Touring - Touring on Continental City Ride Tires

Hello BF:

I have what might be a silly question -- I had automatically assumed that my good-quality city tires would be just fine for touring on as well. I've had the Continental City Ride 700c x32 (http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/city/citytyres/cityride/cityride_en.html) tires for about 4 months and probably 1,000 miles now and they are just great. Not a single puncture and I ride every day for work on city streets and did a century on them as well which included ~40 miles on the gravelly C&O canal towpath. Once as I was truing the wheel on a stand I found a piece of glass embedded in the tread that had not punctured the tube (have no idea how long it had been there).

There are many other expenses related to gearing up for touring, so am hoping not to replace these -- this might just be a case of me thinking I need some more "stuff" instead of just getting out there and riding. In any case, I am about 230lbs and plan to carry possibly 25-30lbs of gear on a tour?

Are true touring tires going to give any benefit in terms of strength while carrying a load? Or should I just hold on to my $$ and go with what I have -- these perfectly good tires?

Thanks for any information.

Belt and Braces, just bring tire #3 of some sort, as a spare..
Or a Boot and spare tubes.

saves a long walk rolling on the rim.

+1

They're working for you, why change? If it's a short tour, I wouldn't even bother with a spare.

I have been testing tires on a course near my house and have concluded that the Conti Sport Contact is the tire I am going to use in the future. It seems tough and durable and fast. Fast for me at my weight and age (250 lbs and 63 yrs) translates into range per day. I used to ride 55 + mi. on 700x37c Conti Top Touring 2000. The 700x37c Sport Contact seem to be faster and tougher and are more comfortable.

If they work? Ride 'em. FWIW one of my "tour" bikes is currently running Forte Gotham City (Performance Bikes house brand) tires. I use that one for occasional rough stuff. I have used Cheng Shin, Kenda, Conti's, Michelin, Schwalbe as well as some off brand stuff. All did what they were supposed to do at the time. My favorites over all have been Michelin and Schwalbe.

Aaron :)

Thank you guys for responses. I'm just going to ride out with what I have.

Should have asked about my wheelset from the beginning as well -- forgive another silly question. I've got the Shimano WH-R500 wheelset that came with my bike. It has 24 rear/20 front spokes. Now, I've already had a problem with one of the front spokes coming loose and I ended up replacing it and using loctite on the new nipple. My question is this less than the number of spokes necessary for touring? I know that sturdy wheels are good to have -- the bike will be carrying a load of ~260 lbs rider+cargo. Once again, hoping not to replace what I have.

btw, my silly questions are reminding me of this blog post called "Some answers to just about any bike forum post I’ve ever read" -- I saw at the Surly Blog last month. It's pretty good, hope you get a kick out of it:

http://surlybikes.com/blog/2514/

It has 24 rear/20 front spokes. Now, I've already had a problem with one of the front spokes coming loose and I ended up replacing it and using loctite on the new nipple. My question is this less than the number of spokes necessary for touring?

You haven't really provided enough information to answer. In all cases I'd prefer a higher spoke count. Having said that, if you're not departing civilization and on smooth roads you can just see what happens with your existing wheels. Worst case is you get a lift to the nearest bike shop. Best case is that you don't have to lay out money on new wheels. If you're going to be on rough roads in remote areas, I'd spring for the new wheels. You've taken the bike on the C&O which can be rough, adding 25 lbs of weight isn't going to make a huge difference to your wheels.

I've got the Shimano WH-R500 wheelset that came with my bike. It has 24 rear/20 front spokes. Now, I've already had a problem with one of the front spokes coming loose and I ended up replacing it and using loctite on the new nipple. My question is this less than the number of spokes necessary for touring? I know that sturdy wheels are good to have -- the bike will be carrying a load of ~260 lbs rider+cargo. Once again, hoping not to replace what I have.

That weight's on the high side for those wheels. Be sure to check the tire pressure regularly. Those spokes (and nipples) if I recall correctly may have to be special ordered and not generally carried at shops. You would do well to bring several of each as spares with you (there are different sizes depending on front/real and for rear whether drive side or not).

I wouldn't ride those wheels...but I am pretty old school and ride conventional 36/36 on most of my bikes. I actually have one that is 32/40 ;)

Aaron :)

I've got the Shimano WH-R500 wheelset that came with my bike. It has 24 rear/20 front spokes. Now, I've already had a problem with one of the front spokes coming loose and I ended up replacing it and using loctite on the new nipple. My question is this less than the number of spokes necessary for touring? I know that sturdy wheels are good to have -- the bike will be carrying a load of ~260 lbs rider+cargo. Once again, hoping not to replace what I have.

20 spoke radial where you've already replaced a spoke and 24 rear wheel for 230lb rider and 30lbs of gear.
I wouldn't do it.

Consider Handspun production wheels or get PeterWhite to make the least expensive touring wheels.

I've toured about three thousand km on a continental town ride tire. It was fine and I'll be taking the same tire on my next tour.