Touring Tires
 

I am planning a 2,000 mile unsupported trip this summer that will take me over paved roads of unknown quality. I will be starting at Green River Utah, going through Moad, Montrose and picking up the Adventure Cycling Western Express route in Dolores, CO. I'll stay on that route through the Rockies and end up in Pueblo, CO. From there I'll go East to Sheridan Lake, CO then head north. I'll eventually get to Wray, CO then ride diagionally across Nebraska to pick up RAGBRAI in Rock Rapids, Iowa. There should be no dirt roads but maybe a very small section of gravel. I have read many comments on this forum about touring tires and there are lots of opinions. I haven't heard much about the Bontrager Race Lite Hardcae tires which I believe come on the new Trek 520 (I have a '96 520). Naturally I am interested in a tire with low rolling resistance, high puncture resistance, a quiet, comfortable ride, and I want tires that are fairly easy to get off and on the rims (I have Alexrims DV15 on the rear and Cosmo 700c? on the front). I bought the bike used and know nothing about the quality of these rims. Currently riding on Conti Ulta Gatorskins (700x28). I can buy the Bontragers for $25.00 each (700 x 32) but I do not know anything about these tires. I would appraciate your comments.

Use a touring tire. Schwable makes a few, I'd love to try the Supreme.

Hard Cases are junk. The casing peals away after only limited miles.

The best tire for you is the Schwalbe Marathon Supreme, lightweight, but with unsurpassed puncture resistance. The thinest Supreme, however, is 35 mm (actually 37-622). If you want a thinner tire then I would suggest a Marathon Plus, heavier, but cheaper. The same level of puncture resistance.

http://schwalbetires.com/node

I wouldn't put Bontragers on my bike. I had them on my new Trek (at the time) and nothing but flats. I know of other people that had the same misfortune. Good luck on your trip.

Another recommendation for Schwalbe Marathons :D

You do realize that you are riding through the heart of goathead country at the height of goathead season, don't you? Expect flats...lots of them! Go with a Schwalbe Marathon Plus or a Conti Contact or some other belted tire. Or use Mr. Tuffy liners. They work well for me and I live in the middle of that mess.

Edit: I just gotta ask: You do know that the ride from Pueblo to Wray is through some of the most godforsaken territory in the US? From Sheridan Lake to Wray has roughly 1 person and 47 prairie dogs per every 100 square miles as the population density. Rather lonely out there...and dry...and flat...and featureless. I grew up out there (in Fowler anyway). Do yourself a favor and don't drink the water from Pueblo to the east. It's pretty bad.

another vote for Schwalbe Marathons

I know I was poking a little fun at your route but I do have a suggestion that is slightly more scenic and more populated. At Canon City, turn north to Colorado Springs on Colo. 115. It's a nice scenic ride with some traffic but it also see lots of cycling activity from Colorado Springs so cars expect you. At Colorado Springs, turn east on US24 to Limon. This section of road is almost as lonely as the ride from Sheridan Lakes to Wray but a bit shorter. At Limon, you can go north on Colorado 71 to Last Chance and then east on US 36 to US 385. From there you can go north to Wray and then over to McCook, NE. The route is still a little remote but there's at least some civilization out there and it might be a little cooler...both figuratively and literally;) US385 can be really hot (as most of the plains can be) in the summer.