Tires: Width and patterns
 

I'm trying something a little different.

Rider: 6', 250 lbs.
Bike: Surly CC (stock complete).
Tires: Surly Knards (41c)

I'm using the bike as my all-purpose steed at the moment. During the week she is my commuter, and on that commute I generally attempt to keep above 12-13 mph average over the 6 mile trip (each way). I also use the bike to do varied-terrain riding at 50 mile distances on average. Up until this coming weekend, that mileage has been exclusively on roads. I have ridden in a supported group ride (50 miler) on the tires and can say that while I love them - they're just worthless as a road tire. So I'm looking at setting myself up with a better day-to-day tire and putting them on reserve for truly epic caliche trail days. I've ridden a variety of road and CX tires but I'm not sure where that sweet spot is, nor am I an expert on which tire has made the difference in my ride.

I'm looking at a couple sets of tires:

1.Clement LAS
2.Continental Travel Contact
3.Panaracer Tourguard Plus

I don't think I want to go below a 32c; I've ridden Fyxation Session 700s in 28 and they were okay - but the contact patch was iffy with some of the silt/sand road conditions I sometimes encounter. I've ridden the Clement LAS before and was happy with it, but am not sure if it is a great tire, or if I'm just not familiar with what a great tire should feel like. I'm thinking anywhere between a 32-35c gives me a quality commuter tire that I can still do group rides on, right? I think anything in the 40+c range is going to be just too much tire.

I have heard great things about Gatorskins, but then I've heard they're harder than bricks and roll like turds, so I haven't considered them up to this point.

So what are your suggestions? I assume I'm right in my feelings about my Knards being great tires, just being used with the entirely wrong application.

My tires are Michelin City Pilot 35c - which is the largest size that can fit under fenders.

No problems with them to date.

I have been using Panaracer Ribmo 32c for the last 2 1/2 years on my Salsa Casseroll. Just replaced the back one and moved the front tire to the back. It has been more than decent and I could easily see someone using them for a mix of commuting and recreational riding.

I hear great things about Schwalbe Marathon Supreme, but they are expensive. Maybe next year, I might switch to those just to change things up.

I've always liked Panaracer T-Serv as a nice compromise between weight, performance, and flat protection. But for my regular commute where I want a bit more flat protection at the expense of weight and a bit of performance, I've been using RiBMo for a few years now.

A buddy of mine had 44-622 Specialized Borough XC's like this on his Cross-Check, which I borrowed for a while. They felt surprisingly fast for their size and weight: Specialized Bicycle Components

http://velomax.ru/images/cms/data/0018-0170.jpg

(I guess if I could read I would have noticed you didn't want tires this big. But eh, I still liked them. :lol: )

Width ain't everything. As long as the engine is up to snuff there's no reason a slick 40 couldn't serve you well on many group rides. It's more about the tread/rubber/build for on road speed. There are slick, lightweight 35-40 size tires that will absolutely outperform a 32 cyclocross tire, because of their lack of tread.
Hell, I have smooth 2.35" wide tires which seem to roll easier than a knobby cyclocross tire.

I'd go more volume and less tread for on road, where reasonable. Every time. But I really like some knob if I'm doing spirited off roading (you can limp wrist it off road with just a slick tire most of the time). Might need two sets of tires and need to get fast at switching them out :P

Knards, too knobby for pave. I'm on my second set of panaracer passella tourguards, 700 x35. Work well , roll nicely. Reasonably light.

Take it from someone about your dimensions on a frame that accommodate very large 700c tires. The fenders are going to be the most annoying part of it all. On larger tires you need a larger fender and I've found they do not come in small increments of width.

If I was going larger I would look at the Little Big Ben it's a nice tire rolls smooth and has grip on some dirt.

In all my years of doing gravel races and just rides I have used Pasela's and now T-Servs. The grip is fine for this and they have a semi nice soft plush feel, plus smooth on road sections.

Hope I'm not hijacking the thread. I have a bike being sent to me that comes with 700x25 tires and can take up to 28s with a fender (32 or 35 without). My question: is there a significant difference between 25s and 28s? Enough difference to justify spending money on a set of tires?

For everyday commuting I use Schwalbe Marathon, not Plus or Supreme.
I find 32mm is fine for roads, trails, loads.


25/28mm:
28mm tyres are a good option on a road bike for winter riding, and you can switch back to your 25mm in summer.
28mm is probably the width designation with the most variation in actual width/tread/weight.

The Clement LAS center tread is not going to hold up to pavement. If you want those side knobs for trail riding, look at the Ritchey Speedmax comp. I've been riding them for years on the pavement and the center tread holds up really well. It's also pretty good off road except for mud. The 700x40mm version is 35mm wide on 15mm id rims with a 100mm bead to bead distance. They are also only $20.

But what you really should do is have two sets of wheels. One for mixed riding, another dedicated to road riding.

I just swapped my bike to Panaracer Pasela PT folding bead tires in the fall and they roll very nicely. For a slightly left field option, my son really likes his Conti Cyclocross Speed file tread tires and they are surprisingly flat resistant.