Riding across Texas, what tires do the locals use?
08-20-23, 04:35 PM
#1
Newbie
Thread Starter
Riding across Texas, what tires do the locals use?
I am planning a ride across Texas in October. I will be following the Southern Tier Route, this is my first time in Texas and my plan is to ride 100 plus miles a day. I know that the goat head thorns can be bad and I am thinking of using a set of Gator hardshell tires. I am curious to what others use and if I am being over cautious?
I just put a set of the hardshells on the bike and I dont think I like the way the feel. It was different enough that I am second guessing that purchase.
Tom
RUSA#16181
I just put a set of the hardshells on the bike and I dont think I like the way the feel. It was different enough that I am second guessing that purchase.
Tom
RUSA#16181
08-21-23, 06:05 AM
#2
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About five years ago I participated in an ACA Big Bend Bend van supported trip. From that I can say that a lot of West Texas has a rough chip seal surface. I think you want some tires that can be run at lower pressure to reduce vibration. That said, I can't say for sure if the Southern Tier has the same chip seal surface or not.
I had my folding bike which uses 40mm wide Schwalbe Marathons, I lowered my front tire to between 40 and 45 psi to reduce the road vibration on my hands. My GPS was unhappy with the vibration on the first day when my pressure was higher, and my GPS started acting up from the vibration. To this day occasionally my GPS acts up a bit. I am not suggesting you use the same tires I used, just citing the tire size that my folder takes to put my tire pressure into perspective. I assume you use narrower tires.
Have you thought about how much water to carry?
I had my folding bike which uses 40mm wide Schwalbe Marathons, I lowered my front tire to between 40 and 45 psi to reduce the road vibration on my hands. My GPS was unhappy with the vibration on the first day when my pressure was higher, and my GPS started acting up from the vibration. To this day occasionally my GPS acts up a bit. I am not suggesting you use the same tires I used, just citing the tire size that my folder takes to put my tire pressure into perspective. I assume you use narrower tires.
Have you thought about how much water to carry?
08-21-23, 10:37 AM
#3
Newbie
Thread Starter
Thank you for sharing your experience. I will be using a 32mm tire and hopefully the roads wont be that bad were I will be riding.
I can carry up to 150 ounces of water with me, I am hoping that will be enough.
Tom
I can carry up to 150 ounces of water with me, I am hoping that will be enough.
Tom
08-22-23, 05:59 AM
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150 oz of water is over four and a half quarts, should be plenty. That said, when I was there was early to mid April. Not sure how our conditions will compare to yours.
We had two days of about 55 miles, one about 60 miles. Rest of the days were shorter. I think I carried about three or four liters, and I do not think I ever had to open up the last liter. I had two liters on the bike in bottle cages (one liter size Smartwater brand disposable bottles) and a Carradice saddle bag with more bottles in it. That bag was nice to take the extra clothing layers, as some mornings were chilly, one morning I had ice in my water bottles.
For the trip I was on, if my memory is correct, ACA suggested tires that were 28mm or wider. Most of the group had road bikes. The two guides had touring bikes and I had my folding bike. Mine is below. The pavement was rougher than the photo makes it appear.
We had two days of about 55 miles, one about 60 miles. Rest of the days were shorter. I think I carried about three or four liters, and I do not think I ever had to open up the last liter. I had two liters on the bike in bottle cages (one liter size Smartwater brand disposable bottles) and a Carradice saddle bag with more bottles in it. That bag was nice to take the extra clothing layers, as some mornings were chilly, one morning I had ice in my water bottles.
For the trip I was on, if my memory is correct, ACA suggested tires that were 28mm or wider. Most of the group had road bikes. The two guides had touring bikes and I had my folding bike. Mine is below. The pavement was rougher than the photo makes it appear.
