
User submitted reviews
Review by Jim Gillihan
Took 20 minutes to mount front rim ... 45 minutes to mount rear rim ... probably less flex on rear rim due to sprocketlarger axel. Watched several U-tube videos that gave tips for mounting this tough tire. Only have 200 - 300 miles on tires ... no issues so far. Recommended by a couple seasoned cyclis as a durable tire with few if any flats. Very satisfied so far ...
Review by David
Purchased 2 tires hoping to have flat free rides for the life of the tires. One had a bad bead and wouldn't stay seated on the rim. Had to replace the tire with a continental gator skin as the local bike shop didn't stock the schwalbe tires. Biketiresdirect handled the issue flawlessly by providing a credit for the cost of the tire once their people were able to confirm the issue.
Review by IndyJoe66
Bought tire based on recommendation of 2 friends who have been using this tire for years. These are much sturdier than the Bontrager tires that came with my Trek hybrid, but no negative feel for this heavier tire. It was a little challenge to mount these, I had to use metal tire levers rather than the plastic ones. No flats for the first 500 miles. I had 4 flats last summer on the Bontragers on the roads in Delaware. Price is worth the peace of mind I now have with these. Cannot comment on tire life yet.
Review by david p.
Got these on sale and I love them. An amazing deal. Schwalbe marathons are the gold-standard for touring and commuting. I like them because they have almost eliminated puncture flats from my commute routine. I will typically get about 12,000 miles on them before I buy another set. Highly recommend.
Review by bkrogh
I happened to get a flat tire on the day these were the deal of the day and was excited that I basically got them for half off! Thanks BTD! As for the tires, I've had no issues or flats since putting these on my bike. I do about 20 miles a day on these.
Review by pnw_enduro87
These are well known tires for commuting in unfavorable conditions and that's exactly what they're best for! Excellent!
Review by Thomas
These puppys i will HIGHLY recomend 2 anyone
Review by Don
I use these on a gravel bike converted to a touring bike with minimal off-road riding. These keep the goatheads at bay! Seemed heavy in the package and are a little hard to get on but they ride smooth and fast. Liked them so much a bought a second set for my son's city bike.
Review by Mike Osgard
Very comfrotable ride from these tires.
Good grip on cornering and firm road feel. Would definately order more and recommend to friends!
Review by CoKo
We use these tires on our Tandem and I can't remember the last time we had a flat. If you want a tire that you can set and forget these are it.
Review by Ed
Fantastic tire! A little on the heavy side but that's ok with me! (I'm not a racer anyways!) Haven't had these for very long but so far so good! I did my research on these and know a lot about them! Anyways a fantastic tire at a remarkable price thanks to those wonderful people at BTD! You guys are awesome! Thank You!
Review by CommuterCurt
I'm not sure they are the best rolling tires, but when it comes to goat head proof tires, these are the best. Because they are wire bead and thick rubber tires, they are a little less forgiving on tight fitting wheels. On some wheels they have been easy to install, where on an Axis 1.0 (specialized) they were a challenge. Its best described as a wrestling match with three tire spoons.
Review by Anonymous
Likes Fast rolling and resistant to goatheads.
Dislike Heavy
Review by BVegan
No negatives very satisfied. I commute about 600 miles a month on my Kona Paddy Wagon and the 700Cx28 tires are awesome!
Review by BikeRex
First, I would like to comment on the many Internet posts concerning how difficult these tires are to install. I think this is completely dependent on the rim being used, as it took me about 10 minutes for the two tires, including inflation. Very easy to get both beads on rim with only minor help from a tire lever.
As for the tires themselves, it is too early to give a definitive rating, but so far, they have performed very well. I have the 700 X 38 size and did not notice a significant difference in rolling resistance between the Schwalbes and the Kenda Happy Mediums they replaced. (I am running 80psi on front and back) I tested the tires on a 10-mile route that I had ridden a week ago and my average speed was about a half mile-an-hour faster with the Schwalbes. I did not notice any extra effort on climbs and the road grip was very good...nothing squirrely at all.
Will give the tires a better workout on different surfaces and longer rides before updating this review. So far, very pleased with the tires and service from Bike Tires Direct.
Review by Dawg
I have the tires on a hybrid bike I use around town and to get to work. I was concerned about their ability to corner,but they grip the road very well.
Review by Anonymous
I use these tires on my commuting bike and have had no problems. The ride is great. They were easier to install than I thought they would be. I highly recommend them.
Review by Anonymous
This tire has never punctured on me and withstands commuting 35 mpd three seasons. Highly recommended for the heavier rider too (I clock in at 220).
Review by Ron R
I just bought these Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires in a 700 x 35c for my 2017 Specialized Crossroads hybrid comfort bike. The bike came with 700 x 45c Borough Armadillo Black Belt tires. I replaced the Borough tires because I wanted a dependable tire with superior flat protection, plus tires that were narrower than the 45c width.
First, let me say that these tires ARE NOT tough to get on your rims. I had both of the tires on the rims in less than a total of 15 minutes, start to finish. I simply inflated the inner tubes to where it had just enough air to get them inside the tire. Next, I started by inserting the valve in the rim, then I worked one side of the tire completely around the rim. Next, I began by pinching the other side of the tire and making sure the inner tube was completely inside the tire. I worked it around the rim until it began to get tight. Next, I again squeezed both sides of the tires and pushing them deep into the channel of the rim. I went around the tire, pushing with both hands, until there was enough slack to just easily push the tire onto the rim. Next, I simply inflated the tires, and put them back on my bike. I didn't need any straps, zip ties, nor rope, baby powder, nor any so called Magic Pixie Liquid, as I saw in a Youtube video from one guy in the UK. They are very easily installed if you simply take your time and push down on the tire until it becomes seated deep inside the rim.
After I installed the tires, I took my bike out for a short ride. The tires were much smoother than the Borough tires I had on the bike. I only inflated the tires to 60 PSI, but plan on inflating them to 80 PSI.
Oh, and just a bit of advice. The tires have to go on with the tread of the bike facing a certain way. It's stamped on the outer wall of the tire which way the direction of the tire turns. Just make a mental note of that as you put the tires on your rims. I'm sure you won't want to have to take them off and reinstall them anymore than you want to.
Review by Anonymous
I bought two of these a 25mm and a 28mm. Both blew off frequently. I think they averaged something like four blow-offs in six weeks.
The blow-offs almost always seem to happen in the hottest weather. My guess is this is not a coincidence. When these tires are cold, they're extremely stiff-to the point where they're a nightmare to put on. But when I ride in hot weather, they feel disturbingly soft. I think they become so flexible that the pressure from the inner tube just pushes them right off the rim.
I tried installing the tires myself a bunch of times. I also had a good bike shop do it. So I don't think it's an installation problem.
BikeTiresDirect confirmed that the sizes I bought are compatible with my rim size. So that's not the issue. I couldn't get a refund though.