"Alan Hutchison" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Andrew Clark wrote:
> > "Lenny Taylor" <
[email protected]> wrote in message
> >
news:[email protected]...
> >
> >>I've been looking for a good set of tires for my loaded touring setup (converted mountain bike)
> >>and have seen some mention of the Schwalbe Marathon XR tires. Has anyone here had any experience
> >>with them, and
are
> >>they available in the US?
> >>
> >>Thanks in advance
> >
> >
> > During a 4 week tour of Iceland during the summer the Marathons seemed
to be
> > the most common choice of experienced heavy duty tourists. Most people
vere
> > very happy with them.
> >
> > I was an exception using Vredestein Spiders which were also excellent
(no
> > punctures) but had a folding Marathon XR as a backup. The Schwalbes have
a
> > very good reputation, I don't think you would have a problem with them
on
> > anything that could be called a "road".
> >
> > Andrew
> >
> >
> Andrew has identified two most excellent tires. I have experience of both on my mountain/touring
> bike in Australia and find them excellent. We also have 20" Schwalbe Marathons on our tandem Bike
> Friday which is used for loaded touring, also with trouble free service.
>
> My opinion is that the Marathons are more road friendly than the Spiders. They are lighter and
> seem to roll better with no obvious negatives. The Spiders are really rugged tires, which I would
> choose if I knew that I was going to be riding in extremely tire unfriendly conditions.
Aha ... Marathons or Marahon XRs
The first is slightly lighter and more "on road". They look OK for going on tracks etc., but unless
you do a lot of tracks and stuff (ie a few weeks in iceland!) the Marathon is fine.
I've yet to try Marathons on my heavily glass strewn commute.