lifanus

Looking for inputs on a low rolling resistance but at the same time strong puncture-resistant tire for city riding.

The Schwalbe Kojak on my Dahon MU SL only made it through 4 weeks of riding before it got a flat... due to a tiny metal piece stuck on the tire.

I love this tire for its speed, but definitely need something a bit more durable...

Thanks for your input!

Schwinnsta

Low rolling resistance and puncture protection are at opposite poles to my understanding. That said I am having good experiences with Schwalbe Big Apples 406 2-inch.

3speedslow

S... Marathon racer would be my recommendation.

grayrest

I like Continental Contact Urban.

Jipe

I would also recommend the new Continental Contact Urban: it is stronger than the Marathon Racer and has about the same weight.

Trocadile

Assuming it's the 406 size you want, I have ridden thousands of miles on the Primo Comet 1.5 Kevlar without a flat. Tried a number of tires previously, including Big Apples, and the Comets have been the best compromise between comfort and performance.

calgarc

I came here just to see how many people recommend Schwalbes lolol

wesgreen

I do. Since I started using a Marathon Plus
in the front and a Big Apple in the back ca. 15 years ago, I haven't had a flat on the NYC pothole grid. One Big Apple showed a crack when I first mounted it after I had stored it for a few years. Schwalbe honored the warranty. They roll easily enough for me; I'd probably be safer in traffic if they slowed me down a little more.

GeezyRider 

If you like the speed performance those tires give you, perhaps you could try some tire liners.

Winfried

For extra protection, I tried liners on two Marathon tires, and both tires ended with hernias. I guess the liners rub against the inside of the tire.

Having the front wheel suddenly go flat while riding downhill is… an experience I wouldn't recommend.

sweeks

I've been riding in Chicago for many years on Schwalbe "Marathon Plus" tires on a Dahon Mu XL and its successor, a Tern Verge S11i. No flats, and no discernible increased rolling resistance. Even if there were increased effort required, it would be minor and worth tolerating to reduce the chance of a flat. I've used Schwalbe "Marathons" and "Marathon Racers", and had flats with them. Not many, but no flats are better.

EDIT: FWIW, I've used "Mr. Tuffy" tire liners on my "winter" bike under Schwalbe "Marathon Winter" studded tires. I've never has a problem like those described above.

calgarc

that was the joke I was making. Schwalbes seem to be king around these parts of the forums

Jipe

I think the reason Schwalbe is king for folding bikes is that Schwalbe is the manufacturer that has the biggest amount of tire models for small diameter wheels. Most other manufacturers have few small diameter tires if any.

Example: ETRTO349 for Brompton and some other folders, Schwalbe has 7 different tires while other manufacturers supporting ETRTO349 have only 1.

Same for ETRTO355, most tire types are from Schwalbe.

In the popular ETRTO406, Schwalbe has many types from road race tubeless to balloon, to MTB, to winter spike tires...

Falconista

Another vote for Schwalbe Marathons. I prefer the normal Greenguard, then the Marathon plus. I didn't like the feel of the Marathon racer at all, and they didn't seem to offer any speed advantage despite having less protection.

splithub

These are very much like the Kojaks but wider, 1.75 - (Schwalbe would claim 2.15 &#128521 and with thicker sidewalls. 480g each. Wire bead.



...the only tires i know that were specifically developed for city folding bike ride.

mlau

Still riding the same Big Apples from 2005...but I don't have that many miles.

No flats on my Xootr swift...for 15 years!

tds101 

Unfortunitely it seems these excellent tires are hard to come by at the moment. I feel somewhat,...deprived.

splithub

...yes, but they pop up available every few weeks, stable cheap. I kept checking the two online shops that permanently list them. The 16" are currently available, have them for the third season on my Noahhk iF10, just great.

Geepig

I would check, but I suspect that the price will be well out of my pocket

splithub

16,50€ each

Geepig

My innocence ripped away!

That would be 150 zloty plus delivery, and today I am considering forking out a whole 60 zloty for a pair of off-road tires.

But those Greenville look so good, so luckily I cannot see them in 24"...

tomtomtom123

I was thinking about trying F-lite Gocycle 50-406 tires. Supposedly they're very low rolling resistance and only 300g. I assume they're thin. I don't know about puncture resistance. Supposedly has kevlar layer. But I would try adding some sealant into the tubes.

At the moment I have Big Ben Plus 55-406. They have greenguard protection. I haven't had any punctures yet after 2 years. But I think they're somewhat slow. There is also only like 2-3mm clearance to my mudguards.

Inisfallen

I just put Schwalbe Marathon tires on my folder (20x1.5).

I've been riding it for a couple of days now, maybe a total of 30 miles. Obviously not enough time to form an opinion as to their puncture resistance, but I will say that the rolling resistance is noticeably less than that of the Cheng Shins they replaced. I don't know how to quantify that, but I definitely noticed it.

They're also taller. Enough to notice, not enough to be a problem. I had the bike flipped over on the seat and handlebars when I was putting on the new tires, and when they were mounted and pumped up, I flipped the bike back over, on the wheels and kickstand. I noticed right away, not even sitting on the bike, just putting my hand on the bars, that the bike was now taller.

No problem, doesn't matter.

jhoff80

I know there's a shortage of everything bike-related in general right now, but are any of these suggestions in stock anywhere at all (in the US)?

I was going to get some Marathon Plus, but would be fine with trying out the Continental Contact Urban, or any of the other suggestions... except none of these seem to be available at any of the online shops I've checked (including Amazon), or at 5 of the local bike shops I've checked.

Inisfallen

Someone here at BF recommended Utah Trikes to me. I got a pair of Schwalbe Marathons there just last week.