Tandem Cycling - Tire recommendations

Hi,

I'm looking for tire recommendations for use on gravel paths as well as roads. Currently we are using Conti Ultra Gatorskins (700x28) but would like something a little wider and more durable. There are a few rail-to-trails and similar routes that we'd like to try. The new tires would be used only for when we plan to go off the beaten path. Otherwise, we'll keep the Gatorskins on.

I have Schwalbe Marathon Plus' on my commuter and they are high on my list. But I'd be happy to hear what others recommend. Probably looking for something in the 700x32 range.

Thanks,
Dave

had Schwalbe Big Apple 2.00 front and 2.35 back. Good slicks for on and off (ie gravel, dirt) road. No punctures in 8000km. I think we changed the rear at 3500km. But on a fully laden Cannondale Mountain Tandem pulling a BOB YAK.

I've had good results with Panaracer Pasela 28,32,and 35's. I usually get the kevlar bead versions after trying a few wire bead tires(not Paselas) that had poor ride quality or rode like Flintstone tires.

We have put cyclocross tires on our Trek T2000. But I just discovered that our nice Ouzo Pro fork won't fit a 700X30 Michelin cross tire, so we had a cross tire just on the back with a slick on the front this weekend. The back tire gets great traction on gravel and dry trails. Compared to our MTB bike with fat tires, the cross tire will be more likely to pinch flat but will be much faster. Compared to our 700X25 road slick the cross tire will be less likely to pinch flat off road and much slower on pavement. FWIW I run the cross tires at 20% over their max. pressure rating.

Thanks for all the recommendations. I've added the tires to my research list.

-Dave