Touring - Best Tires for Touring?

I know opinions will differ widely, but what do you think (keeping in mind that cheaper is preferable to more expensive, even if quality will suffer a tad)?

Anecdotes follow.

I run Schwalbe Marathons.

There's a version of the Marathon called the "Marathon Plus."

The "Plus" Marathon has a built in liner that will absorb thumbtacks without puncturing.
I've seen the "Plus" driven over thorns and broken glass bottles with no ill effect.

If I were touring anywhere with thorns or generally debris strewn roads, that would be my tire.

My regular Marathons run at 100psi over sharp rocks and metal shards without problems. Haven't tried glass or thorns.

I know I'm a heathen, but I tour on 28mm armadillos.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?sku=15624

Just put a TT 2000 on today. I like it a lot, gonna put one on the front wheel next week. Hadn't planned on it, but there is a lot of glass and crap on the roads. There is a 10% Nashbar coupon you can use kicking around.

how is cheaper better at the expense of quality anyway?

Tires are like, 25 or 30 bucks, only a few touring tires cost much more than that....how little do you want to spend?

I've been a fan of conti TT2000 but recently bought TravelContacts because of the marginally higher psi rating.

IMHO Conti TT 2000s are simply the best, but the point may be moot because it seems Continental has discontinued them. (I bought 2 brand new sets when I heard about it). Some claim the sidewalls fail often, but I have never had that problem. If I where to pick a new tire (which I won't have to for another couple of years hopefully) I might try Conti's 'Contact' tire or the Schwalbe Marathon.

I know I'm a heathen, but I tour on 28mm armadillos.

I never had a flat with Armadillos on my road bike.

Anecdotes follow.

I run Schwalbe Marathons.

There's a version of the Marathon called the "Marathon Plus."

The "Plus" Marathon has a built in liner that will absorb thumbtacks without puncturing.
I've seen the "Plus" driven over thorns and broken glass bottles with no ill effect.

If I were touring anywhere with thorns or generally debris strewn roads, that would be my tire.

My regular Marathons run at 100psi over sharp rocks and metal shards without problems. Haven't tried glass or thorns.

I'll agree here, until I tryed the Marathons, Contis were my brand. Although I must add that the 700x35c Marathons that I'm running go 85psi.

As far as getting a good deal on a quality Schwalbe tire, follow this link to bicycletouring101.com (http://bicycletouring101.com/) , & follow the directions for making touring related contribution to the site. It's a small thing to ask for a great deal on a very good brand of tire. Plus you'll be making one of my favorite touring sites even better!

28mm Armadillos.

No Flats = Happy tour

28mm Armadillos run wide

more like 30mm tires.

$30 per tire is cheap considering what you get in return, namely no flats!!!

I have cheap tires (Continental Grand Prix) on my touring bike and was getting rear tire flats like crazy. I purchased Mr. Tuffy tire liners and the flats stopped. I was afraid the liners would cause pinch flats but it hasn't happened. If you have cheap tires, get tire liners and you'll be invulnerble again.

Panaracer Pasela TG in 700x35 have done well for me.

I'll agree here, until I tryed the Marathons, Contis were my brand. Although I must add that the 700x35c Marathons that I'm running go 85psi.

+1

(keeping in mind that cheaper is preferable to more expensive, even if quality will suffer a tad)?
Tires aren't worth skimping on....But if you can find a good deal then go for it, and Conti TT2000s are on sale at Nashbar :)

Schwalbe marathon slicks. Had one bad tire, so I am a little gunshy, but they roll phenomenal, and everyone else seems to have really great reliability.

Anyone try these: Continental Top Touring 2000 700 x 32 Wire Tire? Too much tread for me, but I would like to like them since they are cheap and well distributed around here.

The best tyre for longevity is the Marathon XR, not the Marathon or Marathon plus. The rubber is different meaning you get even more kms from a tyre and the newish Evo range are supremely puncture resistant. The Marathon plus is not really intended as a touring tyre, more as a commuting tyre. The plus won't last as long as the XR.

Expect around 20,000km from a set. Only thing that has punctured mine are viscious african thorns, but only twice. A miracle really.

They're expensive, but cost per km must be better than any other touring tyre.

Anyone try these: Continental Top Touring 2000 700 x 32 Wire Tire? Too much tread for me, but I would like to like them since they are cheap and well distributed around here.

Yes, put one on yesterday. There is a smooth strip down the center so the tread
doesn't usually contact the road. It feels very stable, and has a very nice ride.

Anyone have any thoughts for the best tire for on and off-road touring for a 700c bike (Trek 520), with fenders? I'm looking for the magic combination of smooth rolling on the road, puncture resisitance, a tread that is OK on dirt and gravel roads, and narrow enough to fit under my fenders.

Anyone?

Anna

My choice would be, for road bike touring, if it isn't with a credit card, and primarily with most of the load over the rear wheel: 1-1/4" or the meteric equivalent of about 28cm; otherwise, a staggered setup with 28cm on the front and a 1-3/8" on the back. More important, I think, than bigger tires, is some touring wheels. I don't know what is best these days but years ago, you could count on something like Champion rims with 4-cross spokes to stand up to anything.

1.25" is closer to 32mm, for what that is worth. 28 is barely 1.1"

Late, thanks for the review. I noticed the center strip, but it is so narrow, I figured it would depress a much wider area, good to get a field report.

1.25" is closer to 32mm, for what that is worth. 28 is barely 1.1"

. . ..

I know what you mean, as far as applying a conversion table goes, but just by the look of'm and based on my recollection, 23s seem to me to be close to what tubulars used to be, 25s seem about as wide but a little higer sidewall than the old 1-1/8" and the Continental's gators--which seem to me to be more petit than some of the other brands--look a lot to me like the 1-1/4" tires that were the mainstay for years. 1-3/8" tires (e.g., I remember Specialized Expedition tires) are a lot bigger than my 28-gatorskins and seem to be bigger than the 32s that I've seen. :)

Anyone have any thoughts for the best tire for on and off-road touring for a 700c bike (Trek 520), with fenders? I'm looking for the magic combination of smooth rolling on the road, puncture resisitance, a tread that is OK on dirt and gravel roads, and narrow enough to fit under my fenders.

Anyone?

Anna

I did the Steamboat Trace trail and the Katy Trail in 2003 on the east end of the Lewis and Clark Trail with Continental Top Tourings (700x37) on a loaded touring bike. They held up wonderfully. They were a little sketchy in loose sand but I'd expect that from a smooth(ish) tire.

I know opinions will differ widely, but what do you think (keeping in mind that cheaper is preferable to more expensive, even if quality will suffer a tad)?

I found that the Armadillo by Specialized to be the best option for my road bike which I use for touring. I used 700X25s both front and back on my tour across the U.S. with a load and they were great. Next time I am going to try a 700X28 on the rear and a 700X25 on the front. I carry only rear panniers.

1500 miles on my Conti TT 2000s in the last 1.5 years all in an urban setting. Zero flats. Same tubes and Mavic A719 wheels. I am a loyal Conti fan, and the TT 2000 is the best of the best.

I use Specialized Nimbus EX in 32c size (not armadillo). I like them for pavement. 20$ CAD at LBS. Had missing spots of rubber on the rear tire after 6000km. Front is still in great shape.

I wanted a rear 35c for my last trip and the LBS didn't have them in that size so I used a Specialized Infinity EX, which has threads. Didn't like it, had many punctures.

I am using Conti's TT 2000, 700x32, I now have 3,500 miles on these tires. I just completed a 16 day 650 mile ride from Eagle Pass, TX to Natchitoches, LA I have never had any flats. If anyone is looking for these tires.....About 30 days ago I ordered a pair (for when I need to replace my existing twosome) from Bike Tires Direct. Cost was $24.95 each + $5 shipping. They still show to be available on the website www.biketiresdirect.com

1500 miles on my Conti TT 2000s in the last 1.5 years all in an urban setting. Zero flats. Same tubes and Mavic A719 wheels. I am a loyal Conti fan, and the TT 2000 is the best of the best.

+1 - cept it WAS the best of the best...now discontinued, get em while you can. I now have 4 spares. ;)

Some claim the sidewalls fail often, but I have never had that problem.

We lost two Continental Top Touring 32s last summer riding our tandem from Kansas to North Carolina both from sidewall failure, the rear went at about 800 miles and the front at about 1300 miles. Apparently the rims heated up from braking on downhills with switchbacks and weakened the sidewalls, but the tires actually blew on days without particularly much braking.

Long ago - Michelin 27 x 1 3/8 Touring - But I don't think they make them anymore.
More recently Continental Tour or T&C for my mountain bike touring but I started having sidewall failures with them. I'm a convert to Armadillos.

PS - You know what I think about some people having no problems with Contis and others having lots of problems? It's like when I ordered two pair of REI convertible pants. Exact same size, style - but one came that had an inseam that was 6 inches shorter. Companies farm out production to multiple subcontractors who don't have the same quality control standards. Some production meets the old standards, some doesn't. The folks on the tandem and I got a bad batch. So that means I won't buy Contis any more.

Panaracer Pasela TG in 700x35 have done well for me.

i used the same, 750ish miles, 17 days, zero flats. my wife and friends are still a bit upset at me for not getting a single flat. everyone else got a few.

700 x 25, kevlar lined. irc, continental, and nashbar have been consistently reliable for fully loaded tours. they are more responsive than 32mm tourer tires for me.

Schwalbe marathon Plus. No flats. Not ever. Period.

I'll second the XT. Found a pair for $24.95 each. Not only the best touring but the best commuting tire I've ever tried. The "hook-up",ie., gravel,dirt is exceptional IMO.

Richard

The best tyre for longevity is the Marathon XR, not the Marathon or Marathon plus. The rubber is different meaning you get even more kms from a tyre and the newish Evo range are supremely puncture resistant. The Marathon plus is not really intended as a touring tyre, more as a commuting tyre. The plus won't last as long as the XR.

Expect around 20,000km from a set. Only thing that has punctured mine are viscious african thorns, but only twice. A miracle really.

They're expensive, but cost per km must be better than any other touring tyre.

I also prefer Marathon XR's ("double defense" version) and would not go back to conti TT2000's. The XR is not the fastest or lightest tire, but has superior sidewalls, is designed from the ground up with heavy loads in mind and the tread is superior to most other "touring" tires on gravel and dirt when need be (only so-so on loose sand). Schwalbe's addition of a reflective strip on the sidewalls is a great way to make you visible from the side at night without added weight or plastic junk that rattles or gets broken off en route.

I used XRs on a backroads tour of Central America where i was often forced to ride for long stretches on the rubble-ridden shoulder to avoid trucks/buses and didn't have a single flat on a 2 month tour. That alone is worth the extra cost. Have hardly any noticable tread wear after 3000+ heavily loaded miles.

Have used both 1.75 x 26 and 2.25 x 26 on a mtb based touring bike and 700 x 35 on a "traditional" touring/commuting bike. The 700's roll _much_ faster than the 26's due to higher pressure capability and lower weight and are also excellent for commuting. Would recommend the folding version...

Another friend of a friend story but some friends I met touring in Australia just completed 6000 plus miles in Scotland, Iceland, and then from Poland to Turkey to Greece on Schwalbe XRs and only had one flat. Ironically, they had the flat one mile from the airport in Athen's before catching their flight home. They will be my next tire. Using Pasela 700x35s and they are great. No problems, light and inexpensive.

Take a look at these tires at Bikeman.com

http://www.bikemannetwork.com/biking/p/COMPTRCR/TR2111

http://www.bikemannetwork.com/biking/p/COMPTRCR/TR3060

I have the Ritchey on my touring bike, it is great on the road with low rolling resistance, and I also am quite satisfy on how it perform on fire roads.

Thanks for mentioning Bicycle Touring 101 in this thread Roger. Your comments about the site are appreciated too!

Unfortunately I've been away for a bit with one last week of travel next week before I can get back to much more regular site updates but some pretty cool stuff is coming. (As an aside I am considering traveling by bicycle to my business meeting next week but this time of year is likely the hardest to plan for in SW Ontario. In January you have to worry about cold. In September and October it's the rain. In November weather can range from black ice and heavy, lake effect snow right through to cold rain but seasonally warm temperatures. I still haven't decided what to do yet).

I like the Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires myself. I have now ridden 13 or 14 tours on these tires including circling Lakes Huron and Michigan without a single problem. No flats, no air loss, no cracks in the tire etc. They really are great tires!

And yes, in the interest of full disclosure, BT101 contributors are sponsored by Schwalbe. As an individual I receive nothing from Schwalbe but since there is a benefit to the website contributors I like to be upfront about this.

Continential Top Touring tires have also been highly rated by a number of people. I haven't tried those tires myself.

~Jamie N

I can't compare the Schwalbes to the Top Touring because I have some Top Touring tires that refuse to die. The Top Touring are very good providing they are not overloaded. I like their silence, their durability, but also the fact they grip rather well to the road, even in the cold and rain, and their quietness.

As examples of the Top Touring quirks, my Trek 520 came with a set of 700x32 Top Touring (measured width : 29,5 mm). The rear one lasted a mere 3000 km, but the front one has logged 19000 km so far (the last 3000 km on the commuter). It seemed that my weight, plus panniers plus the trailercycle was too much for the rear tire. A 700x37 (real width: 37 mm) worked fine. Likewise, some people have complained about the Top Touring on heavyweight tandems. But as far as I know, the Top Touring is out of production, so if you want some, buy some NOW.

I like the Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires myself. I have now ridden 13 or 14 tours on these tires including circling Lakes Huron and Michigan without a single problem. No flats, no air loss, no cracks in the tire etc. They really are great tires!

I certainly haven't put them through much yet, but I recently installed 700x28 Marathon Plus tires on my commuter, after growing weary of fixing flats. Yes, they are heavy, but aside from a couple days of getting used to the difference in acceleration, they just feel like normal, nice-riding tires now. The rolling resistance seems quite low, once you get them rolling.

They are the hardest tires to mount (Mavic T519 rims) of any bicycle tires I have encountered though!

I never had a flat with Armadillos on my road bike.

Hi!

Just got back from a 22 mi. r/t on Armadillo 700x38c with the hybrid thread that came with my Specialized Crossroads Elite.

For a 'second set' of Armadillos to road ride/tour with what do you like?

Thanks,

Tim

Im pleased with my Continental Travel Contacts-700x37. Run thru glass and sharp rocks all the time and no flats yet! They roll really smooth and fast.