Author Topic: Schwalbe Supreme failure  (Read 4106 times)

hendrich

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Schwalbe Supreme failure
« on: August 17, 2025, 11:28:27 PM »
During a 6 week tour in Quebec, our rear Schwalbe Supreme 50-559 failed. The Kevlar rim strip separated from the wall and was not ridable. The problem was not caused by brakes against the tire or any other noticeable abrasion. The tire failed, perhaps a bad tire. On other websites, people have mentioned sidewall problems with Supremes, and not good for long distance tours.  We ride a tandem, heavily loaded, but well within the stated load capacity of the tires. These tires were relatively new, 2000 miles of use. This left us stranded 40 km from the nearest town. After 3 days we found new tires. We will now always carry a folding spare tire.

jul

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Re: Schwalbe Supreme failure
« Reply #1 on: July 11, 2026, 10:05:18 PM »
Do you have photos please ?

martinf

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Re: Schwalbe Supreme failure
« Reply #2 on: Today at 06:47:02 AM »
I've been using Schwalbe Marathon Supreme tyres for at least 15 years.

In 4 different sizes, 559x50, 559x4, 584x50 and 584x42.

I currently have them on 7 of the family bikes, they have a total of 62,600 kms of use.

I have scrapped 2, both in the 26" 559x50 size. These were the tyres that I had used for my 3,300 km tour to Spain and Portugal, carrying a fairly heavy load (max all-up weight 123 kg), at times on rocky tracks. After that tour I fitted new Supremes to my tourer and eventually finished off the tyres on one of my utility bikes. The rear tyre failed with a bulge (ruptured carcass) about where the puncture resistant belt fits, a short time after I dropped off an 18 cm kerb with fully loaded rear panniers. It had been first used ten years before the failure and had done 8,625 kms, in my opinion a good score for a lightweight tyre used on a rear wheel. I replaced the front tyre at the same time, as it had a deep cut through the thread, this tyre had done 12,109 kms. Still lots of tread left on both. All the other Supremes are still in use.

The other 26" 559 tyres that I currently use are :

- Schwalbe Marathon Dureme, which are supposed to be tougher than Supremes and are only slightly slower on tarmac. But these haven't been available for several years.
- Schwalbe Marathon Mondial, a heavier, slower and tougher tyre with reinforced sidewalls that seems more suitable for extensive riding off tarmac.
- Schwalbe Marathon Plus, a rather sluggish puncture-resistant tyre I use on the rear wheels of my visitor bikes to avoid visitors having to fix rear wheel punctures and hence mess up the adjustment on the Shimano hub gears.
- Nokian Hakkapeliitta W240 studded tyres that go on one of my utility bikes when icy roads might be a problem. I have had these for a long time, but haven't used them much recently as ice and snow has become rare here over the past 20 years or so.

jul

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Re: Schwalbe Supreme failure
« Reply #3 on: Today at 07:32:19 AM »
Good feeback.  8)