Looking to change my commuter 26’er to slicks and I know the number 1 choice is Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres but are Maxxis Detonators a decent alternative or am I just kidding myself?

Just thinking of the wallet!

I used Schwalbe city jet 1.95’s a while back and they were great.

Schwalbe Big Apples for me. Had them on for a couple of years with no issues. [whisper]Seem remarkably puncture-proof.[/whisper]

Schwalbe Kojaks for me, basically a 26 inch, fatter road tyre- grippy, fast and light. Still got a little puncture protection but you wouldn’t want to ride through a sea of broken glass like you can with a marathon plus. I never flatted em mind.

Coincidentally I have a good condition set for sale, if you’re interested 😉 Replaced my 26er commuter with a 700c which also has Kojaks on it.

I had some really cheap Michelin City from CRC. Bought them for a spell of commuting in Netherlands. They were fine never had a puncture and were plenty grippy.

Have to admit I do not have a lot to compare them with but for sure the fastest tyre for tarmac I have ever had. Caveat being never had a proper road bike.

Kojacks are a god option, nice and supple, very comfy, also Michelin Wild Run’R if you can find them as they are remarkably good and not at all expensive.

If you need more ‘bigness’ then Big Apples, but personally I think they are a bit too big and weighty for jsut commuting, they have their uses but not as a pure street tyre.

If you need more protection the the Marathon range in increasing levels of protection will be almost indestructible, but heavy, slow, and very crashy/bangy unless run soft and then they get even draggier.

Panaracer Pasela also decent option, they do a few different options for protection etc, I find them a very good middle ground as very grippy, comfy, light enough and decent price.

Marathon plus, also had big apples, seem just as tough but not as quick, tho a bit more comfy and good for jumps n stuff too

Schwalbe city jet

Three penetration (fnar) punctures on my rear Big Apple in the past two months. One was an industrial staple which would have gone through anything, but the other two were small. It was new in August last year and has one about 30 miles a week. I’d expect longer – wouldn’t recommend them.

(Although the 2.3″ width is awesome)

City jets for me – lovely

I had no problems with the Kenda Kwests I ran for several years, cheap too.

Running £6 Geax Booze Lights in 2.3 from OnOne currently.

Panaracer Ribmo PT are nice for wider slicks. Fairly puncture proof, and not too heavy.

I’ve been on shwalbe supermotos for the last 18 months or so..
They’re the predecessor to big apples and are very comfy in 2.3 size..
No punctures so far and coming from mtb with no road bike experience they feel very fast to me

Pot holes? What pot holes?

Sport Contacts for me…they were bloody ace!

pananracer mach ss 26×1.95
light fast and grippy on the black stuff as long as they were pumped up…but puncture protection was awful….avoid
i’ve given mine away to a colleague at work who i dont like… 😆

Maxxis Detonators are fine. Smooth as a babies bottom. Pretty good puncture protection… until I got bored of riding roads and started riding on rough ground along the side of the road amongst nasty grit and stuff.

Paselas are excellent, but get the belted one.
Fast for a tough tyre, but seems to start picking up puntures before it looks worn out.

The 1.75’s are good.
I did try a pair of 23mm Paselas years ago, the ultra tough Courier spec ones – the most uncomfortable tyre ever.
🙂

Trying the new ‘Greenguard’ Marathons next.
Heard good reports, supposedly nicer ride than the Plus and £11.00 from Spa.

Thanks for all the advice folks. I’ve plumped for City Jets as they are on offer at Wiggle for £9 each and am trying to be careful with money due to the ongoing house move.

Schwalbe Kojak’s.
Entertaining in the snow.

Schwalbe Big Apples for me. Had them on for a couple of years with no issues. [whisper]Seem remarkably puncture-proof.[/whisper]

I’ve had a few punctures in mine, but they have been cause by pretty nasty things that would puncture almost any tyre. Overall they are tough to beat IMO.

I have used city jets for 2 years they have been excellent and cheap too.

On my old 26 commuter I used City Jets in both 1.95 and 1.5 flavour and both were outstanding, almost felt like cheating 😉

Specialised fat boys? 1.25 width. I ran contact sports for a while but the side walls kept splitting after about 6 months.