Which 27" tires would you use for loaded touring. On my skinny tired road bike I have had great luck with 700x23 Continental Grand Prix tires. I don't have any experience with touring tires though, so I am open to suggestions.

Pete

Probably the best in the world

Schwalbe Marathon, the XR double defense, or the Plus

george

Harris Cyclery list a few 27" tires that would be suitable for touring. I'd stay away from the Panaracer Pasela however. I had a pair, in 700C, and they seemed very squimy. They are rather tall and narrow for a 35mm tire. Looking at the Schwalbe site, the only 27" tire they list is the Marathon 2006. All the rest are 700C.

I know I've said this before but it bears repeating, 27" wheels and tires are very old technology. Replacement wheels and tires are not easy to find and of limited selection. If you convert to 700C, the selection of tires is much broader. If you have a touring bike with cantilever brakes, the conversion is rather simple. If you have sidepulls, it can be a bit more problematic. But it is worth investigating.

Yes I have considered this and may yet decide to convert. It is not clear if the current brakes (older Dura Ace sidepulls) have sufficient adjustment (It looks close, but I haven't tried). If they do I will be likely to change to 700c otherwise probably no.

Try your other wheel in there and see if the brakes can be adjusted. You should be able to eyeball it pretty well. I'd do the front since all front wheels are the same width.

I've always used Conti Top Touring, but they are getting hard to find in 27".

https://velosportbicycles.com/itemdet...ogId=39&id=453

Armadillos come in 27". I've not had a flat since I started running with them, (six months ago).

While 27" wheels are "old technology," they are readily available at most Wal-Marts. Not the best tires in the world, but if you're out touring and need a tire, you'll run across numerous Wal-Marts before you find a bike shop.

I've been very pleased with the Bontrager tires that are labeled "27 x 1 1/8th". They have an actual width of 27mm, and have been 100% reliable, with a tough, but supple black sidewall. Trek dealers can order them (around $50 for a pair).

For riding on dirt roads or gravel roads, 27mm may not be wide enough. But, they work well on any reasonably decent paved road.

Me and a lot of people I know have had good luck with Vittoria Zaffiro tires. Very nice all around.

I would not convert to 700c over tire availability. I am fairly confident there are more 27" tires on sale in America right now than 700c. Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Sports Authority, Dick's... they're all more common than bike shops and they have greater volume in stock.

I doubt that. There are more bike shops around than you might think. While Wally World might be everywhere, the others aren't found outside many metro areas. If you are near a K-Mart, etc., you will probably find a bike shop in that town too.

A super quick survey using Google Local to search for businesses in the US:

bicycle: 104,458
wal-mart: 103,481
dick's sporting goods: 15,823
sports authority: 3,656

it doesn't prove anything but it does make a reasonable indication

I think it indicates my point, that you are far more likely to find a bike shop than a K-Mart, Dick's or Sports Authority. It also looks like you are about as likely to find a bike shop as a Wally World too.

Let's face it, however. How often does a tire on a bike fail so utterly that you absolutely cannot fix it? We tourist like to obsess on equipment failures but, honestly, how often does it really happen? I put far more miles in on my bicycles near home and don't worry about equipment failures so why be so obsessed with them out in the field. Make sure you bike is in good repair before you leave, don't run over crap in the road, treat your bike as gently as you can and you should be alright. If something major goes wrong, chances are there is a way to fix it until you can get somewhere. If not, there's aways UPS.

Dunno about that...I live in a smaller metro area total county population is around 300k city is about 120k or so. In the surrounding 5 county area there are a total of 4 LBS that I am aware of, and over 10 Wallymarts I can leave my usedtoberural home and pass 3 Walmarts on the way to the nearest LBS, in the other direction I pass 2 Wallymarts on the way to one of the other LBS. It may depend on locale. But either way if you have a decent set of tires at the outset of the trip and carry a spare you should be okay. I went coast to coast in 1977 and only used 3 tires total, and they weren't the high quality stuff that is available today.

Aaron

If you're going to use a cheap rubber tire from Wal-mart, then make sure you use the Tuffy Tire liners or you'll end up having to repair many flats once the compound goes.