Subscribe Feed (RSS)Why Wire?
March 17th, 2009 by Bill | Filed under Schwalbe.Schwalbe makes their high-end Marathon Supreme and Marathon XR models available in both folding Kevlar bead and wire-bead. The thing is, the way they are priced the wire-bead tire is only about $3 less expensive at retail.
Kevlar-bead tires are lighter, easier to carry and store, and (for us) easier to shelve and ship. Wire-bead tires take up a lot of shelf space and, given the small price difference, I am inclined to leave the wire tires out of our inventory.
But maybe I’m missing something. What is the case for a high-end tire with a wire bead over folding Kevlar at almost the same price. Tell me why you want us to carry these top-line tires with the wire bead. Wallingford Bicycle Parts wants to be your best source for Schwalbe touring tires. If there is a market for the wire-bead versions we will get them in here.
Not sure I know the answer, but the Epicurean Cyclist notes a problem on a set of folding tires on his recent trip to Joshua Tree (http://epicureancyclist.blogspot.com/2009/03/some... Although, this may be a fitting problem or may perhaps be brand-specific. Other than that, I don't know the difference.
I much prefer wire beads over kevlar, I have had issues with kevlar not wanting to stay mounted, usually on my older bikes. I have no problem with carrying wire beaded tires, you just figure 8 them and tie them onto the rack or outside of the pannier.
Aaron
I have found kevlar bead tires to be problematic where fit and hold are concerned. I have never had a wire bead tire pop off a rim when inflated, but I have had it happen with several kevlar bead tires. The cause may be user error (it usually is), but if nothing else, I feel safer with wire since it seems to be more tolerant and able to correct for error-full users than kevlar.