What tires do you tour on?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Bend Or.
Posts: 573
Bikes: 2 TiSports and a Ho Ko E Koo
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 54 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
1 Post
I'm looking at tires for my 26" wheels. I have found tires from 1", 1.2" 1'3" up through 2" Some weigh as little as 250 grams up past 600. I want as fast a tire as possible, I'm used to 23 mm tires on my road bike. I found some 26" Continental Grand Prix 1' wide, 25mm. recommended as long wearing, puncture resistant touring tires over at biketiresdirect.com. I'm not planing on any off road riding, but I know sometimes it's unavoidable. Is 25mm too small? I'm not worried about ride comfort as my bike has a shock in front and a small 1" pivot less shock in the rear. I'll be pulling a BOB trailer with no extra weight on the bike.
What size tires do you use?
I've been considering these tires
https://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...=Touring+Tires
What size tires do you use?
I've been considering these tires
https://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...=Touring+Tires
#2
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
I used my Conti 1000 sport tires (700x25) ... same as what I use for Randonneuring ... same as what I use for training.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 228
Bikes: Cannondale C400
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Hello,
I'm very curious to see the responses you'll receive on this one. My tires are also 26", fairly wide, not knobby. I've had only one flat in about a couple thousand miles. They hold up well with a full touring load, including camping gear, and provide good stability.
It seems though that it takes extra effort to pedal them around. I'd like to get tires that reduce this effort but still have the benefits I described.
Wolfy
I'm very curious to see the responses you'll receive on this one. My tires are also 26", fairly wide, not knobby. I've had only one flat in about a couple thousand miles. They hold up well with a full touring load, including camping gear, and provide good stability.
It seems though that it takes extra effort to pedal them around. I'd like to get tires that reduce this effort but still have the benefits I described.
Wolfy
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: North Andover, MA
Posts: 141
Bikes: Peter Mooney (touring), Bike Friday Pocket Rocket (road), Bike Friday Air Glide (touring)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've used Conti Top Touring 700 x 32 for fully loaded touring - 4 panniers, including camping grea, and Conti Top Touring 700 x 28 for less loaded touring (rear panniers only, no camping gear).
#5
Velocipedic Practitioner
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 488
Bikes: Specialized Sirrus, Bianchi Volpe, Trek 5000, Santana Arriva tandem, Pashley Sovereign, among others
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've never had any problems with 700X28. However, my tours have never been longer than ten days and I seldom carry more than a set of rear panniers. Except for a gawd awful stretch of gravel highway near Parnu, Estonia, I've never been off pavement on a tour, so a wider tire may be better if there will be any unpaved riding.
#6
senile member
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Taiwan
Posts: 351
Bikes: 1 mtb converted for commuting (actually, collecting dust in the garage), a LHT with "durable components"
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i toured with 1.95"s, but it was a pain to move around on paved road so i'm thinking about 1.75 for the front and 1.95 for the rear, think that it would improve the situation a bit. the reason why i'm not going with all 1.75s is that i'm doing the outback oz this year so it could be that 1.95 rear would be more suitable, i could be wrong though.
#7
Macro Geek
Before the age of Kevlar-lined tires, I used 23 mm slicks when touring with only rear panniers. I usually got one flat per tour. These tours typically lasted ten to fourteen days. On its final tour with new tires and tubes, I had no flats. I did not stray from paved surfaces often, but I had no problems when I took the occasional logging road or pebbly country lane.
My new bike has Kevlar-lined tires. I heeded the advice of the bike builder, who recommended that I go for 28 mm tires. I am sure that they are not as zippy as 23 mm tires, but honesty, I do not notice the difference with 8 or 10 kilograms hanging off the bike. I do feel slightly more stable on gravel roads and cobblestones, but I still ride carefully on unsmooth surfaces. My bicycle was designed for touring on roads, not mountain trails.
Kevlar-lined tires are not immune from punctures. I got a flat on the second day of most recent tour while walking my bike along a sidewalk!
Alan
My new bike has Kevlar-lined tires. I heeded the advice of the bike builder, who recommended that I go for 28 mm tires. I am sure that they are not as zippy as 23 mm tires, but honesty, I do not notice the difference with 8 or 10 kilograms hanging off the bike. I do feel slightly more stable on gravel roads and cobblestones, but I still ride carefully on unsmooth surfaces. My bicycle was designed for touring on roads, not mountain trails.
Kevlar-lined tires are not immune from punctures. I got a flat on the second day of most recent tour while walking my bike along a sidewalk!
Alan
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 8,546
Mentioned: 83 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 163 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
On my first tour, I used a MTB with 1" Specialized FatBoys. These are just plain slicks. I was towing a bob at first, then switched to panniers. I got a few rear flats, and they wore out in only about 2000 miles. I didn't like them much - too many flats.
Since then I've been riding a tour bike w/700C wheels. I used the stock IRC's for an amazing 4500 miles (rear) and rotated the old front onto the rear, where it now sports a total of 6000 miles, and it's still ok !!! On the front I'm using a Conti TT 32mm, and it's doing ok after about 2000 miles, just starting to show wear. Neither of these tires perform well on gravel. I'm still looking for the perfect tire w/low rolling resistance but that doesn't drop you in the dirt.
Cheers,
Anna
But I'm pretty small, I think that makes a huge difference.
Since then I've been riding a tour bike w/700C wheels. I used the stock IRC's for an amazing 4500 miles (rear) and rotated the old front onto the rear, where it now sports a total of 6000 miles, and it's still ok !!! On the front I'm using a Conti TT 32mm, and it's doing ok after about 2000 miles, just starting to show wear. Neither of these tires perform well on gravel. I'm still looking for the perfect tire w/low rolling resistance but that doesn't drop you in the dirt.
Cheers,
Anna
But I'm pretty small, I think that makes a huge difference.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Plymouth,WI
Posts: 724
Bikes: TREK-520 & 830
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Schwalbe Marathon or Marathon Plus .
#10
Videre non videri
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Posts: 3,208
Bikes: 1 road bike (simple, light), 1 TT bike (could be more aero, could be lighter), 1 all-weather commuter and winter bike, 1 Monark 828E ergometer indoor bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Haven't toured yet, but I just (today!) mounted 1.3" slicks on my MTB that I'm slowly making into a touring bike.
#11
Member
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Tempe, AZ
Posts: 42
Bikes: Co-Motion Americano, Rivendell touring
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have real good luck with Panaracer Paselas....700x37....for full loaded, 4-pannier touring.
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Southwest New Hampshire
Posts: 363
Bikes: TiSport Road frame with Campagnolo Daytona/Centaur + Record/Open Pro wheels | 2002 Bianchi Volpe | 2003 Giant TCR 2 w/ Sun ME14A rims/Ultegra 6500 hubs/ Bianchi SL Centaur (currently being refurbished)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I like Pasela too, but "TG" or "Compe" or whatever it is. The standard Pasela is too light and flats on a paper-staple, at least in the 28-32 I've used. I really like the Vittoria Randonneur... tough. Haven't tried the Armadillo, etc.
#13
cab horn
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 28,353
Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 26 Times
in
19 Posts
Originally Posted by Machka
I used my Conti 1000 sport tires (700x25) ... same as what I use for Randonneuring ... same as what I use for training.
#14
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
Originally Posted by operator
How's the flat situation with those tires?
While I was touring in Australia, I covered 5000K, and I replaced both the front and the rear tires about half way through my time there. But in total I had 3 flats, and 1 of those was a "repeat" flat - where I didn't fix it properly, and it flatted again a little ways down the road.
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#15
Banned.
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: ny
Posts: 1,764
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 36 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have good experince with the IRC metro's in 26 x 1.5 with the kevlar belt I usually get a little more than 2000 miles from them. I have them on two bikes and a MTB tandem,
#16
Member
I just switched from 1.95's to 26 x 1.5 City Slickers. A noticable difference in speed and handling. As for touring on them, time will tell.
#17
Formerly Known as Newbie
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Posts: 6,249
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
3 Posts
I will second the Schwalbes.
--J
--J
__________________
To err is human. To moo is bovine.
Who is this General Failure anyway, and why is he reading my drive?
Become a Registered Member in Bike Forums
Community guidelines
To err is human. To moo is bovine.
Who is this General Failure anyway, and why is he reading my drive?
Become a Registered Member in Bike Forums
Community guidelines
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Thailand
Posts: 136
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Desertrat
I have real good luck with Panaracer Paselas....700x37....for full loaded, 4-pannier touring.
#19
Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 38
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i third the shwalbs. I've got the marathon touring, and though i've only commuted with them as of yet, I've gone through loads of broken glass with a heavy pack strapped to the back, and not a single flat. They don't even deflate as quickly as other tires. The tread is far more capable on wet pavement without too much rolling resistance. A little heavier than most tires, but with all the glass that's unavoidably strewn between my home and every place else in town - it's an absolute miracle that I've not had a single flat. They're not the easiest to put on, either, but are so tough, changing a flat will be a very rare event. by the way, the kind i have are equipped with some kind of patented material, not kevlar, but whatever it is, shwalb boasts that you could ride through thumbtacks unscathed!
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Thailand
Posts: 136
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I find that a partially deflated tyre is very likely to cause flat. Please keep your skinny slick inflated to rec. spec. every morning before you start out, and lube the chain at the end of the day.