A MARATHON for all seasons: Our new trekking tire is easy rolling on road with great control on rough trails. Durable and puncture protected like every MARATHON. It's a great choice for safer year-round cycling thanks to the strong tread design, grippy compound and 3M reflective line.
These tires offer little protection from puncture by goat-head thorns. This thorn is common in southwestern US.
I bought these tires for my commuting bicycle. I chose the Marathon Cross rather than one of the Marathon Plus because the Cross is lighter, and with my old MTB knobby tires (with no specially advertised puncture resistance) I rarely had punctures so I assumed the advertised four out of five puncture protection would be sufficient. I've also run barefoot along my commuting route, an impossible feat where goat-heads are dense.
Unfortunately, with the Marathon Cross I am getting two-three punctures each week, and even self sealing inner tubes don't last but a week or two. I would love to try a Marathon Plus Tour or similar, but it will be a while before I've got the cash.
Submitted by AsanaCycles on Wed, 02/09/2009 - 9:37pm.
I bought a set up in Portland, and I've been on tour going down the Pacific Coast.
when I got to Arcata, there was a 12hr mtb race, 12 hours of Humboldt, i removed my bags, did the race on these tyres, and placed 3rd, with 12 laps. I'm amazed with these tyres. I'm using them on a custom Hunter 29er, rigid, and was amazed how well they work in the dirt. On the pavement, on tour, they are awesome. Coming into Davenport, at one point I reached 51mph. rockin tyre!
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 09/06/2009 - 12:06pm.
Just put these on my commuter and I love them. They look great. I figured the tread would require more effort pedaling my way into work but that was not the case. I used to have a set of Nimbus tires and they fell apart in about 9 months. The Marathon Cross makes me really want to tear off the road because I know I can. Great feel for the surface below.
Submitted by Anonymous on Mon, 13/04/2009 - 7:12am.
I was a bit worried about a wide knobby "trekking" tire with a flat resistant belt being too slow on my 'cross bike, but these tires are great. They're supple, cushy, floaty in mud (well, at least compared to 700x30s), and at least as fast as my old kevlar belted wide slicks, but with tread. They're my new favourite dirt road tire.
Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 21/03/2009 - 10:56pm.
Because it's all about fashion when you have an Italian bike. :D I've built up a Bianchi Axis as a commuter bike first, and CX racer second. I just got the tires today and they really set the bike off. I was worried about them looking a little dorky being a touring tire, but they have a CX look while being good quality touring/commuter tires. I love 'em so far.
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 20/03/2009 - 1:49pm.
I also would like a 26 x 1 1/2" tire; & how about a 20" x 1 1/2" or even 20 x 1 3/4" for the recumbent riders with a 20". This would make a great treaking tire.
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 12/03/2009 - 10:01pm.
I've done about 3000km's on a set of these and have not had a single puncture. They are also wearing extrememly well. I'd really like a 1.5 inch version.
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 11/02/2009 - 12:38pm.
Very happy with this tire. I mostly commute on it but ride trails occasionally, it behaves well. It's pretty fat for a 1.75, looks as big as some 2 inch tires. I wish they made a 26x1.5 version.
Submitted by Anonymous on Sat, 13/09/2008 - 7:48am.
I have been searching and searching for a tire that fits the description of the first comment, my needs being identical. There indeed are very few tires that fulfill such needs. I only wish there were 34/35-622 and a 32-622 (cyclocross size), so that I could order a pair, as 40-622 is at the top end of what my commuter bike can handle (and barely at that).
These tires are definitely at the top of my list for my other bike, which will need tires in a few months. Kudos Schwalbe!
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 05/08/2008 - 2:20pm.
My wife wanted something more versatile then the stock 26 x 1.5" 100psi Primo Comet, as we do venture off road from time to time. I bought these because they look more aggressive then the standard Marathon, hopefully with better handling in loose conditions. Sure enough, my instincts were correct. The Marathon Cross tackles the rutted bike paths along my commute (I ride her bike quite often ;), feels quite swift on good pavement, and handles like a confident mtb tire off road as well. Usually you have to compromise when you make something so versatile, and Schwable has found a perfect balance with this tread pattern.
No protection from goat-heads
These tires offer little protection from puncture by goat-head thorns. This thorn is common in southwestern US.
I bought these tires for my commuting bicycle. I chose the Marathon Cross rather than one of the Marathon Plus because the Cross is lighter, and with my old MTB knobby tires (with no specially advertised puncture resistance) I rarely had punctures so I assumed the advertised four out of five puncture protection would be sufficient. I've also run barefoot along my commuting route, an impossible feat where goat-heads are dense.
Unfortunately, with the Marathon Cross I am getting two-three punctures each week, and even self sealing inner tubes don't last but a week or two. I would love to try a Marathon Plus Tour or similar, but it will be a while before I've got the cash.
so far so good
Fast on pavement, grip well off road. 3000+ km not a single flat, this included 800 km loaded touring. Just starting to show some wear. Great value.
getting another pair
I've put over 3,000 and have plenty of tread left. Ride in urban New Jersey w/bad roads and am getting another pair just in case they discontinue.
awesome tyre
I bought a set up in Portland, and I've been on tour going down the Pacific Coast.
when I got to Arcata, there was a 12hr mtb race, 12 hours of Humboldt, i removed my bags, did the race on these tyres, and placed 3rd, with 12 laps. I'm amazed with these tyres. I'm using them on a custom Hunter 29er, rigid, and was amazed how well they work in the dirt. On the pavement, on tour, they are awesome. Coming into Davenport, at one point I reached 51mph. rockin tyre!
2"
I agree. I had these in 1.75", but would love them in a 2".
LARGER SIZED MARATHON CROSS HS 334 ?
ANY CHANCE OF A 26 X 2.00 BEING AVAILABLE ANYTIME SOON?
Great Commuter Tire
Just put these on my commuter and I love them. They look great. I figured the tread would require more effort pedaling my way into work but that was not the case. I used to have a set of Nimbus tires and they fell apart in about 9 months. The Marathon Cross makes me really want to tear off the road because I know I can. Great feel for the surface below.
Great!
I was a bit worried about a wide knobby "trekking" tire with a flat resistant belt being too slow on my 'cross bike, but these tires are great. They're supple, cushy, floaty in mud (well, at least compared to 700x30s), and at least as fast as my old kevlar belted wide slicks, but with tread. They're my new favourite dirt road tire.
Cool looking
Because it's all about fashion when you have an Italian bike. :D I've built up a Bianchi Axis as a commuter bike first, and CX racer second. I just got the tires today and they really set the bike off. I was worried about them looking a little dorky being a touring tire, but they have a CX look while being good quality touring/commuter tires. I love 'em so far.
Tire size for the marathon Cross
I also would like a 26 x 1 1/2" tire; & how about a 20" x 1 1/2" or even 20 x 1 3/4" for the recumbent riders with a 20". This would make a great treaking tire.
Great Tyre
I've done about 3000km's on a set of these and have not had a single puncture. They are also wearing extrememly well. I'd really like a 1.5 inch version.
9 months, 9 hundred miles, no flats!
Very happy with this tire. I mostly commute on it but ride trails occasionally, it behaves well. It's pretty fat for a 1.75, looks as big as some 2 inch tires. I wish they made a 26x1.5 version.
I had those tires since 2
I had those tires since 2 years. Went to France, Vietnam, Cambodia, Sweden, US with them. Must have over 5000 km. No single flat.
no narrower sizes, but perhaps in the future?
I have been searching and searching for a tire that fits the description of the first comment, my needs being identical. There indeed are very few tires that fulfill such needs. I only wish there were 34/35-622 and a 32-622 (cyclocross size), so that I could order a pair, as 40-622 is at the top end of what my commuter bike can handle (and barely at that).
These tires are definitely at the top of my list for my other bike, which will need tires in a few months. Kudos Schwalbe!
works well
My wife wanted something more versatile then the stock 26 x 1.5" 100psi Primo Comet, as we do venture off road from time to time. I bought these because they look more aggressive then the standard Marathon, hopefully with better handling in loose conditions. Sure enough, my instincts were correct. The Marathon Cross tackles the rutted bike paths along my commute (I ride her bike quite often ;), feels quite swift on good pavement, and handles like a confident mtb tire off road as well. Usually you have to compromise when you make something so versatile, and Schwable has found a perfect balance with this tread pattern.
~N