Review of the new Schwalbe Marathon Pro tyre: Perfect for gravel tours and all-road riding?

Tour summary: Comfortable and fast, provided it’s the right fit for the bike

​Schwalbe’s high-end touring tyres may also be a good choice for gravel or all-road bikes. In practice and on the road, the Tyres It is specifically designed for tubeless use and is recommended for bikes that need to ride efficiently and comfortably on varying terrain. However, a minimum width of 40 millimetres requires a certain amount of tyre clearance within the frame, and the price is quite steep. - Adrian Kaether, Test & Technology Editor

A classic reinvents itself

No other name is as synonymous with reliability on trekking and touring rides as the Schwalbe Marathon. For decades, cycle tourists, everyday commuters and long-distance cyclists worldwide have relied on Schwalbe’s robust tyres. Now, the long-established manufacturer is refining its flagship product and presenting a new edition: the new Schwalbe Marathon Almotion is set to set the benchmark in the trekking and touring segment. And with the PRO version, Schwalbe is taking its first step towards tubeless technology for touring tyres. We’ve already had the chance to put the Marathon Almotion Pro through its paces.

A completely new tread pattern: smooth running combined with high-grip outer blocks

The most striking feature of the new Marathon Almotion is its new tread pattern. At its centre is a solid centre rib with an arrow-shaped pattern, which ensures a quiet, smooth ride and high abrasion resistance on tarmac roads and paved paths. The principle is tried and tested: a continuous centre rib reduces rolling resistance, minimises vibrations and noticeably increases the tyre’s mileage.

But Schwalbe isn’t stopping there. High-grip, diamond-cut outer blocks on the flanks – as seen on the newer Efficiency model – are designed to ensure safety in wet conditions and on loose surfaces. This makes the Almotion an attractive option for anyone who doesn’t just ride on tarmac, but also doesn’t shy away from the odd dirt track or light gravel.

Marathon Almotion Pro: Tubeless, lightweight and fast – a first for touring tyres

The Pro version of the Marathon Almotion is particularly exciting from a technical point of view. It features Schwalbe’s fastest rubber compound, Addix Race, which Schwalbe has borrowed directly from the high-quality racing tyres in the One series. This should make the Almotion Pro roll faster than any touring tyre before it.

The Pro is also the very first touring tyre ever to be suitable for tubeless tyres. This means the tyre rolls several watts faster and is also slightly lighter than with a traditional inner tube. What’s more, puncture protection is improved, as the sealant automatically seals small punctures and cuts in the tread. The downside is the slightly increased maintenance required, as the sealant needs to be topped up from time to time. About once every six months is the rule. Nevertheless, the fact that it is tubeless-compatible alone makes the Almotion Pro a real milestone. Until now, this feature has only been available on performance-oriented mountain bike, gravel and road bike tyres.

>> Why go tubeless? Pros and cons, plus fitting tips in the TOUR tubeless Guide

Marathon Almotion Pro at a glance:

• Tubeless-ready: Lower rolling resistance and greater puncture protection
• V-Guard Puncture Protection: Schwalbe’s tried-and-tested lightweight puncture protection belt provides reliable protection against punctures
• Weight: 530 grams, 40 mm wide (TOUR measurement)
• Width: Exactly 40 millimetres on a 25 DT Swiss rim (TOUR measurement)
• Available widths: 40, 45, 50, 55 millimetres
• Price: 80 euros RRP (Pro version) >> available here

Marathon Plus and Almotion: Better value and with ultimate puncture protection

If you want even more puncture protection, you can, of course, still opt for the Plus version, which is also available and features the standard 3-millimetre-thick puncture-protection layer across the entire tread. However, this does increase the weight significantly. We also know from our tests that rolling comfort often suffers considerably with the ultra-puncture-resistant Plus tyres. You need to be aware of this drawback.

The Almotion Marathon is also available without the ‘Pro’ designation. In this version, the rubber compound is slightly simpler and the tyre has an even higher proportion of recycled material. As with the Pro, the puncture protection on the Almotion should be more than adequate for most uses. Neither the Plus nor the Almotion tyres are tubeless-compatible, but they cost only around half the price of the Almotion Pro.

​Model overview

At the time of testing, the Almotion Pro Marathon was available from well-stocked specialist cycle shops and online. Whilst the RRP of just under 80 euros is ambitious for a premium touring tyre, it is understandable given the technology on offer

Real-world test: Here’s what the Marathon Almotion Pro is like to ride

We tested the Schwalbe Marathon Almotion Pro in 40 mm tubeless over several weeks on a variety of surfaces – from tarmacked cycle paths to damp forest tracks and light gravel.

Rolling behaviour and speed

The first thing you notice is that the Almotion Pro rolls exceptionally fast for a touring tyre – more like a fast gravel tyre. The difference compared to conventional Marathon tyres is noticeable, which is likely down to the improved rolling behaviour and the lower rotating mass thanks to the tubeless design. On flat sections and longer rides, the low rolling resistance is particularly noticeable. Anyone who has previously ridden on a heavier touring tyre such as the Marathon Plus will notice the difference clearly.

Handling and grip

Thanks to its almost continuous centre rib, the tyre rolls almost as quietly as a slick. The new Almotion Pro really comes into its own when leaning into corners and on loose surfaces: the outer blocks provide reliable grip even on soft tarmac and gravel.

The tyre also inspires a great deal of confidence when turning in. You feel confident taking corners at high speed and with a steep lean angle. We hadn’t expected that from a touring tyre. It’s possible that the tyre’s shape also plays a part in this. The cross-section of the Marathon Almotion Pro is comparatively angular, with a flatter centre. This means the high-grip shoulder knobs engage early on. Despite the difference in tread pattern between the centre and the sidewall, the tyre never feels vague or uneven when steering.

Even on rainy rides, there were no unpleasant surprises. On wet stones or small roots, however, the Marathon Almotion Pro noticeably reaches its limits. In these situations, coarser tread patterns score higher. If you ride tubeless, though, you can still get plenty of traction and comfort off-road by running at a low pressure, without risking punctures from sharp objects.

Puncture protection

Despite several test rides on gravelly and, in places, stony sections: not a single puncture. Anything else would be a faux pas for a touring tyre. The V-Guard, however, proves to be a reliable protective layer. When used tubeless with sealant, minor cuts and punctures are likely to go unnoticed anyway. Of course, you do need to top up the pressure regularly with tubeless tyres. After a week of inactivity, however, the pressure dropped only from three to two bar. That’s quite an achievement for a tubeless tyre that’s still fairly new.

Between Allroad and Gravel

530 grams in 40 mm – this figure makes the Marathon Almotion Pro an attractive option not just for trekking bikes. Its weight and size also make it a compelling choice as a touring tyre for gravel or all-road bikes, where durability and suitability for everyday use are key. In fact, in terms of rolling resistance and intended use, the tyre sits close to the Pro One Allroad with its minimal tread pattern and all-round gravel tyres such as the G-One Allround. Thanks to its continuous centre rib, the Marathon Almotion Pro is likely to last slightly longer than classic gravel tyres and also roll more easily; however, with its additional puncture protection, it is slightly heavier than fast gravel tyres. The biggest drawback is that the Almotion Pro isn’t available in widths under 40 millimetres. As a result, it’s only suitable for comfortable all-road road bikes with sufficient tyre clearance.

The Almotion Pro Marathon at a glance

Strengths

• Low rolling resistance and quiet running
• Extremely high confidence, particularly when turning in and when leaning into a bend
• A performance boost thanks to tubeless tyres

Weaknesses

• a very high price for a touring tyre

Review: Schwalbe Marathon Almotion Pro, 40 mm | Tested on: trekking bike / gravel bike