Long Distance Bike Touring Tires Emphasize Ride and Comfort

Durability is always the key when you're searching for touring tires, and making the right selection can make your trip a much better experience. While brand names like Schwalbe and Continental are one good predictor of excellent performance, knowing what to buy before you ever log on is also essential.

Wait, What's Touring?

Ever thought of going on vacation and leaving the car at home? That's bike touring at its best, and there are two main types. Some people who tour include a wagon for gear. This is known as supported touring, and it can be great if you're on an organized journey. Unsupported touring comes without the wagon, but if you'll be making stops at hotels along the way, your gear will be fairly minimal. If you intend to camp, you'll need all of the associated supplies. If you've never done it before, the best way to get started is to just go. If you're an experienced rider, expect to make fifty or sixty miles a day. If you're fairly new, thirty miles is probably a bit ambitious. Don't forget to factor road conditions into that equation as well. Just be flexible and enjoy the ride.

So, What is a Touring Tire?

Made for the conditions you're likely to encounter on a journey of any size, these look a lot like the tires you might choose if you were going to commute daily on your bike. Long wear is the key for most manufacturers because most riders want to encounter as few flats as possible. Moreover, though, these kinds of tires, unlike their sport counterparts, have to be constructed so they can support a heavy load over some distance with a comfortable ride. A lighter weight is also important, as not many riders want to add additional weight while they're riding. Densely woven fabric typically helps achieve all of these goals while still maintaining a fairly light weight. While heavy tires can slow you down, they also offer a soft ride and a measure of control, so you'll have to weigh the pros and cons if you're fairly new to this hobby.

Where racing tires have to be very slick and off roading tires have to incorporate a variety of knobs depending on the terrain, a touring tire is in the middle of the pack. There's more tread than you might find with a typical racing choice, but conditions certainly don't call for a knobby surface, as you want a smooth roll if you're going to be riding for some time. Most people like a 1 ¼ inch to 1 3/8 inch width.

Some of your decision making process will depend a bit on where you plan to ride. Many who enjoy touring stay on paved roads and surfaces, and for the most part, any tire will do if that's where you're be riding. More serious devotees, though, incorporate some dirt riding into the picture, and if that's the case, wide tires with good traction are a must.