We are starting to plan our summer riding...one tour we want to do in the spring is on a mix of about 60% paved and 40% dirt roads.

I called Velocity, the mfgr. of the rims on our Burley, and the gentleman I spoke with said a 700x32c would be the widest we'd want to try and fit on it.

So, does anyone have any suggestions on what a good cross tire (pavement and packed dirt) would be, sized up to 32c?

Thank you!
Merry Christmas.
A&V

I have a set of Continental Twister Pro cyclocross tires on a single bike and I really like them. They are fast rolling on pavement and have good grip on dirt as well. I haven't tried them on a tandem though.

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/tires/city/twister/twister_en.html

Running 26", which does not help you at all, The type of tyre that works on hard pack and pavement- Is a semi-slick. If you can get this type of tread in 700, then it will work for you.

I am using a kenda semislick it is 42mm and works good they make a 32mm a 38mm version too. If the dirt roads aren't that bad it is a good tire to go with because of the smooth center surface. It is the Kenda Cross ATB Plus it is available at nashbar for $10 so buy a couple.

I have Ritchey SpeedMax Cross tires (700 x 32c) as stock tires on my Cross Check. They have been great this year and do fairly well on dirt/hardpack. They also ride well enough on pavement. Have not riden them enough to know how durable they are, but they seem pretty good. REI generally stocks these, too.

You might look for some Specialized Tri-cross comp. They are 28cm. Work fine for me on my "no clearance" road bike. Michelin has some 30cm tires. Do a search on cyclocross tires to reveal some more.

You might try Rivendell Ruffy Tuffy tires. It is a road tire but ultra tough and should hold up fine on dirt. Rivbike.com

Running 26", which does not help you at all, The type of tyre that works on hard pack and pavement- Is a semi-slick. If you can get this type of tread in 700, then it will work for you.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile_moreimages.cfm?category=121&subcategory=1196&sku=1966&brand=

This is the type of Tyre and it is done in 700 32

We used to run Avocet Cross tires with inverted tread. The inverted tread rolls quiet similar to a slick on pavement, and the inverted tread works somewhat like a knobby on dirt. Avocet has a new generation of inverted tread tires that are supposed to be new and improved (i.e. lighter) www.avocet.com