"Off-Road" Tires for Road Bike

[goingforspeed]

I have a Lemond Tourmalet with 700c wheels - right now I have 700x25's on it and I use it exclusively on the road. However, there are some trails close to where I live that are mostly paved, but part of them are made up of hard-packed gravel. I was just wondering what sort of tire you would suggest that would still perform decently on the road, but would minimize punctures going over gravel. I know there is going to be a bit of a tradeoff in road performance, but does such a tire exist? What would you recommend?

[gclark8]

I am using Continental City Contact on my trekking bike, sort of going the other way though, an off road bike on the road, but they work ok on gravel.

[artmichalek]

Unless you need to make a lot of quick turns, regular road tires work pretty well on dirt and gravel. Punctures usually aren't a problem so much as the sidewalls getting chewed up on some softer tires. If you're looking for a bit more control and durability, you might be able to fit a pair of 28-30mm cyclocross tires on there. It depends on how much clearance you have with your frame and brakes.

[Wurm]

If you don't feel secure with your regular road tires in those situations, I highly recommend the Vredestein Campo 28c - a CX tire. They can take PSI's up to 100+ for pavement and roll well, and are also great at lower pressures for off-road.

I use them as winter tires or when I know I'm doing both dirt and pavement riding. On these tires anywhere between 80-90 PSI works well for my weight in "all-around" use.

Check 'em out: http://www.biketiresdirect.com/productdetail.asp?p=VRCAM

[wilmar13]

If you don't feel secure with your regular road tires in those situations, I highly recommend the Vredestein Campo 28c - a CX tire. They can take PSI's up to 100+ for pavement and roll well, and are also great at lower pressures for off-road.

I use them as winter tires or when I know I'm doing both dirt and pavement riding. On these tires anywhere between 80-90 PSI works well for my weight in "all-around" use.

Check 'em out: http://www.biketiresdirect.com/productdetail.asp?p=VRCAM

And they fit on a standard road bike? Do you have any problems with them clearing the pads as you take your wheels off/on?

[Wurm]

They are a very close fit - just enough clearance under the Centaur calipers to make it.

I can open the calipers from the buttons on the shifters. But mostly it's best to deflate them a little to get them on/off.

[domaindomain]

Have a look at something like the Continental Top Touring 2000 - 700 x 28 but quite low profile

It would work well as an intermediate and be quite nice on hard pack stuff.

Cheers

[wilmar13]

They are a very close fit - just enough clearance under the Centaur calipers to make it.

I can open the calipers from the buttons on the shifters. But mostly it's best to deflate them a little to get them on/off.

Hmmm that is good to know. MAYBE one could actually use a roadbike for CX if it isn't muddy then.

[artmichalek]

They are a very close fit - just enough clearance under the Centaur calipers to make it.

I can open the calipers from the buttons on the shifters. But mostly it's best to deflate them a little to get them on/off.
Just out of curiosity, how far down are your brake pads sitting?

[Wurm]

Just out of curiosity, how far down are your brake pads sitting?
Better to see than me try to explain:

[wilmar13]

Better to see than me try to explain:

What size tire do you have mounted here?