Best tyres for European road tours

[Bicycler]

With the Marathon pluses I'm not sure it was rolling resistance that bothered me. They seemed leaden trying to get them going. I can only assume the 1.1kg per tyre played its part there. The biggest issue was that I found it to be uncomfortably harsh compared to other tyres even in large tyre widths

[geocycle]

With the Marathon pluses I'm not sure it was rolling resistance that bothered me. They seemed leaden trying to get them going. I can only assume the 1.1kg per tyre played its part there. The biggest issue was that I found it to be uncomfortably harsh compared to other tyres even in large tyre widths

Tend to agree, marathon supremes are a much better touring tyre. Pluses are for glass strewn commutes IMO.

[beardy]

In terms of weight you can have two invincible M+s for 2.2Kg rotating mass. Or you can have two Hypers and a spare in case of a carcass failure or other serious damage from something that a M+ may have survived for 1.2kg of which only 800g is rotating.

That is a lot of rotating mass difference and a noticeable amount of all up weight difference.
You could even carry two spares if you are worried about something that could take out both tyres.

I dont think the Hypers are that much more vulnerable than M+s.

[robc02]

+1 for Voyager Hypers.

I recently used them in 38mm for Lon las Cymru, including some gentle offroad sections. The bike was a LHT, carrying about 10-12kg of camping gear on the rear plus a small handlebar bag. I am about 65kg. The tyres handled all surfaces well and were very comfortable. I'd second the comment about tyre pressures - though I probably went a bit too low at the rear to start with as I'm sure I felt it bottom out on a cattle grid!

Incidentally, I often ride the bike (with these tyres) unladen and, contrary to some suggestions, don't find it harsh at all.

[reohn2]

If you've been riding these:- http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle ... tact.shtml
or any of the Conti Contact range,you won't believe the difference Hypers will make.
Decent tyres are only half the story,please check out this chart for tyre pressures:- http://www.bikequarterly.com/images/TireDrop.pdf

I haven't yet tried the Hypers I've bought, but Contact II x32 I find are very sure footed in muddy patches, and I quite like them for that. However they are an absolute pain to fit - but apparently so are Marathon Plus (which I haven't used).

There are three Contact II's :-
http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle ... tact.shtml
http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle ... ctII.shtml
http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle ... tact.shtml
Which one?
All are heavy compared to Hypers so I'm thinking the ride won't be as good.
I've found muddy conditions to clog up any tread except a very open knobbly tyre,so you end up with a slick,so I just use slicks,which for 95% of the time are all that's needed,the other 5% I just take things easy and enjoy the odd slither
M+ are a pain in the rear end,literally.
They're as dead as lead pipe to ride,and so heavy as to kill any joy out of riding for me.
The only rolling resistance test I've seen on M+ was done by Mike Burrows and it was a roll down test which really says nothing about a tyre other than it's fastest down a hill,which doesn't say much really.
They're very puncture resistant and for short commuting on crappy city streets and cyclepaths is OK,but the thoughts of riding them all day sends me cold

[Kizuna]

What do people think of Dutch Perfect? The guy that runs my local spit n sawdust repair shop recommended them and I put some 28mm ones on my road bike for the winter and for light touring.

I find them pretty good and they're supposed to have better puncture resistance than even marathons.

[Keezx]

I'm Dutch but have no opinion as I've never heard of them.

[Brucey]

you can see their catalogue here;

http://www.dutchperfect.nl/images/stories/brochures/DP-brochure-engels-2010.pdf

they claim a low CRR but this may be in relation to their puncture resistance.

They at least put their money where their mouth is, with a puncture free guarantee.

cheers

[LollyKat]

I wonder how well they last? According to the catalogue

"All Dutch Perfect tyres .... use OPS ozone protection to provide early aging and cracking."

[mercalia]

Bog standard Marathons? Dont cost to much. tough enough, last a long time and have decent puncture resistance.