Author Topic: Tires  (Read 7897 times)

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Offline Ron Scott

Tires
« on: March 23, 2012, 03:02:17 pm »
How close can I get to a pair of Continental Triathlons, in a tour-worthy tire. These are 700x23Cs and the tour is cross country. I suppose I'm looking more for durability and puncture resistance than traction.

Online John Nelson

Re: Tires
« Reply #1 on: March 23, 2012, 04:06:11 pm »
Are you going loaded, or supported? If loaded, how much weight?

Do you want to stick with 23mm? That's very narrow if you are carrying weight? Most loaded cyclists go with somewhere between 32mm and 45mm, although some do with 28mm. If you're unloaded, then 23mm is fine. Continental Gatorskins are popular, durable and puncture-resistant touring tires and are available in 23mm to 32mm.

Offline staehpj1

Re: Tires
« Reply #2 on: March 23, 2012, 07:50:23 pm »
How close can I get to a pair of Continental Triathlons, in a tour-worthy tire. These are 700x23Cs and the tour is cross country. I suppose I'm looking more for durability and puncture resistance than traction.

I like Gatorskins.

With a fairly light load (22 pounds of gear and panniers) I used 28mm Gatorskins on the Pacific Coast.  They were great in that mode.

I started my recent Ultralight Southern Tier (14 pounds of gear) with 23mm Gatorskins and found them OK but pretty harsh.  When one tire wore out I switched to 25mm Gatorskins and the ride was much more pleasant.

Offline johnsondasw

Re: Tires
« Reply #3 on: March 23, 2012, 08:56:26 pm »
I've ridden thousands of miles, loaded, with 23's and never had any problem.  Conti 4000s do the job.
May the wind be at your back!

Offline driftlessregion

Re: Tires
« Reply #4 on: March 23, 2012, 10:50:28 pm »
For puncture resistance and durability you can't go wrong with Gatorskins. Schwalbe has a couple of good ones people swear by.

Offline Ron Scott

Re: Tires
« Reply #5 on: March 24, 2012, 08:25:21 am »
Thanks guys, I'll probably stick with the 23s...gatorskins.

Offline csykes

Re: Tires
« Reply #6 on: March 24, 2012, 11:38:08 pm »
I would consider bumping up to 25s. Minimal weight penalty, with a noticeable increase in comfort which would be important on a cross-country tour. 

Offline staehpj1

Re: Tires
« Reply #7 on: March 25, 2012, 10:12:39 am »
I would consider bumping up to 25s. Minimal weight penalty, with a noticeable increase in comfort which would be important on a cross-country tour.

Me too.  I started with 23s on my last tour switched to 25s half way and it was a good change.