I was told by the mechanic I spoke to at the Brompton shop that they stopped selling the Marathon Plus because they figured the non plus version gave as much protection as the plus. I suspect that may be true, but as I was actually running both on my brompton at the time I was quite confident I wanted the plus for the better grip that it provided, particularly in the wet. I should note that my comparison on plus versus non plus. was with the generation of tires you could buy in 2017, and when I was talking to the shop a year or two ago I'm not sure we were talking about a comparison with the racers. Looking at Schwalbe's site it looks like the Marathon racer should have the better grip. Seeing your review is a good reminder to always re-check the reviews for what's the best buy when it comes to buying tires as the technology does keep improving over time.
Useful video. Thanks. I’ve done about 10,000 Brompton touring miles over the years on Marathon Plus. Not a single puncture. (Tho’ I have had punctures with them on my larger wheel road bike, caused by glass and thorns). But, on a Brompton they are very draggy and energy-sapping. I’ve now done about 1,200 Brompton miles on the Conti wired tyres without a single puncture, and they are so much faster. My advice to Brompton riders who are very worried about fixing punctures on the road would be to play safe - but draggy - by fitting Marathon Plus on the rear, which is more complicated to change, and Conti on the front.
It's great advice - but I just can't bring myself to put a marathon plus on my chpt3. Will try the contis next. The schwalbe ones with a bit of green slime work well, but time has come to say goodbye to them.
Interesting idea! I just had my first ever puncture with my stock Marathon Racers, and it was a rear one - thankfully a small enough puncture I was able to top it off a few times with a hand pump and make my way home. I was debating getting Marathon Plus tires but have heard a lot of horror stories about comfort and weight. Might try mixing it up like you suggest.
Recently switched to the Continental Urban Contact (fashion victim tan wall) on my e-brompton after my original Schwalbe Marathon blew after hitting two pot holes - I am really enjoying the Conti's seem very good and a bit more comfortable too.
Thanks for the comment (and watching) We were exactly the same after switching from Marathon Plus and Marathon Racer to the Conti tyres They just felt more comfortable, felt like they rolled better and (touch wood) so far they have been very reliable and no punctures
Back in the day I used to run some amazing Primo 'Champ' tyres on my Brompton. They were intended for racing wheelchairs, tan-wall, and only 19mm wide, so like 700c road-bike tyres in width depth and rolling resistance. Weighed something like 150g each. Sadly no longer available but they were great.
That's a really useful definitive run through of the options. We have a mish mash of tyres on our Brommies, Schwalbe One, Continental Urban Contact, Marathon Racer and Marathon+
Your choice is mine two. Just coincidentally changed from the original Schwalbe Racer on my Brompton Electric to the Continental Urban Contact this weekend. Drove them on my conventional Brompton for 8000km without any puncture. And they are so good in comfort and rolling resistance. Love them ❤
@@brilliantbikes it's cute :) absolutely love your content. Helped me take the plunge and buy and Brompton and transformed my life. It's got you a few sales on bits for my bike as well because I want to support you to keep making great content. Really appreciate you taking the time to make all these videos. They are so informative and the outtakes at the end are always a great giggle! Would love an updated marathon winter video although I know it could be hard to have an opinion or a lot of experience with that tyre in the UK.
Had marthons on my Brompton from factory they were so good i rode them till they were kojaks! Replaced them with the plus with no ossues what so ever. Very happy conti have joined the party as i will probably replace them with the wired versions.
The cream wall look lovely! These ones: brilliantbikes.co.uk/brompton-tyres-tubes/5036-continental-contact-urban-tyre-16-inch-creamwall.html Thanks for watching!
Literally had a flat today, the wall on my rear Marathon Racer split probably from a curb. Ordering the Urban Contacts as we speak. Was initially tempted to get the Marathon Racer Tan but you changed my mind. Only worry is that they seem a bit "bald" thread wise and hoping not to slide a lot. In any case, great video and thanks for the mega in depth research!
I had a puncture on marathon racer on a brand new bike two days after receiving it. So far i haven’t ridden on wet roads but so far on dry weather they feel much grippier than the marathon racer. I installend the continentals urban wired and so far very happy. Hope it helps with tour decision if haven’t made one yet, honestly they’re worth it
Excellent video... as always! 🙂 With the recommendation for the Conti Urbans, you specifically (seem to) mention the 'wired' version. Is there a specific reason or advantage from a wired vs. a folding version?
Many thanks for watching! The only reason I prefer the wired version, I think is mainly due to user error, but I’ve had no customer complaints on the wired version, I’ve had a couple of people with side wall failures on the folding version, I’d say it’s due to installation with tyre levers or running a bit flat!
FWIW, I fit my tires using a soapy water solution (& carry a small bottle of same with me), which lubricates the tires well enough that I seldom use tire levers. Or tyre levers, if you prefer.
Being as how it is not an easy task to fix a Brompton rear puncture (or the front on an e-Brompton), and that the ride could be described as ‘unforgiving”, isn’t it time for a tubeless setup!? No more pinch punctures, self-healing leaks, and the comfort of 50 psi.
Great video. what is the difference between the black continental urbans (wired vs non-wired), outside of the folding capability (and the folding being slightly lighter)? Is there any advantage getting the wired one (apart from the price)?
Based on failures, I’d say the wired are more robust (we have not had any reported issues) but have had people have failures of the folding tyres. I’d say mainly due to the use of tyre levers to instal or running them at too low a pressure. Thanks for watching!
@@brilliantbikesinstead of tubeless I’m curious if anyone has tried the Schwalbe Ones with some tried and true tire liners such as Mr. Tuffys? That should in theory be the best of both worlds.
Having had a number of punctures and mended them at places such as platform 8 at Paddington Station and on a bench in Hyde Park, I only use either Marathon or Marathon Plus. Of course the punctures only occur when I’m in a hurry, it’s the rear tyre and when it’s raining! 😂Thanks for the film. V helpful.
Apparently, punctures ARE more likely to happen in the rain. Why? Well, I think wet glass fragments can *slice* through moistened rubber much more easily; the water is acting as a lubricant. Also, it is harder to see where the broken glass is lurking when the roads are wet.
I seem to remember hearing of a "solid" tyre which someone used who regularly night commutes and absolutely does not want to risk a puncture ( at the expense of riding comfort), although i could be wrong
Ah! The Tanus tyres. We bought a pair, went to install them… then decided they are too difficult to install, can damage the rims, we gave them to a customer who could not install them, took them to another bike shop, they would not install them! Oh and they don’t ride very well, as they are hard.! But if yes you do t get punctures! I rather a tyre! Martha on plus or Continental
Fun and informative, as always! I experienced a weird failure on the schwalbe marathon racer - side walls deteriorating within less than a year, to the point that the inner tube started bulging from tiny holes on the tire sides. Faulty tire, perhaps? Will be trying the continental.
I had the same. Running with higher pressure fixed it for me. The very small tire size seems to need way higher pressures than standard non-Bromton sizes.
Hello. Thanks for all your great videos. I have an electric C-Line 2022. You said, the Urban contact would be the best choice. How is it for bikepacking? Which one would you recommended then? We also drive gravel roads, if we're bikepacking and we have it fully loaded with luggage.
The contact Urban would be fine, I prefer the wired version, just as we have not had any complaints with them, I’ve had a few with the folding ones, I’d say due to user issues but it’s made me prefer the wired Thanks for watching
Hey You, I never TYRE from your vids! BOOM! BOOM! 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Ok … definitive guidance needed. I’m looking at swapping my Schwalbe Marathon Racers for either Marathon Plus or your fave Conti Contact Urbs. With that said how does the puncture resistance differ in them to make one 7 and one 6? Is it supposition from the makers or is there something in the design specs that are different? “Who loves ya baby?” …… We do! 😉 Laurie
Hi Laurie, Firstly thanks for watching! The M+ does provide the most puncture resistance, but the conti is pretty good and a little bit more comfortable. I have done about 2000 km on mine and not had a puncture.
Thanks for the recommendation. I want to get the continentals but the options between wired and foldable makes it a hard choice. I can see that you recommended the wired version. Are there any pros or cons choosing any of them?
Many thanks for watching! We have not had any complaints on the wired version, we had a few complaints of the sidewall failing on the folding version. I think this is if people have run them flatter
Hi - brilliant channel, video! Congratulations! Tried to get the info I'm looking for from your video, but, although very informative, I could not identify my question! I have a C Line Brompton 6 speeds - Please, so if you have the time to answer! - I'm looking for the fatest tire (wider, more air for cushioning) without modifying wheels or mudguards. By what you described, the Continental would be the wider one - is this right? It seems that all tires have the same nominal dimensions, but some look different, wider! It is impressive the amount of parts, resources you put in your videos! That stack of tires is impressive, as well as the number of bikes, parts, bags! I will try to visit your shop in my next trip! Thank you for all, Pedro Borges (Vancouver, Canada)
Hello Vancouver! (Did we mention that we love it there!) Our favourites for what you describe are definitely the Continental Contact urban To us at least they just feel faster and more comfortable all at the same time
@@brilliantbikes thank you! I also saw your clip of your visit toVancouver! Great, thanks for your attention. Your channel is impressive, congratulations, cheers, Pedro Borges
2:35 Is that a Siamese? I noticed that I fitted my tyre on C Line Electric at the wrong rotation. My ex motorcycle racer friend noticed when i borrowed his foot pump and he told me that he raced with backwards rotation on his tyre and he claimed that it gave him better grip in the 1970s.
I really like the Continental Contact Urbans, the wired ones perform really well. They don’t provide as much puncture protection as the Marathon Plus but are really good and comfy. Thanks for watching!
Typical. I just ordered some new tyres from you lovely people last night and now you come out with a full review of all the different available kinds. 🤣 Really useful video though a small note about how some of the tyres need slightly different inner tube sizes would have been neat. 👍
Great overview! I have the contact urban on my bike but they are so high that on the front mudguard always is scratching noises if it s wet... Which tires are not so high and still light? Thank you for advice!
It sounds like your mudguard stays need to be reshaped to push the mudguard away from the tyre. Push them sideways. Hope that helps and thanks for watching!
Well done I use the One and wouldn’t switch it. But if I was touring I would travel with the Conti Also traditionally the tan wall is slightly lighter than the black wall version as the black wall is just an additional material over the tan construction.
We have had no complaints on the wired version, but enough for me to get annoyed at on the folding. I think they are less robust! If for example fitted with tyre levers or run slightly flat!
You missed a tire better than all of these IMHO. The Greenspeed Scorcher. It is very fat at 40mm. It is simultaneously as fast, as grippy, and as comfortable as any tires you covered. To achieve this combination, its downside is that it wears out fast It's available in puncture resistant and non-resistant versions. When you can get it: COVID wreaked havoc on Greenspeed's supply chain.
You mentioned tubeless in the video (at least I think I heard you say tubeless), but can any of the tires mentioned be used in a tubeless setup with the stock Brompton wheel rims? Very curious to know your experience with tubeless Brompton wheels and tires, if any. Thanks!
Great video as always, but probably need to watch it a few times, I'm only new to Brompton's & only done 200 miles on my CHPT3, so early days, in general I don't get many punctures, but they often arrive around the same time. Thanks for the video, I reckon that must have taken some serious use of the brain cells & a lot of takes!
Schwalbe Marathon Plus recommended by LBS. Heavier tyres but they are practically bullet proof. Continental's are good too but I prefer the Schwalbes heavier tyres, but a more comfortable ride with a touring size tyre and wide rim combination. Prefer comfort and puncture resistance over speed any day.
Continental urban tyres are larger on the inside diameter than Schwalbe and do not fit some wheel rims. 349 is supposed to be a standard but is interpreted by manufacturers. So whilst the Continental tyres fit currently produced wheel rims fitted to Brompton bikes the tyres are too large and therefore unsuitable and potentially dangerous fitted to other makes of wheel rim such as JK carbon Brompton wheels.
Greetings from an owner of a 2020 all-black super light, and much thanks for the useful video. I intend to get one of the two Continental Contact Black Urbans. Can I ask why you prefer the Continental Contact Black Urban Wired over the Reflective? Are there arguments for both?
It appears that the wired version is now being sold on the Brompton website, judging from it's quoted weight there of .61 pounds (equals 277 grams) and pressure range of 65-110 PSI. Both figures are more consistent with the wired tire. There's a shortage of the urban contact tires for the Brompton right now, so I wouldn't be surprised if Brompton substituted the wired version. In any case, I ordered a pair there. Thanks for your fine, fine channel.
Thanks both for watching! We just have had complaints with the folding version, I think people have run them flatter and the side wall is not so robust and they have then hard issues. We have had no complaints with the wired version. Hope this helps a bit!
Hi, Great Videos! Do you have an opinion on Inner tubes? I have an Electric P-Line. The recommended inner tube by Brompton is the Tubolito Schrader valve. But these are £27.00 each! I normally pay no more that £5.00 for an inner tube. Is the Tubolito really necessary?
Thanks for watching and the kind comment Our favourite is the Schwalbe AV4 - it’s what we run on all our Brompton bikes The tubolito was used to reduce the weight (very slightly) on the P Line
I found a Chaptah Foras (16 x 1.75) Tyre at a bike shop near where I work. Do you think it would be good on a Brompton? I've got an M6L Brompton. Thought I'd check what other alternatives can be used...
Thanks for watching - and the great question We just got our hands on the T Lines ... and the answer is yes - the T Line uses the same rim as the P Line "will shortly" have If we had a T line - we would definitely choose these tyres - as we have on out P Lines!
Thanks for watching - and the question We actually personally use and would recommend the Continental Contact Urban - they roll really well and have (so far at least for us) been very puncture resistant! It does partly depend upon your riding style and the terrain / conditions that you ride in
I'm thinking of switching to the Continentals Contact Urbans. Which inner tubes would you recommend? Currently i have the standard Impac ones but would you recommend something else?
One thing worth mentioning is the performance in wet weather. Ive never once felt safe in the Schwalbe Marathons (the rear wheel ALWAYS slips) and I can't figure out of it's characteristic of the small wheels or whether swapping them out to Continental Contact Urbans will help with this. Anybody has any experience?
Skids when braking or turning? I always heard bicycle tires are too narrow to hydroplane. I’m not sure if even a bald tire is worse. I always think it’s more about the wet surface
@@SingaporeUntold Do you mean aquaplane? On a cold (non-freezing day) I turned into a tight right at about 10mph and unfortunately went over the metal drain mount, cue a rather abrupt two wheel drift on Schwalbe Marathons , didn’t fall off but did put a foot down. If you’re skidding on Marathons I’d try better brake pads like Swissstop Flash Pro BXP Blue, I put my first set on in 2016, they’re standard fitment on the electric Brom. Also, look at how much brake lever travel you need for the pads to contact the rim to slow you down and consider adjusting them to prevent the skidding.
I have used Conti Marathons (and the plus version) on numerous bikes with all wheel sizes over thousands of miles of riding. They are a hard rubber compound and will last for many miles. The hard compound does mean unreliable grip on wet corners though. I am happy to trade that for a long life and puncture resistance 👍
Sorry Kenda the UK distributor went bankrupt, CST the last time we tried them the value was on the outside. And not tweet tried Inova. Thanks for watching and the comment
Brilliant Hannah. I've searched for the Schwalbe Winter tyres video and I think this is it... ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-gptp4R8Eh1I.html 11:15
Wow! That’s old. That’s the first one, then there is one where we used them! Still old! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Mp3P5rH5bp4.html Thanks for watching!
i used to use wired conti (black)... it is great but it is not as easy to change compared to folding... now changed to Schwalbe Kojak because i changed to 18 inch wheel.. the conti color is quite ugly hahahahahaha
Early video bit tired but still watching , everything seems to be motivated buy weight with all bikes , personally I’m motivated by coolness, what’s the fastest tire one could purchase for a Brompton, maybe one should call it obese tire in today’s vernacular, long video very tiring, I know it’s all about the song = 1 -2 - 3 = Len Barry , extra song for Kodak tires = Lollipop =The Chordettes.
