Schwalbe

Completed last xc season on this tire. After many years on Maxxis Aspen, Thunder Burt, Ralph and Ray combos, as well as various xc oriented Vittoria years back, I can say that based on my PRs and races the Rick's have performed very well. For a 2.4 tire, they do mount up slightly less wide than the Aspen 2.4 and I have found I need to run a little more pressure. Compared to my prior set up with an Aspen up front and Thunder Burt in the rear, the Rick's have better grip, especially with rear bite with acceleration and climbing. Beginning this season with the same set mounted last May '25, the wear appears to be pretty good. My budget requires tires last me at least 2 years. I also train on other bikes and limit my recreational and training miles on my race bike.

While NOT 100% puncture proof, these have been the ones that are the most resistant. I'd bought my first pair in 2004 and never looked back. From once-a-week flat (from mean plant stickers, mesquite thorns, glass shards, nails and screws are everywhere) I have to fix a flat perhaps twice a year. That was a game changer and helped me brave the other things not so great about my bike commute and keep the commitment to stay a car free person in Austin TX (some swear it is impossible). The only reason I don't give it a 5 star is because storage appears to be not great and some tires in the past have come that get cracks too soon (I don't lock my bike in the sun...so can't blame the TX heat on that).

I purchased these to replace some MSO tires that i was having trouble finding. So far ive put 200+ miles on them. About 50% has been on pavement. Also a bikepacking adventure is about 100 miles of that. They have done great on the gravel and im very happy with them. On the pavement the rear seems to have worn a bit more than the MSO wear in similar conditions. Perhaps it was my rear bags adding to that tread ware.

Overall a good value for the money and i would purchase them again

These tires are a game changer for me. I am a daily rider and had to deal with flats on a pretty regular basis. While that is not a big deal, it can be a problem when you are trying to get in a ride before work, and taking time to fix a flat can be a problem when you don't plan for the additional time. The other problem with getting a flat is that in that short time you might ride before realizing you have a flat, you can break spokes and/or slightly bend a rim, which happened to me. I bought my first set of these Marathon Pluses two years ago and have not had a single flat since.

When I got a new bike, I was afraid of getting a flat and damaging the pristine new rims. I put another set of these on right away to avoid any chance of damage. Its been a few months on the new bike and still no flats!