Any thoughts on a good hard-wearing touring tyre with a slightly smaller profile than a Conti Top Touring or a Schwalbe Marathon 700x25/28? The width isn't an issue but the height is because of the mudguards. They just touch in places at times unless I adjust them with surgical precision.
Yes, yes, I know... I could change the mudguards. Without boring you with the reasons, it would be simpler to change the tyres, not least because I need new ones anyway.
So, tyres that will stand riding with camping gear and a tiny bit shallower than TTs or Marathons, please. Any advice?
That higher profile is generally going to be what makes it a good touring tire. The Conti tread helps it last longer.
A low profile tire that I one used in a pinch was the specialized Armadillo. It had kevlar lining so it was flat proof, but at around 1,000 miles or so it ran out of tread and I was riding just on the kevlar. My roomate was on the trip and he got a specialized flak jacket, also kevlar lined and with a kevlar bead that has had 2000 miles or so and hasn't screwed up yet. Flak jackets are pretty good, and the flat proofness isn't bad either.
I'd still just adjust your mudguards and run contis though. 🙂
Another option would be to switch to 26" size wheels. I know it's a bit expensive and you would lose on the touring bike feeling, but you could stay with tt or marathon tires and also with your mudguards. (I have never met any better touring tire than a marathon XR, so I think I would never give up on it for any mudguard 🙂 )
Another option would be to switch to 26" size wheels. I know it's a bit expensive and you would lose on the touring bike feeling, but you could stay with tt or marathon tires and also with your mudguards. (I have never met any better touring tire than a marathon XR, so I think I would never give up on it for any mudguard 🙂 )
26" wheels on a bicycle built for 700C wheels means a lot of bad things, including brakes not reaching rims, pedals hitting the ground on turns, etc. Clearance for tires and fenders is a challenge for many of today's bicycles. Special purpose touring bicycles have fork and frames built for more space. It is always important to start with the understanding of the clearance required for the fenders and largest tires you ever plan to use. Most bicycles are not built with large tires and fenders in mind. Most bicycle shops do not have the details in hand to deal with touring bicycles, fenders, racks, and tires for loaded touring. The most recent edition of Rivendell Reader show ways to mount fenders safely and to provide more clearance. The edition also as a very good article on tires, including sizing and the usefullness (or the lack there of) of tread for road tires. If you are interested in loaded touring and some unique perspectives, a subscription to Rivendell Reader is well worth it. A few builders like Bruce Gordon, Co-Motion (Americano for loaded), and Waterford (Adventure Cycle and now T14) also understand what it takes to make true loaded toruing bicycles. A visit to Bruce Gordon and Co-Motion's web sites are worth the visit. Sheldon Brown, Peter White Cycles, Larry Black of Mt. Airy Bicycles are also quite informed. John Schubert writes informed articles in Adventure Cyclist Magazine. A membership in this organization has many benefits. I have no connections of any kind with any of the above other than as an informed consumer.
