Tyre Recommendations

[hoppym27]

Currently I have continental sport contact 2's on my hybrid 700x42c

I cycle on a variety of surfaces from trails/towpaths to tarmac.

I'm looking for a tyre that is good for these but is a 38c to help the responsiveness on tarmac. I dont want to go lower as I have wide mudguards on and I dont want it to look out of proportion. Also I would prefer puncture resistant/proof.

Any recommendations?

 

[vickster]

Vittoria voyager?

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TYVIVOHY/vittoria-voyager-hyper-folding-tyre

Extra 20% off too. Brings them to around £20 for 38mm

 

[hoppym27]

Vittoria voyager?

https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TYVIVOHY/vittoria-voyager-hyper-folding-tyre

Extra 20% off too. Brings them to around £20 for 38mm

Would there be enough tread in the winter for wet towpaths and soggy leaf ridden cycleways?

 

[vickster]

Would there be enough tread in the winter for wet towpaths and soggy leaf ridden cycleways?

Wet or muddy? I don't think tread makes that much difference. If muddy, knobbly better but slow on roads. There'll always be a compromise if riding multiple surfaces. Personally I prefer the speedier tyres for the road as that's where most of my riding is. If it's slippery, I just slow right down, safety first. Especially on shared paths!!

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Marathon Plus

 

[vickster]

Marathon Plus

Ugh not for roads, heavy slow things! And I actually found them really slippery on wet roads!

I'd rather fix the odd puncture than use those again

 

[Ajax Bay]

Have look at this site: bicyclerollingresistance.com scroll down 4/5ths for the relevant tyre family. Will offer you some data, though not about treads for unstable surfaces.
Three tyres have been mentioned in this thread:
Continental Sport Contact II 2016 Vs
Schwalbe Marathon Supreme 2016 Vs
Vittoria Voyager Hyper 2016
Here is a comparison of them.

 

[BalkanExpress]

I have been very happy with my Conti travel contacts. They have a smooth centre but knobbly edges which seem to give grip when turning on muddy paths.

 

[Deafie]

I really like the Marathon HS 420, super durable, comfy and surprisingly nimble. Off road on them often with no complaints.
Marathon Plus are great for apocalypse type situations only.

 

[Vantage]

I'm with @vickster on the Voyagers. Best tyres I've ever used. I've dragged them through every surface imaginable and with the exception of ice/snow, they manage just fine.
The issue with wet leaves is that it's the leaf sliding on the ground rather than the tyre sliding in the leaf. Few tyres other than steel studded ones help here.
If your trip is more mud than tarmac then Swalbe Landcruisers might be your answer. They do really well in those conditions and the central raised ridge help them roll a bit easier on tarmac. I use those when it's really bad.
But the Voyagers are such nice tyres to roll on that I'd risk paralysis through a slip before swapping them over.