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Old 05-07-10 | 03:14 PM
  #35  
sunset1123
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 130
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From: Missoula, MT

Bikes: Giant TCX 1 touring conversion

Originally Posted by staehpj1
I like my Conti 28mm Ultra Gatorskins quite well for loaded touring.
+1

Another vote for the Gatorskins in 28mm. Because I ride with a trailer most of the time, I've even done a couple long weekenders on 25s. Tried the Armadillos with mixed results. One set lasted almost three years with no problems. The next set got returned after less than 500 miles due to the tread cracking away from the sidewalls. I have zero confidence in specialized tires anymore.

Big thing: your touring setup is the best advice to listen to when considering tires. Fully loaded racks and panniers: 32mm+ touring specific tire. Lightly loaded racks and panniers: 28mm+ endurance/training tire. Lightly loaded bike towing a trailer: almost anything you want, probably 25mm+ and some flat protection is good.

So everyone is going to run a slightly different setup, and will have a slightly different "ideal" tire. Seriously though, after hundreds of miles on the road, don't overlook ride quality. Those armadillos and some of the beefier conti touring specific tires ride like they are made out of concrete, and that is no fun at all.
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