amgarcia

What tires are you running on your Surly Cross Check commuter?

I've been pushed towards Schalbe Delta Cruisers and Continental Gatorskins.

Any recommendations outside of that or in regards to specific Continental tires? I like them slick and fat unless I get convinced otherwise. I'm thinking ~37's.

amgarcia

Oh, and reflective sidewalls (or whitewalls for looks) are a plus.

jr59

On my CC I run 35 rimbos!

They are lighter than 38 schwalbe marathons, with close to the same flat protection.

I run marathon plus on my town bike in 32.

amgarcia

The RibMo seems interesting. Putting that on the list.

Keep 'em coming!

fietsbob

Schwalbe Marathon Plus, their heavy tread is all puncture protection.
being late to work, because of a puncture, is not going to help your job security.

amgarcia

Although I don't have any sources, I feel like I've seen that Marathon Plus tires are overkill. Does anyone agree?

zoltani

Panaracer Pasela Tourgaurd, 35s.... great tire, cheap and good flat protection

rcschafer

I like the Continental Contacts in 42mm (they're available in 28 to 47.) Slick, reflective sidewalls. Probably not the most durable tire out there though.

jr59

That would depend on what you think is overkill.
If you don't want flats, like almost never. (please note, I said ALMOST)!
Get tire liners and the marathon plus, and ride on.

If you can handle a flat now and then, then other tires come into play.
Also, the SMP tires don't ride well. They wear well!

So it really depends!

ThermionicScott 

People have gotten flats on every (pneumatic) tire in production, so no, I wouldn't agree. It's up to you to get as much tire as you need for your conditions.

- Scott

daveF

I'm currently running Forte Gotham Road 700X35 on my Cross Check. https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...8_20000_400237
I like these tires quite a lot. They are a true 35mm width. Seem to be constructed quite sturdy. But, they also roll quite nice & corner well. I've been riding them mostly in fast training rides even though they are designed as commuting tires. For $12.99 they are very hard to beat.

Leebo

+1 on the panaracer 35x700 tourguard, but not that cheap, @ 40.00

amgarcia

I think I'm willing to sacrifice a great puncture resistant tire (Schwalbe Marathon Plus) for something "only" good in that category if the tire rides better.

Also, the Panaracer TG seems great. Does it come in black walls or reflective walls? Gum walls turn me off a bit.

LeeG

in 35mm: Panaracer T-serv , Schwalbe Marathon Supreme/XR, Panaracer Pasela TG, they all hold up well. I've had flats with Vittoria Randonneur Pro and Hyper.

If you want a black wall instead of the PaselaTG use the T-serv. I can't tell much of a difference in the ride. Reflective sidewalls get dirty after awhile, if you want visibility rely on real reflectors that aren't receiving rim brake sludge.

https://www.bikeman.com/store/merchan...Commuter_Tires

Andy_K 

I've got 700x25 Conti Grand Prix 4000S on my Cross Check right now. I like these a lot better than the Gator Skins. They cost more, of course, and may not be quite as puncture resistant, but on dry roads they've been outstanding. Once the rainy season kicks in, I'll be switching to a different bike with 700x28 Conti GP 4 Seasons, which treated me well last winter.

If you want fat, slick and reflective side walls, I don't think you can do better than the Schwalbe Marathon Supremes. I had a pair of these in 700x50, which were very nice. They roll well, wear well, grip well and have pretty good puncture protection. I personally wouldn't go that wide again, because you do feel the difference of a 650g tire and unless my imagination got the better of me (which is possible) even the width made a big difference in the wind. I probably will try these in 700x32 some time and maybe even 700x35 (which is curiously listed as ERTO 37-622 on the Schwalbe USA site).

dcrowell

My touring bike has Schwalbe Marathon (not Plus) tires. One flat in over 5000 miles. I don't think the extra weight & expense of the plus version is worthwhile.

My single-speed, that I commute on often has the Pasela Tourguard tires. No flats yet, but only a couple of hundred miles so far. Before that, it had the plain Paselas, and I had several flats in about 800 miles.

I've had a number of Continental tires, and was never satisfied with them.

amgarcia

Any experience with the Marathon Racer out there? They seem to hit the nail on the head.
https://www.schwalbetires.com/node/1322

jr59

Where is Kojak when we need him?

amgarcia

After a bit more research, I'm pretty set on the Marathon Supreme. Doesn't seem like anything can match its durability and versatility.
Any suggestion on size?

jr59

32-38

Good idea on the supreme!

amgarcia

Ordered Schwalbe Marathon Supreme tires in 35. The price hurt, but I couldn't settle on the massive pluses.

thenomad

Those are certainly big tires. Should last quite a while.
I'm on 28 Schwalbe Marathons and like the speed, but they are heavy. May try something else once these wear out in another 5K miles!

busted knuckles

I have 2800 miles on my marathon plus tires, no flats. I hate fixing flats on my way to work.

SurlyLaika

I have Schwalbe Marathon folders. I forget the exact model but they've served me well, over a 2000 mile summer tour on all sorts of surfaces. Also, if you're not an idiot and avoid riding over every shard of glass you see, flats are less of a problem...that being said, I had one flat. Not too bad, and I think it was because of these thorny little thistles that gave me a slow leak. Also, I have 700x32, pretty comfy. Although, I heard I lose some speed with it. Reflective walls are a definite winter plus.

tadswana

Running 32mm Vittoria hypers at 60PSI on my stock CC for all weather, am going to change to Conti 4000 28mm for summer I think (maybe gators in a 32mm).