Newbie Road Touring Need Help with Gear Questions

[Pat Lamb]

It's generally true that bigger tires, which hold more air, provide a better ride than skinnier tires.  So a 28 rides better than a 25 rides better than a 22, or 38 rides smoother than a 35.

However, there's usually either not a single model tire that covers 22-35 widths, or if you find one, you'll find there's a sharp jump in tire weight as you cross from the 20s to the 30s.  There are a few exceptions, of course; the Compass series has thin, flexible sidewalls (but my credit card screams at the price), and Panaracer Paselas are generally lightweight and flexible (but I'm lucky to get 2,000 miles out of a rear tire). 

I'm a clydesdale, so any bike I ride is a loaded bike.  That's one reason I usually go with 32-35 width, although I'll go as low as 28 on my "play" bike with no more than a couple water bottles.  Loaded out, I'd have to go to 100 psi or more on 28s to keep from having pinch flats, and then I'd be wondering why I put rubber on the wheels at all as far as shock absorption.

[RonK]

I definitely don't mind sacrificing some puncture protection for lighter weight and a smoother ride.  Knock on wood.  This statement is from someone who has not had a lot of flats in the past 10 years of road cycling.

Ha ha - so the person who gets "sour" arms when he has to use a pump is willing to sacrifice puncture resistance for a few grams lighter weight, which will probably be negated by all the co2 cartridges he'll need to carry anyway.

Marathon Supremes offer a good compromise between weight, puncture resistance, durability and grip, and are about the lightest and fastest rolling touring tyre available. They are featherweight compared to the Marathon Plus which weigh nearly 1kg each.

Better get down to the gym and pump weights - bicep curls will probably be good exercises for pumping. 

[dmeans2anend]

I definitely don't mind sacrificing some puncture protection for lighter weight and a smoother ride.  Knock on wood.  This statement is from someone who has not had a lot of flats in the past 10 years of road cycling.

Ha ha - so the person who gets "sour" arms when he has to use a pump is willing to sacrifice puncture resistance for a few grams lighter weight, which will probably be negated by all the co2 cartridges he'll need to carry anyway.

Marathon Supremes offer a good compromise between weight, puncture resistance, durability and grip, and are about the lightest and fastest rolling touring tyre available. They are featherweight compared to the Marathon Plus which weigh nearly 1kg each.

Better get down to the gym and pump weights - bicep curls will probably be good exercises for pumping. 

The way I figure it.... I can change a flat in about 10 minutes... with "sour arms" for 1 hour.
I'm willing to trade 10 minutes of inconvenience to have a more enjoyable time for one month to two months of cycle touring with less weight and less gear.  I believe in the philosophy that less is more.  I carry 2 CO2 cartridges on all rides regardless.  I've never had to use more than one cartridge on any ride in the past 10 years.  The extra cartridge is just for backup.    It's a tradeoff and it's a personal choice. 

I think you're thinking more of "conventional touring" in terms of tire choice for Marathon Plus.  I would never go down that road since my combine weight of my rig and myself (total ~ 170 lbs) is less than your typical male rider.    It would be overkill IMHO. 

Which is why, I'm looking outside of the box and looking for a combo road/touring tires and not your "conventional" touring tires made for heavier loads.

[RonK]

I think you're thinking more of "conventional touring" in terms of tire choice for Marathon Plus.  I would never go down that road since my combine weight of my rig and myself (total ~ 170 lbs) is less than your typical male rider.    It would be overkill IMHO.

No I'm not. I am pointing out the low weight of Marathon Supremes relative to convention touring tires (Marathon Plus).

But you seem to have all the answers so I'm not sure why you asked for advice. Good luck with your tour and happy pumping. 

[dmeans2anend]

I think you're thinking more of "conventional touring" in terms of tire choice for Marathon Plus.  I would never go down that road since my combine weight of my rig and myself (total ~ 170 lbs) is less than your typical male rider.    It would be overkill IMHO.

No I'm not. I am pointing out the low weight of Marathon Supremes relative to convention touring tires (Marathon Plus).

But you seem to have all the answers so I'm not sure why you asked for advice. Good luck with your tour and happy pumping. 

Hhhmmm.... I'm not sure how you came to the conclusion that I "have all the answers".
I don't think that I ever implied that I did...   

In regards to your question, "I'm not sure why you asked for advice."

Here is my response:

Asking for feedback and suggestions shouldn't mean that I have to completely discount my own judgment and intelligence and to completely forgo my opinions...  I think everyone is ultimately accountable for themselves and they need to do what works best for them which means adapting the suggestions and weeding it through.

I solicit feedback because at times, new information and data challenges my thinking which I thoroughly appreciate and learn from it. Just from this one post alone, I have learn a lot from all the comments and suggestions.  I thoroughly appreciate the feedback and have altered my gear list because of it.

I am not "threatened" because someone else does not agree with me or sees things differently.  It should be vice versa.  I don't mean to offend anyone if I don't agree with their suggestions either.  It's meant as an open discussion and everyone hopefully, learns something new and different and adapts the comments to their individual and unique style.

Maybe I'm misreading it .... but there seems to be an underlining combativeness to your posts ever since I mentioned that I wanted to have an easy time with my hand pump to minimize "sour arms"... pick on the weak? 

I'm not new to cycling just new to cycle touring.  I have been cycling for 10 years+.   And yes, I like to ride fast....  It's neither good nor bad.  Just a personal preference.  I am very active and fit.  I do "bicep curls" regularly at the gym .........

BUT that doesn't mean I'm not still going to look for the best hand pump out there to minimize the number of pump strokes that I need to get to the required tire pressure!   Maybe you enjoy pumping but I prefer my time on the saddle so why make an issue of it and bring it up repeatedly.  Also, there is a safety element that I have to consider and that you probably don't.  If I have a flat on the side of the road, as a solo female cyclist, I want to get moving and off that side of the road asap....   

My point... we're not all alike and it's ok to share information amongst each other and to coordinate around the needs of the individual....  meaning not all suggestions will work for that individual personally.  It's not a big deal...  and please don't take it personally.  Regardless, I do truly appreciate the time you've taken to give feedback and recommendations.