What tires?

[sanuk]

Just been looking at the tires on my touring bike.  Actually, it's the only bike I have so it gets around. The front tire is relatively new while the rear looks like it needs replacing.  The bike came with Continental Travel Contact tires which I quite like, especially the smooth central patch which seems to give a faster ride than most other touring bikes I encounter on the road, and the little nobbles on the side seem to give some protection too on rougher trails.  So far no punctures.  Otherwise, however, everyone seems to rave about Schwalbe's - especially here in Germany where they're made.  My partner rides happily on Schwalbe Big Apples.  Others swear by Schwalbe Marathon, or Marathon Plus. Of course, the more 'Plus' the heavier they get as well as pricier.  I have a folding Travel Contact tire as back up so feel inclined to stick with them.  Just wondering what other opinions are floating around on this no doubt endless topic.

[Pat Lamb]

If you like the Travel Contact tires you're riding, what do you expect to get from changing?  If your friends and acquaintances do browbeat you into trying a Schwalbe, I'd suggest you start with the lightest Marathon you can find, unless you're having lots of problems with flats.  I think the light Marathons are closest to the Contact as far as ride, and probably durability.

[Old Guy New Hobby]

You seem to imply the Schwalbes are the home favorites because the are made in Germany. My Continental gator skins are also made in Germany. They're good enough that I stopped looking for better. I also used the travel contact once. They were a great tire. I stopped riding on trails and didn't need the nobbles. But I agree they're a great tire for those who ride both streets and trails. If you like your tires, why switch?

[johnsondasw]

I like Continental 4000's 700x23c.  I know those are smaller than many recommend, but I tour only on pavement and have had great performance form them.  Everyone has their favorites--go with what you like.

[DaveB]

Are all of these Schwalbe's still made in Germany or just have a German brand name?  So many tires have been outsourced to Asian manufacture in the past years that a careful reading of the sidewalls is needed to determine where they are really made. 

[zerodish]

I've used nearly every tire made in 110000 miles. I now use the Bell Sports brand which is made by the Cheng Shin company or the Inova brand which I think are also made by Cheng Shin. These are sold at department stores. They are foldable have a Kevlar belt and a reasonable cost. Cheng Shin also has their own brand sold in bicycle shops which tend to be a bit lighter than the department store brands. It is not possible now to buy a tire as poorly made as the Schwinn LeTour which at the time was the most common tire used on tandems. Continentals tend to rip at the side wall because the polyamide they use is more brittle than the nylon ever one else uses. These will get you home.