Touring Bike Tire Comparison:
Continental Top Contact II 2015 vs
Schwalbe Marathon Plus 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 Top Contact II *
  • Schwalbe Marathon Plus *
* 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 ContinentalSchwalbe
Model Top Contact IIMarathon Plus
Year 20152015
Supplied By Supplied by ContinentalSupplied by Schwalbe
Full Review Full ReviewFull Review
New or Used NewNew
Mileage 0 km0 km
Price Range HighHigh
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Manufacturer Part Number 010044111100769
TPI 3/18067
Compound Endurance
Bead FoldingWire
ETRTO 37-62237-622
Size Inch 28"28"
Width mm 3737
Specified Weight 600 grams900 grams
Min Air Pressure 50 psi55 psi
Max Air Pressure 88 psi85 psi
Made In Members OnlyMembers 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
Continental Top Contact II 2015
Schwalbe Marathon Plus 2015
Image
Continental Top Contact II 2015
Schwalbe Marathon Plus 2015
Image
Continental Top Contact II 2015
Schwalbe Marathon Plus 2015

Size and Weight Measurements


Size and Weight Measurements
Model Top Contact IIMarathon Plus
Specified Weight 600 grams900 grams
Measured Weight 584 grams898 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 mm2 mm
Total Tire Thickness Center 4.4 mm9 mm
Total Tire Thickness Sidewall Members 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 Top Contact IIMarathon Plus
Spin Up Video No VideoYouTube
Inner Tube Conti Tour 28 (170 gr butyl)Conti Tour 28 (170 gr butyl)
Rolling Resistance
90 PSI / 6 Bar
Members OnlyMembers 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 OnlyMembers Only
Rolling Resistance
30 PSI / 2 Bar
Members 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 Top Contact IIMarathon Plus
Total Puncture Score Tread 95 Points129 Points
Total Puncture Score Sidewall Members OnlyMembers Only
Tread Puncture Force Sharp Needle Members OnlyMembers Only
Tread Puncture Force Blunt Needle Members OnlyMembers Only
Tread Total Tire Thickness 4.4 mm9 mm
Sidewall Puncture Force Sharp Needle Members OnlyMembers Only
Sidewall Puncture Force Blunt Needle Members OnlyMembers Only
Sidewall Total Tire Thickness Members OnlyMembers Only

Static Grip Test Results


Static Grip Test Results (higher is better)
Model Top Contact IIMarathon Plus
Wet Grip Average No DataNo Data
Wet Grip Center Members OnlyMembers Only
Wet Grip Edge Members OnlyMembers Only
Grip in points = coefficient of friction * 100
Tour/E-Bike grip test rim width = 23.0 mm

Conclusion


Conclusion
Model Top Contact IIMarathon Plus
Full Review Full ReviewFull Review
Verdict RecommendedHighly Recommended
Rating 3.0 / 55.0 / 5
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  • 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