Touring Tire Recommendations
 

I'm sure that this topic has been done to death, but I'm too lazy to do a search. I just bought an 89 touring bike that is going to need new tires. The Hutchinson Kevlar 700x22C's that are on it now look like nice tires but are just about done for. I looked it up and the bike originally came with Miyata branded 700x32's. I would like to keep that vintage skinwall look, but don't see many options out there. What are your recommendations for good touring tires and what size do you prefer?

Panaracer Pasela TG are nice riding skin wall 700x32 tires .

The Panaracer Pasela has about the right appearance and comes in various widths (28mm, 32mm, 35mm). Nice flexible sidewalls for low rolling resistance and sells for about $18. Currently on my touring bike I have the WTB Slickasaurus. It's sold as 37mm but actually measures about 34mm. All black, so the appearance isn't as nice, but rolling resistance isn't bad and Nashbar sells them for $6.

I saw some Panaracer Tourgaurd Pasela's that were sized 27x1 1/4". Is that the same as 700?

Close, but not close enough. 700c wheels have a diameter of 622mm while 27" wheels are 630mm. But you can find those tires in the 700c (622mm) size as well.

How can you go on a tour if you are too lazy to research some tires? Sheesh!

Basically you have Continental,Panasela and Schwalbe are the most popular tires .
I use Continental travel contacts,I can't say how good they are in the 700c sizes as I have 26x1.75 tires.I can say that I really like them in my tire size.
Others like Schwalbe marathon supremes.
As for size I would say at least a 32mm up to 40mm width depending on road conditions and if you plan on takeing it off road at all.

+1 for Continental Travel Contacts. I also have them in 26X1.75 on a LHT. A friend of mine has them in 700C on a LHT and loves them so much he is the reason I bought mine.

Good point! I just want to say....wait..a...minute.......loosing.. strength............can't...finish........................

First thing to do is pick a size. There are advantages to larger and for smaller. You just pick the tradeoff you want to live with.
I am using 32 this year.

Then you pick weight. Under 400gr, under500, etc.

The heavier you go the more rugged and durable it gets. The lighter tires are less work and more fun, but also more flats.

Then you pick a price. The Pasela is a decent under 40 buck tire, I used it for a few years. I am trying the Vittoria Randonneur Hyper this year,
and I like it a lot so far. The Schwalbe marathon Supreme is one of the most expensive and hi tech touring tires out there, with a price to match.
Most seem to like them.

Personally, I wouldn't go cheaper than the Pasela, the TG version.

If you have room, Niagara has 700X40 Supremes for about $27 each - they really ride and roll nice - but are black.

It's really a killer deal, if you are looking.

Vittoria Randonneur Pro. Folding bead and don't weigh 700 grams like some touring tires. Claimed weight in a 32mm is 420 grams. Nice riding and great flat protection in my experience. Like all things tire related.... YMMV

For an example the Schwalbe Marathon Plus in a 32mm weigh 800 grams each. That is almost twice the weight.

Buttttttt, the Schwalbe Marathon Supreme is only 375........ and flat protection is as good as it gets.

Looks like decent spec's on those.

Thanks once again to all. Now the research begins.

Any opinions of the Conti Grand Prix 4 season tires?

do you know the difference between touring and racing?

Hi,
I swear by town and country continentil's as my preferred tyre, my partner and I have just toured tassie on every dirt road posssible fully loaded and we are still using them.
fionaharding.wordpress.com
See ya
Sam

The riding I plan on doing is all paved and it does come in a 28.

They are great tires. They will wear pretty quick though since they use great rubber that is soft and flexible. Ride much like the popular GP4000's in my opinion(my favorite clincher tire).

Be advised that Continental tires tend to run narrower than their spec. At least the last time I checked. I had some 32mm Continental Top Touring 2000 tires that were probably closer to 28mm. Despite that, the tires were top drawer.

you asked for recommendation for good skinwall touring tires on a bike that originally came with 32mm tires and now you're asking about racing tires that aren't skinwalls but are 28mm that will wear quickly.

You aren't lazy, you're just not sure what you want and appear to be changing your mind as you go along.

Well, researching as the names pop-up on the thread pretty quickly eliminated the classic skinwall idea. Other than the Paselas, I don't see them being made anymore. The Conti 4s do have a somewhat brown sidewall and have a good rep, but I see what you mean about the soft rubber and not being really made for touring so they're out. I've never toured, but I've ridden road quit a bit and the largest tire I've used was a 28 Michelin City/Trek. It seems like most of you are using at least a 32. As far as changing my mind, yes! I am capable of it. New information is posted, I research the suggestion, then someone adds something that points me in a new direction. I find this method works for me most of the time.

my recomendation would be to pick any 28-32mm tire

There are also several other choices at Rivendell (rivbike.com) - Jack Brown, Roly-Poly, and Roly-Tuffy. But the Paselas are also good tires, so if you did want that look there's no particular reason to eliminate it from consideration.