Touring tire advice
#1
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Touring tire advice
I'll need new tires for my touring bike, a 1993 bridgestone xo-2. The tire size needs to be right around 26 x 1.5 or 1.6. I'm mounting fenders on the bike and that's the tire size I'll need with fenders.
I'm considering two tires: (1) schwalbe marathon supreme touring 26 x 1.6; (2) panaracer ribmo 26 x 1.5. Any other tires I should be considering which you would recommend? Any issues with using these tires? I'm leaning towards the schwalbe but it's expensive so I'm looking at alternatives.
I'm considering two tires: (1) schwalbe marathon supreme touring 26 x 1.6; (2) panaracer ribmo 26 x 1.5. Any other tires I should be considering which you would recommend? Any issues with using these tires? I'm leaning towards the schwalbe but it's expensive so I'm looking at alternatives.
#2
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I have been quite happy with the plain Schwalbe Marathon (with GreenGuard) in 26X1.5 (or 559X40mm). Wire bead, not too expensive.
I also bought some Vittoria Randonneur Pro folding bead tires in the same size to carry as a spare, but I have not installed them so I can't offer an opinion on them. At this price I might buy one or two more. If you keep your quantity down, the shipping cost is reasonable, put one more thing in the cart and shipping skyrockets.
https://www.planet-x-usa.com/i/q/TYVT...o-folding-tyre
Brifters on an old Bridestone?
I also bought some Vittoria Randonneur Pro folding bead tires in the same size to carry as a spare, but I have not installed them so I can't offer an opinion on them. At this price I might buy one or two more. If you keep your quantity down, the shipping cost is reasonable, put one more thing in the cart and shipping skyrockets.
https://www.planet-x-usa.com/i/q/TYVT...o-folding-tyre
Brifters on an old Bridestone?
Last edited by Tourist in MSN; 04-24-15 at 09:10 AM.
#3
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I have been quite happy with the plain Schwalbe Marathon (with GreenGuard) in 26X1.5 (or 559X40mm). Wire bead, not too expensive.
I also bought some Vittoria Randonneur Pro folding bead tires in the same size to carry as a spare, but I have not installed them so I can't offer an opinion on them.
Brifters on an old Bridestone?
I also bought some Vittoria Randonneur Pro folding bead tires in the same size to carry as a spare, but I have not installed them so I can't offer an opinion on them.
Brifters on an old Bridestone?
#5
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I just got a pair of 26X1.5 Marathon Racers (HS 366). Easier than expected to mount. Only have a few hundred miles on them and so far they are nice. I don't do dirt but do live on an unpaved hard packed dirt/gravel road they work well with caution. I came from some cheapo 1.25 slicks.
#6
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I have never cared for the ride of any of the Marathon incarnations that I have tried. The Compass tires I've been rolling the past year or so have been the best 26" tires I have ever used. Don't pump them up to the recommended max. pressure; just pump them firm enough to not have sidewall issues when riding. (That may not be an issue on a half-bike, but the handling definitely improves when we keep the pressure down around 50 psi on our tandem.) We get about 4000 miles per set on our tandem with a 300 pound team, so they definitely give you your money's worth.
Compass Bicycles: 26" Tires
Compass Bicycles: 26" Tires
#7
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i've been satisfied with these CONTI Travel Contact tires. I think I've had them about 3 years - lots of dirt, gravel roads. Small bit of loaded touring. More to come!
https://www.conti-online.com/www/bic...ontact_en.html
My LBS sold me these SERFAS VIDAL tires - 700 x 38.
Only about three rides so far. Didn't get sliced up on gravel. Ok on dirt. Field crossings about what you'd expect at 80psi.
A little noisy on pavement, but cheaper than most tires. Initially, I think they might be OK.
https://www.conti-online.com/www/bic...ontact_en.html
My LBS sold me these SERFAS VIDAL tires - 700 x 38.
Only about three rides so far. Didn't get sliced up on gravel. Ok on dirt. Field crossings about what you'd expect at 80psi.
A little noisy on pavement, but cheaper than most tires. Initially, I think they might be OK.
#8
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I love those Schwalbe Marathon Supreme (20x1.6) on my Bike Friday Pocket Llama. Comftable, good grip, durable and excellent puncture resistance
#9
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Compass 26” x 1.75”
I agree with Carfree.
Do yourself a favor and spend the extra money for the Compass 26” x 1.75” (42 mm on my rims).
They are fast and comfortable on the road and do fine on dirt and gravel.
I tour on them with a weight of 215lbs (bike+gear+me) and set the pressure at 38psi front and 48psi rear.
Do yourself a favor and spend the extra money for the Compass 26” x 1.75” (42 mm on my rims).
They are fast and comfortable on the road and do fine on dirt and gravel.
I tour on them with a weight of 215lbs (bike+gear+me) and set the pressure at 38psi front and 48psi rear.
#10
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What is your loaded weight?
I am a bit under 350, and on my PDG 70 series, I run a Kenda Kwest K193 100 psi 40-559 on the rear, and a Nashbar City Slick 100 psi 32-559 on the front, both on Velocity Aeroheat (18mm inside width) rims. I have over 1000 miles on this combination - no issues at all, just pump them up once a week. They both still have mold flash in the tread area.
I am a bit under 350, and on my PDG 70 series, I run a Kenda Kwest K193 100 psi 40-559 on the rear, and a Nashbar City Slick 100 psi 32-559 on the front, both on Velocity Aeroheat (18mm inside width) rims. I have over 1000 miles on this combination - no issues at all, just pump them up once a week. They both still have mold flash in the tread area.
#11
Senior Member
I've been using Schwalbe Marathon (Greenguard most recently) for the last four years on summer tours averaging 1000 miles per summer. Before that I had Ritchey Inverts, both similar in size at 26 x 1.5. I liked the Ritcheys best for their tread pattern and long life but those are not made anymore. The Marathons seem to have a softer rubber so they didn't last as long. I like the Marathons' range of acceptable pressures (100 psi max). You can play with the pressure depending upon the surfaces you are riding on. On any given tour I'm on a wide range of surfaces so that is important to me. Puncture resistance seemed equal between the two but I'm comparing the lower shelf Marathons with the Ritcheys. I have Greenguards now and expect they will outperform both of those in the long run. Can't speak to the wear characteristics of the top shelf Marathons. I got both pairs of the Ms through Tree Fort Bikes.
#12
I have never cared for the ride of any of the Marathon incarnations that I have tried. The Compass tires I've been rolling the past year or so have been the best 26" tires I have ever used. Don't pump them up to the recommended max. pressure; just pump them firm enough to not have sidewall issues when riding. (That may not be an issue on a half-bike, but the handling definitely improves when we keep the pressure down around 50 psi on our tandem.) We get about 4000 miles per set on our tandem with a 300 pound team, so they definitely give you your money's worth.
Compass Bicycles: 26" Tires
Compass Bicycles: 26" Tires