SchwalbeGreen Marathon 700c Tire (HS 420)(Return to Product Page)

This is for my commuter/touring bike. I have been using Continental Grand Prix 4 Season (700x32) for thousands of commuting miles on that bike with no complaints ' fast rolling and few flats. Now, with a much shorter commute and more gravel path riding with this bike, I wanted to go with a more touring-oriented and more flat-resistant tire. I went with the Schwalbe 'The Green' Marathon in the 700x35 size, so a size wider than my Continentals.

I have no doubts that the Marathons will be very puncture-resistant. (50 miles and no flats!!! HaHa!) Seriously though, they have a great reputation, and my spouse has been running them for a good while now with no flats ever. So this review is only about comfort and rolling resistance.

First, I expected that this tire, being much more heavily-built than the Conti 4 Seasons, would have a rough ride. Nope. I am running them at only slightly lower pressure than the Conti tires, but they feel quite plush!

Second, they seem to roll very well indeed by my 'extremely scientific' testing. With the Continentals I would coast down hill just a bit faster than my spouse, due to my greater mass (and aerodynamic belly?). With the Marathons, it seems very much the same. I know they must be slower rolling than the Continentals, but it's not nearly as big a difference as I expected. Hardly noticeable I'd say.

Third, WOW these are WAY heavier! Like, 400g per tire! I don't care much about the weight for this bike, but I can feel in in the steering at speed. I'm already used to it. No biggie, but I didn't anticipated it.

Fourth, these tires are totally silent on pavement. I like that. I'm a musician, and I notice, and don't like, any sounds my bikes make. Seriously, I picked my hubs based on which were quietest while coasting. Take my word for it, these tires are quiet on pavement.

So, all in all, I am very happy with these tires. (I'm keeping my Conti Grand Prix 5000s on my other bike though)

One note though' And I've only noticed this with Schwalbe Marathons. Be sure your rim tape is centered in the rim. If you mount your Marathons and they end up looking a little wobbly side-to-side when you spin the wheel, it may be that your rim tape is off center in one or two spots and keeping the tire's bead from setting down into the rim all the way. Two of my Marathons had this issue. Solution is to deflate the tire most of the way, and then massage the tire down into the rim where necessary. That will hopefully shift the rim tape in that area, and the tire will run true after that.

I built or repaired an easy 20,000 bikes putting myself through college.

I'd say I've seen it all!

I was hesitant at first to buy expensive tires without a center rib, I don't care to waste any energy!

I was absolutely shocked by how well these roll, Schwalbe really did their homework!

I ride all Winter in Michigan if the snow depth isn't much. Even on ice these performed well!

I ride both country dirt roads and urban streets with broken glass, never have had a puncture!

I purchased the 700x35 tire to use primarily for commuting to replace my Panaracer Tour Guard Plus tires. The Schwalbe Green Marathon seems to provide a more supple ride even in the narrower tire and at higher pressures compared to the Panaracer Tour Guard Plus which has a very hard casing. As I have only had the tire about a month, I cannot comment on durability or puncture resistance. So far, I am happy with the tire and hope to get the same wear and similar protection out of it.

I bought one tire to replace my rear Schwalbe Marathon which had *finally* worn out after almost 5 years and many hundreds of miles. I never had a flat with that tire, and I don't suspect I'll have a flat with this one. If you're a commuter and you need reliability, you cannot go wrong with the Marathon.

Great tire, not super hard to mount on my wheel

Put one of these on the rear of my Cypress DX and took it down the GAP trail. So far so good. No flats. Rides much better than the OEM tire it replaced. Haven't noticed any wear after about 250 miles. We'll see how it hold up in the long run. It is a little tough to mount, just take your time and follow the included directions and you should be fine. Seems to be a solid buy at a decent price and quick shipping by biketiresdirect.

I got these for my daughter's bike and have not put them on yet. They look nice. Hope the extra width smooths the ride some.

was getting a lot of flats this year on my Portland commute, but none since switching to these. not the easiest to install but it wasn't really that hard either - didn't have to do anything special to install.

Eco friendly mfg, I love it. Plus the green emblem matches my bike color. Can't go wrong with a Schwalbe!

I have been riding on these tires for several years, including a 1500 mile camping tour down the Pacific coast. I've never had a flat. Good value.

Good grip. Fine on pavement - a bit of rolling resistance but not bad. Can't comment on longevity as they haven't been on long. No flats so far.