Tyre recommendation

[roop]

In May I am going to do the C2C (Sea to Sea) with a mate and a bunch of others. We're all riding mountain bikes and my bike has the stock supplied off-road tyres (can't remember what they are), so I'm looking for advice on what tyre I should fit. There's a mix of on and off-road all the way across, the latter I believe is mainly pathways and such.

Also, I am going to need some panniers to carry all my gear (doing it over three days) so recommendations for those also appreciated.

Also, any other recommendations on riding the C2C...?

www.c2c-guide.co.uk

Cheers,

Roop

[mat205125]

Sounds like the terrain that you will be crossing will be relatively tame, and therefore a off road MTB tyre may be a little over-kill for your needs. You should be able to get away with a narrower road treaded tyre that will be faster rolling, and therefore less tiring on the legs. Go as hard as you can, and the miles will fly by.

Make sure, however, that there aren't any sections that are proper off road trails as you will really struggle if it is wet.

[roop]

Thanks Matt. As far as any of us can tell, the off-road sections are simply shale pathways, bridal/bike paths and Land Rover paths etc. Nothing serious at all. For this reason I am going to go with a hybrid tyre. Any recommendations appreciated as I haven't a clue.

My bike is a bog-standard Specialised Hardrock with some sort of suspension fork arrangement and a comfy seat

Don't think panniers are going to be needed now as we've got someone to drive ahead with our gear to the stopovers. Should help. I need all the weight loss I can get...!

[mat205125]

I used to use (and still have) a specialized hard rock. Cracking bike that are just as good as bikes twice their price.

You mention Land Rover tracks. Land Rovers can do some serious trail churning during winter months!

[roop]

Glad to hear the bike is OK. I used to be into the bikes when I was younger - had a GT Team Avalanche that replaced a very heavy but beautifully made MBK. Almost bought a classic Marin Team Titatium earlier this year in A1 nick, but the RS500 drained my pocket money before I got chance to snap it up.

Understood on the Land Rover trails - happy to compromise on this area and risk the ruts to gain on the remainder of the surfaces.

[beyond rational]

Bike sounds fine, beware comfy seats if they are overly padded, may work out more uncomfortable in the long run (plan for a longish ride before the c2c if not already doing so). Deffinatly avoid panniers if you can - if you can't, look at Blackburn.

Tyres - something with a solid or solidish centre tread pattern and a high air volume, high pressures for the road (lower rolling resistance - this is really important!), let them down a bit for the offroad so they can absorb the bumps and provide greater traction. And of course you don't want it to go flat at every opportunity. I think if it is dry and the kinds of offroad track you describe, you can get away with very little tread and less air volume so it is hard to suggest as it kind of depends on the comfort level and how much you value the speed on the roads.

Well thats the theory, I'm more off road, so don't have personnal experience with these tyres I'm afraid, so can't be of more help, have heard good things about the Specialized Armadillo range though.


www.wiggle.co.uk/CategoryProducts.aspx?categoryName=Tyres%20-%20MTB%20Road&cat=Cycle

[roop]

Thanks for the advice. Saddle is regular MTB with gel capsules. Plan or riding 10 miles a day for a couple of weeks prior to the run, so soreness should be negated. Have done one-off 25+ mile road and trail rides on this saddle without issues so hopefully be OK.

Tyre choice is mind boggling. The armadillos do look good though and with the reinforced carcass, could be time-saving. Last thing I want to do is repair tubes in the pouring rain.

Plan to get the bike serviced prior to the run anyway - needs some new brake pads up front. Was thinking of switching to a hydraulic disc, but too much faff for little benefit given the conditions.

Other than the obvious puncture repair kit and pump, what essentials should I be taking with me...? I have got chain cleaner and lube, full complement of Cateyes, 1 litre water bottle, handy tool etc.

Cheers,

Roop

[beyond rational]

Good gloves

I'd take at least one spare tube as it is easier to switch tubes and repair the holed one later in comfort (crosses fingers). Make sure someone you are riding with has a chain tool, that the multitool has a spoke key (or you have a seperate one) and that someone has an 8mm allen key for the bottom bracket.

[roop]

beyond rational said:

Good gloves

Good call - I have some fingerless lightweight jobs, but must get a pair of decent cool weather ones.

beyond rational said:

I'd take at least one spare tube as it is easier to switch tubes and repair the holed one later in comfort (crosses fingers). Make sure someone you are riding with has a chain tool, that the multitool has a spoke key (or you have a seperate one) and that someone has an 8mm allen key for the bottom bracket.

Wilco - all noted and will make sure I am suitably equipped. Thanks

Time for some online shopping...

[Stu R]

wouldn't worry about tyres too much to be honest.
They do make a difference, especially their pressures, but I managed it on the original orange patriot with boxxers and super knobbly and wide downhill tyres without any real grumbles. Some good uphill sections had me cursing the old girl but generally it was ok

[rico]

Something like a 1.85in semislick would be grand. Knock it up to say 60psi on road, then if you do have offroad bits, release some air down to 40psi and you'll be fine.

[roop]

Cool Thanks for the advice chaps, much appreciated. Just got to get my cardiovascular back up to speed now...!

Really looking forward to it. Should be a great craic. I understand that it's quite a popular route so should have some fun along the way. There's 6 or 7 of us going along now I think...

[RDE]

I've got something called Armadillos on a Trek MTB which I mainly use on road. They're hybrid but aren't bad for soft roading and have a replacement guarantee if they get punctured.

[mat205125]

roop said:

Really looking forward to it. Should be a great craic. I understand that it's quite a popular route so should have some fun along the way. There's 6 or 7 of us going along now I think...

Nothing you can buy for your bike will make the miles pass more quick and painlessly than having a like minded group of mates with you :thunmbup:

[Stu R]

mat205125 said:

roop said:

Really looking forward to it. Should be a great craic. I understand that it's quite a popular route so should have some fun along the way. There's 6 or 7 of us going along now I think...

Nothing you can buy for your bike will make the miles pass more quick and painlessly than having a like minded group of mates with you :thunmbup:

an Ipod helps

[mat205125]

boring mates then

[Stu R]

Not at all, just having 3 heavy breathing men behind me is enough to trigger nightmares

[Roman]

I think that the C2C goes over 'the old coach road' - about 6 miles SW of Keswick. West to East there is a 2 mile climb strewn with large sharp football sized rocks. East to West this is very hairy but I have managed a race down it using a solid forked hybrid with 1.5 - 1.7in tyres.