User submitted reviews
Review by Lee - CWA Mechanic
These tires are perfect for the heavy duty use for which they were purchased. They are the front tires on the Triobikes used by Cycling Without Age here in Santa Barbara. We can't afford to suffer punctures and these tires are the answer.
Review by Justin the cyclist
I'm a year round bike commuter and rely exclusively on my bikes to get around for work, pleasure and everything in between. I've tried out dozens of different tires on my recumbent trike, cargo bike, commuter bike, folding bike and Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tires are the ONLY tires I trust on all my bikes.
I've had more flat tires than any human should have to endure and, thanks to Schwalbe Marathon Tires, I haven't had a flat on any of my bikes for over a year and I ride a minimum of 25 miles a day 7 days a week, even in the rain.
Bike Tires Direct is an amazing business that offers no hassle outstanding customer service as well as price matching. Nobody could touch the great deal I got on tires and it was all wrapped up with free shipping.
Bike Tires Direct makes it easy to purchase quality bike parts and accessories and I encourage anyone who rides to do business with them.
Review by Anonymous
I ride on rough black top roads in NE Missouri. Other tires I tried (Walmart) get chewed up pretty fast.
The Schwalbe tires Marathons have lasted 3000 miles on these roads, I also road the Katy Trail over 200 miles on crushed rock with no flats, My son used cheap Walmart tires and had 5 flats on the same trail. At least we had plenty of practice patching them.
Review by Anonymous
These tires are bomb-proof on the Trio-bikes! Long lasting and puncture proof. Bike Tires Direct has a competitive price and makes it very easy to order.
Review by BearCyclist
As a year-round bike commuter, I have experience more than my fair share of flat tires through the years. I ride 7 days a week through rain, snow, heat, gravel roads, dirt roads, concrete, blacktop, alleyways, side streets and everything in between so, having a reliable tire is imperative.
Schwalbe Marathon plus tires are a very durable tire and virtually puncture resistance. It's not uncommon for me to be out in the middle of nowhere and getting a flat tire is the last thing that I want. Schwalbe Marathon plus tires give me peace of mind when I'm out there on the open road because they are durable and hold up through everything.
I have them on my recumbent trike with an electric motor and I have them on my commuter bike and they never let me down.
I will always continue to buy Schwalbe Marathon plus tires and I will always continue to purchase my tires from bike tires direct.com.
they have outstanding customer service. Fast delivery, no hassles, no nonsense, no games, no hoops to jump through. bike tiresdirect.com cares about their customers satisfaction and they even match prices.
Review by Glenn
If you want a tire that is leaps and bounds any of the competitors tires. This is a top value tire that returns value to you when on the road or trail. I have ridden over sharp thorns, rocks, sticks and other debris. They are almost flat proof.
About BikeTiresDirect: they have great unbeatable prices and their custom service is top-notch. I highly recommend this company and the products they represent.
Review by Rodney
Ordered a pair for my trike's front tires, fast delivery and great customer service! These tires are the only tires i use, they wear good with a smooth ride and the offer of confidence i wont get a flat!
Review by Way wild willy
I ride an ICE recumbent trike that uses three of these same size 20 schwalbe 406 tires. This is my third set of tires on this trike. I tried Fat Apple tires before and they just didnt seem to stick as well when I am pushing the corners on my ICE. the FA tires just seemed to slide easier than the Schwalbe tires. The Schwalbe tires look great also with a nice tread pattern which is directional so make sure you put them on with the tread in the right direction. I used thorn resistant tubes that came pre filled with slime, I hate flats when I am out riding and since my wife also rides an ICE TRIKE I have six tires to keep up with.
Review by Billhridesbikes
Spendy but worth the cost for the privilege of not having to change my tire....resists glass, crud, and punctures under the pressure of a bakfiets full of kids, groceries, and the occasional keg. The reflective stripe is a nice feature too.
Review by IdahoTrailLizard
Wanted a beefy tire that could hold up to anything I threw at it, as I ride when and where I want. Now I ride a recumbent trike, a TerraTrike Rover with internal hub. Stock tires did not last but 110 miles, and in this part of Idaho goatheads are upwards of 2 long, thick, miserable things - no place is safe from them. And triking in a rural area there of coarse are nails, broken glass, debris of all sorts. Past that we have muddy days, wet days, and long hot summer days. Winter is going to be fun on these! D
Started off on the lower end of the Weiser River Trail in 2 inch rocks, gravel, would not even want to take a MTB through with 26 inch wheels, and I'm out there on a recumbent trike on 20 inch wheels. Got down a mile and a half, decided this wasn't going to get any better so turned back. These tires are BEAST! No issues.
Been riding around this area and Ontario, OR getting upwards of 25 MPH and these tires hug the road and give far better handling that anything else I've tried. Even on occasional wet surfaces not had a problem, nor on wet grass. I try to avoid wet grass, but at night cross parks it's sometimes quicker in 1st gear.
Took the Weiser River Trail down from Tamarack Mill to Council (Idaho) in 3 hours. Was on old mountain roads with micro-fine gravels, loose gravel, loose dirt, dirt and serpentine, dirt and rock, just about every surface imaginable on a 30 mile stretch. No falter of the tires!
Initial coarse went through some muddy areas and I thought for sure was going to slide everywhere. Nope. Slid a tad but never lost traction. There tires are a BEAST!
Now riding mostly roads and concreteasphalt sidewalks, dirt, gravel, grass, all sorts of surfaces and these tires hug the road. I don't feel nearly the road resistance as the OEM Schwalbe Road Cruisers had, and am actually achieving a higher cadence and overall speed has increased. Yes, these tires are a BEAST and seem to be hold their own quite well.
They may be heavier, though I cannot really tell when I'm on the road. I see where some goatheads and tried to stab the tire, so far not one flat. Sidewalls are protected. Have pulled a few sicker portions out with a Leatherman Skeletool but most stickers never make much headway. Am impressed.
Definitely recommend these to fellow recumbent trike riders!
Review by Trikesterhal
I use nothing on my Catrike Dumont. Been using them for years with no issues.
Review by Compromise is good
Fine tire if you're riding unsupported across Africa. Anywhere in the developed world, they're just stupid! There is no reason for a tire this heavy. Aside from the weight, the thick sidewalls make them clumsy and harsh.
Review by radiocycle
Best flat protection and a very nice looking tire. We have them on all of our bikes and they really feel nice and perform well.
Review by radiocycle
I replaced the old stock tires with these on our BikeTwo'sday tandem. The bike feels so much more stable and I'd say, safer with these Schwalbe Marathons. We run the same type tires on our full-size touring singles as well. I did have a little trouble mounting the 27 size, on my Atlantis touring bike, but these 20 ones went on the Bike Friday without even using a tool.
A flat on tour is just plain no fun! And you stand the best chance of not flatting with these excellent tires. I like the tread design and the feel of the rubber as well. I suppose these would be too heavy for the hard-core racer, but for a touring bike you just can't find any better. The price does reflect the quality and there are lots of cheaper tires on the market. But I figure the tires on a bike are the only two contact points with the road, and so I want them to be the best quality that I can find, and these fit the bill! Thanks Schwalbe!!
Review by Rheutillius
Since Schwalbe came out with the Marathon I have never used anything else and in the thousands of miles I have never had a flat with a Marathon. That should be enough to say. I have five recumbent trikes and HPV travel with children and grandchildren, camping along the way.
Review by AnalogDog
Actually I've not used them on a trike yet. But I've got 8,000 miles plus on the one on my bike, with ZERO flats so far! And that in goat head country. So while they may be a bit more up front they will more than pay for themselves.
Just wish they weren't SO hard to find these days....somebody must be hoarding them!
Review by Bizjack70
I love to ride daily at least 20 miles and these tires are so nice and ride like a dream.
Review by Deb Kiser
I mostly ride self-supported, so I depend on my legs & my tires. I have no complaints with the Schwalbe Marathon Plus, they are the best tires I have ever used. If you're looking for a dependable tire, you can't go wrong with them.
Review by Jim Klein
Used this on the rear wheel of my electrified Catrike to carry the increased load of the electric hub and battery. Good heavy duty tire with low rolling resistance when properly inflated but difficult to mount.
Review by Anonymous
A very good tire. Not lightweight. Pretty much bulletprooof.