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Schwalbe marathon Winter tyres

Posted: 23 Jan 2019 20:40
by BrettH
Thinking about getting these for my commute to work. Come off twice this year so far on ice and the spec reads well for icy conditions.

Anyone had a good or bad experience with them.

May be a bit slow, heavy and noisy for club runs but if everyone was using them could be worthwhile ?

Re: Schwalbe marathon Winter tyres

Posted: 24 Jan 2019 00:02
by CakeStop
Yes - been out with them tonight, round the lickeys on untreated roads. Absolutely brilliant, no problem riding across sheet ice, just need to be careful to avoid stopping and putting a foot down. I've done nearly 500 miles on them and haven't changed the studs yet but might change some next year. 85psi when it's only slightly icy, drop down to 35psi for sheet ice, I had 55/65psi tonight for typical black ice in untreated country lanes. They're pricey but cheaper than replacement front teeth. PS - I went for the ones with 4 rows of studs.

Re: Schwalbe marathon Winter tyres

Posted: 24 Jan 2019 15:09
by GrahamGamblin
I've got an old mountain bike which I use for work when it's icy, it has the equivalent mtb studded tyres and they're brilliant. A friend has the marathons and reports the same, even when cornering. As Steve says, you still have to go easy on the brakes, but I've never come off on ice or snow since I got them.

Re: Schwalbe marathon Winter tyres

Posted: 24 Jan 2019 16:46
by Dave Cox
Yes I've been using a set on an MTB for several years. With low pressure they cut through most ice and frozen slush etc. Any skid is much more manageable. They are slow though but for me they were a good investment - I could keep commuting on minor roads or Rea Valley during a couple of cold winters. Now I use them just to get out on the bike when I'm worried about possible ice.

Re: Schwalbe marathon Winter tyres

Posted: 31 Jan 2019 17:00
by BrettH
I ended up buying the Marathon Winter Plus tyres, 240 spikes on each tyre which were only £30 ea from Wiggle.

Tried them this morning on my commute to work on the icy roads and I couldn't believe how stable they were. Absolutely brilliant!!!

The only concerns I had was my foot sliding on the ground when I stopped. Need a couple of spikes on the toe end me thinks. Also the rear brake and gears seized up in the cold....and my hands were bloody freezing !!! Time to put a liner in the Castelli Estremos. 8-]