Tyres Tyres Tyres!!

[BlueNGT]

Have been using Vittoria Open Corsa 25c (clinchers) for the last few months and have been impressed by the ride comfort and handling. Downside is after 4 months they are showing a few cuts and have suffered 2 punctures....one when they were pretty much new and another last night. I had Vredestein Fortezza for a long time before the Vittoria and never suffered 1 puncture and no real sign of cuts. The Vredestein Fortezza are nowhere near as soft or grippy as the Vittoria but punctures are a pain.

I have been looking for replacements and have read mixed reviews on pretty much every tyre out there. Quite liked the Michelin Pro4's but the reviews go from brilliant all the way to avoid like the plague.

My other bike, yet to be built, will be running Conti Competition Tubulars....any of the Continental Clinchers a good all round option that don't puncture too often?

Any other recommendations will be appreciated. Thanks

[anonymous-user]

You are right that you can find mixed reviews on every tyre available

The reality is that whatever tyres you fit, you could puncture a mile down the road, or they could last 3k miles with no problem

Also, there has to be a trade off between performance and durability. Whether that trade off is significant for most riders is another question, but many claim they can tell the difference.

With that in mind...

Conti tyres are fine. The Grand Prix 4000 S II is nice, the Grand Prix 4 Season is nice and more durable but less responsive than the 4000 S II

The Michelin Pro 4 Race is nice too

The Vittoria Open Corsa EVO CX is nice too (my current tyre of choice, but I know nothing really)

So, it is hard to offer definitive advice really and, if one does, you might be the unlucky one that picks up a cut on the recommended tyre first time out!

[madzo14]

I'd go for Continental GP 4 Seasons, used them all last winter never suffered a puncture and still looks in good condition with hardly any cuts.

[anonymous-user]

I ran Rubino Pros on my commuter and they were good, grip was better than expected for the price, they seemed to bear the brunt of the winter without puncturing and they last for ages, well under £40 a pair too.
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/vittoria-rubino-pro-foldin...

I liked GP4000S which would be the default choice for conti clinchers, previously people seemed to run the Force/Attack combo but they are 22/24 and thats fallen out of fashion. Havent tried the high end conti clinchers like GP supersonics (which they advertise as being some pro tour riders preferred choice over tubs) as I found the Pro Race3s which were more affordable and feel perfect for what i want.

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 19th August 09:39

[pjfamilyguy1]

madzo14 said:

I'd go for Continental GP 4 Seasons, used them all last winter never suffered a puncture and still looks in good condition with
hardly any cuts.

someone at work swears by these aswell, but as someone else said it could be that you get two punctures in the first two miles or none for 3k !

[okgo]

I've always thought the 4 seasons were a decent tyre. I've raced on mine too, tight crit circuits and they were not found wanting for grip, also no punctures, the GP4000s ii gets good reviews but won't last quite as long and I doubt feels much different.

[BlueNGT]

Found the puncture from last night, piece of glass just penetrated the inner tube.

However also discovered the side wall has split so its game over for that tyre

[BlueNGT]

ProBikeKit got some good deals on the Michelin's....plus 4% Quidco

http://www.probikekit.co.uk/bicycle-tyres/michelin...

http://www.probikekit.co.uk/bicycle-tyres/michelin...

[BlueNGT]

Have pulled the trigger on some Conti GP4000s ii from Rose....decent price and 25c are in stock.

Don't want to fit another Vittoria which I have spare so will sell that on FleaBay.

[ALawson]

Well I have run GP4ks for about 1000km, got a Flint through one tyre on the second ride and have then been pretty good, today saw a 5-6mm vertical hole cut through the sidewall with tube bulge.

Roads have been terrible since last week with all that rain. So should I just get some Park Tool tyre boots and carry on riding them or get some 4 seasons!

Looking for something pretty puncture proof and decent handling, not to concerned with wear as you cannot have everything.

I had some Schwable Duranos last year which seemed a bit better against punctures then the GP4s.

[Barchettaman]

I do my training and commuting miles on Vittoria Zaffiro clinchers - they've proved to be cheap and reliable.

I do a lot of miles, mainly commuting, through all seasons. I'd recommend.

GP4000s for racing/TT though. These are the best race clinchers available, bar none.