So doing a long distance bikepacking trip this summer through Europe including a big stint in the Alps.
Just wondering if anyone has any tips for tyres to use?
Will be on my Trek Remedy and taking on a mix of rocky singletrack, steep tech, flowy trails, doubletrack, road, you name it.
I'm thinking of playing it safe with 27.5" 2.3 Maxxis High Roller 2 EXO 62/60a rear/ 3C Maxxterra upfront as I have always done, as I don't find them too draggy and are used to how they ride.
I've tried an Ardent on the rear of my hardtail, but wasn't too impressed with them when it got wet and muddy.
Have been toying with a Forekaster or Minion semi slick on the rear to make it a bit more faster for covering the distance, but not sure. Anyone had a good experience with these?
Have tried Schwalbe in the past, but didn't like them all that much.
Not really tried out any other brands, so recommendations welcome.
I use both Forekaster and High Roller on bikepacking rigs; I would 'feel' that the HR2 is probably the faster of the two, especially if you are taking about the newer version of the Forekaster, with the larger side knobs. Neither will be wrong choices, just slightly different compromises.
For peace of mind, run what you know and trust.
I used to guide transalp tours from the Bavarian alps to the Italian lakes....
It depends entirely on where/what you're riding.
Some tours are 80% asphalt with a bit of gravel. Others are 60% gravel with 10/15% trail, rocks, etc.
What's the route?
Cheers for the tips guys, kind of what I thought the response would be tbh.
Looking at the stats and depending on the part of the route I would say on average around 25% would be trail, rocks, etc, 30% would be gravel, etc and remainder would be asphalt/ cycle path.
Not really following a specific named route and so many different areas on the way, but a couple of them are Vosges/ Valais/ Ticino/ South Tirol incl Dolomites/ Soca Region/ Adriatic Coast, etc towards Greece.
I want it to be more of a traditional mountain biking route, than a gravel centric route, so will be seeking out the more techy/ fun trails where I can. In other words the tyres will be getting a proper hammering.