Touring Bike Tire Comparison:
Continental Top Contact II 2015 vs
Schwalbe Marathon Plus 2015
Contents and Test Summary
- Manufacturer Specifications
- Size and Weight Measurements
- Rolling Resistance Test Results
- Puncture Resistance Test Results
- Static Grip Test Results
- Conclusion
- Continental Top Contact II *
- Schwalbe Marathon Plus *
* Grip test data not available
Performance compared to all other touring bike tires
(100% is best)
(100% is best)
Pro Members get 11-point radar charts
Manufacturer Specifications
| Manufacturer Specs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Continental | Schwalbe |
| Model | Top Contact II | Marathon Plus |
| Year | 2015 | 2015 |
| Supplied By | Supplied by Continental | Supplied by Schwalbe |
| Full Review | Full Review | Full Review |
| New or Used | New | New |
| Mileage | 0 km | 0 km |
| Price Range | High | High |
| Buy At | Ad Amazon.com | Ad Amazon.com |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 0100441 | 11100769 |
| TPI | 3/180 | 67 |
| Compound | Endurance | |
| Bead | Folding | Wire |
| ETRTO | 37-622 | 37-622 |
| Size Inch | 28" | 28" |
| Width mm | 37 | 37 |
| Specified Weight | 600 grams | 900 grams |
| Min Air Pressure | 50 psi | 55 psi |
| Max Air Pressure | 88 psi | 85 psi |
| Made In | Members Only | Members Only |
| Available Sizes | 47-622 (28x1.75) 42-622 (28x1.60) 37-622 (28x1.40) 50-559 (26x2.00) | 40-635 (28x1.50) 47-622 (28x1.75) 40-622 (28x1.50) 37-622 (28x1.40) 32-622 (28x1.25) 28-622 (28x1.10) 25-622 (28x1.00) 42-590 (26x1.60) 37-590 (26x1.40) 40-584 (27.5x1.50) 50-559 (26x2.00) 47-559 (26x1.75) 40-559 (26x1.50) 35-559 (26x1.35) 47-507 (24x1.75) 47-406 (20x1.75) 35-406 (20x1.35) 35-349 (26x1.35) |
| Image |  |  |
| Image |  |  |
| Image |  |  |
Size and Weight Measurements
| Size and Weight Measurements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Top Contact II | Marathon Plus |
| Specified Weight | 600 grams | 900 grams |
| Measured Weight | 584 grams | 898 grams |
| Measured Width Casing | 37 mm (un-round) | 34 mm (un-round) |
| Measured Height | 35 mm (un-round) | 36 mm (un-round) |
| Tread Depth | 2.5 mm | 2 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Center | 4.4 mm | 9 mm |
| Total Tire Thickness Sidewall | Members Only | Members Only |
| All size measurements are taken at an air pressure of 60 psi / 4 bars on a 17.8 mm inner width rim. | ||
Rolling Resistance Test Results
| Rolling Resistance Test Results | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Top Contact II | Marathon Plus |
| Spin Up Video | No Video | YouTube |
| Inner Tube | Conti Tour 28 (170 gr butyl) | Conti Tour 28 (170 gr butyl) |
| Rolling Resistance 90 PSI / 6 Bar |
Members Only | Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance 75 PSI / 5 Bar |
22.1 Watts CRR: 0.00662 | 23.6 Watts CRR: 0.00707 |
| Rolling Resistance 60 PSI / 4 Bar |
24.2 Watts CRR: 0.00725 | 25.5 Watts CRR: 0.00764 |
| Rolling Resistance 45 PSI / 3 Bar |
Members Only | Members Only |
| Rolling Resistance 30 PSI / 2 Bar |
Members Only | Members Only |
| All numbers are for a single tire at a speed of 29 km/h / 18 mph and a load of 42.5 kg / 94 lbs. Use the formula: RR (Watts) = CRR * speed (m/s) * load (N) to calculate rolling resistance at a given speed and load. |
||
Puncture Resistance Test Results
| Puncture Resistance Test Results (higher is better) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Top Contact II | Marathon Plus |
| Total Puncture Score Tread | 95 Points | 129 Points |
| Total Puncture Score Sidewall | Members Only | Members Only |
| Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Members Only | Members Only |
| Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only | Members Only |
| Tread Total Tire Thickness | 4.4 mm | 9 mm |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle | Members Only | Members Only |
| Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle | Members Only | Members Only |
| Sidewall Total Tire Thickness | Members Only | Members Only |
Static Grip Test Results
| Static Grip Test Results (higher is better) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Top Contact II | Marathon Plus |
| Wet Grip Average | No Data | No Data |
| Wet Grip Center | Members Only | Members Only |
| Wet Grip Edge | Members Only | Members Only |
| Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100 Tour/E-Bike grip test rim width = 23.0 mm |
||
Conclusion
| Conclusion | ||
|---|---|---|
| Model | Top Contact II | Marathon Plus |
| Full Review | Full Review | Full Review |
| Verdict | Recommended | Highly Recommended |
| Rating | 3.0 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 |
| Buy At | Ad Amazon.com | Ad Amazon.com |
- Continental Top Contact II *
- Schwalbe Marathon Plus *
* Grip test data not available
Performance compared to all other touring bike tires(100% is fastest - lightest - thickest - strongest)
Pro Members get 11-point radar charts