Touring - Replace tire or wait?

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raybo
10-03-06, 04:12 PM
I ordered a new Schwalbe Marathon Plus for my back tire. I had a week to wait until it was delivered.

In the meantime, I took a ride and noticed a thumping coming from the rear tire. On further inspection, I saw a round hole in the tire. The only reason the tube was still good was the tube saver that I inserted between the tire and the tube.

I was too far away from home to trust that the tire would hold. However, I happen to be across the street from the REI store in Corte Madera, I happen to have $20 on the bike, and REI happen to have a cheap tire that I could buy. The only bad part was that it was a 700x32cc tire and I normally use a 700x28cc tire.

Two days after that ride, I picked up my Schwalbe tire (700x28).

My question is this: Should I keep the cheap 700x32 tire on the bike and replace it when it wears out or should I switch over to the Schwalbe now and keep the cheap 700x32 tire in reserve?

For what it is worth, I don't plan any touring until May, 2007.

Thanks,

Ray

NoReg
10-03-06, 05:00 PM
Well if cheap means sub 60 pound inflation, find someone who has a crap bike to give it to. If it just isn't your prefered brand, but it inflates hard, then run it and save your 28 for the trip.

You can patch that kind of hole with an X of fiberglass filament tape. When I first tried it I thought it would never last, well it outlasted the tire.
raybo
10-03-06, 05:31 PM
Cheap meant under $20. The 700x32 tire inflates to 80 pounds, I believe.

Ray

NoReg
10-03-06, 05:44 PM
So it might be a little under grade , a good one would got to 95, but still could be a good tire for winter cimuting, it's really up to you.
Rowan
10-03-06, 05:49 PM
Higher pressures mean lower comfort, in my experience. Wider and lower pressure than the 28 probably mean nice ride with virtually no sacrifice in rolling resistance.

It really is up to you. You can keep the cheap tyre on there, and it will wear out, probably fairly quickly, then replace it with the new Schwalbe. Use the Schwalbe now, and you might have a few doubts in your mind about its longevity when you get to touring next May. I'd probably favour keeping what's on there. It's served you well so far :)
becnal
10-03-06, 10:47 PM
As long as storage at your home isn't an issue, put the Schwalbe on now, and keep the cheapo tire as an emergency backup.

The purpose of having a Schwalbe MP is to prevent getting flats, but they can't do that if they aren't on your bike.