Tyre width for offroad

[kPrdfHTb]

Hi all,

I'm about to embark on a tour, a good part of which is offroad - fire trails, loose rocks, etc. Basically, my question is: how wide do my tyres need to be to get by on this kind of terrain? I have a pair of 700x32 Marathon Supreme for commuting and I do love them, but I'm concerned fire trails might be asking too much of them, in terms of both width and design.

I've been investigating Schwalbe somewhat; looking at their website, it seems as if I can choose between 700x40 Marathon Mondial/Marathon Plus Tour, or 700x45 Marathon (being the widest 700c I could find). I'm digging the puncture protection of the Plus, but am I likely to miss that 5mm of tyre width when I head offroad?

I mention Schwalbe because I've heard excellent things about them, though am quite open to other recommendations.

[clackers]

I normally do it all on 28s, but I think the wider the better for offroad - much better comfort.

[Aushiker]

For my "Chasing the Dirt" tour through the Gascoyne I had Schwalbe Marathon Mondial HS 428 47-622 tyres on my Surly Long Haul Trucker. They worked a treat on all road surfaces bar deep sand ... had to walk that section.

Andrew

[RonK]

I'm about to embark on a tour, a good part of which is offroad - fire trails, loose rocks, etc. Basically, my question is: how wide do my tyres need to be to get by on this kind of terrain? I have a pair of 700x32 Marathon Supreme for commuting and I do love them, but I'm concerned fire trails might be asking too much of them, in terms of both width and design.

I toured New Zealand backroads on 700x32 Marathon Supremes. Not fire trails but very gravelly in places.


You will find Marathon Mondial very heavy and Plus even heavier compared to the light and fast Supremes. Schwalbe have revamped the Marathon range and the Supreme isn't offered any more - the Marathon Deluxe looks a reasonable alternative allrounder.

[il padrone]

The real advantage of a bigger tyre is that you have the ability to lower the pressure more for loose surfaces without risking a pinch flat. 40-45mm tyres should be excellent for most dirt tracks and gravel, but if it's sand all bets are off. We used 26x2.15" Marathon Mondials on the Finke Rd, running them lower than 20 psi and traction was OK...... mostly




The deep sand did however finally defeat us. Pushing the heavy bikes and load through relentless deep sand with no sign of any change got us beat. We could have done with 4" fatbikes

[Wingnut]

I agree with il padrone,

I ride 26" and any tyres I buy in the future will be over 2" in width, if I could afford a fat bike I'd get one now!

[Cheesewheel]

My preference is always at 2" minimum ... regardless whether it is on or off road.

With more narrow tyres there is more of a need to micro-manage the front wheel over irregularities in the bitumen which a wider tyre can handle no problem .... which is kind of a plus if your intent is to take in the scenery beyond the oncoming 3 metres of your front tyre.

Schwalbe has a range of touring tyres (as opposed to the standard knobby ones familiar to the mtb scene) that fit the bill and don't seem to offer too much rolling resistance when pumped up. If you are a staunch narrow tyre person you can always run a fatter one on the front to provide stability (since its a squirrelly front tyre that will judo flip you to the road) and still reap the benefits of a low rolling resistance narrow one on the back.

The largest tyres I have experience with are 2.5" but even these I find to be inadequate for touring that spans any sizeable distance of loose sand (although if I was minus touring gear weight, it might be more tolerable).

[Uncle Just]

OTH I've toured extensively off and on road on my MTB and wanted a tyre that would be fast, strong and grippy. We used 26 x 1.5" with no punctures over some pretty rough roads/tracks at times. Having front suspension helped. If you are carrying heavy loads and going over very rough terrain go wider.

[Wingnut]

Can anyone suggest a good 2.5" touring tyre for 26"...not sure but I don't think Schwalbe go that wide?

[Aushiker]

I agree with il padrone,

I ride 26" and any tyres I buy in the future will be over 2" in width, if I could afford a fat bike I'd get one now!

The OP is running 700C not 26" so can one get sutiable 2" + tyres in 700c?

Andrew

[trailgumby]

You'd be looking at 29er tyres in that case.

Professor Google came up with 29x2.0 Marathon Supreme
http://www.amazon.com/Schwalbe-Marathon ... B000QSXXOQ" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

There's Furious Fred - not the most puncture resistant option, unfortunately
http://www.this link is broken/au/e ... -prod52617" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Big Apple:
http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping ... p?id=16624" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Baalzamon]

But the op hasn't mentioned what frame he is running. He may not get away with large volume tyres in the order of 2" and 2.5" depending on his frame clearance. For instance my CX is limited to 38mm on the front and I could most likely go 45mm on the rear but no wider.

[RonK]

I agree with il padrone,

I ride 26" and any tyres I buy in the future will be over 2" in width, if I could afford a fat bike I'd get one now!

The OP is running 700C not 26" so can one get sutiable 2" + tyres in 700c?

The Marathon Deluxe I've already linked to is offered in 622x50.
But will need a 29er frame to accommodate them.

[rifraf]

A selection of 622 Schwalbe Mondials can be found here:

http://www.bike24.de/1.php?content=8;na ... duct=63677" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Schwalbe Marathon Delux:

http://www.bike24.de/1.php?content=8;na ... duct=63628" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Schwalbe Supremes:

http://www.bike24.de/1.php?content=8;se ... duct=62562" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

For more let your mouse do the walking.....

[il padrone]

Schwalbe have a new tyre called the Almotion that looks interesting - probably not as puncture-resistant as the Plus or the Mondial, but a lighter road tread. Available in 700C x 2.00" and 2.15".

[Wingnut]

These Schwalbe Marathon Mondial EVO DD Travelstar's appear to come in 26 x 2.4 but I can't find that size available online...

Edit: I think it's an error on the Wiggle site...Schwalbe site says only 2.15.

http://www.this link is broken/schwalbe-marath ... olding-26/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;