danr55

I took up bike riding in my mid fifties for health reasons. I'm sixty now and still going strong. I've gone way beyond riding for health reasons, now I ride for the sheer joy of it. I have 4 bikes but the one I use almost exclusively is a specialized rockhopper 29er, it's geometry fits me so nicely. I am ready to go beyond day trips and start touring trips, long weekend stuff to start with. I want to use the rockhopper as a touring bike. Maybe someday I can afford a dedicated tourer but for now it's the rockhopper. My current tires are Fast Trak Sport 29x2.0 knobbies. I'm looking for a touring tire with less rolling resistance for primarily paved roads and rail to trail hardpack rides that will fit a two inch wide rim. How narrow can I go with a touring tire on a 2" rim?

Dan

Cyclesafe

I don't think you have 2" rims. Measure the inside of the rim (take the tire off) and go here (bottom of page "Which tire fits which rim?"). For pavement / hardpack touring I think you'd be happy with Schwalbe Marathon XR's (if you can find them) or their alleged replacement, Schwalbe Marathon Duremes. Depending on what your rim width turns out to be, I'd go with the 37-622 for either. Larger, if your rim is too big for that width. Best place to buy online is here.

big_rider

Check out the Schwalbe Big Apples. That is what I am running as a touring tire on my 29er. Plenty fat and cushy but they still roll very well. I've got them in 50mm width

fietsbob

also a pretty wide Schwalbe marathon + which adds a puncture barrier like Mr Tuffy inside the casing. very reliable.
47-622, 700 x 45C https://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_ti.../marathon_plus

ocho

I have a set of Rockhopper 29 stock wheels and while I can't say how wide they are off the top of my head, I know that 700x38's fit them. I loaned them to a friend and thats what he put on them. Its going to take a bit of fiddling to set up a rack front that rear. If you plan to use panniers. But lots of kits are out there for getting it done.

I too started riding for health reasons back when and I'm only in my mid fifties now but like you I ride more for enjoyment and because I can now. Glad to see you are still going strong. Have fun touring. Good luck.