Touring - 2005 Trek 520 question...

Hello all,

My new 520 is being built as we speak. I noticed on the Trek website that they have changed the stock tires from 700x35 to 700x32. I have two questions regarding this change:


1. Would a 35 tire be better for touring?

and

2. Do you think the bike shop would swap them? (I hate to be a pain with bike shops..)

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Dan Kehlenbach

We toured for years on 27x1/4" tires (on old Peugeot's), the equivalent of 700x32s, on all kinds of paved surfaces. I think you'll find they are just fine. Our Treks (2002 models) came with 700x35s. We left them on figuring that the coming tours we planned would have a fair amount of chip seal roads. The slightly wider and slightly lower pressure tires of 700x35s might smooth out the bumpiness of chip seal. We were also on a few dirt roads.

Maybe it did. I'm sure there WAS a difference, but the bumps were still bumps. The difference was small. Since I could not compare two identical bikes differing only by the tires, I can't really say.

We have both 700x32 and 700x35 spares so can swap for a particular tour to suite our whims.

What brand?

As you can see on Sheldon's website, not all tires are sized equally.

My 520 came with 32's (Bontrager Select) a great riding tyre, However I bought Conti Top Touring 2000's just because I love that tyre, Have not had one problem with the 32 Conti's mile after mile. I carry various amounts of weight ranging from 25 lbs to 65 pounds, depends on the tour, and the 32's performed flawlessly. :D

I have a Trek 7300 that came with Bontrager 35s. I wanted a bit less drag so decided to fit 32s. Size is perfect. By sheer chance I ended up with Flatlander's Conti Top Touring 2000s. Tried them last night and they seem fine (although of course it takes many miles to make a judgement). I would definitely try the 32s first before thinking of the slightly more foregiving, but slightly more draggy - and thus slightly more effort required - 35s.

Dan,

Not enough difference to worry about. Once you're familiar with the bike and the tires you may decide you want something else but to start they're as good as any.

Dan,
I also just bought a '04 Trek 520 and I swapped the factory tires for a pair of Conti TopTouring 2000 (32c) tires. The Conti roll a little faster and have a better tread pattern. I've been riding on them with about 45 lbs. of gear with good results. I would recommend that you give them a try and keep the factory Bontragers for a spare set. My 2 cents.