Touring - Tire recommendation for a racing bike

Hi all
I am thinking about touring on my racing bike later on this summer, and I need some recommendation on which tires to get.
The thing is that the rear wheel clearance is pretty tight so Im guessing that a 28mm tire is the thickest that my bike will accept.
Ive found these tires online :
http://www.schwalbetires.com/node/2118

All comments are welcome

Ron

It's rare to see a racing bike that won't take a 28mm tire (and probably also rare to see a racing bike that will take any larger than a 28mm tire). You could probably even get by with a 25 front/28 rear, depending on what you plan to haul with you when touring. Question is, what do you plan to haul with you when touring?

It's rare to see a racing bike that won't take a 28mm tire (and probably also rare to see a racing bike that will take any larger than a 28mm tire).

My race bike won't fit anything larger than a 25mm in the front. Heck, even some tires marked as 25mm are too large to clear the fork (e.g. Michelin Krylion Carbon). More room in the back, but tires larger than 28mm won't squeeze past the brake pads unless they're deflated. Dunno about touring, but I've had good luck with Continental Ultra Gatorskins as an everyday training tire. They seem to roll reasonably well and have good flat protection. Good mileage too, though that may change if you ask them to carry a heavy load.

My input would be Conti grand prix 4000 in 28mm. Best road clincher ever, just bump the size a little. I have never seen that tire in a LBS though, just online.

My input would be Conti grand prix 4000 in 28mm. Best road clincher ever, just bump the size a little. I have never seen that tire in a LBS though, just online.

Conti doesn't make the GP4000 nor the GP4000S in a 28mm width. Or at least that's what their website suggests...

Conti doesn't make the GP4000 nor the GP4000S in a 28mm width. Or at least that's what their website suggests...

They make the 4-season in 28mm.

continental ultragatorskin on front and Panaracer RibMo on rear. Sure you can tour on $60 275gram tires but I think you're paying a premium for something other than a touring tire.

My race bike won't fit anything larger than a 25mm in the front. Heck, even some tires marked as 25mm are too large to clear the fork (e.g. Michelin Krylion Carbon). More room in the back, but tires larger than 28mm won't squeeze past the brake pads unless they're deflated. Dunno about touring, but I've had good luck with Continental Ultra Gatorskins as an everyday training tire. They seem to roll reasonably well and have good flat protection. Good mileage too, though that may change if you ask them to carry a heavy load.
really have'nt thought about the brakes clearance ,might have to settle for a 25mm tire...

What bike do you ride?
I was able to use 28's on my Felt F-80 and 85

You need to know that all tires that say 28'd are not 28's.
Both of my tires say 28. The front measures to a 26 and the rear measures a 30.

Conti doesn't make the GP4000 nor the GP4000S in a 28mm width. Or at least that's what their website suggests...
Really? Man, they used to but I guess they stopped. That sucks actually. I was planning on getting a pair soon to replace some way to heavy commuting tires.

Really? Man, they used to but I guess they stopped. That sucks actually. I was planning on getting a pair soon to replace some way to heavy commuting tires.


http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=Y1094

Along with usa15 code.

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=Y1094

Along with usa15 code.
Cool thanks.

What bike do you ride?
I was able to use 28's on my Felt F-80 and 85

You need to know that all tires that say 28'd are not 28's.
Both of my tires say 28. The front measures to a 26 and the rear measures a 30.

I ride a 2005 Eddy Merckx Gara and tend to tour on paved road only but some may be crappy

This one seems to have no room for a larger tire.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/4166692953_2a8c58e9e3_o.jpg

http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=Y1094

Along with usa15 code.

You realize that you've linked to a GP 4-Season and not the GP4000 that benjah was interested in, right? Similar names, but very different tires. Think of the GP 4-Season as a Gatorskin without the flat protection. Or maybe it's a heavy GP4000 with less grip?

The bead failed on the last 4-Season I owned and left me stranded 2 miles outside cell phone range. I, personally, would not buy this tire again...

This one seems to have no room for a larger tire.

http://i256.photobucket.com/albums/hh187/10wheels/4166692953_2a8c58e9e3_o.jpg

Looking closely at the chainstays there is room for 25mm tire for sure and the 28mm is marginal

Close look