"Best" tire for road tandem?

[mistermo]

For a tandem.... I know, I know, there's no such thing as "best". I'm looking for a fast, durable, comfortable tire for riding pothole strewn roads, at a fast pace. It's presently got 25c gatorskins and I think they're a bit narrow. Any suggestions from those with experience in this area? TIA

[azrider]

28 gatorskins...........ha

but seriously.....I always grab bike with gatorskins when riding roads you describe above

[GregL]

Panaracer T-Serv: https://www.panaracer.com/lineup/urban_touring.html

T-Servs are much more robust than Paselas, wear very well, and are surprisingly grippy. Very few flats over the years. Available in 25, 28, 32, and 35mm widths. My wife and I are avid tandem riders. We use 28mm T-Servs as everyday training tires on our tandem.

Greg

[commonguy001]

Originally Posted by azrider

28 gatorskins...........ha

but seriously.....I always grab bike with gatorskins when riding roads you describe above

I always ran gatorskins (28) on our tandem unless we were doing unpaved then I went with a Clement tire that was bigger.

[zap]

Long time Conti 4K user on our road tandems.....and singles

But....25c is as large as we go. We first started using wide 25c for a tour we did up in Vermont which included roads with missing chunks pavement and some dirt roads. More than sufficient for that app.

So for larger sizes........no help.

[bikinchris]

Gatorskins on a tandem. 28 in front and 32 on rear.

[smead]

I used to run Rubino Pro IIIs in 28 and 25 which had a better ride than gatorskins, but at this point, I just use gatorskin 25s. I cannot recall the last time we flatted - years.

[weisan]

If it fits, try the widest possible gravel king slick.

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by weisan

If it fits, try the widest possible gravel king slick.

I concur with this.

[Kirk007]

I dunno, if your roads are really like out of a mad max set then the recommendations for these heavy duty tires may make sense but if it's pleasure riding -- not much pleasure in most of those tires compared to a good 25-28.

We had an Erickson tandem for years and went with what Glenn recommended - a good supple 25. Way back in the day those were avocets. Today I'd run the same tires on tandem as on single and enjoy the ride.

[sjbraun]

32mm Gravel King slicks, roll fast, don't flat, and they're supple.

[marciero]

Originally Posted by Kirk007

I dunno, if your roads are really like out of a mad max set then the recommendations for these heavy duty tires may make sense but if it's pleasure riding -- not much pleasure in most of those tires compared to a good 25-28.

We had an Erickson tandem for years and went with what Glenn recommended - a good supple 25. Way back in the day those were avocets. Today I'd run the same tires on tandem as on single and enjoy the ride.

Pretty much my philiosophy, which typically means the widest Compass I can fit, whether gravel or paved. BUT... I recently put Pasela 35 foldable version on our 700c bike and cant believe how nice they ride. Plenty durable. Also, after years of Compass 42 I have gone to WTB Horizon 47 on our 650b tandem. A bit wider still. (A Compass 48 did not clear the chainstays and I wanted matchy-matchy.)

[GregL]

Originally Posted by marciero

Pretty much my philiosophy, which typically means the widest Compass I can fit, whether gravel or paved. BUT... I recently put Pasela 35 foldable version on our 700c bike and cant believe how nice they ride. Plenty durable. Also, after years of Compass 42 I have gone to WTB Horizon 47 on our 650b tandem. A bit wider still. (A Compass 48 did not clear the chainstays and I wanted matchy-matchy.)

The T-Serv is basically a Pasela with much better sidewall protection. They ride and handle remarkably well for such a durable tire. When we race the tandem, we use Conti GP4000S II tires on Rolf Prima tandem wheels. To be honest, I'm not sure I could tell the difference if blindfolded.

Greg

[Jeff N.]

Originally Posted by azrider

28 gatorskins...........ha

but seriously.....I always grab bike with gatorskins when riding roads you describe above

Yep, agreed.

[zennmotion]

So you guys recommending a narrow 28 (25?!?) really don't think a tandem with a combined rider weight of 250-300 lbs or more needs more tire? 90-100+ PSI needed on those tires to avoid pinch flats is the way to go? Let's check in- who are actual tandem riders? And of the tandem riders, who has actually ridden those tires as a stoker? Or even talked to the stoker about what a super hard narrow tire feels like, and compared to something more proportional to the weight of a tandem team?

My opinion- 32mm minimum, 35 or more is better. I like folding 37c Paselas for the price point, ride nicely when run at 70-80psi for maintained gravel roads.

Gatorskins, really? Worst crap overpriced tires on the planet, just get Nashbar specials if you want bulletproof