yourrealdad

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

Dan The Man

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/video/tire-folding.html

yourrealdad

Nice thank you very much

velo2000

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.

staehpj1

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.

kayakdiver

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

m_yates

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:

TheBrick

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.

LeeG

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.

tourdottk

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

KLW2

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

tarwheel 

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.

nun

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.

valygrl

I carry this one:
https://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.