Erik_A

What is your recommendation for a large volume commuting tire in 700c x 34c-40c size that would fit a cyclocross bike. I want a smooth tread tire, that is large enough to smooth out broken urban pavement, and with decent puncture resistance.

chriskmurray

I think it is really hard to top the Panaracer Pasela TG, it is pretty affordable, seems to last forever and still rolls good. It also comes in a number of different sizes. Panaracer: Professional Bike Tires from Panasonic | Urban

Erik_A

Thanks I will check out the PASELA TG's

tarwheel 

Panaracer Pasela PTs (formerly called TGs) or Vittoria Voyager Hypers are both available in 32s and 35s, and with lighter-weight folding beads. Both would be excellent choices for your intended use.

PaulRivers

It depends what you mean by "best". If money is not a big concern, the Schwalbe Marathon Supreme (the supreme part is the most important part of the name) is the best tire you can get, in many people's opinion. It's definitely not the cheapest though. It's a very, very comfortable tire with excellent grip and good puncture resistance.

bikemig 

For commuting, I like tires with a reflective sidewall. The continental touring plus is a good choice for a large volume touring tire with a reflective sidewall.

Mr IGH

Pasalas are the best tires I've found. Long life, good ride, excellent flat resistance. Around here we ride on wide, glass/thorn covered shoulders, Pasalas TG/PT never let me down. If you're going cheaper, I have found the PerformanceBike Metro-K tires aren't too bad.

Low quality but they make up for it with the highest prices. Total waste of money, esp for commuting.

PatrickGSR94

That's the first time I've ever heard Marathons referred to as being low quality.

alan s 

Sour grapes, I think.

RatMudd

I'd go with Schwalbe. Check out their Marathon series. I'd also tell you to check out their balloon tires but they don't make the Big Ben or Big Apple in 700c.

Heres's the link to their "city/commuting" tires:
City / Touring | Schwalbe North America

Personally, I would go with a Marathon Plus or a Marathon Plus Tour. Bombproof and long living.

PatrickGSR94

Big Apples come in 50, 55 and 60-622 sizes, which should fit a 700c rim as long as it's wide enough.

Wanderer

I love Marathon Supremes in 35 and 40 sizes....... soon to try 32 on the front of my Sirrus.

PaulRivers

The Marathon Supremes are some of the highest quality tires you can buy. Their only drawback is a higher cost.

asmac

I'm very happy with my Schwalbe Marathon Mondials (700x40) in the folding version... so far so good.

https://www.schwalbe.com/en/tour-read...n-mondial.html

OneLessFixie

They're 700x32, but I'm happy with my Vittoria Randonneur Pros, even though I did get my first flat with them last night. They ride nice and have been amazingly resilient even as my daily commute takes me over glass-strewn cracked pavement through several bad neighbourhoods in south Seattle.

RatMudd

One reason to get Marathon Plus rather than Marathon Supreme. Watch entire video!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Uz8fT13rtlk

Not exactly scientific but it encourages my decision with Plus's.

dynaryder

Care to explain that? Schwalbe makes high-quality tires,and the Supremes are some of their best. I've gotten air under my rear wheel twice while panic braking on a steep downhill(once in the rain!) with Supremes,and in both instances was able to safely stop. I've picked over a dozen bits of FOD out of the rear without a flat. And they even make my all-alloy Pt Reyes ride good.

Erik_A,another vote for Marathon Supremes here. Expensive,but worth every penny. Super grippy,excellent protection,good ride.

PaulRivers

Great video, hadn't seen that one. They're both great tires, it's a matter of priorities. The Marathon Plus's give up some speed, ride quality, weight, and some other stuff in exchange one of the most puncture resistant tires available - possibly the #1 most puncture resistant tire possible.

The Supreme's go in the other direction - prioritizing ride quality, then grip (not saying because I don't know if they're grippier than the plus's, just that the supreme's are very grippy even in the wet), weight, etc with good puncture protection, though not the same level as the Plus's.

RatMudd

Yes, you are very correct. I should have mentioned the trade offs.

noglider 

I love that video!

I bought a pair of Vittoria Voyager Hyper tires in 37mm, but silly me, I don't have a bike they'll fit on. They're still in the boxes if anyone wants to take them off my hands.

AlTheKiller

The Rivendell Jack Brown "green" as far as ride quality, big round profile, weight, etc. though no flat protection to speak of (I have had zero flats on these). If you want more flat protection the blue version has the same nice profile and size, with increased weight and decreased suppleness.

Listed as 700x33.33333, mine measured out to 35mm wide on my narrow ish wheels the first day I mounted them up. I know many tires relax and widen even more after time spent inflated, maybe I should measure again. They come in weighing an impressive ~295g. Which is much lighter than most tires I used to commute on that were over ten mm less in width.

The ride is superb, and they are FAST. if you have never ridden a low weight, higher volume tire, you're missing out. Don't think I can ever go down to an anorexic 25mm tire again.

The tire is a slick, the "tread you see is just a very fine checkerboard effect of alternate, tiny grooving.

tarwheel 

I ran Rivendell Jack Browns on my cross bike for a year, but the rear tire was trashed due to a sidewall cut by a rock. They are nice tires, but I don't feel they are worth the premium price compared to Panaracer Pasela PTs. I can buy Pasela PTs (which are folders) for $35 each at my local bike shop, and Jack Browns cost about $60 each when you factor in shipping costs. If the prices were the same or even closers, I might buy Jack Browns again, but they are not worth the price differential to me.

PaulRivers

You didn't have to or anything, just wanted to follow up on the differences. Like I said that video was really interesting. :-)

AlTheKiller

Not really comparable to the jb greens, nearly double the weight and obviously much tougher. I'd put these more in the category of people who want a fast road racing type tire, but with more volume. And the price is comparable to other tires in the racy category. Once you get into the heavier, slower rolling, "tour" type tires normally the price goes down and ruggedness goes way up. A very good trade off for most people. But for people who want fast and voluminous, I'm not sure if there is a better tire.

I like to put it out there as an option, because most people are under the assumption that "fast"tires don't exist past 28. I certainly don't think it's the best choice for most people looking for voluminous tires, but I do like getting the word out.

tarwheel 

I weighed my Jack Brown Greens and Pasela PT 32s when new on an electronic scale, and both weighed 350 grams. The Jack Browns are a little wider though, about 2 mm. The Paselas also have a kevlar belt to help with flat resistance. You can get that with Jack Brown Blues, but they weigh much more than 350g.