Touring Bike Tire Comparison:
Continental Contact Urban 2022 vs
Schwalbe Marathon Plus 2015 vs
Schwalbe Marathon Racer 2015

Contents and Test Summary

  1. Manufacturer Specifications
  2. Size and Weight Measurements
  3. Rolling Resistance Test Results
  4. Puncture Resistance Test Results
  5. Static Grip Test Results
  6. Conclusion
  • Continental Contact Urban
  • Schwalbe Marathon Plus *
  • Schwalbe Marathon Racer *
* Grip test data not available
Performance compared to all other touring bike tires
(100% is best)
Pro Members get 11-point radar charts



Manufacturer Specifications


Manufacturer Specs
Brand ContinentalSchwalbeSchwalbe
Model Contact UrbanMarathon PlusMarathon Racer
Year 202220152015
Supplied By Bought in storeSupplied by SchwalbeSupplied by Schwalbe
Full Review Full ReviewFull ReviewFull Review
New or Used NewNewNew
Mileage 0 km0 km0 km
Price Range MedHighMed
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Manufacturer Part Number 01503511110076911100290
TPI 3/1806767
Compound PureGripEnduranceSpeedGrip
Bead WireWireWire
ETRTO 40-62237-62235-622
Size Inch 28"28"28"
Width mm 403735
Specified Weight 545 grams900 grams465 grams
Min Air Pressure 58 psi55 psi65 psi
Max Air Pressure 94 psi85 psi95 psi
Made In Members OnlyMembers OnlyMembers Only
Available Sizes 28-622 (700x28c)
32-622 (700x32c)
35-622 (700x35c)
37-622 (700x37c)
40-622 (700x40c)
42-622 (700x42c)
47-622 (700x47c)
50-622 (700x50c)
55-622 (700x55c)
42-584 (650x42b)
50-584 (650x50b)
55-584 (650x55c)
47-559
50-559
55-559
32-406
42-406
50-406
35-349
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)
40-622 (28x1.50)
35-622 (28x1.35)
30-622 (28x1.20)
40-559 (26x1.50)
40-406 (20x1.50)
40-355 (18x1.50)
40-305 (16x1.50)
Image
Continental Contact Urban 2022
Schwalbe Marathon Plus 2015
Schwalbe Marathon Racer 2015
Image
Continental Contact Urban 2022
Schwalbe Marathon Plus 2015
Schwalbe Marathon Racer 2015
Image
Continental Contact Urban 2022
Schwalbe Marathon Plus 2015
Schwalbe Marathon Racer 2015

Size and Weight Measurements


Size and Weight Measurements
Model Contact UrbanMarathon PlusMarathon Racer
Specified Weight 545 grams900 grams465 grams
Measured Weight 538 grams898 grams450 grams
Measured Width Casing 39 mm (un-round)34 mm (un-round)33 mm (un-round)
Measured Height 38 mm (un-round)36 mm (un-round)32 mm (un-round)
Tread Depth 1.3 mm2 mm1.5 mm
Total Tire Thickness Center 4.4 mm9 mm4.6 mm
Total Tire Thickness Sidewall Members OnlyMembers OnlyMembers 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 Contact UrbanMarathon PlusMarathon Racer
Spin Up Video YouTubeYouTubeNo Video
Inner Tube Conti Tour 28 (170 gr butyl)Conti Tour 28 (170 gr butyl)Conti Tour 28 (170 gr butyl)
Rolling Resistance
90 PSI / 6 Bar
No DataMembers OnlyMembers Only
Rolling Resistance
75 PSI / 5 Bar
16.9 Watts
CRR: 0.00507
23.6 Watts
CRR: 0.00707
22.6 Watts
CRR: 0.00677
Rolling Resistance
60 PSI / 4 Bar
18.4 Watts
CRR: 0.00552
25.5 Watts
CRR: 0.00764
24.6 Watts
CRR: 0.00737
Rolling Resistance
45 PSI / 3 Bar
Members OnlyMembers OnlyMembers Only
Rolling Resistance
30 PSI / 2 Bar
Members OnlyMembers OnlyMembers 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 Contact UrbanMarathon PlusMarathon Racer
Total Puncture Score Tread 95 Points129 Points97 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall Members OnlyMembers OnlyMembers Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle Members OnlyMembers OnlyMembers Only
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle Members OnlyMembers OnlyMembers Only
Tread Total Tire Thickness 4.4 mm9 mm4.6 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle Members OnlyMembers OnlyMembers Only
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle Members OnlyMembers OnlyMembers Only
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness Members OnlyMembers OnlyMembers Only

Static Grip Test Results


Static Grip Test Results (higher is better)
Model Contact UrbanMarathon PlusMarathon Racer
Wet Grip Average 81 PointsNo DataNo Data
Wet Grip Center Members OnlyMembers OnlyMembers Only
Wet Grip Edge Members OnlyMembers OnlyMembers Only
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100
Tour/E-Bike grip test rim width = 23.0 mm

Conclusion


Conclusion
Model Contact UrbanMarathon PlusMarathon Racer
Full Review Full ReviewFull ReviewFull Review
Verdict Highly RecommendedHighly RecommendedRecommended
Rating 5.0 / 55.0 / 53.0 / 5
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  • Continental Contact Urban
  • Schwalbe Marathon Plus *
  • Schwalbe Marathon Racer *
* 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