Originally Posted by
FlashBazbo
This weekend, I will be riding a century through an area that (I suspect) will include some smooth pavement, some rough chipseal, a little insanely rough crater-pavement, and some light gravel. I'm accustomed to either doing gravel races or doing centuries on smooth pavement, but I've never done a road century that I knew would have substantial amounts of sketchy surface. I've got my "allroad" tires ready, but I thought I would ask what the forum thinks is the ideal tire width (and tire) for this kind of century. For reference, I'm thinking of running 36mm Challenge Strada Bianca TLR's. But . . . I've also got a set of 25mm Conti 4000SII's (that measure 28mm) if I change my mind.
What do you think? What tire would you use?
You are basically describing the mix that I ride all the time. A mix of pavement, chip-seal, really crappy pavement, and gravel.
38mm Barlow Pass. I never wish I was on a different tire on any surface short of mud.
I was also pretty happy with the 35mm Bon Jon Pass tires I had before this, and they are quite a bit lighter.