail project that spans more than 220 miles across the state, roughly from Kansas City to St. Louis.

The tires were mounted to an older mountain bike fully loaded with approximately 40 pounds of gear, food, and clothing. (Yes, it was my first tour and I massively overpacked.) I found the mounting process straightforward and easily accomplished in a few minutes.

During the tour, I logged 50 to 70 miles daily over the course of four days, primarily on a packed crushed limestone surface. This was highly variable, though, and was more akin to asphalt in some areas, while shallow beach sand in others.

Despite all of the added weight, I felt the Marathon Plusses tracked straight, were predictable, handled well, provided minimal rolling resistance, and didn’t feel overburdened. I did get one rear flat during about half-way through the ride, though.

Related: Which Bike Pump Should You Buy?

Again, since the mounting process was easy, I had the tube changed out and was quickly back on my way again.

After returning home and placing the Marathon Plusses in storage for a couple of years, I dusted them off and mounted them on a single speed cruiser bike, which was mainly used for getting around town within a couple of miles of home.

Here, they were used only on asphalt, and often in urban conditions with plenty of obstacles to avoid, as well as debris that would puncture most standard bike tires. In these conditions, I felt the Plus’s low rolling resistance was much more noticeable, and I’ve yet to experience a flat tire.

Bottom line : After well over 300 miles of testing, I found the Marathon Plus rolled well on a wide variety of surfaces, despite its moderately deep tread. Riders can also implement a range of pressures, depending on their cushioning preferences, and the tires are incredibly adaptable and work very well in many different scenarios (touring, commuting, cruising, etc.).

And despite the fact that my Marathon Plusses have been in storage for several years, the rubber remains pliable and looks great, with no visible dryness or cracking.

Online Feedback For the Schwalbe Marathon Plus Lineup

Between sites like Amazon, Road.cc, Chain Reaction Cycles, Bike Tires Direct, and REI (to name just a few), we encountered well over one thousand combined online professional and customer reviews for Schwalbe’s Marathon Plus tires—some going as far back as 2007.

And with average ratings 4.5 stars or higher, it seemed like most were pleased with the ride delivered. As was the case with our firsthand experience, many praised its puncture resistance, adaptability, and low rolling resistance.

Pro tip : Speaking of which Bicycle Rolling Resistance tested the Marathon Plus Original back in 2015 and found it provides 25.5 watts of resistance. This is meaningfully lower than the manufacturer’s claimed 34.9 watts.

On the other hand, the relatively few gripes related to a greater number of flats and lower quality than expected, as well as high price.

Competitors to the Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tire Lineup

Although the Marathon Plus lineup is often at the top of many cyclists’ lists, several popular competitors could provide just as much performance value, depending on your preferences. These include similar traits like puncture resistance, minimal rolling resistance, and broad functionality:

What do we mean? Here are a couple of preference-based examples:

If budget is your main priority, Schwalbe’s Marathon Supreme tire is the highest in the list above, followed closely by Marathon Plus, along with Continental’s Grand-Prix 4-Seasons.

However, the 4-Seasons are not available as mountain bike tires. Even if you’re solely interested in 700C sizes, they still offer far fewer selections than pretty much every other competitor in the table.

Price-wise, WTB’s ThickSlicks come in at the lowest price point and also offer a wide range of sizing options, depending on the bike you ride. However, as the name suggests, none of their tires feature tread, so they’re probably not ideal for venturing off-road.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus: Bringing it All Together

Considering their high puncture resistance, low rolling resistance, and wide range of sizes, Schwalbe’s Marathon Plus tires have been popular among cyclists of all stripes for years. And it shows, considering the almost wholly positive reputation the lineup has among online consumer reviews.

Coupled with our highly positive experience touring and cruising around town on them, we’d strongly recommend the Marathon Plus tire if you’re in the market, despite its higher price. If you’re dissatisfied, most retailers offer at least 30-day refund policies, and Schwalbe offers warranties on all of their tires.

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Lyman_Zerga

No mention of how they perform in the wet, as far as I can see. I've been running them on my commuter bike for years, and they're pretty scary on wet tarmac. Brake hard and they will lock up and skid for miles. Also, I strongly disagree with the claim that they're easy to mount. A brand new Marathon Plus is almost impossible to mount from cold. Tyre leavers will snap. Curse words will be uttered. Your rims will get scratched. I'm not ashamed to say I've given up and I get the bike shop to fit new ones for me - and even then it takes two strapping young lads at the shop to get the job done. Once they're on and have been used, they're easier to get off and back on - especially if they're warm, so a little tip - if you're at home, this is - is to stick them by the radiator, use a hairdryer, or even run them under hot water til they warm up - but I've found they're still far, far more difficult to remove and refit that any other puncture-resistant tyre. And I'm not alone - search online and you'll see there are thousands of users like me who really, really struggle with them. Despite all the above, they're my preferred tyre for commuting, as they really are as close to puncture-proof as you can get, and they last for thousands of miles.

I have recently fitted them to front and rear of a Electric Commuter / MTB - 350W (that sits at 27kg with always loaded Panniers and camera and lights etc) - I am 90KG and wanted something that was puncture resistant as I didn't want the hassle and time of attending to punctures! After 6 Punctures in 1,150 km (mainly from thorns / glass and 1 * construction nails in road gutters) and cost me $35 AUD for a new tube and labour to fit I decided to go this way and decided to pay bike shop to put them also! I am running them at about 50psi to 60psi. I am recovering from a major lower leg & knee operation and just resumed riding after 12 weeks off and only done about 50km since the tires were put on. I am riding in western australian winter on sidewalks and cycle paths and I am finding the traction at my slow speeds to be spot on. As my leg improves and I push the speeds I will know better about traction and, handling and wear. Riding for exercise at all times and also in my daily commutes so weight of tires & bike etc are not an issue (but battery life is .. lol) .. All said and done I am extremely pleased with these ...

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Schwalbe Marathon Plus MTB Review: Are They As Tough As They Say?

Big thanks to my friend Joe for this Schwalbe Marathon Plus MTB review . He's been riding for years and the man really knows his stuff!

I love riding, pure and simple. A great Saturday takes me out of town, onto flowing singletrack, down a rooty hill or two, over the odd rock garden, hopefully through a babbling brook, and definitely to the local pub.

And I do NOT want to stop to fix a flat.

I like to ride fast but I’m not racing anyone. I need a worry-free, tough-as-nails tire as I’m out for maximum fun: confident cornering, smooth sailing on hardpack, and security on shaky ground, all without worrying about the buzzkill of a puncture. This 29x2.10 MTB tire delivers.

The tire’s biggest selling point: its Smartguard technology, a patented 5mm belt of tough rubber. Schwalbe doesn’t shy away from a bold claim, calling Marathon Plus the first ‘flat-less’ tire.

Schw albe Marathon Plus MTB

Quality 

Price , my rating .

• Schwalbe's highest-level puncture resistance gives peace of mind
• Strong outer tread sticks corners on almost any surface.
• Central rib rolls smooth enough on hardpack and pavement 
• At 1.8 pounds (listed), it's not the lightest MTB tire on the marketIt's not a fast roller on pavement
• It's not a fast roller on pavement
• The toughness of this rubber makes it famously 'tough' to get on your rims!

Summary: Schwalbe, kings of the built-to-last puncture-resistant tires, offer this as a reliable solution for riders like me- out to have fun without stressing flats or loose-dirt slideouts. With a smooth-rolling central rib, gravel-grabbing outer lugs and Schwalbe’s strongest puncture resistance in the SmartGuard technology, this tire provides confidence-inspiring all-around performance.

Sounds Great But Who Is This Tire NOT made for?

Before you buy the Schwalbe's you'll want to ask yourself what type of riding you intend on doing

• If you're on pavement most of the time, try a smoother tire with puncture protection, like Schwalbe's super-cushy Big Apple.
• If you like keeping things light on the trail, you'll find this a bit heavy 
• If you're an aggressive, fast downhiller or XC racer, you'll want the knobbier tires grippy enough for the gnarliest stuff.

Who Should Be Mounting These Tires?

• Commuters who ride mountain bikes (or cyclocross or hybrid bikes with enough clearance) and use rail trails, paths, and roads that may not be the smoothest will appreciate the grip and stability.
• Recreational riders who hit singletrack, gravel, and some technical terrain, but roll quickly through town to the cafe or pub afterward.
• Bikepackers or bike tourists doing multi-day (or week, or month) trips on trails or paths like the eastern United States’ Great Allegheny Passage.

This is all interesting but what's the real story?

Check Amazon's Current Pricing And Availability

What to expect with schwalbe’s marathon plus .

With a powerful aversion to flat tires, I have a long history with tires marketed as puncture-resistant. Some have worked well, some not so much; there are always tradeoffs.

As a city commuter, I rolled two flat-free years on a pretty wide road version of Specialized’s Armadillo series. I had no flats, but not a ton of fun either as I found them a bit heavy and sluggish.

Continental’s Gatorskin series offered a nicer, quicker roll and good resistance- but I lost my flat-free streak on them.

I started getting plumper with boutique tiremaker Challenge’s Gravel Grinder off-road racing tire in 38mm. They’ve rolled nicely on pavement and kept me upright on technical terrain, but they don't have the perfect record I'm after, with a (totally reasonable) two flats in around 2500 miles.

Since I've made the jump to these large-and-in-charge tires (in my case, on a drop-bar adventure bike rather than a pure mountain bike) I've felt like I'm getting pretty close to the right balance of tradeoffs and advantages.

I'm not whizzing through my city streets en route to my favorite forest getaways, but I roll smoothly and comfortably enough out of town.

Once I'm on the rough gravel-and-clay surface of the C&O Canal towpath outside my Washington, DC home, I really appreciate the limousine-like feel and peace of mind these tires offer.

Turning off the towpath and onto hardpack singletrack - with no shortage of rooty bits, rocks, and loose-soil corners - I feel steady and secure. If I lose my grounding and end up throwing a 'yard sale' it's probably going to be my fault, not the tires.'

And true to the promise, I've yet to have a flat tire knock me out of my zone.

That's not all.

Check out the tires put to the puncture test by Yisj00 below:

Another Rider’s Impression

There are just a few reviews on Amazon of this particular model in Schwalbe’s Marathon line. Reviewer Mark S. Mann’s thoughts echo my own:

“Great tire and no flats in 500 miles. I wouldn't call this a pure MTB tire though, more light trail or aggressive cross tire. Quiet on crushed gravel, fast on pavement and sticky in the wet, just fair in mud. I got what I wanted, but buyers should be aware this is not a typical aggressive off-road MTB tire.”

Worth pointing out here is a condition I didn’t get to test out myself- ‘just fair in mud.’ I’m happy to have enjoyed a mostly dry winter and spring, and offer this user’s experience of riding in the muck instead.

Perhaps because of a more road-leaning background, I found the tires a bit less than ‘fast’ on pavement, but I certainly didn’t feel I was being held back too much.

What To Know Before Buying

A bit of information that’s good to have before making the purchase:

• These tires can be a challenge to put on. If you have little or no experience swapping tires, be sure to watch a tutorial or two and be patient. There’s also no shame in asking your friends at the local bike shop to put these on for you- and give you some pointers.
• Running puncture-resistant tires is just part of the battle against flats! You need to make sure you’ve got the correct size tubes, and always keep the tires inflated to within the recommended range of pressures.

A Crowded Field

The market for versatile, puncture-resistant MTB and all-terrain tires has grown since Schwalbe’s pioneering Marathon line was introduced.

A strong contender in the field is Clement; their XC LXV is lighter and faster, but its puncture-protection belt isn’t quite as failsafe.

Maxxis’ Beaver KV eXCeption is made to fare better in wet conditions. While made with a hard inner layer of rubber, it does not have a thick protection belt.

Hit The Trails With Peace Of Mind

Schwalbe builds its reputation on tires like these. Balancing all-condition performance, fun, and utility, the Marathon Plus HS 468 came through for me.

If you want solid rides across any surface you roll onto, and you won’t abide being sidelined by flats, these tires are for you.

That's a wrap. I hope this Schwalbe Marathon Plus MTB review has been helpful to you!

Check Current Schwalbe Prices

Related posts:.

See Through Cycling Shorts: Are You Guilty? How Much Does A Bike Tune Up Cost: What's The Average Best Cheap Protein Powder: A Buyers Guide To Keeping In Shape A Pinch-Flat: What Is It And How To Avoid It

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Schwalbe Marathon Plus MTB Tire - 26 x 2.25, Clincher, Wire, Black, SmartGuard, Dual Compound

Purchase options and add-ons, about this item.

• Color: Black
• Defined Color: Black
• Designed for ebike: Yes
• Flat Protection: Tread and Sidewall
• ISO Diameter: 559 / 26" MTN

Frequently bought together

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Top Brand: SCHWALBE

Product description.

Schwalbe most puncture resistant MTB-tire is now approved for fast E-Bikes. The central rib design rolls easily over hard paths, while strong outer lugs provide great off-road traction. The SmartGuard provides superior puncture protection against foreign objects for a reliable ride. Item Specifications-Color:Black-Defined Color:Black-Designed for ebike:Yes-Flat Protection:Tread and Sidewall-ISO Diameter:559 / 26" MTN-ISO Width (mm):57-Labeled Size:26 x 2.25-Tire Bead:Wire-Tire Diameter:26"-Tire Intended Use:Mountain-Tire Type:Clincher

Product information

Technical details, additional information, looking for specific info, customer reviews.

• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 72% 14% 6% 5% 3% 72%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 72% 14% 6% 5% 3% 14%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 72% 14% 6% 5% 3% 6%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 72% 14% 6% 5% 3% 5%
• 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 72% 14% 6% 5% 3% 3%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the quality, traction, and versatility of the cycling tire. For example, they mention it's a high quality tire, durable, and puncture resistant. They appreciate the smooth feel on pavement and that it provides relatively low rolling resistance. Customers are also impressed with the versatility, saying it'll work well for ebikes and other bikes.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers are satisfied with the quality of the cycling tires. They mention that they are high quality, reliable, solid, and durable. The Marathon plus MTB tread provides good stability and handling on every surface. Some say that the tires are more durable and puncture resistant than normal.

"Replaced rear tire after 2000 miles. This looks like a sturdy tire with gravel/road tread design." Read more

"...The marathon plus MTB tread provides good stability and handling on every surface we have tried so far which includes concrete, asphalt, brick, sand..." Read more

"I've worked through a few tires, and these are more durable and puncture resistant than normal (no flats yet!)...." Read more

" Good tread design ...but heavy" Read more

Customers like the traction of the cycling tire. They mention that it provides good stability and handling on every surface. They also appreciate the solid center strip for quiet and smooth rolling on pavement.

"...They aren't noisy like super knobby tires, and provide relatively low rolling resistance for such a large tire, but give you some bite if you're..." Read more

"...I like the more solid center strip for quiet/ smooth rolling on pavement , and that's where the most durability is needed...." Read more

"...a smooth feel on pavement like regular Marathons but without slipping in dirt and gravel . I will use these as long as I commute by bicycle!!!" Read more

Customers find the cycling tire versatile. They say it's good for ebikes and an excellent choice for the bike they're going to ride.

"...These Marathon Plus HS 468s are an excellent choice for the bike you're going to ride both on road and off...." Read more

" Perfect for Ebikes !..." Read more

" Good for ebikes ..." Read more

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Schwalbe Marathon Plus tire review - robust and reliable

...because life's too short to be fixing unnecessary punctures

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If you value reliability over other elements of performance, then the Marathon is one to consider. It is best suited to commuter and utility bikes, although other, less performance oriented, riding can also benefit from its features. It has good rolling resistance for its type and is a comfortable ride. Its downside is shown with hard cornering where it can lose its composure a little.

Highly puncture resistant

Long lasting

Quality made

Proportion of recycled material used in its construction

Reflective sidewall

Not as secure with hard cornering as some

You can trust Cycling Weekly. Our team of experts put in hard miles testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

• Construction
• Value and conclusion

The Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires build on their long held reputation for reliability and puncture resistance. They are also able to be used on e-bikes, as well as conventional bikes.

Marathon Plus tires claim to be flat-less, thanks to their unique patented puncture protection belt. They offer a long life, dynamic rolling behaviour and an anti-aging technology - which prevents ugly cracks in the tire sidewalls - and rank amongst the very best road bike tires for reliability and puncture resistance

That puncture protection belt is super strong and manufactured from a highly elastic special rubber. Even sharp thumb tacks/drawing pins cannot puncture it - and it is rated at 7/7 on Schwalbe's puncture protection scale.

It is purposed primarily for tarmac roads and paths and secondarily for light gravel surfaces, such as canal tow paths.

There are a wide variety of sizes from 35-349 (16") to 47-622 (700c/28") available, with 18 options in total.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus: construction

The Marathon Plus 28c tire uses a wire bead with the ADDIX rubber compound being used in the tread. Underneath the tread, the SmartGuard anti puncture strip uses a proportion of recycled C50 rubber from old latex products. 

The 28c tires weigh 750g each (which I confirmed with my scales). They also require an inner tube, rather than being tubeless compatible - but considering the puncture-proof credentials, sealant really would be overkill. The tires feature a reflective sidewall, which is good safety feature, particularly for night or winter commutes.

They are also e-bike ready with this model being E-25 (up to 25kph - UK assisted maximum), whilst others in the lineup are E-50 (up to 50 kph) compliant.

Pressure range is listed on the sidewall as 5.50 - 7.50 Bar (80 - 110psi) for the 28c model, but this is much higher than you'll really want to be using them. Previously Schwalbe has advised us to use as low a pressure as you can before the tyre feels like its folding over a bit in the corners and moderate square-edge hits touch the rim.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus: the ride

My first job, after weighing the tires, was to fit them. I decided to try them with the Pinnacle Laterite 2 bike that I had on test. The Pinnacle's wheels had a 17mm internal rim width, which was a reasonable match for the Marathon tires. I did find that the wire beaded tires were a bit of a fight to fit. They weren't a tight fit, like some can be, but more awkward. 

What I found was that the stiff sidewall/bead would pop off the rim on the opposite side to where you were fitting the tire. You almost needed three hands to fit them, with two hands to hold the bead in place and the third to lever the tire into place. Since that isn't the case, it meant that the struggle went on for a while...

I lined the centre of the sidewall writing up with the valve, for the sake of good form, and initially pumped them up to 90psi. Even at this pressure, you can feel a softness under the central ridge of the tire if you squeeze it. This is the 5mm thick puncture guard (the blue section in photo below), which is able to resist punctures from thumb tacks, says Schwalbe.

Although they are nominally a 28c tire, when fitted to the rims mentioned above I found that they came up a little wide. I measured the tires at 30mm - worth bearing in mind if you have tight tolerances, say with fenders, you may wish to size down to keep a safe gap between the tire and bike.

Once out cycling, I was pleased how comfortable they were to ride with. I was surprised how well they hid their 750g weight too. The Laterite test bike came shod with Schwalbe Lugano II wired bead 25c tires, which are less than half the weight of the Marathons at 365g - and yet the Marathons felt more comfortable. 

Both setups felt that they kept similar pace, although I didn't take any timing measurements. Schwalbe claims that the rolling resistance remains excellent, certainly when compared to other tires with puncture belts of similar thickness. This would seem to be a reasonable claim, as they did roll well.

The one area that let the Marathons down a little was with harder cornering. There is a corner I ride which tightens up on you mid bend. The road surface is nicely tarmacked and quite smooth. When I first rode it with the Marathons it was 6°C / 43°F and a cool, cloudy day with damp road surfaces. As I leant in initially, I didn't feel as secure on the Marathons as I normally do on other tires, so I straightened up a bit a took the corner wider, wondering if this was because the tires were new and not bedded in yet. 

So, a few rides later I tried the same bend again. Conditions were broadly similar (9°C / 48°F this time) and I found the same thing. I had to straighten the bike up mid-corner as I didn't feel 100% secure. Note that with the Lugano tires there was no issue when ridden two days later. 

But other than this tight and technical corner, I didn't have any issues with the Marathons' handling. I wonder whether is is the softer anti puncture strip that is causing this slight squirming sensation. I do appreciate that this is a tire purposed for reliability over performance, and that you're probably not riding super hard on a commute or a trip to the shops!

One of the key reasons to use these tires is because you don't want the inconvenience of punctures. So, as if on cue, a local farmer was hedge cutting on the lane that I was riding. I'd normally tiptoe through the shards, but sensing a testing opportunity I rode full tilt through the detritus. Nothing! I even deliberately rode back down the same lane on the return leg to catch more hedge cuttings. Needless to say that the tires remained fully inflated. 

After six weeks of riding, and removing them from the test bike, I inspected them closely for any wear, rips, cuts or thorns and could see nothing untoward. My friend has been using a pair of these (32c) for a number of years without issue. In fact he needs to replace the rear tire soon as he's worn it out!

This frame can take up to a 32c tire. Plenty of clearance in this case.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus: value and conclusion

At $50.00 / £44.99 RRP these tires are fairly expensive, yet represent good value for money as they come from a quality manufacturer, last well and are highly puncture resistant. The improvement in rolling resistance is a good thing and the fact that they use an amount of recycled C50 rubber in the SmartGuard is an environmental and recycling plus, too. The reflective sidewalls are a good safety feature when riding at night.

Although they are a quite heavy at 750g, this is similar to others in this segment. They rolled surprisingly well, which probably helped to hide their weight, as well as being a comfortable tire to ride with. Although they weren't great with hard cornering it should be kept in mind that this is not their purpose. Moderate cornering was good. 

Overall I enjoyed ticking off the miles with these tires as they rolled well and didn't leave me fixing a flat at the side of the road in the rain! 

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Over 40 years cycling in a variety of disciplines including road riding, commuting, a self-supported Land's End to John o' Groats trip, XC mountain biking and several Polaris Challenge two-day events. Adventure, escape and fun are the motivations for my riding. I also love bike and kit design and have fillet brazed a couple of framesets using Reynolds 853 steel tubing for myself. A very satisfying experience to ride your own bespoke bike!

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Touring Bike Tire Test: Schwalbe Marathon Plus

Contents and Test Summary

• Introduction

Manufacturer Specifications

• Size, Weight, Thickness
• Rolling Resistance: 25.5 Watts
• Puncture Resistance: 129 Points
• Static Wet Grip: No Data
• Conclusion: 5.0 / 5 Highly Recommended
• Schwalbe Marathon Plus

The Schwalbe Marathon Plus is Schwalbe's most puncture resistant tour/e-bike tire. It also happens to be their best-selling tire, which tells us that people looking for these kind of tires value puncture resistance over a lower rolling resistance and weight. Ending up somewhere in the middle of nowhere with a flat tire isn't fun, but how much speed are you giving up with the Marathon Plus when compared to the regular Marathon?

When comparing all specifications of the Marathon and Marathon Plus side by side, both tires seem very similar. They both use a 67 TPI casing and the Schwalbe Endurance compound. The biggest difference is that the Plus version of the Marathon has an even thicker puncture layer when compared to the regular Marathon (3 mm). Schwalbe calls this 5 mm thick layer 'SmartGuard.' The 5 mm thick SmartGuard protection should result in a nearly flat-less tire at the cost of a higher rolling resistance and weight.

I've already tested the regular Marathon ( read review ) and was surprised by its very low rolling resistance. The Marathon can outperform tires that supposedly should have a much lower rolling resistance (on paper). Let's find out if the Plus version can surprise us as well.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus Test Results

Size, Weight, and Thickness Measurements

The specified weight of the Marathon Plus is 900 grams; this is 170 grams more than the regular Marathon. The real measured weight of my sample of the Plus is 898 grams, which is pretty close. The Plus measures 34 mm wide and 36 mm high at 60 psi on a 17C rim. The regular and Plus Marathon both have almost the same size.

Tread depth is 2.0 mm; this is a bit less than the regular Marathon which has slightly more tread depth (2.3 mm). The really interesting measurements are the Total Tire Thickness Tread and Total Tire Thickness Sidewall measurements. As expected, the Plus has a higher thickness in the center of the tire, with a total thickness of 9.0 mm it's the thickest tire of all tires tested to date. The thickness of the sidewalls is very similar to the plain Marathon at 1.60 mm.

Rolling Resistance Test Results

As expected, rolling resistance of the Marathon Plus is higher than the plain Marathon. Depending on air pressure, you're giving up 4 - 6 watts of power per tire (20%). This isn't all that much given the 2 mm of extra puncture protection the Plus provides. I think it comes down to personal preference whether you like the lower rolling resistance or the higher puncture protection.

When we compare the Marathon tires to similar tires from different brands, the Schwalbe tires seem to be in another league when you take both puncture and rolling resistance into consideration. At least at the time of this writing, the other brands just can't compete.

Puncture Resistance Test Results

Rolling resistance of the Marathon Plus is 20% higher. In an ideal world, puncture resistance should be 20% higher as well. Unfortunately, this isn't true, in the raw puncture test, which measures the force required to puncture the tire. Less force is needed to puncture the Marathon Plus (13 points) than the plain Marathon (14 points). The low raw puncture score indicates the material used in the Plus version is even softer and easier to puncture than the material utilized in the plain Marathon.

When we also take the thickness of the tire into consideration, the tables turn in favor of the Plus. With a Puncture Factor of 117 points, it outperforms the plain Marathon (102 points) by 15%. Both tires score nearly the same puncture scores in the sidewall test.

Static Grip Test Results

NOTE: Grip test data is only available on tires tested after November 2018. You can find more information about our grip test here: Introducing Grip Testing

The Schwalbe Marathon Plus offers some extra puncture resistance over the Marathon (GreenGuard), at the cost of a 20% (4 - 6 watts) higher rolling resistance and a 170 grams higher weight per tire. I think that sums up the biggest differences in a concise manner. It comes down to personal preferences and usage conditions whether you like the Marathon or the Marathon Plus better.

You can't go wrong with the Marathon Plus or the Marathon (GreenGuard) ( read review ), both tires are best in class and easily outperform tires from other brands.

RATING: 5.0 / 5 TEST VERDICT: Highly Recommended

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Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tour tyre review

Tough touring rubber

When it comes to the Holy Grail of the puncture-proof tyre, Schwalbe’s Marathon Plus has earned itself an enviable reputation. The Tour version follows the same tried and tested formula, hiding within its carcass a SmartGuard protection belt to deflect shards of road debris.

Its aggressive tread marks it out for mixed terrain when you’re riding heavily laden – the kind of thing you might be find on an extended tour in the developing world, making it tougher still for adventure touring than the benchmark Marathon XR.

This is all based on the assumption that you’re happy to put up with the extra weight, of course; we really noticed the 1,100g on the 2.0 version on test, even if once up to speed it rolled along surprisingly well.

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Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tyre

First Published Jun 13, 2013

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

• Exceptional
• Not so good

Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tyres are essentially heavy duty, ultra reliable commu-touring tyres that inspire unprecedented confidence without feeling sluggish or barge-like, as the 970g weight for a pair would imply.

Much of this is attributable to the Smart guard system. This is essentially a clever subsection of supple rubber designed to force sharps out, rather than drawing them in as deep treaded Kevlar types can, especially with age. Stout sidewalls feature the usual refinements including a dynamo track, reflective detailing and directional arrows, removing all doubt.

There's an unusually broad range of sizes too, including 24, 20 18 and even 16 inch - catering for everything from tourers and junior/mountain bikes through to small wheeled folders, whose wheels can prove devilishly difficult to remove at the best of times, let alone puncturing en route to the station on a wintry morning.

Ours were the tour sensible 35mm section, optimal for modern load luggers. The same goes for cyclo crossers using mudguards - ours have served handsomely on my cross inspired fixer but ran fag paper close, factory fresh residual bobbles tickling the rear mudguard section for a hundred miles before wearing flat.

Wider section rubber usually breezes aboard the hoops in thirty seconds flat sans tools. These however induced a torrent of agricultural language and claimed the life of a composite tyre lever, prompting me to invest in a commercial unit - not that roadside removal should be required unless you happened to roll over that nine-inch nail with your name on it. I would have saved myself a lot of hassle had I seen this handy video on how to fit a Marathon Plus… with just the aid of some old toe straps.

Peace of mind, great handling and modest rolling resistance aren't easily married in the same sentence but the Marathons are notably faster at 85psi than competitor models, affording a decent momentum in most contexts while turning a lofty seventy nine inch gear. Even inflated to ninety psi, they've delivered a serene, magic carpetesque passage over horribly surfaced lanes and the ability to shrug and speed through shards of broken glass is truly liberating, although there's plenty of scope for split second skirting of these, potholes and other potentially damaging imperfections.

Demon descending at 40mph along greasy sections, they handled as if on rails - wet manhole covers/similar ironworks induced the occasional pregnant pause but suffice to say, these were shorter than most. On the basis of our test period and despite fighting back during installation, they're easily my favourite of the heavy-duty genre, although likely to be swapped for the brand's spiked winter siblings when the snowman cometh.

Seemingly bullet proof commu-tour tyres that roll faster than their girth would suggest but are stubborn to fit .

road.cc test report

Make and model: Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tyre

Size tested: 700x35C

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

"Punctures are a memory. The SmartGuard? layer made from a flexible, special rubber offers particular resistance to shards of glass and flints. Even a thumbtack cannot penetrate this protective layer. The SmartGuard belt does not increase rolling resistance. The MARATHON PLUS rolls as easily as a tyre without protection".

No quibble here. Wide range of sizes makes it highly appealing whether belting along on the Brompton or crossers earning their keep as road-going winter trainers.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Smart guard layer (adds c 200g apiece), Reflective sidewalls, dynamo track, operating pressures between 50 and 85psi (700x35c).

Seemingly bullet-proof.

Ultra refined, yet surprisingly brisk.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Overall I've been completely smitten by the marathon plus. Its a rugged all season's tyre well suited to touring, commuting and crossers serving as winter trainers. Rolling resistance is much lower than their girth and deep tread pattern would suggest and the clever sub layer seems vastly superior to Kevlar, inspiring confidence when negotiating town centre streets littered with glass, tacks/similar nasties.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Magic carpet ride, modest rolling resistance, apparent invulnerability.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Incredibly stubborn to install in the first instance-prompted the purchase of a workshop fitter/removal tool!

Did you enjoy using the product? Immensely.

Would you consider buying the product? Definitely .

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

The best of this genre I've used to date.

Overall rating: 9 /10

About the tester

Age: 38   Height: 1m 81   Weight: 70 kilos

I usually ride: Rough Stuff Tourer Based around 4130 Univega mtb Frameset   My best bike is: 1955 Holdsworth Road Path and several others including cross & traditional road

I've been riding for: Over 20 years   I ride: Most days   I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, fixed/singlespeed, mtb,

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Shaun Audane is a freelance writer/product tester with over twenty-eight years riding experience, the last twelve (120,000 miles) spent putting bikes and kit through their paces for a variety of publications. Previous generations of his family worked at manufacturing's sharp end, thus Shaun can weld, has a sound understanding of frame building practice and a preference for steel or titanium framesets. Citing Richard Ballantine and an Au pair as his earliest cycling influences, he is presently writing a cycling book with particular focus upon women, families and disabled audiences (Having been a registered care manager and coached children at Herne Hill Velodrome in earlier careers)

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21 comments.

That squeezing the sides together to get the bead (wire or folding), so that the tyre effectively has a smaller diameter, is the key to all this.   I learnt this only after years of swearing and using levers (in that order); squeezing the tire sides together using thumb on one side and fingers on the other is just sooo effective.

No more do I need to wonder why I'm such a weakling compared to the bike shop guys.

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Marathons really are the Captain Scarlet of tyres.

Ran an original pair of Marathons for years on a Moulton with no punctures, until the day the rim tape started to give out.

Now running these, with self sealing inner tubes (were on offer for same as normal tubes), and Velox rim tapes.

Kinda feel that the only thing that'll make me get a puncture now is a landmine!

In contrast take either road bike (which have "normal" tyres) out on the paths round here, and I will virtually guarantee a puncture within a few miles

Is it just me or are there endless variations of Schwalbe tyres, sometimes the same tyre with different names? Out here in flint country, you need steel mesh under the tread to be safe.

They're slow and uncomfortable. I'd go for Paselas TG or Supremes or tubeless instead...

85PSI? What is it about this obsession of pumping up the tyres to the max. pressure (cos it says on the side wall)?

Unless you weigh 20 stones such high pressure in 35mm ish tyres offers no benefits and most certainly won't make you faster.

I've been running these for three years or so (so roughly 12,000 miles give-or-take, over all manner of thorns, glass, potholes, beds-of-nails etc.) and had one puncture in that time - caused by a spoke-head through the rim.

I've got 700 x 25 Marathon Pluses on a Boardman Hybrid as has one of my work colleagues. He's had some problems with them blowing off the rim when under higher pressures. After trial and error he now runs them at around 55psi.

My experiences have been more positive. The rear was replaced after around 4000 miles because of tread wear but the front is still going fine after about 6500. I run mine at around 80psi and have had no problems with them coming off the rim. When I started taking my daughter to nursery on the back of the hybrid I wanted tyres that gave me the best possible chance of puncture-free commutes and the MP's have done me proud. I've also used 700 x 28's on my cross bike when in winter trainer mode, again no problems.

Their only drawback is (as mentioned above) the difficulty getting them on the wheels in the first place.

jarderich wrote: I've got 700 x 25 Marathon Pluses on a Boardman Hybrid as has one of my work colleagues. He's had some problems with them blowing off the rim when under higher pressures. After trial and error he now runs them at around 55psi.

That's interesting because I also have a Boardman hybrid fitted with 700 x 32 Marathon Pluses, and I had my tyres blow off the rim twice when first fitted and pumped up to max pressure. I discovered the problem was down to the inner tube being trapped between the tyre bead and rim, which is very easily done and difficult to spot ... pumping up the tyre results in a loud bang as the tyre ejects and the tube bursts. I now check my tyres very carefully after fitting and before fully inflating.

I have had this too, except that it blew the rim off..... New wheel time.

I used 23mm Open Corsa CX's all through the winter, commuting, training etc, and they're still going now. Had 2 punctures in all, on London's glass lined tarmac. They even stood up to a rather gravelly and agricultural detour last weekend. They do look a bit tatty now of course.

If you're getting a weekly pop then you might be doing something wrong to be honest.

Oh, and IMHO, YMMV, HTH etc.

Thanks for the link to that video SimonE, very useful indeed - we've added it to the review

I can't say I found mine *that* difficult to get on. Harder than some for sure, but no real problems with some Pedros levers.

I originally found these to feel VERY slow, but this improved as they wore in and the sidewalls became more supple. Also, much easier to remove/refit once broken in. The main issue fitting these when new is that they are so stiff that the inside bead won't stay put in the centre dip of the rim when you try and lever on the outer bead. I never had a puncture since fitting these, but they aren't the most comfortable tyres I've used due to their stiff casing. They are the only tyre I'd use when commuting, but I prefer marathon supremes for recreational rides.

I used to use marathons during the winter on my commuter but I found they were more prone to puncture because glass would get wedged in the tread and work its way into the tyre. Also an absolute b* to get off the rim if you need to fix a flat. Went back to gatorskins and took it a bit easier on the slippery bits.

Marathon Pluses are different from Marathons. I used to use Marathons but now use Marathon Plus. I essentially never get punctures.

My dad's quite special. I'd recommended these to him. First time out on them, he managed to get a blackthorn thorn all the way through the foam rubber AND the kevlar band.

So, if anyone wants to to test puncture-proof tyres, can I recommend sending a set to my dad?

That's the weight per pair.

What sort of mileage did you put on the tyres Shaun?

Nick - claimed weights for all sizes here: http://schwalbe.co.uk/tour/marathon-plus/

Spa Cycles have a useful video showing how to fit these tyres: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUFVrl0UT4 ‎

Simon E wrote: What sort of mileage did you put on the tyres Shaun? Nick - claimed weights for all sizes here: http://schwalbe.co.uk/tour/marathon-plus/ Spa Cycles have a useful video showing how to fit these tyres: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUFVrl0UT4 ‎

Do not attempt installation without watching the Spa video unless you're made of tyre levers. I was two Bromptons and a Pedro down before resorting to YouTube.

I believe that is per tyre.

Personally I prefer the Marathon Supreme, they're about half the weight, better rolling and I've found them also to be virtually indestructible. For touring you're not going to get much better than either of these.

I'll +1 the Supremes.

A issue with the Plus tyres is that if they do flat (unlikely, but happened to someone I know on the European tour they're currently on) they're a pig to fix roadside.

Is that 970g per tyre..?

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• Tire Accessories

Marathon Plus

from €43.90* RRP

THE FLAT-LESS TIRE. Schwalbe‘s best selling model. The most puncture resistant pneumatic tire there is. In addition to the superior puncture protection it features many inner values: ROLLING RESISTANCE. The patented, 5 mm thick SmartGuard layer, when compared to all generic products, has a significant advantage in rolling resistance. RECYCLING. Also in the SmartGuard, we use a proportion of recycled rubber from old latex products. „ANTI-AGING“ SIDE WALL. It now lasts much longer before developing unsightly cracks when subjected to use with too low air pressure. E-BIKE READY. Due to its great properties Marathon Plus is an ideal choice for E-Bikes (E-25). The main sizes are approved and tested for E-bikes up to 50 km/h.

FLAT-LESS WITH MARATHON PLUS. Only Marathon Plus tires make your bicycle flat-less. The 5mm thick puncture guard protects even against thumbtacks. www.schwalbtires.com/blog/news/innovation/flat-less/

It is impossible to guarantee that a flat will never happen, but the Marathon Plus has the best defense against everyday tire wreckers such as glass, flints or metal shards. Use a pressure gauge to adjust tire pressures as the common 'thumb check' is insufficient due to the special construction of the Marathon Plus.

SmartGuard®

The most effective protection belt for bicycle and e-bike tires. 5 mm of highly elastic special rubber. Only tires with SmartGuard® and Smart DualGuard can rightly call themselves "unplattbar" or "flat-less". Exclusively from Schwalbe. Partly obtained from recycled material.        

Old products made of natural rubber (such as gloves, tubes...) are crumbed and, over several procedural steps, used as base material in the puncture protection system.

Performance Line

Excellent quality for intensive use.

Exclusively from Schwalbe. Only tires with SmartGuard® and Smart DualGuard puncture protection can rightly call themselves "unplattbar" or "flat-less". Proven a million times over - the safest choice for bikes and e-bikes. The flat-less puncture protection even protects against thumb tacks.

Tires with the recommendation "E-25" are the perfect choice for all pedelecs with pedal assistance up to 25 km/h. The most important criterion for this recommendation: safety.

Product overview

Find your perfect tire even faster. Use the search to narrow down the articles or sort the tires with the arrows directly in the table according to your interest.

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Marathon Plus Tour

from US$60.00* RRP

• Description FLAT-LESS – WITH A PURPOSEFUL TREKKING TREAD.Asphalt or off-road? Everyday use or bicycle expeditions? This versatile tire a… More

FLAT-LESS – WITH A PURPOSEFUL TREKKING TREAD. Asphalt or off-road? Everyday use or bicycle expeditions? This versatile tire always does the job. Its robust construction handles almost any mistreatment. Protected by SmartGuard, the most effective puncture protection belt available for bicycle tires.

FLAT-LESS WITH MARATHON PLUS. Only Marathon Plus tires make your bicycle flat-less. The 5mm thick puncture guard protects even against thumbtacks. www.schwalbtires.com/blog/news/innovation/flat-less/

It is impossible to guarantee that a flat will never happen, but the Marathon Plus has the best defense against everyday tire wreckers such as glass, flints or metal shards. Use a pressure gauge to adjust tire pressures as the common 'thumb check' is insufficient due to the special construction of the Marathon Plus.

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SmartGuard®

The most effective protection belt for bicycle and e-bike tires. 5 mm of highly elastic special rubber. Only tires with SmartGuard® and Smart DualGuard can rightly call themselves "unplattbar" or "flat-less". Exclusively from Schwalbe. Partly obtained from recycled material.        

Performance Line

Excellent quality for intensive use.

E-Bike tires with European ECE-R75 approval. Our recommendation for fast E-Bikes - S-Pedelecs with type approval, insurance, and motor assist over 25 km/h – for which a special tire approval is necessary.

The powerful Addix Compound, specially developed for touring tires, combines the performance parameters 'grip', 'rolling resistance' and 'durability' at the highest level. Ideal for intensive touring by bike or E-Bike.

Product overview

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