Touring - Good 700x32/35 touring tire?

Been shopping for good quality touring tire and my frustration is running high. Have not been able to find a good quality tire in the size I am looking for IN STOCK. I would like a 700x32 or 35. My first target was the Continental Top Contact Reflex but they do not seem to exist outside of Europe. Also like the Continental Tour 2000 but they are not made anymore. Next target was the Schwabe Supreme....not available in my size. I looked at Schwabe Marathon Plus but it is heavier that I prefer. I have some on order from my LBS but he said all his suppliers are on backorder.

I know that a lot more choices are out there but I am not familiar with some of the other brands nor their durability. Lots of tire choices in 26" but not very good selection in 700x32 or 35.

If you were shopping for a good touring tire in my sizes, what would you be looking for (brand & model)?

Just be less picky. Take any tire around what you're looking for from some reliable-ish brand. I wouldn't worry too too much about it unless you're heading cross Patagonia without a spare or something.

The ultimate touring tire (although not completely bombproof like the Plus and XR) -- Schwalbe Marathon Supremes -- are in stock at Schwalbe North America, 700 x 35C - get 'em while they last.

The 700x35 Schwabe supreme is actually a 622x37 and I am not sure I can fit anything bigger than a 35. Hate to spend that much and then find oput they will not fit.
Next in line is the Contental Contact which does come in a 700x32.

Just be less picky.Bing!
Rubber is strong stuff; you need a very sharp and strong object to penetrate the "tread" surface of a well-inflated road tire (racing tires excepted). Unless you are riding through goat-head thorns or a spill of roofing tacks, the extra protection of the kevlar belt is probably going to be wasted. I find, even riding narrow slicks, that almost all of my foreign-object punctures come through the sidewalls.

I like the 35mm Marathon XRs.

I was looking at the Contacts as well, but I went with Panaracer 32s and so far I love them.

I put these on my 520 last week. so far I like them. of course I've only got 3 rides of around 15 miles each so thats not much to go on. but for the price I think they are fine. YMMV

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=2296&subcategory_ID=5420

Coy Boy

PS I got this on (replaced my rear tire only) because it was cheap enough that the wife would let me get a terry liberator sadle at the same time.

I put these on my 520 last week. so far I like them. of course I've only got 3 rides of around 15 miles each so thats not much to go on. but for the price I think they are fine. YMMV

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=2296&subcategory_ID=5420

Coy Boy

PS I got this on (replaced my rear tire only) because it was cheap enough that the wife would let me get a terry liberator sadle at the same time.

That doesn't look like a bad tire. I would still invest in Tuffy tire liners to get more miles out of the rubber.

A lot of shops (including Performance) also carry the Vittoria Randonneur which is a good tire at a decent price.

Been shopping for good quality touring tire and my frustration is running high. Have not been able to find a good quality tire in the size I am looking for IN STOCK. I would like a 700x32 or 35. My first target was the Continental Top Contact Reflex but they do not seem to exist outside of Europe. Also like the Continental Tour 2000 but they are not made anymore. Next target was the Schwabe Supreme....not available in my size. I looked at Schwabe Marathon Plus but it is heavier that I prefer. I have some on order from my LBS but he said all his suppliers are on backorder.

I know that a lot more choices are out there but I am not familiar with some of the other brands nor their durability. Lots of tire choices in 26" but not very good selection in 700x32 or 35.

If you were shopping for a good touring tire in my sizes, what would you be looking for (brand & model)?

I just completed the ACA Southern Tier with Panaracer Pasela Tourgard, folding 700x32. This relatively lite weight tire cannot be beat for value and performance. Wallbike.com has the folding for $29. Get them, you can't go wrong. I have the Marathon XR 700x35 and they are very heavy, slow and expensive.

a regular schwalbe Marathon works well,
schwalbe NA has them in stock.

The 700x35 Schwabe supreme is actually a 622x37 and I am not sure I can fit anything bigger than a 35. Hate to spend that much and then find oput they will not fit.
Next in line is the Contental Contact which does come in a 700x32.

I bought some Contact 700x37s and they measure 33 so they run narrow.

I bought some Contact 700x37s and they measure 33 so they run narrow.

That may be my solution. I know I cannot use a true 700x37 but I can fit in a 33. Will check that out.

Blows my mind how the tire mfg's play so fast and loose with their sizing. I had a set of Bontrager tires marketed as 700x35 but had a 622x37 measurement embedded in the casing. That is why I have been hesitant to order any tires based on their advertised sizing.

I like my Panaracer Pasela Tourguard, 700x32, with Kevlar belts. I've used it for commuting and fully-loaded touring on reasonably good paved roads.

I just got the vittoria Randonneur pro 700-35 for 25 bucks a piece and so far seem very nice. Have yet to ride them hard, but I'm not worried

Heres a link to the best road/touring tire out there. I've had miles and miles on theses tires and they stand the test of time.
Here's the link.

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=26417

I advise against Michelin Transworld City tyres - they're OK, but the tread attracts stones and glass.

What are the tyres for? For light on-road you might be happy with a 25mm Maxxis Re-fuse; for around the world you need 26" and Marathon XRs.

What are the tyres for? For light on-road you might be happy with a 25mm Maxxis Re-fuse; for around the world you need 26" and Marathon XRs.

Light on-road touring is my intended use....long range heavily loaded is not in the picture for me. However, some of the paved back roads I expect to use are frequently in poor condition thus I expect to encounter lots of rough spots and loose material on the surface.

In case anyone in USA is interested in the Continental Top Contact tires (my first choice), I contacted the USA distributer for Continental tires and he advised me that Continental started shipping the Top Contact tires some weeks ago to the USA and he hoped to have them available for retail outlets in about 2 weeks. That fits OK with my build schedule so I hope he is right.