Marathon supreme on Devon lanes

[JohnC]

When I ordered my Raven in November of 2013 I dithered about which tyres to have fitted. In the end, as a tourist and a fan of Mr McAdam's fine invention, I opted for 1.6 Marathon Supremes. I've been really pleased with the ride they've given me and surprised, as well as delighted, by their road holding. So far, although I've only done about 500 miles on the bike, I've found it an absolute delight to ride.


A visiting friend was interested in the bike and impressed when he had a short ride, but afterwards he spotted a problem with the rear tyre that I hadn't noticed. There was this cut in the tread which extends onto, and through the side wall; the innertube was bulging through slightly. You can see the skin of my finger through the hole in the attached photo'.

This is on a tyre that has, as I've said, done only 500 miles. But those miles have mainly been on Devon lanes, many of which are now in such a bad state that the local bridle paths are often in better shape.
My conclusion is that this cut was cause by the edge of a pothole or a piece of sharp flint. I don't have any memory of any particular incident.I also assume that the nature of the side wall on a folding tyre is part of the problem.
I've now replace them with Marathon Plus. Has anyone else had a similar experience?

[martinf]

It's a risk with lightweight sidewalls. I have had that kind of damage on Kojaks on my Brompton.

Not yet had that problem on Marathon Supremes, oldest one currently at 8,100 kms including moderate off-road use on tracks in Spain/Portugal. My Supremes are the wider 50x559 model, not sure if width makes much difference.

I reckon that most of the time the trade off in easier rolling is worth the occasional damaged tyre, I have had Marathon Plus and found them harder work and less comfortable.

I've made an exception for my commuting Brompton - I currently use this bike mainly to cycle a short distance to the station, catch the train, then another short ride to work. For this scenario, reliablility is more important than comfort and performance, so I have replaced the Kojaks with Marathons.

[jags]

Yip loved the feel of the tyre but when i went over some rough gravel it ripped a 3 inch cut into sidewall i still had 15 mile to get home  not very nice i can tell you.
but chainreaction replaced it free and never had the problem again.the sidewalls are very thin on the older version not so on the newer ones or so i'm led to believe.
to be honest i would buy them again for my new audax  but still have the ribmo to ware out first.


jags.

[geocycle]

Yes, that's part of the comfort trade off with thin side walls. I had that with panarracer tg tyres after just 150 miles. I ride supremes and I am pleased to say they are still going strong after around 7500 miles.  I think they could make 10,000. I guess there is always the risk if damage and would want something stronger for an off-road tour.

[lewis noble]

Interesting observations - I am currently running my Ripio on 26 x 2 Duremes - comfortable, and they roll along pretty well with the pressures well up.  But in 3 weeks time I am riding to Paris, and the main reservation I have is not so much the distance as the average speed expected on one of the legs - I hesitate to get Supremes just for that, but if they would really roll that much better I would get them and keep them for similar trips.

And on the subject of tyres . . . .  in 2009, I bought a Voyager tandem - my wife and I have had great fun on it.  It came with Marathon XR 26 x 2 tyres - which I swapped almost immediately for Duremes, much better suited to my short day rides use.  I gave the XRs to my son, thinking he might use them, but in reality the tyres are too expedition-oriented for him or me.  They have sat in his shed since then, dry, away from sunlight.  Folding tyres.

I guess they will still be OK for someone who wants a extra heavy duty tyre - anyone interested?? 

Lewis

[jags]

Lewis dont give them away or sell them  because there supposed to be the best tyre schwalble ever made
you wont be disappointed with the supreams they are that good,but sidewalls are light so no rough stuff be warned 


jags
btw there's no rough roads in france