My on road touring has been improved no end by Vittoria Voyageur Hyperlite Folding Tyres 120 tpi casing - all 700c x 37 mm of them and currently a steal from PX.
Any suggestions for something equally good but with tread for forays off the tarmac onto gravel and mud at times.
Currently running Schwalbe Smart Sams wired - a cheap deal from Spa Cycles but happy to pay a bit more !
I have had good experiences with schwalbe hurricanes if you on a budget, But currently running schwalbe marathon mondials, which are excellent.
Both fine on dry single track and work best on fire roads. Mondials have more grip and better puncture protetion but are a lot more cash,
If not found anything other than cx tyres that are good for mud, but then they are crap on roads. the mondials where the best compromise.
I find not much difference on gravel with a bit of tread over say a larger gatorskin. Good grip on mud and low rolling resistance on road will always be at opposite ends of the continuum. Currently running Clement X'PLOR USH Adventure which are pretty good compromise.
Schwalbe Marathon Mondial. Actually surprisingly good on gravel. Lots lighter than Marathon Plus too
Schwalbe dureme. I got some 700x40c cheap from SJS once and they're surprisingly good off road.
[quote=PeterPoddy ]Schwalbe Marathon Mondial. Actually surprisingly good on gravel. Lots lighter than Marathon Plus too
I have Mondials in 1.75" and they're really quite good. They'll handle a wide range of surfaces, aren't too slow, are big enough to be comfy.
I was actually going to start a thread asking if anyone had tried the Schwalbe G-One?
Can't fault the Conti CrossSpeed 35's on my CDF. Second pair now, only a couple of punctures in a few thousand miles. Have some XPlor's to try next..
I've just stuck on a pair of Vittoria XN pro II tyres and really like them
Many thanks for the suggestions - think I will look out the Mondials.
I use XN Pro's on and off road all year round.
They're fine where I ride on the Quantocks where it's mostly sandy/rocky rather than muddy.
Clement X'PLOR USH @35c on my bike too. Will buy another set when needed.
Found Kenda Small Block 8 good and in the smaller sizes they pop up on the net at keen prices
Just bought some 41c knards for my escapade. Well I have but they're not in stock till end of June. £26.99 for folders.
I've got a set of barely used Clement Xplors in classifieds if interested.
Won't be great in mud but found them and the PX Gravel Roads that replaced them perfect for a bit of on and off roadroad, fine on gravel and loamy stuff. Only changed because I struggled to get them up tubeless on my wide rims.
Enjoying 700x40c nanos for what you describe.. a little knobblier than I'd have liked but with 90psi in roll really well on road. Drop to 70 and thy grand off road an all
Any suggestions for the best 700c tyre for fast touring in September/October?
My navigation due diligence isn't wonderful so I frequently find myself bombing down steep, wet hills and then turning off onto muddy tracks for the climb back out of the valley.
Recommendations for equipment that can cope with this kind of idiocy would be very welcome.
My frame will take 40c under mudguards, and I'd prefer tubeless - currently running 700x35c Schwalbe CX Comp tyres with tubes and actually they aren't too bad except in deep mud.
Not able to try them myself currently, but Schwalbe G-Ones are supposed to be very versatile.
70psi for 40c tyres? Wow. I'm running my 40c gravel roads a touch under 40psi. Admittedly I ding the rim a bit on big square hits but am running tubeless so not really a problem.
Over the last 8 years of gravel riding I have always used 38 to 40 mm touring tyres. Not the very lightest but nothing too heavy either. Annual punctures maybe. You don't need any tread on gravel and CX tyres usually less robust.
I use Conti 28mm four seasons for this, and have done for many years. Needs extra skills mind you.
breaking with tradition going to suggest a tyre haven't tried but going to give tubeless a go on my cx stylee / drop bar hybrid etc
only 30mm though
hopefully available elsewhere
as above I've run down to 28mm on gravel but ended up at 32mm (swalbe marathons) as tested my skills too much at 28mm
- i've found the gravel wears the sidewalls - i guess designed for grass and mud and more mudand CX tyres usually less robust.
You don't need any tread on gravel and CX tyres usually less robust.
Agree. I spent years riding off road with road/touring tyres all year round.
Ordinary old Marathons (HS368's) almost free from Spa. They're fine if it's not too muddy.