The fastest touring tyre ever built?: Schwalbe Marathon Efficiency on the test bench
Adrian Kaether
· 29.11.2025
In this article, we use so-called affiliate links. With every purchase through these links, we receive a commission from the merchant. All relevant referral links are marked with . Learn more.
What really counts for touring cyclists? When it comes to tyres, many look for maximum puncture protection. But the lowest possible rolling resistance is also high on the list of priorities for most everyday and touring cyclists. Riding faster with less power sounds good to everyone, doesn't it? Schwalbe has taken this as an opportunity to launch a completely new tyre. The Marathon Efficiency replaces the low-profile Marathon Supreme and is designed to roll better while offering a wider range of use.
Lowest rolling resistance in the laboratory
At the Marathon Efficiency Schwalbe claims to have used top technologies from road sports to realise the lowest rolling resistance in the entire category. The fact is: The tyre rolls really fast in the laboratory. At just 16 watts, the tyre is the fastest in its category. However, the differences are not very great. Schwalbes Green Marathon rolls at 17 watts, while an SUV tyre like the Johnny Watts rolls at 21 watts. Tubeless tyres such as the new G-One Overland Pro with gravel tread roll at just 13 watts under otherwise comparable conditions. The Marathon Efficiency cannot take this trump card, as it is a touring tyre and is (sensibly) not designed for tubeless. But if you want to, you can with a TPU hose (tested here) save another one or two watts.
The Marathon Efficiency in a practical test
On the other hand, Schwalbe can also fulfil its promise beyond pure rolling resistance. For a touring tyre explicitly designed for smooth running, the Efficiency still offers good cornering grip and is not overtaxed even on light gravel. Here it is hardly inferior to conventional touring tyres. The shape of the tyre is somewhat special on our tested model with a width of 50 millimetres. The centre of the Efficiency is very flat, and the transition to a lean angle is a little unusual at first due to the flattened cross-section. The damping is relatively firm, the diamond side profile rolls audibly louder than the smooth centre section. But you get used to it. In combination with solid puncture protection and weight values, the overall performance is convincing.
Advantages
- Low rolling resistance
- Good balance of grip, weight and puncture protection
Disadvantages
- Driving experience takes some getting used to
- Performance product with an upscale price
Conclusion on the touring tyre
The Marathon Efficiency sets best values for rolling resistance. Only tubeless tyres are even faster. When riding, we found the tyre to be firm, the transition from the flat centre to the shoulders was unusual at first, but cornering grip and puncture protection are convincing. - Adrian Kaether, Editor Test & Technology
The most important information about the Schwalbe Marathon Efficiency
- Model name: Schwalbe Marathon Efficiency
- Tested size: 50 - 622
- Price: 64,90 Euro >> available here
- Technology: V-Guard, inner tube
- Reflective strips: Yes
BIKE measured values
- Weight: 726 g
- Rolling resistance: 16 watts (2.5 bar)
- Tyre width: 48.5 mm (25 mm rim
- Tyre height: 45.5 mm (25 mm rim)
- Carbon copy: 425 mm
- Cut resistance: 156, 797, 542 N
Adrian Kaether
Editor
