The Best Sport Touring Bike Tires

Schwalbe Marathon Plus Tour

For cyclists who value durability above all else, Schwalbe's Marathon Plus Tour tire ($45 as of March 2010) is a durable option. Called "the Holy Grail of the puncture-proof tyre," BikeRadar.com lauded the Marathon Plus' durability, noting the tire's SmartGuard protection belt, which deflects glass and other sharp pieces of road debris, and additionally lauding the Marathon Plus' aggressive tread pattern, which makes it ideal for "mixed terrain when you're riding heavily laden."

Continental Top Contact

Featuring a polyester Vectran Breaker strip for durability and a tread that works on both pavement and dirt trails, Continental's Top Contact tires ($51) are tough enough to withstand the rigors of sport touring and efficient enough to provide a fast ride. Its inverted tread provides traction regardless of the terrain, and reflective sidewalls keep riders visible on the road. Calling it a "a benchmark road touring tyre," BikeRadar's Dan Joyce lauded the Top Contact's durability, but he also noted its lightness and efficiency, saying that "it's light for a touring tyre and it rolls well--better than some training tyres."

Kenda Kommuters

For riders who want a more comfortable ride, Kenda's Kommuter tires ($15) are a solid choice with their wide profile and low air pressure. In addition, the Kommuter's also feature an innovative tread design that sipes water, effectively maintaining traction when conditions get wet. Calling them "long life tyres for extra touring and commuting comfort," BikeRadar's Richard Peace was particularly appreciative of the Kommuters' comfort, but was also enamored of its durability, saying that the tires endured over 2,000 kilometers of touring "without a single puncture and with little visible wear to either tread or sidewalls."