Touring - tire recommendations please..

so what would you folks reckon is the best tire's.
i have near enough got everything for my beautiful 28 year old Raleigh road bike,had a thread on this a while back.
anyway just ordered new wheels 700c Mavic 319 rims/Deore hubs/Swiss spokes.
now i need tires .i will be pulling a trailer bob copy:thumb:
i want a tire that fast light puncture proof long lasting :lol:
seriously whats best.
oh yeah size 700x28

The only tire I have used for several years are Schwalbe Marathons

I have Panaracer ribmo and find them worthwhile; very lightweight yet good puncture resistance:

http://www.panaracer.com/urban.php

good stuff thanks for that.

I am using the Vittoria Randonneur and couldn't be any happier-they are a very good tire I have over 800 miles on mine and they look brand new.
I do a lot of touring and no flats and a very good roll on them.
Check them out here.
http://www.biketiresdirect.com/product/vittoria-randonneur-tire
Hope this helps you out.:):)

I am using the Vittoria Randonneur and couldn't be any happier-they are a very good tire I have over 800 miles on mine and they look brand new.
I do a lot of touring and no flats and a very good roll on them.
Check them out here.
http://www.biketiresdirect.com/product/vittoria-randonneur-tire
Hope this helps you out.:):)

FYI, you can also get these in a PRO model, without the wire bead, to save weight. I have them in 32. They're pretty new, but I really like them so far.

FYI, you can also get these in a PRO model, without the wire bead, to save weight. I have them in 32. They're pretty new, but I really like them so far.

And I have the Vittoria Rando Hypers.

When you buy a tire, you're buying a number of compromises.

The Conti GP 4 season claims to be 260gr for a 28c. Of course, their 28 is really a 26, and
I wouldn't be surprised if they fudge the weight as well.

But it is light for that size.

Jump into the 300gr range and you can pick from gatorskins and Randonneurs and a bunch more.

Going over 400gr gives you terrific durabilty, but it'll feel slow and ride hard.

Having said all that... the basic Randonneur is a great tire at a reasonable price.
But the tire I want to try next is the Rando Pro.

I have Schwalbe Marathon Supremes and Duremes, both are excellent tires. I haven't put the supremes back on since getting the duremes in March as they aren't that much slower rolling but a bit more comfy and durable due to spring road conditions. I have well over 5k on my supremes and they are holding up very well.

on this tour, I installed a set of Schwalbe Marathon Plus's on the sidewalk in front of Gila Hike and Bike in Silver City NM. Yesterday, outside of Cumberland Maryland I got my first flat. Somebody put a thumbtack on the C&O and I was unlucky enough to ride over it. I expect these tires to finish my perimeter tour

FYI, you can also get these in a PRO model, without the wire bead, to save weight. I have them in 32. They're pretty new, but I really like them so far.

I just turned 3500 miles on a pair of Vittoria Randoneur Pro's. Front looks great. Rear is showing noticeable wear and squaring-off, but it probably has a couple more hundred miles in it. Only one flat in the last year and a half. If the rear flats I'll probably replace it. Nice riding, nice looking tires. I probably won't get another set though, just because I like trying different tires.

I like the Gatorskins tires 700c x 28 they work good on my nashbar build.

The only tire I have used for several years are Schwalbe Marathons


I just yesterday put a new set on.
They replaced a set of Specialized Nimbus, both of them developed a slight "bulge" or went out of round. The ride became a constant bump! On some all day trips it really became a nuisance. On fast downhill sections I didn't feel I was in total control (if there is such a thing?).
The Marathons roll better! I haven’t ridden them enough to determine how I like them yet though.

I suggest Panaracer Pasela or Bontrager H2, both got low rolling resistance and nice cornering

The best road bike tires I have found are made by Grand Bois - very comfy and very fast. They have a variety of sizes. I run 700 x 32mm and 650B x 42mm. They use the same construction for all sizes.

http://www.compasscycle.com/Tires.html

thanks everyone ,vik love to get those bois tires but a tad expensive.i think theres a guy in the uk that sell them might sus him out.i did get the supreams for my thorn found them great until i went over a patch of rough ground which resulted with a 2 inch gash in the sidewall and i only had a couple hundred miles on them. ah bad luck i suppose.

thanks everyone ,vik love to get those bois tires but a tad expensive.i think theres a guy in the uk that sell them might sus him out.i did get the supreams for my thorn found them great until i went over a patch of rough ground which resulted with a 2 inch gash in the sidewall and i only had a couple hundred miles on them. ah bad luck i suppose.

I destroyed a $120 tire on a chunk of glass once with less than 100kms on them. It's sad, but what can you do?

Schwalbe Marathons

+1

Randonneur Pro 700x32 after 4400 miles of urban/commute riding over 23 months. One flat of unknown cause. Replaced with 700x32 Michelin City.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-NvlPwlMZRBk/TpoqRATWPGI/AAAAAAAAJ9U/3I3JtxkGv_M/s800/IMG_20111007_162110.jpg

Gator Hardshells come in 700x28. Basically the same tire as regular Gatorskins but with extra sidewall puncture protection (there have been reports of Gatorskin sidewall rips).

They're hard and fast... The differnce to SMPs in ride feel is HUGE!

imi and everyone else lol, i went a bought the panaracer ribmo i like these tires good on the wet roads pretty fast and so far no p....rs, happy days.

Gator Hardshells come in 700x28. Basically the same tire as regular Gatorskins but with extra sidewall puncture protection (there have been reports of Gatorskin sidewall rips).

They're hard and fast... The differnce to SMPs in ride feel is HUGE!

If you have ridden both the Hardshells and the Gatorskins, I'd be curious how you felt they differed.

I like the regular Gatorskins but wonder how much the stiffer sidewall of the Hardshells affects the ride. Seeing as how I have never had sidewall failures with the regular Gatorskins I am inclined to stick with them. I always figured that the flexible sidewall was a big part of the reason they have such a nice lively feel.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus.

I have them in 622-32, 559-47, & 406-47.

If you have ridden both the Hardshells and the Gatorskins, I'd be curious how you felt they differed.


Hi there staehpj1. Sorry I should have got back to you earlier on this. I A/B tested two wheel sets (700c x 28) on my touring bike (Bob Jackson World Tour). Did a mile or so on regular asphalt, unloaded.

Set A: Gatorskins: Front Wheel: Mavic 319, Deore Hub. Rear Wheel Mavic 719, Ultegra Hub
Set B: Gator Hardshells: Front and Rear Wheels: Mavic 719, XT hubs

Both sets were pumped to 116 psi.
The Gatorskins felt maybe a little faster, a little "livelier" as you put it (I know exactly what you mean, and love that feel), but the overall difference was minimal. I think I'd be able to tell the difference in a double blind test, though only just.

I'll be touring round New Zealand (about 3000 kms) this winter on the Hardshells, so I can report back after that about how they fared. I've had the Gatorskins on my commuting bike for the last six months so I'm very used to their feel.

After NZ I'll be doing about 1500 kms in Thailand - should be a good test for 28mm Hardshells! ... yeah yeah, I know, you trekkers! ;)

If I was somewhere on tour I could easily pick up new tires I wouldn't hesitate to tour with Gatorskins, but for the extra peace of mind, the Hardshells are my choice for now.
That said, in all my years of riding and touring I've never suffered catastrophic sidewall failure. For years I toured on Continental Contacts (the regular ones at 32mm), but have got a bit addicted to the Gatorskin feel! :D
SMPs in comparison are anchors, but the best choice in desert thorn areas.

Sorry if this doesn't help too much...

Sorry if this doesn't help too much...

Actually that is exactly the type of observations I was looking for. Thanks.