Touring - Favorite Touring Tire?

Time to outfit our bikes with new tires before our upcoming 6,000 mile tour. I'm wondering what tires people particularly like/recommend at this time?
Thanks, Erik

size of tire? Expected load?

Isn't this like "What's you favorite food?":lol:

I like the Schwalbe touring tires, particularly the Marathon XR, but it's been discontinued (you might still be able to find old stock). Some people don't like that tire because it is on the heavy side, but I like it for the durability and puncture resistance. The new Schwalbe Dureme is supposed to be the replacement for the XR, perhaps one to look at if you are doing mostly road touring, or the Extreme if you're doing more rough stuff. I have used neither of those yet. There are always stories of delamination and sidewall failures, but I think overall Schwalbe has a pretty good reputation with bicycle tourists. The new Dureme is supposed to have a slightly nicer rubber compound than the XR (according to Schwalbe) and also "snakeskin" sidewall protection is supposed to be an improvement. Another brand worth considering is Continental, though I haven't used those since they discontinued the original Top Touring.

As with everything, this is a matter of compromise and personal preference. You can't have everything. Durability, weight, puncture resistance - you need to pick what you prioritize. If you really like low weight, then you probably sacrifice some durability and puncture resistance. If you want a bomb proof tire that rolls over glass without a care then it probably won't be light (that would be the Schwalbe Marathon Plus).

See Schwalbe's website for comparison charts - it can be a little confusing, but it gives some idea of what they are aimed at:

http://www.schwalbetires.com/

Neil

I like Schwalbe Marathon Supremes best so far for road use, but I've only tried maybe 4 or 5 current tires for comparison, among them the regular Marathons, Vittoria Randonneurs (again, a road tire), and [EDIT; see below] Armadillos (didn't like the Armadillos; too heavy and sluggish).

I've taken the ordinary Marathons on single track and up rocky dirt hills without problems, but haven't tried the Supremes for this and suspect they aren't really as good just because of the tread (anti-tread, really; recessed lines on a slick tire rather than bumpy tread coming out of it), but I don't know. Will undoubtedly try them for this purpose this summer at some point.

Good luck finding some tires you like!

Isn't this like "What's you favorite food?":lol:

Umm, no, because I choose to eat something different every night, but I'd like to buy one tire (times 6 for 3 bikes) that will last for one long tour. I suppose I could've titled this, "What tire do you recommend for a long distance tour"?

size of tire? Expected load?

26". Gonna be pulling trailers for this trip. Paved roads.

I like Schwalbe Marathon Supremes best so far for road use, but I've only tried maybe 4 or 5 current tires for comparison, among them the regular Marathons, Vittoria Randonneurs (again, a road tire), and Gatorskins (didn't like the Gators; too heavy and sluggish).

I don't get it. In 700x28 the Gatorskins weigh 320 grams, the regular marathons 520 grams, and the Vittoria Randonneurs 500 grams. How can you list the three and then call out the gatorskins for being heavy? Granted the Gatorskins are narrow for their rated size, but even if you compare the 28mm Gatorskin with the other two in 25mm the gatorskins are still substantially lighter, since in 700x25 the marathons and Randonneurs are 500 and 390 grams respectively.

I like my Gatorskins pretty well mostly because they are light and have a lively feeling ride, while still being pretty robust. I have not ridden on the Randonneurs at all and have only ridden on regular marathons in a different size than I have gatorskins so I cannot directly compare the ride. The gatorskins definitely have the edge on weight though and by a substantial margin.

I like the continental travel contacts 26x1.75.They have a smooth strip down the center for road riding and lugs along the side if you get off road in loose soil.

having used both 700X25c gatorskins (4000 total miles) and 700X40c vittoria randonneurs (double shield) (1500 total miles) i'm currently favoring the randonneurs. Although they are ridiculously heavy they have proven indestructible and puncture-free for the past 1500 miles.

have a pair of panaracer paslea tg on order (700x35c). hope to find something a bit lighter but just as durable as the vittoria.

700x28 ... Gatorskins ... I like my Gatorskins pretty well mostly because they are light and have a lively feeling ride...

+1

Ride quality is the most undervalued aspect of touring tires. There are huge threads about weight and durability... but does anyone really want to ride on a tire that feels like it is made of concrete for thousands of miles? It makes a huge difference. These are more comfy than many of the 35mm touring/expedition tires, and faster too. If you're offroading, get something else... obviously.

I don't get it. In 700x28 the Gatorskins weigh 320 grams, the regular marathons 520 grams, and the Vittoria Randonneurs 500 grams. How can you list the three and then call out the gatorskins for being heavy? Granted the Gatorskins are narrow for their rated size, but even if you compare the 28mm Gatorskin with the other two in 25mm the gatorskins are still substantially lighter, since in 700x25 the marathons and Randonneurs are 500 and 390 grams respectively.

I like my Gatorskins pretty well mostly because they are light and have a lively feeling ride, while still being pretty robust. I have not ridden on the Randonneurs at all and have only ridden on regular marathons in a different size than I have gatorskins so I cannot directly compare the ride. The gatorskins definitely have the edge on weight though and by a substantial margin.

Doh. The reason is because I confused them with another tire.

I had Armadillos, not Gator Skins. I knew it was some tough animal hide name. Good eye, at any rate. Sorry to make you have to write all that.

marathon supreme 26 x 40.

I have also used marathons, marathon XR, pasela TG, and big apples.

Doh. The reason is because I confused them with another tire.

I had Armadillos, not Gator Skins. I knew it was some tough animal hide name. Good eye, at any rate. Sorry to make you have to write all that.

Ahh OK. That explains it. I wondered if it might be something like that.

Oh and no worries, we all mis-type sometimes.

uh... this gatorskin y'all talking 'bout... is it this one: http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Continental_Ultra_Gator_Duraskin_Road_Tyre/5300002585/

Thanks, just wanted to be sure before buying a pair (28*700) :)

I usually ride Conti Contacts or SMPs but need something a bit lighter, faster, (thinner for the same 28mm width?) as I've been roped into a 300km organized ride next month, but will be on my touring bike with A719s so 28mm is the minimum I can use... The Gatorskins fit this bill, right?

That must be the UK name, but it looks like the same tire.

thanks staehpj1! :) I edited my post after you replied, so maybe you could advise on my other question? thanks again :)

I've run UltraGatorskin 28s on a couple of bikes for a few thousand miles. I don't believe I ever flatted one. I keep a pair to put on the tour bike for local charity rides. They are very nice riding tires, especially so, given their durability. I"d say they're a top pick for use on 719s for a 300k rando.

On Topic: Conti Top Touring 32's are my favorite touring tire, but supplies are gone. I'll have to find a replacement soon. Looking hard at Top Contacts.

...I"d say they're a top pick for use on 719s for a 300k rando.
...

cheers! that's what I wanted to hear... I need all the help I can get, the longest I've ever ridden before is 100 miles (160 km) fully winter loaded a few months ago... so I have some serious respect for this distance :D

Imi: yes, same tire. It measures ~26.5mm at 90psi mounted on a 622-15 rim.

Imi, experiment with the tire pressure to find a comfortable place before the ride. I ride my 28's at 70-85 psi for a smoother ride. Makes long distances much nicer.

good idea truman... I'll experiment to find my inflation sweet spot... especially as I've never gone over 90 psi before on either my Contacts or SMPs... hihi I'm a tourer/commuter not a Roadie... uh yet! :/

sorry if this hijacked the thread somewhat

Umm, no, because I choose to eat something different every night, but I'd like to buy one tire (times 6 for 3 bikes) that will last for one long tour. I suppose I could've titled this, "What tire do you recommend for a long distance tour"?


Hey, no offense intended :) It's just that it's a highly subjective thing. Some will rave about Conti's, some Schwalbe's, some Vittoria's , some Panaracer and so on..... all have their own reasons.


*Since you are using 26" tires, what width tire will you be using with what rim?

*What tire width can the bike's handle?

*What have you used in the past and/or present?

This will help narrow your answers.

Ahh OK. That explains it. I wondered if it might be something like that.

Oh and no worries, we all mis-type sometimes.

Hehe, not even a mis-type. Aging man brain deterioration! :P

On the plus side, now I'm interested in trying out Gator Skins.

I usually ride Conti Contacts or SMPs but need something a bit lighter, faster, (thinner for the same 28mm width?) as I've been roped into a 300km organized ride next month, but will be on my touring bike with A719s so 28mm is the minimum I can use... The Gatorskins fit this bill, right?
The contis are narrow for their listed size but my guess is that they would still work fine.

Time to outfit our bikes with new tires before our upcoming 6,000 mile tour. I'm wondering what tires people particularly like/recommend at this time?
Thanks, Erik

I would have recommended a wider tire like a 35 or 37mm Continental Contacts but after my recent episode with blowouts (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/6925) while on tour and previous episodes with blowouts on tour (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/cyccommute2005), I'm starting to rethink my ideas. I couldn't run the Continental Contacts at even the recommended maximum pressure without blowing the tires off both rims. Nothing like having to bum a ride on the morning of the second day to go get tubes after ruining 1 more tube than you had tires:notamused:*

I'm thinking of going to a 32mm tire which is about the same width as 1 1/4" tires that I used for ages on my other touring bike. The ride on a 37 is very nice but if you have to run them at 70 psi to keep them from blowing off the rim, the ride just isn't worth the drop in efficiency.

*No, it was not the rim. It was the pressure in the tire that caused 6 separate blowouts or flats. Both front and rear tires blew out and I run different brand rims on the front and rear. And I've had blow out problems with two different models of Continentals...Top Touring and Contacts.

Vittoria Randonneur Hyper in 32mm folding. Light and great feel with exceptional flat protection in my experience. Not familiar with those TX thorns though. So can't comment on them.

320 Grams doesn't hurt either.

Isn't this like "What's you favorite food?":lol:

tacos!

26". Gonna be pulling trailers for this trip. Paved roads.

26 x 1.5 Panaracer Pasela ,T-serv, or Continental Sport Contact for the front and a 1.6 Marathon Supreme on the rear. You'll probably have to replace them before 6000 miles but it would be a nice beginning. There are heavier and thicker tread tires, choices, choices , choices.

If you're riding with lighter less hp riders I'd suggest putting one of the Sport Contacts on the rear and the Pasela on the front of their bike. If one of the riders is a heavy person put this on the front and some thick tire on the rear like the Continental Travel Contact. A heavy long lasting tire like the regular Schwalbe Marathon is fine for a heavy person but if you're riding with light people there's no reason to put a heavy 700gram tire on their bike.

http://www.rei.com/product/711641

I use Vittoria Randonneurs because they're the most durable 26" folder I could find. In a ziplock bag I carry my spare tire, a spare tube, tire irons and surgical gloves. I can do an easy, clean tire change at the side of the road. Later in a more comfortable spot, I can patch the tube and pull sharp nasties out of my spare tire.