Which tire should I race with this weekend?

[bryce_d]

I’ll be racing Tunis-Roubaix (road race) this weekend. It’s a 44 mile race consisting of four loops around a course that has sections that vary from “good”, to “textured”, to “dirt”. I’ve heard that pinch flats are more of a threat than punctures. Someone who did the course last year says that some sections are like riding through pea gravel, and some are like crushed cinder (think casual hike-and-bike trail).

What tire and tubes to use? I’ve got:

Standard Butyl TubesLatex TubesMichelin ProRace 3s (23c)Continental Gatorskins (25c)So far every person I’ve talked to gives me a different answer. I’m tempted to run the Gatorskins because they’re a bit wider and will hopefully give me a little more confidence on the dirt sections. The Pro Race 3s really shine on their cornering ability, but because this doesn’t seem to be a very hilly course I’m not that worried about the corners.

Here’s a pic from last year’s race. I believe it gets rougher than that.

Suggestions?

edit to add a pic of the course

[Carl_Spackler]

awesome, that’s my kind our race. we have a similar race here that’s so bad most (pros included) use training wheels and steel bottle cages.

i’d forget about crr and worry about trying to finish without a flat. personaly i’d run the gator on the rear and pr3s on the front w/ standard tubes.

[bryce_d]

Thanks. A little more googling found this:

Apparently 15 of the 44 miles are on that stuff. With that in mind, I think it’ll be Gatorskins front and rear with max pressure.

[Carl_Spackler]

yeah, i would too, along with some really solid bottle cages. or put a bottle in your back pocket. i’d also drill it before that section to make sure you’re at the front.

[PeaTearGriffin]

15 of the 44 miles are on that? Doesn’t look like anything I would ride without a cross bike.