We are a cycling family, and both my wife and I and our two children commute to work or school on our bikes. I have long since stopped using anything other than Schwalbe Big Apples and Marathons for this. They are fast enough for commuting, last quite a long time (6000-10000 km) and suffer virtually no punctures. I also like the reflective sidewalls (compulsory here in Holland). In the past I have sometimes economized on tyres for the commuter bikes, but I no longer do this, as it invariably meant higher rolling resistance, more punctures, and far more rapid wear. We are also a cycle touring family (with the kids we go on serious cycle camping tours abroad), and again, I would rather pay a bit more than suffer. I am not the only one who thinks so. I am a member of the Dutch Cycle Tourist Association (www.wereldfietser.nl), and on our club events I see at least three quarters Schwalbe tyres. This is not to say that there are no other good tyres. Panaracer Pasela's are good examples (although in Europe they are a bit more expense that Schwalbe tyres such as the Big Apple or the Marathon). Yet I think these at least are niche players (and Grandbois even more): they are very sweet and fast, but also far more fragile than the Schwalbes we mentioned. I have had enough Pasela's fail at the sidewall, and I have had enough punctures with them to prove my point. But I love them for what they do well. It is true that Schwalbe are made in the Far East, but it would be wrong to think they are just badge engineered tyres that can be had for less under a different name. Schwalbe have been at the cutting edge of bicycle tyre technology for many years now, with new compounds, high tech anti puncture materials, and innovative sidewall materials and construction. Tyres are an important part of the feel of a bike, and contribute enourmously to the practicality of bikes. Tyres have improved enormously over the last one or two decades, and probably no company has done more than Schwalbe. I appreciate that the balance may work out differently in the US, where for now Schwalbe tyres are more expensive than here, due to a declining dollar, and where far eastern brands are traditionally cheaper. Willem
On 14 nov, 05:22, "[EMAIL PROTECTED]" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > I've never ridden Schwalbe. But, being the suspicious sort, I don't > care for pricing that we associate with that company's help with > "German", and our willingness to associate that with quality --- and > manufacture that is from the Far East. > > Which leads me to suggest that welcome here as on other lists would be > reports on tires that may be sourced from the same plants that make > such as Schwalbe tires. I put some 26 x 1.5 smoothies on a friend's > bike (Performance Forte @$8) and she is delighted, but not a frequent > rider. So was I, trying them on some long nearby downhills.But I don't > count either of our experiences for much in advising others. > > Harry Travis > > On Nov 13, 1:40 pm, WillemJ <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > Sure, Pasela's are real sweet. I have 26x1.75 Pasela's TG on my loaded > > touring bike when it is not or only lightly loaded. They are more > > fragile (so bring a spare tube and tire lifters). If you also want to > > ride fireroads etc, why not go for the Aramid belted 37 mm (the widest > > there is)? Wide is not necessarily slow, and certainly not with these > > tires. The 26x2 Marathons I have for bad roads, and heavier loads. > > Willem > > > On 13 nov, 16:15, landotter <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > Both would be fine and good. Schwalbes are strong tires. The Big Apple > > > Lite looks like it might be a little more supple than the regular > > > Marathon due to the lighter sidewall, as Willem mentioned. > > > > If you want something with a more delicious ride that's not as dead > > > feeling, mount some Panaracer Paselas in 700x32/35, non-belted. Nearly > > > a pound less per wheel. Mine do fine on the local fire roads. Cheap > > > cheap. > > > > On Nov 12, 9:40 pm, ijay <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > > Hi all, I'm new to the group, And back into bikes after a leg > > > > operation. I bought a 29er. My rideing will be 90% road and 10% trail, > > > > I live in fl. so the trail will be everglades access roads. What is > > > > the best tire I'm thinking Schwalbe Big Apple or Marathon. Any advise > > > > would be welcome. > > > > > Thanks Ijay. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Bicycle Lifestyle" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/bicyclelifestyle?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
