Tyres for use on flat forest tracks in parks

MIABS

Hi,

I need advice on tyres to use in parks and flat forest trails on my Trek 1.2 Road bike.
I dont want to have to buy a hybrid bike just for using occasionly off road tarmac.

Can anyone recommend tyres? I looked at hybrid tyres but am not sure of the clearance . I run the standard Bontrager All weather Plus 700x23 tyres at the moment and thought I would change them if I am going onto flat forest tracks (gravel i presume and tarmac).

Local bike shop recommended Specialized Armodillos. I dont want to change the inner tubes so want to stay at 700x23. Can anyone recommend a good tyre or should I chance it with my standard all weather bontragers?

I wont be offroading as such , just riding throught the park with my family, puntureless hopefully.

maddog 2

slick - consider 28mm Conti GP4 Seasons or Gatorskins

more knobbly: Conto touring plus, again in 28mm

Wrath Rob

Your inner tubes should go up to 28mm with no trouble

marcusjb

maddog 2 wrote:

slick - consider 28mm Conti GP4 Seasons or Gatorskins

more knobbly: Conto touring plus, again in 28mm

+1 for 28mm Conti GP 4 Seasons

Best all-round tyre ever. Comfy, durable, keeps the fairy away (never had a visitation in 3 odd years of running 4 seasons in 23 and 28mm on various bikes), pretty light.

They're spendy, but well worth it.

They'll deal with gravelly (even slightly rocky) tracks with ease over the summer months - you may want something a little more knobbly if you plan to use them over the wetter parts of the year).

Great tyre.

Bobbinogs

Might also be worth considering the Schwalbe Marathons (note: not the plus version which are bullet proof but very heavy). They come in 25mm versions and are a reasonable price:

http://www.cyclesportsuk.co.uk/product_ ... ts_id=5626

I have stuck them on my wife's bike for her commute through a rough old cycle track and they look to be doing the business. Not sure about the clearance though.