Folding Tire
 

What would you all recommend for a folding tire to pack as a spare? I have marathon + on the bike right now and was going to use a Marathon XR but they don't make it in 700x32. That is the key it needs to be 700x32 to fit on my xtracycle.

Thank you

Nice thank you very much

If you already have Marathon Plus tires, you might not need a spare. I carried a spare Marathon Plus tire for a couple thousand miles through Canada and Alaska. It arrived folded in thirds from wallbike.com and I left it that way, zip tied to the back of my rear rack. After I got home that spare sat around for another year and a half. I recently got a very slow leak in my rear tire after about 6000 flat free miles. Only then did I finally use that spare tire to replace my rear Marathon Plus. My main motivation for replacing the old tire was because the tread was worn flat in the middle, I wasn't too concerned about flats occuring more frequently.

I know tires can get cut beyond repair. So you just have to weigh the odds of that happening (and having to delay your trip to get a new tire) against carrying a spare tire you may never need. How far you'll be riding and in what terrain/environment will obviously affect this decision.

If you really need a spare, rolling it in three rings like in the movie Dan the Man linked works well and it will fit even in a small pannier. A rolled tire fits nicely around my MSR cookset.

The Marathon + is supposed to be bullet proof (it better be since it weighs as much as two of some other nice tires, and rides like an anchor). Anyway I doubt most folks carry a spare unless touring somewhere very remote.

I found the cheapest non folding tire I could get my hands on last summer for my cross country. I think it's a serfas or some other piece of junk. It was always intended to be for emergency use only. Never needed it but.................. put my worries to rest. YMMV

I read a journal on CGOAB where they carried spare tires. They chose Panaracer Pasela Tourguard tires because they come folded in a small tight package when you buy them. I haven't personally used those tires (I have Marathons), but the Tourguards can be found in a wide variety of sizes and are pretty inexpensive ($22.99 here). I found an image that shows them rolled up in the package they are sold in:

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/j.../tourguard.jpg

I've never been touring anywhere remote but in my tool kit I carry a section of plastic milk bottle and some gaffa tape. This has worked several time for me as a tyre boot. Cut plastic to size and tape in place. I had to use it yesterday actually. Not tried it but I was thinking about carrying a braddle and some dental floss to sow up any big tears.

I've got a 700x35 Marathon XR and it is definately smaller than other 700x35 tires. Can't figure it out, it's a LOT smaller than a Marathon Supreme 35 and smaller than the Pasela 35.

Panaracer Soma... 5000 kilometers... hardly any wear... small pack size... 35 US$

Barbara savage somehow just folded her spare tire into the spokes of her wheel.

I second the Panaracer Pasela TG. They are inexpensive, foldable and light weight. Just make sure you buy the ones with kevlar beads not wire.

I don't really see the need for a spare tyre, I just change tyres before I set off on tour and carry some Park tyre boots. If I was going on a long expedition tour I'd keep an eye on the tyres and change them well before I saw wear.

I carry this one:
http://www.avocet.com/tirepages/cross_2_specs.html

Scroll down to the bottom of the page - lightweight folding version comes in 700x32. I might be carrying the 28, not sure.

I've used it a few times, until I could buy another touring tire, then folded it back up and put it back in my bag. It seems fine. Once I loaned it to a guy I met on the road who road over something that ruined his tire. His tire had a 4" ragged-edged gash in it. Would have been tough to boot.