BETTER Alternatives to Recumbent Trike Tires

If you purchased a trike and DIDN'T change out the tires, you could be facing a problem... Stock tires on a bike are OK. But, on a trike, your standard, run-of-the-mill tires may not cut it. Why you ask? Changing a tire on a trike is more difficult than on a bike, so you better be careful to not get a flat. The fact is, you need a better option.

Our Tire Recommendations:
For Thorn Resistance: Schwalbe Marathon Plus
For Comfort: Schwalbe Big Ben Plus
For Gravel: Schwalbe Marathon GT 365

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[JamesMiller_ShadowWalker]

Schwalbe Pick-Up 20" Cargo and E-Bike Tire are awesome!!
Upgraded from Marathon Plus for superior traction on the rear, then upgraded the front for better stability on hard pack roads. Yet on paves roads these have a low hum and stick to the road even when wet. A bit more comfortable.

Main reason for upgrading was losing traction on inclines on hard pack trails.

[markfeldman]

I’m all in on Marathon Plus. My 700 wore through Duranos in 2000 miles with numerous flats.harsh ride. The marathon plus has worn for 9000 miles on each of two successive sets. It’s a smoother ride and a little slower . Never ever had a flat.with them. On my 559 nothing but marathon, plus. Durable, and comfortable. Have 13000 miles on my current set. I ride all paved trails up here on Cape cod and the same in Florida in the winter.

[AirandSea]

I put the Tannus airless tires front and back on my trike several years ago and I have loved them from day one. At the time they were advertised as the equivalent ride as 85 psi and I concur. As far as hard to install, unless you ride several thousand miles a year you’ll probably only do it once. It wasn’t hard, it just took longer.

[freds]

We bought an inexpensive trike for my wife after we gave up our two-wheel Santana tandem for medical reasons. The tires were cheap Kendas. We upgraded both trikes (mine’s a 2008 ICE Trice) to #7 resistance Schwalbes. I have always runs Schwalbe with Rhino tire liners and have only had one sidewall flat in the last 20 years.

[Hansaman]

When I had my Catrike 559 I ran Marathon Plus after getting multiple flats on a rail trail in PA. Never had another issue. But due to a severe leg injury I sold the 559 and bought a Hase Trigo (USS). It came with Kenda tires. Not Schwalbe but good tires. No issues. But Hase put them on as a cost savings because the Kettwiesel comes with Schwalbe.
And Schwalbe is German so the “e” is pronounced like “uh” not like an “e”.

[ralyn]

My trike is a green speed gt20. I ride on Continental ride tour tires. They are 1.75 inch width and they are perfect for me all around. I weigh 175 lb and ride with a tirepressure of 50 lb

[SonOfSusan]

I have the Marathon Plus on my ICE Sprint-X Tour, but I was considering airless tyres, because I simply cannot ever afford a flat. I have numerous medical conditions, meaning that I can't walk far at all, and my wrists won't tolerate mucking about with tyres. I also don't know anyone locally with a vehicle to come and pick me up with my trike if I get a flat, so if the worst does happen, I'm literally completely stuck. So that's why I need 100% puncture protection. I tried to instil this into the dealer when I ordered the trike, but I don't think he listened or understood fully. Other repairs on the road shouldn't be a massive deal, but getting a flat wouldn't just suck, it would be an absolute disaster. In fact, my best option would be to slowly ride it home, which I'm sure would cause untold damage.

[PhyllisBoone-snoi]

What kind of mileage might I expect from the stock Schwalbe "Tryker" tires on my GTS? I've got 3000 miles on them. I changed a flat on the left last week for a slow leak caused by a thorn. No goatheads here in Michigan. I'm not seeing any more than normal wear right now. In fact, there are still some nubs from the tire mold along the sides of the tires!

[scotthardin]

What about the Marathon Plus Tour? Seems like a good all around tire for pavement, light gravel and trails with the highest level of puncture protection available. It is comparable to the Big Ben Plus but with one lever higher puncture protection, correct?

[ralmodo]

I want to replace the fat tires in my trike with something thiner more suitable for urban roads. What you recommend ?