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Marathon: the newest generation
20 years of Marathon: To celebrate its anniversary, Bohle has treated its legendary, long distance runner to a full makeover. Inside and out the fourth generation of the Marathon incorporates the very latest in tire technology.
The Marathon is Europe’s biggest selling tire. And in the bicycle business it is one of only very few everyday tires that is specifically asked for by name. “Such a firmly established, market top seller as the Marathon, needs to be updated and modernised from time to time in order to incorporate the latest trends in tire technology”, said Holger Jahn, joint managing director of Bohle. “20 years ago it was the first high-tech tire developed for everyday cyclists - and hence a revolution. After many years of continual technical advancement this year’s bead-to-bead remake now reflects the highest achievable technical standards possible.”
Refreshed and technically revised, Bohle’s classic tire is aimed at the whole European market. But in relation to German market conditions the tire should be arriving at a difficult time, as the specialised trade is experiencing a general decline in the ready market for high-quality parts and tires. Yet despite the poor economic climate many German bicycle dealers are experiencing at least stable and more often rising sales of Marathon, Marathon Plus and Marathon XR. Since the launch of the third generation Marathon in 1999, Bohle is now ready to offer the specialised trade a new version of its proven top product incorporating the very latest technology.
Innovative Compound and improved puncture protection
Tread design and rubber compound, puncture protection and side wall: Bohle engineers have completely revamped the old tire. The rubber compound, which like all compounds remains a closely-guarded secret, is revolutionary. Holger Jahn would only say: “This special combination of chemicals would have been inconceivable just two years ago.” As always with rubber mixtures the challenge is to optimise characteristics, which are actually opposites: The new formula succeeds in achieving a never before seen level of sophistication in a touring tire by not only improving durability, but by accomplishing the balancing act between low rolling resistance and better wet grip. “There are important reasons for this new tire”, explained Holger Jahn. “Over the past two years there have been developments in technical innovations which were suitable for incorporation into the new Marathon”. Bohle’s experience with the Smart Guard puncture protection belt as used in the Marathon Plus has helped in improving the protection belt of the Marathon by combining flexible natural rubber with Kevlar threads. The new belt, though somewhat thicker than its predecessor is nevertheless more flexible and significantly, rolling resistance has actually been improved.
Supple Snake Skin
The Marathon has also profited from Snake Skin technology. “For many a tire the side wall is its Achille’s heel”, said Holger Jahn. “Now it has been reinforced.” The textile fabric is lighter than a rubber coated side wall and together with the new tread design the Snake Skin has a malleable look as if made from a casting. The new tread was designed to appeal to trekking riders: Dynamic, lighter rolling yet at the same time durable. The new Marathon is available at specialized bicycle dealers from 2006.
Excellent tire
I just rode from Fairbanks to Vancouver with 26x1.5” Marathons. Not a single flat. Road included short gravel sections and segments of road construction and light mud. With their record on this trip, I will continue to use them—excellent experience with them as a touring tire so far.
Riding experience
Hey guys. I have over ten years commuting experience and have done tens of thousands of kilometres of my bikes. My old tyres needed replacing as did my old tyre liners which had disintegrated. But after about 10,000km on them I did not blame them.
I went to the shop and saw these marathons. They were EXPENSIVE and HEAVY but the guys at the shop swore by them. I have now done 1000km on them and I can say - DON’T BUY THEM! They are really SLOW and HEAVY and YES - THEY DO PUNCTURE. I am VERY DISAPPOINTED. In my experience and opinion buy a light GOOD QUALITY tyre with GOOD QUALITY tyre LINERS and save the punctures and go faster, IT’S also a CHEAPER option!!
Okay….. so don’t buy
Okay….. so don’t buy them.
So, in all sincerity…..what is a “good quality” tire these days then?
I need 700c tires in a 47-50mm width for a hybrid bike. There’s not many choices. I have had very good success with a 700x35 Performance bike tire called the Gotham on my road bike, made by Panaracer.(It’s $12,weighs 700g) Panaracer sells the same thing, call it the Crosstown. It does comes in a 700x47 , but it’s a massive 1000 grams. They are heavy because the tread is quite thick. Frankly, I don’t care that it isn’t racey, I didn’t get big tires looking for that.
I need SOME tires though, and Schwalbe is at least making wider ones. One bad experience doesn’t make them all bad.
Tires are not heavy just to give the rider a hard time. Heavy tires have lots of rubber. Everyone knows what they are getting before they buy them…. don’t expect a 850g. tire to ride like a 450g one, no matter what anyone says.
The problems riders have is between the ears….. we’re all included so it’s nothing personal.
new sidewall toughened
Great tires I bought mine in 2006 I had been explaining that I had no punctures to another cyclist.The following day my sidewall picked up a 1 inch slice.The tube protruded through the cut then burst.Imagine being able to wear a tire out instead replacement due to road hazards.Thanks for making a great tire even better.