700x32 road tires?

[cosmonaut]

I'm curious to hear if anyone has come recommendations on decent road tires that come in a 32 width. I've been riding my cross bike on the road while my road frame is being repaired, and I want something slick (or at least non-knobby) for commuting purposes. So far the best I've found are Continental gatorskins, but I'm wondering what else is out there.

[rugbysecondrow]

I'm curious to hear if anyone has come recommendations on decent road tires that come in a 32 width. I've been riding my cross bike on the road while my road frame is being repaired, and I want something slick (or at least non-knobby) for commuting purposes. So far the best I've found are Continental gatorskins, but I'm wondering what else is out there.

Pasela's are a great tires and are inexpensive.

Give those a shot.

[sw3759]

the panaracer pasela 32 (non belted version) is a great tire seems to roll faster imo than the gatorskin too.

*oops,rugby beat me to the punch

[AngryScientist]

if you're just subbing in the cross bike while your road bike is out of commission, why not just run regular road tires on the cross bike?

[jr59]

Ribmos for commuting work really well.

http://www.panaracer.com/urban.php

[rccardr]

Vittoria Rando's or if you want something mostly slick with some sipes, try Michelin Pilot city tires. Both ride very nicely.

[phcollard]

The girlfriend has a pair of Schwalbe Durano 700x32 on her bike and she likes them. Bonus for me: she never has a flat. They are wire bead only if my memory serves me well.

They are rather slick...

http://www.everybicycletire.com/shopping/images/PRODUCT/large/1000.jpg

[FlashUNC]

+1 on the Duranos.

I'd also recommend the Conti Cyclocross Speed tire. Its not exactly a pure smooth road tread, but it is smooth enough for tarmac use, and has just enough of a knobby on the edges to handle dirt or whatever else might come your way.

[cosmonaut]

if you're just subbing in the cross bike while your road bike is out of commission, why not just run regular road tires on the cross bike?
Excellent question! :)
No particular reason, I guess I'm into the wider tires just because they're a departure from the normal 25s I use for road. I like being able to ride some hard-packed dirt trails that would be more of an issue on the skinnier tires.

I'll look into the recommended tires, thanks for the suggestions.

[Andrewlcox]

I have 6000 miles on a pair of Bontrager Hard Case tires that are 700x32. I will buy them again if the first pair ever wears out.

Andy

[keevon]

Front: Panaracer Pasela (wire bead, non-Tourguard)
Rear: Panaracer T-Serv

Both share the same tread, but differ in terms of casing and flat protection.
Pasela's feel great, but are prone to sidewall cuts. T-Serv's are durable, but feel a little dead. I've found that pairing the supple Pasela with the durable T-Serv has been a great combo!

[Ken Robb]

Performance bike Metro tires might work if they are not too fat. They cost less than $20 and are often on sale for even less. I use 700x37 on my Riv Allrounder.

[buldogge]

Vittoria Hyper Randonneurs...relatively light, roll super nice, hold up well.

My 2c.

-Mark in St. Louis

[KidWok]

Front: Panaracer Pasela (wire bead, non-Tourguard)
Rear: Panaracer T-Serv

Both share the same tread, but differ in terms of casing and flat protection.
Pasela's feel great, but are prone to sidewall cuts. T-Serv's are durable, but feel a little dead. I've found that pairing the supple Pasela with the durable T-Serv has been a great combo!

My sentiments exactly...Use an Ultremo 28 on front and T-serv 28 on back of my all-arounder. I'm riding T-serv's 700 x 25's on my road bike for training. They don't feel super but they don't quit. Pasela's are great for pavement, but not so great for trail due to the very thin sidewalls. I refused to use Panaracers in the winter anymore though...the rubber compound on the T-serv and Pasela is VERY durable at the expense of not being super grippy in cold/wet conditions. I definitely notice the loss of traction (ow) on painted lines, manhole covers, and pebble-top concrete roads (my commute). I've gone to Schwalbe Marathon Supremes for my commuter bike...VERY nice tires but I believe they discontinued the 32mm size and only have 28s and 35s. Very nice rolling tire, but would not recommend for gravel due to fairly soft compound.

IMHO...32mm pavement tires are kind of an odd-duck size. There aren't that many types of pavement that I want more than a 28 slick and not that many gravel roads where I wouldn't rather have a semi-slick 'cross tire.

Have heard good feedback from my friends about the Vittoria Hyper Rando's, but would rather ride a Pasela over a standard Rando.

Tai

[GRAVELBIKE]

Vittoria Hyper Randonneurs...relatively light, roll super nice, hold up well.

My 2c.

-Mark in St. Louis

+1 on the Hypers (not just any Vittoria Rando).

Also consider the non-TG Paselas.

[merckx]

Grand Bois Cypres

[danielpack22@ma]

I run Rivendell's Jack Brown Greens on my CX bike and they've held up well and really smooth out the road. They do however measure 33 1/3 (it's Rivendell of course it's odd ball). :rolleyes:

[ptourkin]

+1 on the Jack Browns. I am running the Blues on my Moots. Also fun on dry trails. Avoid the tubes Grant is selling with them, though. The valves are ridiculously short and won't work if there is any V in your rim.

[nighthawk]

I've been trying out some Schwalbe marathons (32) as I ride a lot on dirt roads. They handle the gravel fantastically, but on pavement it feels like I'm spinning marshmallows. I'm thinking about trying Vittoria XNs next.

[GRAVELBIKE]

I've been trying out some Schwalbe marathons (32) as I ride a lot on dirt roads. They handle the gravel fantastically, but on pavement it feels like I'm spinning marshmallows. I'm thinking about trying Vittoria XNs next.

Take a look at the (non-TG) Panaracer Pasela. The minimal tread is quick on pavement, but still works well off-pavement (drop the psi).

[fiamme red]

Take a look at the (non-TG) Panaracer Pasela. The minimal tread is quick on pavement, but still works well off-pavement (drop the psi).These are getting harder to find. Nashbar no longer stocks them.

[nighthawk]

Take a look at the (non-TG) Panaracer Pasela. The minimal tread is quick on pavement, but still works well off-pavement (drop the psi).

Im considering them after reading this thread, but I'm not sure if the have enough bite for my purposes. I end up climbing a lot in dirt, and need some good tread to really dig in. If I can track some down I'll give 'em a shot. It's a tough balance, some days I'm riding 90 percent dirt, climbing and descending... And I love the Schwalbes... The days I find myself mostly on pavement, I feel like a sloth.

[dauwhe]

Out of curiosity, how much can width and/or low pressure make up for a lack of aggressive tread? I've been pretty happy with Hetre's at 40/45psi on dirt and gravel, but since I'm not an MTB or cyclocross rider I don't have much experience with knobbier tires.

[GRAVELBIKE]

Out of curiosity, how much can width and/or low pressure make up for a lack of aggressive tread? I've been pretty happy with Hetre's at 40/45psi on dirt and gravel, but since I'm not an MTB or cyclocross rider I don't have much experience with knobbier tires.

It depends...

On hardpack dirt, slicks work surprisingly well. For loose over hard, deep gravel, etc, you generally need some type of tread. It doesn't have to be much, but it needs to be more than the Hetres' "ribs."

If you're under-biking, it's (more) important to pay attention to weight distribution, steering, and braking. Let the bike steer itself wherever possible, and avoid panic braking (also lay off the front brake as it can be easier to lock up in loose conditions).

[nighthawk]

It depends...

On hardpack dirt, slicks work surprisingly well. For loose over hard, deep gravel, etc, you generally need some type of tread. It doesn't have to be much, but it needs to be more than the Hetres' "ribs."

If you're under-biking, it's (more) important to pay attention to weight distribution, steering, and braking. Let the bike steer itself wherever possible, and avoid panic braking (also lay off the front brake as it can be easier to lock up in loose conditions).

Sorry, what's "under-biking"?

[GRAVELBIKE]

Sorry, what's "under-biking"?

See:
http://veloflaneur.wordpress.com/2009/12/21/underbiking/

[nighthawk]

Huh, I had no idea. I guess that's me, but it sounds derogatory.

[palincss]

These are getting harder to find. Nashbar no longer stocks them.

Google shopping found 26 online vendors that sell them. Perhaps Nashbar doesn't list them today but there's nothing to say that might not change next week or next month.

[fiamme red]

Google shopping found 26 online vendors that sell them.The TG or non-TG version?