Advice for tyre size for touring - 32c OK for off-road?

Cycle-touring, Expeditions, Adventures, Major cycle routes NOT LeJoG (see other special board)
elioelio
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Joined: 24 Feb 2014, 5:10pm

Advice for tyre size for touring - 32c OK for off-road?

Post by elioelio »

Hi there,
I'm off on a 6 month cycle tour really soon, through NZ and pacific coast highway in USA, so I will be doing some off-road cycling.

At the moment I have a 700x 35c back tyre - Specialised nimbus armadillo - which as supposed to be puncture resistant. The front wheel has a 700x 32c tyre. I was thinking of replacing the front tyre with a Schwalbe marathon tyre (or any puncture resistant tyre) as I really hate punctures (I can never get the tyre back on the wheel!). But not sure whether to get a 32c or a wider tyre?

I took my bike to Scotland recently and rode on some really bad 'roads' (paths) through the great glen way (even going 4 miles the wrong way up a path being built - lots of flint!). My bike handled fine but I was always worried I might get a puncture from the sharp stones.

So, if my bike handled fine on these pathways would it be recommended I stick with a 32c? As this would be better on roads. Or still go for a wider tyre? Does a wider tyre make it less likely to puncture? I can always put the 35c on the front wheel and get a 40c for the back. But only if this is needed - it will surely slow me down on normal roads?

Does anyone know if the Schwalbe marathon tyres are better than the specialised nimbus armadillos? Or can recommend any other makes (I am on a budget!)

Thanks for any info,
Ellen
irc
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Re: Advice for tyre size for touring - 32c OK for off-road?

Post by irc »

On road speed depends more on tyre construction than tyre width so I wouldn't worry about the difference between 32mm and 37mm. For off road wider is better than narrower. I'd suggest starting a long tour with two new tyres. Yes you can buy them on the road but they are likely to be full retail. I'd suggest two of these plus a 3rd as a spare. You may wear out the rear on a 6 month tour depending on roads and overall weight carried.

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TYVIVOHY/v ... lding-tyre
elioelio
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Re: Advice for tyre size for touring - 32c OK for off-road?

Post by elioelio »

Thanks. Although I thought a wider width tyre would slow me down on roads? I know when I changed from a mountain bike to a tourer the change was immense!
If it didn't make a difference I would get thicker tyre just to be sure. But if they are puncture resistant then maybe I don't need to worry?
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Sweep
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Re: Advice for tyre size for touring - 32c OK for off-road?

Post by Sweep »

elioelio wrote:Thanks. Although I thought a wider width tyre would slow me down on roads? I know when I changed from a mountain bike to a tourer the change was immense!

See irc's post above about tyre construction.

This I would imagine accounts for the difference you felt.

I would expect a nobbly low pressure mountain bike tyre to be slower on the road.

Just as I would expect the touring tyre to struggle trying to achieve traction on sloppy mud.

It's my understanding thst it is a myth that wider tyres are slower on the road.

Some authoritative sounding industry research made this clear I think.

Possibly from scwalbe?
Sweep
mercalia
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Re: Advice for tyre size for touring - 32c OK for off-road?

Post by mercalia »

if u are worried about punctures consider getting some tyre liners as extra protection eg

http://www.halfords.com/cycling/tools-maintenance/pumps-puncture-repair/bikehut-touring-race-bike-tyre-liners

I have used these or along time with good results.
Rich_Clements
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Re: Advice for tyre size for touring - 32c OK for off-road?

Post by Rich_Clements »

When you say 'off road' do you mean trails or something a bit more rough?

I have 32c Marathon Pluses and I would happily go non extreme off roading with them
Rich
slogfester
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Joined: 6 May 2009, 11:47pm

Re: Advice for tyre size for touring - 32c OK for off-road?

Post by slogfester »

what sort of bike are you riding? how much luggage? front and back panniers? bike stability is just as important as tyre choice. tyres can only do so much. make sure you have a good pump so you can adjust pressure regularly. it makes a huge difference to off-road handling for any tyre.

I'm also off to NZ off road and have just purchased some marathon mondial 26 x 2. v. expensive but if they are anything like the other schwalbes I have had (marathon + and supremes), they go a long way with no punctures
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Spinners
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Re: Advice for tyre size for touring - 32c OK for off-road?

Post by Spinners »

My Fuji Touring bike came with decent 32c 'Vera Citywide' tyres and is fine for a bit of off-road (gravel, towpath, unpaved bike path and even a bit of fire road).
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andrew_s
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Re: Advice for tyre size for touring - 32c OK for off-road?

Post by andrew_s »

Generally speaking, you can go more or less anywhere on 32mm tyres. However, the rougher the track and the narrower the tyres, the slower you will be compared to someone with appropriately large tyres. As an example, I was maybe an hour or an hour and a half slower than a companion on the descent from the Pico Veleta towards Capilera (Sierra Nevada, Spain, appox 20km of rough), with me on 700x28 gatorskins and him on 26x1.75. Having said that, unsealed dirt roads can be just as good as tarmac, in the dry at least.

32 or 35 is a normal compromise width
elioelio
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Joined: 24 Feb 2014, 5:10pm

Re: Advice for tyre size for touring - 32c OK for off-road?

Post by elioelio »

Sweep wrote: It's my understanding thst it is a myth that wider tyres are slower on the road.

Some authoritative sounding industry research made this clear I think. Possibly from scwalbe?


Interesting. Never thought about this.

I'm just doing bike trails in NZ, so not extreme off road. I've got 2 back panniers and a handlebar bag. Nothing up front, but I didn't find this a problem handling the bike before.

Ok, well I think a compromise of 35c sounds like a good idea.

Thanks!
willem jongman
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Re: Advice for tyre size for touring - 32c OK for off-road?

Post by willem jongman »

I would go for the widest possible tyre that wil fit our frame. Wider tyres are not slower on good roads, but faster on bad roads. They are also more comfortable, mitigate vibrations that wear you out, but also your bike, and you will have fewer punctures. Every tyre is a compromise (my normal choice are Panaracer Pasela's), but on a tour such as yours I would probably opt for the Schwalbe Marathon Racer (and take a folding spare). My real preference would be for a 26 inch tourer, however, for even wider tyres.
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Sweep
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Re: Advice for tyre size for touring - 32c OK for off-road?

Post by Sweep »

I'm no expert on these matters but semi by accident ended up with 37 or 38 contis on my hybrid which has been used as a part-time tourer.

And came to love them.

When it came time to buy a "proper" tourer I was mightily encouraged by the fact that the guy who put it together for me advised 37.
Sweep
mercalia
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Re: Advice for tyre size for touring - 32c OK for off-road?

Post by mercalia »

fatter tyres also mean taller tyres, so may not be as fat as you think. I think 1.75 better
gplhl
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Advice for tyre size for touring - 32c OK for off-road?

Post by gplhl »

If it's not too wet and slippery, Schwalbe Marathon Supremes are excellent on the road. I just completed 8,000 miles on them before changing over to the new tyres I've been carrying all that way!

I travelled on dirt roads with them no problem.

I only got punctures at the end of their life which is what made me change to the new ones. The thorns here are evil!

Gary
http://www.longbikeride.co.uk
ferdinand
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Re: Advice for tyre size for touring - 32c OK for off-road?

Post by ferdinand »

I'd first of all say have the same on both wheels so that you can use your spare tyres and tubes either end if necessary.

I can't comment on the comparison, but I ride road and trail, for recreation and fitness - first tour in a fortnight, and I'm runnning Schwalbe Marathon Supremes on a hybrid. They are nominal 35mm (according to the shop) but the Scwalbe code is actually 37-622's. I'm delighted. The ride is fast, grippy, and comfortable. I think you can go up to 50mm width on a Supreme if you want to.

I replaced the Vittoria Zaffiro 28mms that came on the bike, after reading lots (and lots and lots) of online reviews, and they are nearly as light. Compared to Marathon Pluses they save about 40% on the weight (440g vs 775g), if that matters. I also like that they are available folding and are easy to fit. If you are going long distance I might say use the weight saving to take a spare for the rear, as I'm not sure how many shops carry stock.

The list price in the UK is £50 each (ouch), but I got them direct from Germany at £55 for a pair delivered.

I have had one puncture half way up the sidewall, which I think was due to over inflating the tyres above the 85psi recommendation on an inexpensive inner tube (have obeyed the rules and swapped to a better tube).

They do not have a dynamo track on the tyre.

More reports here:
http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/reviews/ ... _id=350687

Ferdinand
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