[This post was updated in May 2020 with additional photos and information, updated web links and a few new tyres :-) Please leave a comment to add to this article with your own experiences which I will then include in the post.]
In #1 Ultra Disco Stu's ElliptiGO Tech Talk I'm discussing tyres (UK spelling! :-). This post covers 20" tyres used on the ElliptiGO Long Stride models, Arc and the original SUB. MSUB and RSUB models are not covered. Although you will find many of the tyres reviewed here in a 26" size to fit the MSUB/RSUB.
The great tyre debate seems to rumble on on the ElliptiGO Facebook Group page. [edit: I wrote this article in 2014! It's now 2020 and there are still regular questions posted about tyre choice for the ElliptiGO.... What's faster?.. What gives me better puncture protection?... What's lightest?.. What's cheapest?]
The intention here is to outline the main brands and tyres used by riders that are compatible with the ElliptiGO [Long Stride/Arc/original SUB] to provide a useful resource to all ElliptiGO riders whether you are a newbie or seasoned rider looking to replace or upgrade.
ELLIPTIGO STOCK TYRE
10 years on and all ElliptiGOs [Long Stride/Arc/original SUB] still come out of the factory with Kenda Kwest (20" x 1.5") fitted as standard.
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| Kenda Kwest stock ElliptiGO tyre |
It was described on the Kenda website as a 'performance road tyre' but I'd question. The Kwest is definitely a solid touring tyre but with no real stand out features. I would put it in the 'value' category. They roll quite well but are fairly heavy and don't feature any puncture resistance which is something ElliptiGO riders tend to look for to best avoid time consuming roadside incidents. The Kwest is the cheapest tyre in this review so if you are buying on a budget then they will serve you well and are totally adequate for the job.
Kenda website update: As of May 2020 the Kwest tyre no longer features on their website so it looks to be discontinued now. What will ElliptiGO do going foward!? Perhaps read my blog and start fitting my recommended top choice ;-)
SCHWALBE MARATHON RANGE
The tyre of choice for most ElliptiGO riders looking to replace/upgrade the factory Kwest's is a tyre from the Schwalbe Marathon range. The entire Marathon range comes with GreenGuard or SmartGuard - a patented puncture resistance rubber cushion that runs inside the length of the tyre and provides great protection from glass, nails and other foreign objects out to ruin your ride.
I'd suggest that there are four main tyres suitable for the ElliptiGO in the Schwalbe Marathon range: Marathon Original, Marathon Racer, Marathon Plus, and if you are going onto the trails or just want a really beefy grippy tyre there is also the Marathon 365 GT.
The chart below shows the full range of Schwalbe tyres with puncture protection ranked from 1 - 7, as well as their key purpose. And below that you will see some cutaway illustrations that show the different protection systems.
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| Schwalbe puncture protection chart |
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| Schwalbe puncture protection types |
The Schwalbe Marathon Original tyre is the cheapest in the Schwalbe range and provides good puncture resistance with GreenGuard protection - a 3mm elastic rubber cushion.
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| Marathon Original tyre with GreenGuard |
I have happily ridden the Marathon Originals for thousands of miles on my 8S in the early days of ownership. They are bomb proof and perform well in the wet so overall they score very well as an all rounder. If you are looking for a bit of speed though then the Originals are probably best avoided as they have a higher rolling resistance. However for most riders the difference is barely noticeable and only if you are really pushing it.
Schwalbe Marathon Original website link: https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour-reader/marathon
The Schwalbe Marathon Racer is a lower profile version of the Marathon Original which is compatible with ALL ElliptiGO models. It's described by Schwalbe as the fastest and lightest Marathon tyre.
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| Schwalbe Marathon Racer |
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| Schwalbe Marathon Racer tread pattern |
Schwalbe Marathon Racer website link: https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour-reader/marathon-racer
The Schwalbe Marathon Plus is next up!! This is the tyre of choice for many ElliptiGO riders. It does everything extremely well, and features the best puncture resistance in the range (Level 7) with SmartGuard which is a major benefit for many riders not keen or confident removing the rear wheel on the ElliptiGO.
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| Schwalbe Marathon Plus SmartGuard puncture protection |
Note that the Marathon Plus 20" tyre comes in two different profiles. 20x1.35 and the 20x1.75. It's the 20x1.35 that you will need. The 1.75 profile is too large and isn't compatible with the ElliptiGO.
The 1.35 is a low profile tyre, providing low rolling resistance and looks the business too. The Plus has a good tread pattern similar to the Racer which clears water fast in the wet, and provides great all round grip in all conditions. Many riders who ride the Plus speak very highly of them. They can't really be faulted. They are however the heaviest tyre in this review, but then again the ElliptoGO weighs in at over 20KG (long stride) so weight saving isn't really a priority for most riders. But perhaps if you are riding the Arc or SUB and wanting to go light then this tyre probably won't be your first choice.
As an aside if you are a bit of an eco warrior like me and like to do your bit for the environment then you may be interested to know that the special rubber puncture compound in the Marathon range is made partly from recycled materials.
Schwalbe Marathon Plus website link: https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour-reader/marathon-plus
The Schwalbe Marathon 365 GT is a new addition to the marathon range. It has an extremely aggressive tread pattern for a 20" tyre. If you are looking to take your ElliptiGO off-road then this is the tyre for you. But interestingly according to the marketing blurb on their website its not sold as an off-road tyre but as a tyre for all all seasons. Hence the 365 name! So if you want maximum grip, or ride a lot in wet or slippery conditions then perhaps the 365 is what you need in your life.
SUMMARY OF SCHWALBE MARATHON RANGE
In summary all the tyres in the Schwalbe Marathon range have great durability and last many many thousands of miles. So you really can't go wrong with any of them. If pushed to recommend one particular tyre from this range then for me it would have to be the Marathon Plus. They are the work horse in the range (with thoroughbred performance!) and are definitely worth the extra money. And in my opinion this is the tyre that ElliptiGO should be fitting as standard on all their models out the factory.
The full Schwalbe tour range can be viewed here: https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour
FEELING THE NEED FOR SPEED!?!
Schwalbe also have a new entrant to rival the Marathon which is specifically designed for speed. Now we're talking!!! :-) The Schwalbe Durano Plus still features their patented puncture resistance technology (unusual in a racing tyre) but is very low profile and much narrower than the Marathon range.
Available in 20" (wheel diameter) so suitable for the ElliptiGO (20 x 1.1). The Durano features two choices of puncture resistance - RaceGuard, and SmartGuard. SmartGuard provides the highest level of puncture resistance and adds a little extra weight to the tyre. But with the ElliptiGO this is hardly a concern as shaving off precious ounces isn't a priority. This is a great performance tyre. They are fast with very low rolling resistance (so especially great for climbing hills and flat speed challenges! ;-) and also provide good levels of grip in the dry. They aren't the cheapest tyre but other reviews online report them being very durable and lasting a long time so comparable with the Marathons. I didn't have as much confidence in the wet when riding the Durano's though so they are best kept for summer riding.
Schwalbe Durano website link: https://www.schwalbe.com/en/road-reader/durano-plus
A newer sporty tyre perfect for the ElliptiGO from Schwalbe is the Kojak. This is in their 'Tour' range (so not listed as a racing tyre) but as you can tell from the lack of tread it has a smooth compound. I'm currently riding the Kojak's on my long stride 11S and they are great. They feel faster than the Marathon range, and I'm enjoying them a lot. They don't offer as much shock absorbing qualities as the marathon range though, so when riding on particularly poor road surfaces with cracks, lumps and bumps you can feel the road more. The compound seems to last very well. At first I thought they would wear out very quickly but this hasn't be the case. I do like these a lot and can definitely recommend them.
Schwalbe Kojak website link: https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour-reader/kojak
Continental
The next two tyres in our review is from well-known tyre brand Continental. They know a thing or two about tyres so I was excited when I originally came across the 'SportContact'. Like the Schwalbe Durano it's a very low profile and narrow tyre. The lowest profile tyre in this review in fact, and placed side by side with the Marathon Original it's half its size! It also features a puncture resistant band which works. I didn't get a single puncture in over 2,000 miles of riding these. I may just have been very lucky!
The SportContact is a super slick tyre with the tread seemingly non-existent, but look more closely and there is a wave along the centre of the tyre which is actually extremely effective at clearing water quickly on wet surfaces. I was extremely impressed with this tyre having purchased it - it is a high performance tyre and coped very well with everything I threw at it on tough UK roads (these aren't the smooth Californian boulevards!). It is a very fast tyre too.
The disappointment with the SportContact is it's durability. Even after just 500 miles it was showing signs of wear and tear and by 2000 miles approx my rear tyre had worn through the rubber to reveal the weave underneath. I only paid £22 each for these but I still expected it to last much longer than this. In comparison to the Marathons which last many many 1000s of miles, the Marathons and even the Duranos represent much better value for money a day to day tyre. In summary the SportContact is a great racing tyre but best reserved just for this purpose and not daily riding. It's worth noting that it's not the easiest tyre to fit on the rim either.
Also from Continental is the 'ContactSpeed'. I'm riding these on my 30 speed ElliptiGO Arc at the moment and I have to say they are awesome. If you want to ride fast on flat dry roads then these might just be what you are looking for. They have an interesting tread pattern too. I think these may just be an updated version of the SportContact. Certainly the name is very similar, as is the design and profile.
Continental Contact Speed website link:
https://www.continental-tires.com/bicycle/tires/urban-tour/contact-speed
As an aside if you are a bit of an eco warrior like me and like to do your bit for the environment then you may be interested to know that the special rubber puncture compound in the Marathon range is made partly from recycled materials.
Schwalbe Marathon Plus website link: https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour-reader/marathon-plus
The Schwalbe Marathon 365 GT is a new addition to the marathon range. It has an extremely aggressive tread pattern for a 20" tyre. If you are looking to take your ElliptiGO off-road then this is the tyre for you. But interestingly according to the marketing blurb on their website its not sold as an off-road tyre but as a tyre for all all seasons. Hence the 365 name! So if you want maximum grip, or ride a lot in wet or slippery conditions then perhaps the 365 is what you need in your life.
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| Schwalbe Marathon 365 GT tread and DualGuard puncture protection |
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| Off-roading on the Long Stride!! Eeek not for everyone! |
SUMMARY OF SCHWALBE MARATHON RANGE
In summary all the tyres in the Schwalbe Marathon range have great durability and last many many thousands of miles. So you really can't go wrong with any of them. If pushed to recommend one particular tyre from this range then for me it would have to be the Marathon Plus. They are the work horse in the range (with thoroughbred performance!) and are definitely worth the extra money. And in my opinion this is the tyre that ElliptiGO should be fitting as standard on all their models out the factory.
The full Schwalbe tour range can be viewed here: https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour
FEELING THE NEED FOR SPEED!?!
Schwalbe also have a new entrant to rival the Marathon which is specifically designed for speed. Now we're talking!!! :-) The Schwalbe Durano Plus still features their patented puncture resistance technology (unusual in a racing tyre) but is very low profile and much narrower than the Marathon range.
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| Schwalbe Durano Plus |
Schwalbe Durano website link: https://www.schwalbe.com/en/road-reader/durano-plus
A newer sporty tyre perfect for the ElliptiGO from Schwalbe is the Kojak. This is in their 'Tour' range (so not listed as a racing tyre) but as you can tell from the lack of tread it has a smooth compound. I'm currently riding the Kojak's on my long stride 11S and they are great. They feel faster than the Marathon range, and I'm enjoying them a lot. They don't offer as much shock absorbing qualities as the marathon range though, so when riding on particularly poor road surfaces with cracks, lumps and bumps you can feel the road more. The compound seems to last very well. At first I thought they would wear out very quickly but this hasn't be the case. I do like these a lot and can definitely recommend them.
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| Schwalbe Kojaks |
Schwalbe Kojak website link: https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour-reader/kojak
Continental
The next two tyres in our review is from well-known tyre brand Continental. They know a thing or two about tyres so I was excited when I originally came across the 'SportContact'. Like the Schwalbe Durano it's a very low profile and narrow tyre. The lowest profile tyre in this review in fact, and placed side by side with the Marathon Original it's half its size! It also features a puncture resistant band which works. I didn't get a single puncture in over 2,000 miles of riding these. I may just have been very lucky!
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| Continental SportCONTACT |
The disappointment with the SportContact is it's durability. Even after just 500 miles it was showing signs of wear and tear and by 2000 miles approx my rear tyre had worn through the rubber to reveal the weave underneath. I only paid £22 each for these but I still expected it to last much longer than this. In comparison to the Marathons which last many many 1000s of miles, the Marathons and even the Duranos represent much better value for money a day to day tyre. In summary the SportContact is a great racing tyre but best reserved just for this purpose and not daily riding. It's worth noting that it's not the easiest tyre to fit on the rim either.
Also from Continental is the 'ContactSpeed'. I'm riding these on my 30 speed ElliptiGO Arc at the moment and I have to say they are awesome. If you want to ride fast on flat dry roads then these might just be what you are looking for. They have an interesting tread pattern too. I think these may just be an updated version of the SportContact. Certainly the name is very similar, as is the design and profile.
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| Continental SafetySystem Breaker for puncture protection |
The SafetySystem Breaker in these tyres is made up of a Kevlar reinforced high-strength nylon fabric. Without increasing the weight or rolling resistance noticeably, it protects against punctures and contributes to a longer lifespan of the tyre. I don't think these tyres will do the same mileage as those in the Schwalbe marathon range but that's to be expected as its meant for speed and fun!
https://www.continental-tires.com/bicycle/tires/urban-tour/contact-speed
Thank you so much for this! It is indeed very helpful. To clarify, is the Marathon Plus compatible with all EGs?
ReplyDeleteHi semorrell. Yep the Marathon Plus is low profile and fits ALL ElliptiGO models. It's only the Original Marathon tyre that I've come across which because of its depth isn't compatible with the C Series. Glad you liked the review. Spread the word!
ReplyDeleteIt looks like the Marathon Plus is available in 20 x 1.35 and 20 x 1.75. Are both sizes compatible, and if so what is your preference? Thanks for the great review.
DeleteFrom Elliptigo Customer Service:
Delete"Unfortunately, the 20x1.75 is too big, however, you can ride the 1.35"
Hi Stuart, this is what the Facebook page needed - a good resource for questions like this. As for tight/awkward tyres, you might want to look at the VAR tyre lever - small enough to carry on a ride and had enough leverage to get a tyre bead over that last section of the wheel rim. I checked out the Gauswheel - I might get one! ha ....
ReplyDeleteWe also take along a Kenda Konversion foldable bead (K1079) because it fits in the small Gear for the Go bag and you can take it on the ride. This is especially helpful on an organized ride where the sag wagon will likely not carry 20" tires.
ReplyDeletegood look it is very useful Tyre and tubes .
ReplyDeleteUSHA Complete Liner Piston Assembly Kit
I guess that's what makes a good tyre tread design - functioning well in both directions. Cheap Tyres
ReplyDeleteCool you inscribe, the info is really salubrious further fascinating, I'll give you a connect to my scene. Mountain bikes
ReplyDeleteNice report. A couple of updates -- this link shows the Schwalbe Marathon Greenguard has less rolling resistance than the Marathon Racer. https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/tour-reviews/schwalbe-marathon-2015 The 20 x 1.5 Greenguard fits ALL Long Strides as a rear tire. I've had excellent results with the Marathon GT 365 on the front -- using it on LS, ARC and Sub. Great traction tire!
ReplyDeleteI have an 8C and just installed on the front a Schwalbe Marathon GreenGuard TwinSkin, No. 11100148, made in Indonesia and it fit with plenty of clearance for the front fork. On the sidewall it states Performance Line GreenGuard. The tread is a bit different from the original Marathon with a slightly smoother center. I used Mr. Tuffy tire liners and a Schwalbe Air Plus tube. I did this on the rear tire also. I hope this belt and suspenders protection reduces the chance of flats! I had bought this 4 year old 8C used a couple of weeks ago and it had the Kendas, although the rear one was on backwards from the rotation indicator.
ReplyDelete