Tire Help

[Yoyo Bob]

I hope I am posting to the right subset of the forum so here goes...
I am finishing up building a SOMA Saga for both on and off road camping/touring. The frame size uses 26" wheels so the choices are endless. As this is my first "touring" bike I have come to the conclusion that hmmmm maybe 2 sets will be better then one. I am located in Republic of Portland in Oregon. This place is so weird we were kicked out of the US. But to return to the thread. Being carless I will be doing some road riding to arrive at trail heads before I do any off road camping. The road tire I found is the Continental Town and Country which looks to be promising and doesn't carry the weight penalty of the Schwables. However, for offroad there is still a question. The wheels I am using still had some 2.1 WTB Veloraptors and there is, in the rear lotsa room. Front is a squeeze to remove the wheel and with these tires fenders will not fit. So my thoughts wander to 1.9s. I am looking for :
Decent wear on the road
Good rolling on road
It is drying up sometine here so I am trying to avoid mud
I will be hauling a gear set of around 20 lbs.
I ride in comfort and not speed
Singletracks Yes
Fireroads Yes
Paved roads Yes
Suggestions??
I spied the Maxxis Larson TT but MBR reviews were not bad but hovering on Worthless.
Spring is here flowers are out and I am contemplating how to wrap drop bars with tape and bar cons. Life is good.
Thanks for any help...
Robert

[wdlandparker]

schwalbe marathon xr's are pretty rockin'. The newer marathon extremes look even better with light(ish) weight and lots more tread. Both come in a 2 inch wide version and schwalbes run somewhat skinny so that should be about a 1.9.

[Damnitman]

I never thought I'd try and convince someone not to buy a Conti. product, but the T&C's you reference are junk nowadays...I had a set 8 years ago that were high quality so I had no hesitation buying a set last spring...The sidewalls cracked before the summer was out...They are still holding together, but I wouldn't trust them with the load it sounds like you'll have...I've been looking at the Maxxis Hookworm as a replacement.
-as a side note-the Conti. Diesel tires I just got look like they are much higher quality.

[mijome07]

How about WTB Nano Raptor Comp tires?

[krefs]

I've used both the Nanos and Michelin Dry2 (now called Wild Race'rs) extensively for the type of riding you're describing.  The Nanos are far better on a 29" wheel for some reason...they seem to need just that extra bit of rubber on the ground, and then they're awesome.  But the new Nanos have paper-thin sidewalls in what must be an effort to cut their weight.  I'd give the Michelins a shot...they're fast but can corner fairly hard with a load and usually provide all the climbing traction I need.

[wdlandparker]

speaking of the nanoraptor comps, how do they compare to the more fancy ones?