Schwalbe

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 want to love these tires. Using front and rear. Lots of grip in the dry and adequate in the wet. Tore the sidewall on a fast rocky PA based marathon race. Tires wearing at a reasonable rate. Runs small (Schwalbe issue) - not even close to ETRO size (4 tires purchased mounted and measured using calibrated calipers). Likely will not run on any rocky courses going foward.

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!

If you read my review of the 1st Gen, G-One RS 40's then everything I said there applies here, but the 45 just adds more comfort, more capability on rougher terrain and even more smooth suppleness overall. The 45's weigh 552 and 550 and settled in at 46.1mm F and 46.4mm R inflated to 29 PSI F and 31 PSI R after a ride on Enve 4.5 SES, 25mm internal rims. Although they are heavy, you don't feel the weight so don't be put off by that, the savings in rolling resistance will far outweigh any weight penalty. The setup was a breeze and the tires are holding air well. These tires roll fast, corner well and have excellent grip. The 45's just amplify what the 40's offer, but will undoubtedly be faster than the 40 on rough surfaces.