Speaking of tires, and Ireland.

This is my '89 Schwinn Voyageur that I rode to NY State in the summer of '14, planning to ride the UK and Ireland on it this summer.



Fortunately the center-pull brakes could be adjusted to fit 700c rims, and the original derailleurs and friction shifters work with 44-32-22 chainrings and an 8 speed 11-34 cog (can't get on the little 11 tooth cog on account of lack of clearance). I can get down to 17 gear-inches on the granny.

Where I'm limited is tires and fenders, they just didn't anticipate fat tires in '89. The front fork barely allows a Bontrager 28-35mm fender....



And while I could probably fit a wider fender in back, there ain't oodles of room back there either.



(Pardon the grime, I rode it to work today)

I've been running 700c x 32 Conti Gator Hardshells without problems thus far, a relatively narrow tire for that width but even so there isn't a whole lot of clearance inside the fenders with them.

I like Continental tires and I thought to try "real" touring tires like Conti Top Contact or the Conti Touring Plus for this upcoming tour but it does seems like there's a chance they won't fit inside the fenders.

Is there a big downside to touring on Conti Gator/Gatorskins over there?

Thanks,
Mike