Long-distance tires

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I am in the 2004 season looking at two longdistance rides, ranging from 2000 to 3000km.

I'm currently riding the Specialized Hemisphere tire (600km now), which so far have only given me one flat (needle pinched my tire) and proved good on road and hard surfaces, both on flats and +15% uphill rides in the Japanese Alps.

( Link : http://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=5542&JServSessionIdroot=vhf236xy9y.j27005 )

This tyre seems good to me, but I really didnt ride too many. Is there any alternatives I should look at. I am not so much into the full slick tires, as I sometimes do gravel or other hard surfaces, and the full knobbery on roads just doesnt work. So it seems semi-slick is my only option ?

I am a fairly heavy rider at the average 100kg and to that comes an touring pack - so it gotta be solid work ;)

/ LJ
http://www.ljweb.com

Originally posted by Lars Jensen
I am in the 2004 season looking at two longdistance rides, ranging from 2000 to 3000km.

I'm currently riding the Specialized Hemisphere tire (600km now), which so far have only given me one flat (needle pinched my tire) and proved good on road and hard surfaces, both on flats and +15% uphill rides in the Japanese Alps.

( Link : http://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=5542&JServSessionIdroot=vhf236xy9y.j27005 )

This tyre seems good to me, but I really didnt ride too many. Is there any alternatives I should look at. I am not so much into the full slick tires, as I sometimes do gravel or other hard surfaces, and the full knobbery on roads just doesnt work. So it seems semi-slick is my only option ?

I am a fairly heavy rider at the average 100kg and to that comes an touring pack - so it gotta be solid work ;)

/ LJ
http://www.ljweb.com

My first choice is Continental TopTouring 2000, see URL:
http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/general/home/index_en.html

Sounds good, and they even come cheaper than those I got on now...

How do they handle on the non-asphalt road conditions ?

/ Lars

Originally posted by Lars Jensen
Sounds good, and they even come cheaper than those I got on now...

How do they handle on the non-asphalt road conditions ?

/ Lars

They are good on gravel, limestone screening, and rocky fire roads.
They are not particularly good on very loose soil, sand, mud, and single track type riding.