
User submitted reviews
Review by Jacob
After 5000 miles or so I'll run them at 10psi less than max to help prevent the side walls from tearing. I've run the 35 and 42 width. I could get about 8k-9k miles out of the tires on a loaded touring bike.
Review by Charles
A good, strong tire that is great for training and peddling through all weather. Easy to install.
Review by Reese
I have around 4000 miles on mine. The tread still looks brand new. Never had a puncture. Just ordered a backup set.
Review by Timothy
Absolutely the best way to prevent flats aside from proper pressure maintenance. The streets of New Orleans are in an awful state and broken glass is a regular hazard but it's no problem for these tough as nails tires. I burn through tires like crazy by commuting and courier work on bike but with these, I get at least 30% more time on the road before needing replacement. Bike Tires Direct sale price couldn't be beat.
Review by Charles
A good, heavier tire for training and getting around town through different road surfaces.
Review by Anonymous
A bit difficult to get on the rim given the extremely stiff side wall but once you get it on it looks great and rides smooth.
Review by Lucy
The Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires (700c x 35) were purchased to ride the Rhine River Cycle Trail. Everything you read says they won't go flat...and I believe that. They are built tough...heavyweights. Touring however is about riding light. After wrestling the Marathon Plus tires onto my wheels I discovered it gained 5 pounds - and I discovered that the hard way. The airlines told me my bike suitcase was 5 pounds overweight. So I had to shuffle my saddle, chain and other items into my carry-on at the last minute. My touring bike is one of those bespoke beauties that has 'S&S' couplings which allows me to put it on a plane in a suitcase. My lesson was learned - weigh the suitcase after you change gear.
What's more, I could no longer get my wheels into the suitcase with the tires mounted...they were just too big. I had to twist-turn them to fit into my case. Twist-turing your Schwalbe Marathons is like 'two wraps and a hooey'. You'd better fact check that! These were hard for me to mount.
I actually mounted and rode on the rear tire with the bead hanging over the edge of the rim. This had to be user error. I think I got the tube in twisted and did not allow the tire to seat properly. My bad mounting job made a bulge and the bulge rubbed on the bead. I hope my tire mounting error doesn't cost me a tire. This speaks well of the tires as they didn't just pop off the rims.
I've purchased the Panaracer Panela ProTites (700c x 35) to replace the Schwalbe Marathons for my Rhine River Cycle Route tour. They are half the weight and they are folding! I don't expect a lot of broken glass and thumb tacks along the European bike trails.
I'll use the Schwalbe Marathons on the roads here in Hawaii because the locals throw their Aloha (glass, cans, garbage) along the roadways.
Review by Gregg
You can go wide with this tire. No much loss of rollability from thinner, less contoured tires. I was using a really flat tread Conti, but the Schwalbe has given me much more confidence going over rocks, curbs etc... I ride tubes at 90 psi rear, 80 psi front
BTD.com did a fantastic job of getting my tires to me quickly with zero hassles.
Review by Anonymous
Tread seems to be wearing very little. Happy with my purchase.
Review by Anonymous
I recently replaced a set of Marathon Plus tires that were on a tandem for 3 years. I rode partially on gravel and probably had close to 3000 miles on the set without a flat. Unfortunately, one of the new tires had a sidewall blow-out after 100 miles, presumably due to a manufacturing defect. BikeTiresDirect replaced the tire immediately with zero hassle. Great service. I'd give the tires 5 stars, were it not for the blowout.
Review by David
These tires ride real nice, no complaints, and no flats in the first month (300 miles).
Review by Anonymous
Well what would you expect for a heavy tire with a big hurkin thickness like a car tire. PUNCTURE resistant.
Review by Anonymous
I've only put few hundred miles on this tire, but it seems to live up to its billing. I mostly commute and part of my route has quite a bit of glass etc. and I've had no problems so far. Downside- price.
Review by geerussell
I got a pair of 700 x 35s with my order being handled promptly and accurately. Out of the box the extra material and puncture resistance you pay a premium for doesn't take a scale to notice and my old tires felt lightweight and cheap by comparison.
Warnings about installation difficulty are mostly true. It took a few minutes to wrestle them on to the rims but this was accomplished with just two plastic tire levers for tools and now that I'm used to them it'll probably be smoother next time around. A small price to pay if they live up to the promise of fewer flats.
The tread rolls smoothly on pavement and overall they're a very comfortable ride with about 100 miles of rough and glass strewn street riding on them so far. While a final verdict has to wait until I see how the puncture resistance plays out over time the tires make a great first impression and I'd recommend them.
Review by multi biker
Tire rides well and provides additional traction over a treadless road tire. Usable three seasons. Tire is heavy but I have not noticed it while road riding. Very comfortable.
Review by PJW
Good performance bearing in mind they are the 38c version. I read a lot of reviews about the difficulty of fitment but I got them on in less than five minutes and found them easier than some of the lightweight tires with Kevlar beads I use on my other bike. All in a great tire for touring or rough urban roads. I have t taken them too far off the pavement but they are fine on gravel bike paths.
Review by Anonymous
I ride 140 miles a week . These tires hold up and are punture resistant.
Review by Anonymous
Use on my touring bike. Loaded I am 275 lbs with me, bike and gear. Ride these tires in 35's. They roll out, handle the load and pretty much anything the road throws at them. Have ridden hotdry and coolwet. Reliable grip for cornering under load. Touring tire that exceeds expectation. Road debris is not much of an issue.
Review by glenner
I have been buying these for years. I get great mileage from them and they offer good puncture protection. I highly recommend them.
Review by Saumacus
I've been using Schwalbe Marathons on every bicycle I own for the last 10 years and expect to ride on them for as long as I can ride )