There’s a lot of raves on the internet about Schwalbe Big Apple Tires. People say that they have a wide footprint and roll very well. I agree. I disagree when they claim that slapping these on can give you the equivalent of a full suspension. Here’s my review of the Big Apple Tires:
I was at a bike shop that I never go to because it’s so far away from my house. I saw that they had these tires at a very reasonable price ($25 each). I couldn’t pass these up because they usually run about $35 online and that price does not include shipping. The size of the tires I bought is 20x2.0.
I installed them on my Dahon Yeah, which has those cheap Kenda Kwest’s. The Kenda’s are basically your lowest common denominator tire that major manufacturers put on their bikes. It’s like what the airline attendant thinks when she hands you that mini bag of pretzels: We’d like to give you something cheaper than this, but the next cheapest thing is dog food.
They were a definite step-up from the Kendas. They roll fantastic. The wideness of the tires even gives you confidence to take these loose or off-road gravel paths. The range of the PSI is 30-70. At 40PSI they do absorb the rough asphalt that could give you the jarring feeling in the hands. When you inflate them at the max (70PSI), they give you speed. Not as much absorption of the rough asphalt, though.
However, curb dropping and taking deep undulations of a road is not aided by the Big Apples. They really can’t compare to the full suspension feel of the Downtube Full Suspension bike, for example. I like these tires.
Pros: roll very well, wide footprint, absorb basic rough asphalt, reflective sidewall, Kevlar lined for puncture protection
Cons: not a substitute for a full suspension bike, price (if you don’t find them on sale)
I was at a bike shop that I never go to because it’s so far away from my house. I saw that they had these tires at a very reasonable price ($25 each). I couldn’t pass these up because they usually run about $35 online and that price does not include shipping. The size of the tires I bought is 20x2.0.
I installed them on my Dahon Yeah, which has those cheap Kenda Kwest’s. The Kenda’s are basically your lowest common denominator tire that major manufacturers put on their bikes. It’s like what the airline attendant thinks when she hands you that mini bag of pretzels: We’d like to give you something cheaper than this, but the next cheapest thing is dog food.
They were a definite step-up from the Kendas. They roll fantastic. The wideness of the tires even gives you confidence to take these loose or off-road gravel paths. The range of the PSI is 30-70. At 40PSI they do absorb the rough asphalt that could give you the jarring feeling in the hands. When you inflate them at the max (70PSI), they give you speed. Not as much absorption of the rough asphalt, though.
However, curb dropping and taking deep undulations of a road is not aided by the Big Apples. They really can’t compare to the full suspension feel of the Downtube Full Suspension bike, for example. I like these tires.
Pros: roll very well, wide footprint, absorb basic rough asphalt, reflective sidewall, Kevlar lined for puncture protection
Cons: not a substitute for a full suspension bike, price (if you don’t find them on sale)
7 comments:
I do not own these tyres, but have kept an eye on them as I plan my next bicycle.
Following some discussions on the Folding Bicycle section (usually smaller tyres) on Bike Forums, some have lowered the PSI further below 30PSI, based on personal preference:
One thread mentioning this is here, but there could be others:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=517781
Thanks, CCF. I'll have to try that.
A couple of problems that I foresee: My PSI drops after weeks, whether i ride or not. If I left it at 30 PSI, I can guarantee I'll be at 20 PSI in 2 weeks, for certain. 2nd, having run at low psi's before I've noticed slippage when I turn corners. May have to do the 30psi trick when I know I'll need the absorption.
Thanks for visiting.
I do not think I will be buying them any time soon.
Haven't run the big apples, but do use the marathons in the same size. I run them a bit under the rated pressure and they ride just fine.
Also don't blame the Flight Attendants for the pretzels..or lack of them, it is management that is making the decisions to feed or not feed the traveling public. My bride is a 25 year F/A and believe me they aren't happy with the way management does much of anything.
Aaron
If you do your homework, buying good tyres doesn’t have to be expensive. It’s just a matter of seeing what’s out there and finding reputable products that don’t cost a fortune.
Cheap4x4Tyres
This is really informative. I want to know the prices to buy kenda tyres online for all four tyres of my Hyunda Santro car.
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