Touring and rail trail tires

[Rods]

I am outfitting a new to me S40 for the coming summer touring and rail trail adventures. What tires would the tribe recommend for such pursuits? I am running A23 rims, so I don`t think they are tubeless compatible. I am seriously considering Conti GP4season in 28 or 32. Sound good, or other suggestions?
Thanks

 

[super slim]

The S40 can take 700c*38F *40R tyres, so I would go for 700*35 gravel tyres, with Rims that are 20 mm or 23 mm wide INSIDE!

 

[velocio]

The S40 can take 700c*38F *40R tyres, so I would go for 700*35 gravel tyres, with Rims that are 20 mm or 23 mm wide INSIDE!

The fork clearance changed between the original S40 and the current model, right? I thought I read that somewhere. Maybe. I have the first year S40 and am wondering if I can buy the current fork to gain additional clearance for larger tires or, more likely, fenders for my current 650Bx38 tires.

I am outfitting a new to me S40 for the coming summer touring and rail trail adventures. What tires would the tribe recommend for such pursuits? I am running A23 rims, so I don`t think they are tubeless compatible. I am seriously considering Conti GP4season in 28 or 32. Sound good, or other suggestions?

Rods, does "touring" mean self contained tours carrying luggage? Camping gear? Are those rail trails paved or no? How much performance are you willing to sacrifice to durability and flat avoidance?

The Conti GP4season is skewed too far in the direction of durable/impenetrable/heavy/slow for my uses, even though I'm gearing up for loaded touring on possibly graveled trails this summer, but your needs may be different. Also, 28mm wide tires are not very wide now that 28mm is the new 23mm with respect to bicycle tires. I'm a fan of Schwalbe tires and if I were in the market for 700c tires for your use case would consider the Schwalbe G-One Speed in 700x35 (see https://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/G-ONE_Speed). At a more popular price point the Panaracer Gravel King is a well balanced tire for general purpose riding (see https://www.probikekit.com/bicycle-...V0eDICh0XvwtDEAYYAiABEgIj3_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds).

Whatever tires you decide on, enjoy the ride! Tires are so much better today than, say, a decade ago, there really aren't many bad choices.

-Jack

 

[chicorider]

Many rims are tubeless compatible once you tape up the rim bed with tubeless tape. What mostly matters is that the tires are tubeless ready.

 

[3bs]

Schwalbe has some great stuff.

 

[Mathew Fy]

I am running A23 rims, so I don`t think they are tubeless compatible.

You may want to consider replacing your rims/wheels as well. (At least the rear.) The A23 has a 23mm outside diameter. I recommend something closer to 30mm. Switching will also allow you to go tubeless which should provide some more comfort with lower pressures while reducing the risk of pinch-flats.

Be aware that some rims are incompatible with some tires. For example I'm using Enve's SES 4.5 AR that states incompatibility with Continental GP5000 TL x 28mm.

For this rail-trail trip I had the Enve listed above up front and a 650b x 42mm on the rear. (You saw me with it on the 2019 Cruzbike Retreat.) I had no issues other than a side-wall cut from a large sharp rock and some loose, deep sand in one short section.

 

[paco1961]

The fork clearance changed between the original S40 and the current model, right? I thought I read that somewhere. Maybe. I have the first year S40 and am wondering if I can buy the current fork to gain additional clearance for larger tires or, more likely, fenders for my current 650Bx38 tires.


Rods, does "touring" mean self contained tours carrying luggage? Camping gear? Are those rail trails paved or no? How much performance are you willing to sacrifice to durability and flat avoidance?

The Conti GP4season is skewed too far in the direction of durable/impenetrable/heavy/slow for my uses, even though I'm gearing up for loaded touring on possibly graveled trails this summer, but your needs may be different. Also, 28mm wide tires are not very wide now that 28mm is the new 23mm with respect to bicycle tires. I'm a fan of Schwalbe tires and if I were in the market for 700c tires for your use case would consider the Schwalbe G-One Speed in 700x35 (see https://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/G-ONE_Speed). At a more popular price point the Panaracer Gravel King is a well balanced tire for general purpose riding (see https://www.probikekit.com/bicycle-...V0eDICh0XvwtDEAYYAiABEgIj3_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds).

Whatever tires you decide on, enjoy the ride! Tires are so much better today than, say, a decade ago, there really aren't many bad choices.

-Jack

Another vote for Panracer Gravel King. Excellent tire. I used this exclusively for all my DF gravel racing. Great on rough pavement also