Touring - Question about Tires

So its been a while since I've ordered tires. I just ordered a Surly Disc Trucker with 700c wheels. I want to get Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires and found a deal here (http://www.biketiresdirect.com/product/schwalbe-marathon-plus-700c) that is way cheaper then on amazon for instance. My question, however, is what size to get?

The Options range from 700c-25 to 700c-38. I assume the second number refers to how wide the contact to the surface is? Either way, I am a little clueless as to which to order.

mcallaghan, The second number also reflects the height of the tire to a degree, which very slightly will effect gearing. I have 35 mm tires, but it seems most use 32 mm tires.

Brad

700x28 in panaracer ribmo much better that marathen plus IMHO.

Long as you're gonna be on paved roads, 32s will be fine.

I imagine most of my riding will be done on pave roads. Probably a dirt road or two (and whatever campsites are paved in - so some grass). I've taken a deeper look at Schwalbes and am contemplating one or two other versions they have. So many options!

I'm partial to fatter tires even on-road. I don't find they slow me down much at all (assuming they're slick) and they're more comfortable to ride on. YMMV of course.

Marathon Plus it is. I'll go with the 700c-32.

Any recommendations on tubes?

Michelin tubes? (http://www.biketiresdirect.com/product/michelin-a3-airstop-tube) This one is a mm thicker than most tubes. Also heavier. Tubes are a crap shoot. I generally get whatever the LBS is selling in the size I need. Take 2 spares for touring, as well as a Park Tool boot/Gorilla Tape in case of a tire blow out. Very rare, but it happens.

Going with 3 Tires (1 spare) and will also go with 2 spare tubes. Any need to carry spare spokes? I'll be in the UK, so getting bike parts won't be a problem.

Received some Schwalbe Marathon Plus 700 X 32 a couple of weeks ago. Got tired of constant flats on the stock tires that came with my 2012 Trek 520. From what I have read, the Schwalbe tires will be great for touring as not too bad rolling resistance but almost puncture proof. Just need to put them on my bike.

No need to carry a spare tyre if it's a SM+. They will go lands end to end at least 7 times. I haven't toured with one yet but I have one 35mm on the rear with over 4000 miles now, zero flats and no cracking. I also hit a deep pothole hard enough to dent the rim 2mm and the tyre didn't even notice.

Casing sidewall damage can still happen, see if you can find a Kevlar bead tire,
that will fold and stow in the bottom of a pannier, and be there in that situation.

Ok. I'll go with just 2 Marathon Plus tires.
CO2 cartridges for emergency pumping as well (1 cartridge per tube to fill it up or 2?).
I'll get LBS tubes when I pick up my bike at the end of the month.

I think that about covers it for tires, unless I am missing something?

Ok. I'll go with just 2 Marathon Plus tires.


Good decision. But for peace of mind, consider the boot/Gorilla Tape idea. Weighs only a couple of ounces. I preach it now after participating in the booting of a Marathon tire using this duo. Fellow rode the tire for 3 more days. We reinforced the boot with the tape, and wrapped some more tape around the tire.

In defense of the tire, we think the sidewall was intermittently rubbing against something on the bike. A blow out
is extremely rare, but it does happen. And the fix is simple, usually.

Ok. I'll go with just 2 Marathon Plus tires.
CO2 cartridges for emergency pumping as well (1 cartridge per tube to fill it up or 2?).
I'll get LBS tubes when I pick up my bike at the end of the month.

I think that about covers it for tires, unless I am missing something?

12oz CO2 = 60 psi
16oz CO2 =80psi

32mm tires seem like a good compromise between weight, comfort and durability.

We switched from 28mm tires to 32mm tires for a 2900 mile ride last summer. A portion of our route took us over 400 miles of dirt and gravel roads and trails, and over 500 miles of cobblestones and paver block roads and trails. We were fully loaded, and the tires did just fine. We used Schwalbe Marathons because they were a little lighter than the Marathon Plus. For a trip this summer, which will be primarily on roads, I am thinking of going with the 32mm Continental Gatorskins. They are quite a bit lighter, and I have had good results from the Gatorskins in the past. I would have used the Gatorskins last summer but they were not available in the 32mm in the US.

I would recommend a pump, rather than CO2 inflation. My wife carries a CO2 inflation device on her TRI bike, and it pays to practice with them before you actually need to use one.


Originally posted by Fietsbob
Casing sidewall damage can still happen, see if you can find a Kevlar bead tire,
that will fold and stow in the bottom of a pannier, and be there in that situation

+1 The folks that say you don't need to carry a spare folding tire on a tour are right, until you actually get into the situation where you really do need it. I have used mine at least 3 times in the last 10,000 miles. Sure, you can limp in with a tire boot, but you can actually ride several days on a dependable tire if you have a spare. Three years ago, I finished the last two weeks of a tour with the spare on. Saved the hassle of trying to find a bike shop, and hoping that they had a suitable tire. I know, if if I was using 26" wheels, I could have found one at Wal-Mart!;)

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy112/Doug64_photos/Europe%202011/IMG_4146-2.jpg

28mm on left, 32mm right. 11 and 12 ounces respectively.
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy112/Doug64_photos/IMG_7128-1.jpg

CO2 cans are for day trippers. You need a good pump to top up the air every few days.

I was going to carry a real pump, but figured if I caught a flat it'd be much quicker to get going using CO2.