I don't know how much the Schwalbe Marathon retail for in the U.S., but I have found them at around $33 Cdn. I was having a flat tire a week with Continental Sport something tires on my commuter (paid $15 each) and haven't had one in two weeks since I've had the Marathons on, but I have heard many glowing reports from long-time users. They also have reflective sidewalls (and a kevlar belt of course). Not the most aggressive thread but that's not something I need.