Tyre width - touring

[scandiman]

Off this TCC member goes to Scandiland and holidays soon, including where I grew up in North-Norway for some touring. It all looks like this: http://www.turistveg.no/en/senja)

I am pretty much sorted except some thoughts on what kind of tyre and width.

Background:

Here in Tokyo, for 40 k return fast commuting a few times per week and the occasional 100 k weekend rides, I use Contis Grand Prix 4000S 23C. No issues whatsoever. Really quite pleased with them tyres.

I will do 100-200 k per day up i Norway. Will be on the road for a good week with no rest days.

Road surface is good, not that different from what we have down here. Will be along the coast so no major hills.

My weight is 83 kg.

I will carry an extra 5 + kg in a 18 l Zimbale bag
http://www.zimbale.com/Front/Product/?url=Product&product_no=01ZIMSOT0000015&main_cate_no=AA000000&display_group=1

I have been thinking of replacing the 4000S 23C's with either the 4-Season, GatorSkin or GatorHardShell in 25C/28C. I am not worried about punctures - more a comfort issue.
http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/race/racetyres/overview_race_en.html

Questions:

Anyone out there with experience of these?
Would 25C or 28C cut it for relatively fast but comfortable touring?
Other recommendations, including brands? (I dont think I need specific touring tyres - Contis or others - but could be wrong.)

Thanks!

 

[StuInTokyo]

Off this TCC member goes to Scandiland and holidays soon, including where I grew up in North-Norway for some touring. It all looks like this: http://www.turistveg.no/en/senja)

I am pretty much sorted except some thoughts on what kind of tyre and width.

Background:

Here in Tokyo, for 40 k return fast commuting a few times per week and the occasional 100 k weekend rides, I use Contis Grand Prix 4000S 23C. No issues whatsoever. Really quite pleased with them tyres.

I will do 100-200 k per day up i Norway. Will be on the road for a good week with no rest days.

Road surface is good, not that different from what we have down here. Will be along the coast so no major hills.

My weight is 83 kg.

I will carry an extra 5 + kg in a 18 l Zimbale bag
http://www.zimbale.com/Front/Product/?url=Product&product_no=01ZIMSOT0000015&main_cate_no=AA000000&display_group=1

I have been thinking of replacing the 4000S 23C's with either the 4-Season, GatorSkin or GatorHardShell in 25C/28C. I am not worried about punctures - more a comfort issue.
http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/race/racetyres/overview_race_en.html

Questions:

Anyone out there with experience of these?
Would 25C or 28C cut it for relatively fast but comfortable touring?
Other recommendations, including brands? (I dont think I need specific touring tyres - Contis or others - but could be wrong.)

Thanks!

Have a great time!

I put the 28C Gator Hardshells on my recent bike project the Lrrb, and I road it 120Km last Sunday with no problems at all, quite nice really I like them.

I'm about 110Kg at the momment.

Cheers!

 

[Sikochi]

Not quite what you asked, but I run the 25c GP4000 (I think it`s supposedly practically the same as the 4000s) and have no comfort issues (apart from the saddle ), but then I ride an aluminium bike anyway, so what do I know! My weight though is 67-68 Kg. My rides are mainly 50-80K. No punctures on them (despite all the debris on some of the mountain roads), and noticeably less cut up than the Michelin Lithion 2`s that came with the bike.

The GP4000 came with a reflective side stripe if that appeals (the only option Wiggle offered for 25c), but it is noticeably fraying in places and had to trim a bit off as it was catching on the brakes.