Hi,

Looking for input on touring tires for Long distance loaded tour on paved roads in US.
Below are some tires I am considering in 700cx35 or 37:

Schwalbe Marathon Plus 700c
Schwalbe Marathon Supreme
Continental Contact II Tire

Thanks

Lots of threads on this. I've used all three.

Plus: noticeably heavy; hardly any flats, most long lasting
Supreme: smooth riding, good traction in wet; flat prone, not particularly durable
Contact II: flat prone, not durable

For a multimonth tour in the boonies I'd take the plus, for less than a month and a new tire, I'd go with the Supreme. I'm still going through my stock of XR's.

Countering custom, I've finally realized that loaded touring on pavement does not demand heavy, sluggish tires. 25-28 mm puncture resistant tires make for a more agile and fun ride. A week in Kansas on a DF with 25's convinced me. Just sayin'.

I've never used the schwalbe's, but I had a great experience with vittoria randonneur.
my first rear lasted about 5000km, front one is still on after 12000. Not a single flat. (although I got one pinch flat on my 2nd vittoria, but that was my fault).

Without knowing your load or facility with changing tubes I'd start off with the assumption that the front tire wears at least twice as long as the rear and gets 1/3 the flats. After that differences in road feel are felt through the hands/front more than the seat/rear. So if you want nutso puncture and wear resistance take care of the rear tire first then put a nice supple tire on the front. I'd be more inclined to put a Schwalbe Mondial on the rear than a Marathon Plus on the rear. How much weight is on the wheels?

I use the Vittoria Randoneur too with good luck. Barely any flats at all. But not as smooth as i would prefer but i have no major complaints.

I happened to have no punctures on a 9 month tour from SW Ireland, To NE Scotland

thorn resistant Innertubes.. Nokian tires , I bring a 3rd.

but any Kevlar belt or like schwalbe marathon+ tires are OK.

LBS is on a heavily used tour route , the schawalbes sell well ..

I used to average a flat every 100 miles, or every 2.5 days. Since I started using Schwalbe Marathon Supremes, in 2009, I have not had one flat, not one! I average about 1000 miles a month, March thru Nov. This, with 35 on the front, and a 40 on he rear, running 92PSI.

Yes, I have picked a lot of hitch hikers out of the tires, but not one has gotten thru. I go thru about one set of tires a year. A rear for sure, front a little longer.