700c tyres on a Crosstrail ... from 45 to 38 wide ?

[Tea Pot One]

On a Specialized Crosstrail ... which currently has 700x45 tyres would I notice the difference massively in handling on tow path / compacted dirt if I went to 38 wide tyres ?

The reason I ask is that having bought a new Crosstrail today I got three miles before I got a flat ... not happy !!

Armadillo tyres go to 38 wide ... the current standard tyres are 45 wide.

Would I feel the difference in handling ??

Opinions welcome ...

[Mars]

I use 28 on trails with virtually no tread and an unsus fork. The fork is a bit jarring but the tyres are fine.

[Tea Pot One]

Ok ... went for 42 wide Continental Touring plus .... not 38 but not 45

Puncture resistant as best Continental do it so should be good ... just not sure how they will be on dirt/gravel paths as they are more road biased that the standard Specialised XC tyres ...

Tyres seem to be either 'road' or 'off road' - the bit that caters between the two is a compromise and is so subjective.

Shame the standard tyres on the Crosstrail are not puncture resistant at all as they are great ... maybe some Panracer anti flat tape ??

[Mars]

I went for Conti Gator Hardshell - they're supposed to be as tough as they get.

[Bikerjon]

I've got a crosstrail and I switch to using slick 28's in the summer months when I just do road cycling. They're faster but the ride can get harsh on the bumpier roads.

Still using the original fat 45's for most of the year and the ride is smoother with these on but on balance I think a 32 or 37 semi-slick tyre is probably the way to go for me.

[DrMekon]

Tea Pot One said:

Ok ... went for 42 wide Continental Touring plus .... not 38 but not 45

Puncture resistant as best Continental do it so should be good ... just not sure how they will be on dirt/gravel paths as they are more road biased that the standard Specialised XC tyres ...

Tyres seem to be either 'road' or 'off road' - the bit that caters between the two is a compromise and is so subjective.

Shame the standard tyres on the Crosstrail are not puncture resistant at all as they are great ... maybe some Panracer anti flat tape ??

I did 4000 miles on a pair of these before the rear wore through to the puncture protection strip. Not a single puncture, and did a 200km audax on the puncture protection strip, as I found the tyre was worn through the night before the ride and didn´t have time to get to the shop. The downside is that in 42mm, they weight nearly a kilo each! Still, youĺl get fit riding with them.

If you get sick of the weight, Marathon racers are half the weight in a similar size (40mm, IIRC), and you will feel the difference. Had 3 punctures in 8000 miles.