Which tyres for slippery winter commutes
Discussion
I commute on a Colnago CX bike currently on Vittoria Randonneur tyres
I have two spare sets of wheels, one of which has a set of knobbly cx tyres and the other has a set of Schwalbe Winter studded tyres (the lightly studded ones)
My question is which wheels/tyres to use this coming winter when conditions are either frosty or snowy or icy and I cannot be sure which roads/cycle paths have been treated. I would swap wheels/tyres on a daily basis if necessary (only takes a minute)
Also what tyre pressures to use for each set
Any advice from regular winter commuters much appreciated!
CofB
I have two spare sets of wheels, one of which has a set of knobbly cx tyres and the other has a set of Schwalbe Winter studded tyres (the lightly studded ones)
My question is which wheels/tyres to use this coming winter when conditions are either frosty or snowy or icy and I cannot be sure which roads/cycle paths have been treated. I would swap wheels/tyres on a daily basis if necessary (only takes a minute)
Also what tyre pressures to use for each set
Any advice from regular winter commuters much appreciated!
CofB
I commuted for a whole year on the Vittoria Randonneurs without getting a puncture or falling off so I think that they should be fine for the job. I'd probably drop the pressure down to around 80psi (for a 25mm) and then just be a bit more careful when picking your lines through corners and braking hard. Obviously drains and manhole covers are the enemy, so avoid them too.
I've read a lot of reviews of tyres and people seem to complain about "spinning up the back wheel" which in my experience is VERY hard to do with any decent tyre! Either people are putting down 1000Watts or have a terrible climbing technique!
I have a new bike coming today so will be buying some new commuter tyres for it. I'm pushed to try anything else after the Randonneurs were just SO capable in my experience. The only other tyres on the radar are the Panaracer Ribmo or the Gatorskin Hardshell (although I have heard that the latter aren't much cop in the cold and wet?!)
Have you thought about going tubeless?
I've read a lot of reviews of tyres and people seem to complain about "spinning up the back wheel" which in my experience is VERY hard to do with any decent tyre! Either people are putting down 1000Watts or have a terrible climbing technique!
I have a new bike coming today so will be buying some new commuter tyres for it. I'm pushed to try anything else after the Randonneurs were just SO capable in my experience. The only other tyres on the radar are the Panaracer Ribmo or the Gatorskin Hardshell (although I have heard that the latter aren't much cop in the cold and wet?!)
Have you thought about going tubeless?
Black can man said:
I cycle more or less everyday & i've only had one puncture in the last six months or so & i'm a large chap too.
Schwalbe durano plus all day long for me.
Ok...wasn't primarily concerned with puncture protection, more with not falling off when road conditions are slippy...Schwalbe durano plus all day long for me.
timnoyce said:
I commuted for a whole year on the Vittoria Randonneurs without getting a puncture or falling off so I think that they should be fine for the job. I'd probably drop the pressure down to around 80psi (for a 25mm) and then just be a bit more careful when picking your lines through corners and braking hard. Obviously drains and manhole covers are the enemy, so avoid them too.
I've read a lot of reviews of tyres and people seem to complain about "spinning up the back wheel" which in my experience is VERY hard to do with any decent tyre! Either people are putting down 1000Watts or have a terrible climbing technique!
I have a new bike coming today so will be buying some new commuter tyres for it. I'm pushed to try anything else after the Randonneurs were just SO capable in my experience. The only other tyres on the radar are the Panaracer Ribmo or the Gatorskin Hardshell (although I have heard that the latter aren't much cop in the cold and wet?!)
Have you thought about going tubeless?
Another vote for Randonneurs, ideally as wide as your bike could take. Ran a set last year in 32 and they were great in ice/mud and tarmac. Tuff as wellI've read a lot of reviews of tyres and people seem to complain about "spinning up the back wheel" which in my experience is VERY hard to do with any decent tyre! Either people are putting down 1000Watts or have a terrible climbing technique!
I have a new bike coming today so will be buying some new commuter tyres for it. I'm pushed to try anything else after the Randonneurs were just SO capable in my experience. The only other tyres on the radar are the Panaracer Ribmo or the Gatorskin Hardshell (although I have heard that the latter aren't much cop in the cold and wet?!)
Have you thought about going tubeless?
Got conti 4seasons on my club bike, really good and best all round, but not as good as Randonneurs on ice, still good for a 25c tyre
Oh yeah, with all my bikes I spin up the hill out my village, its slippery, I think they mix the grit with animal fat, out the saddle in a rush the rear wheel spins, not much to stop you but very noticable, on other greasy hills near me its the same and with a 39/25 there is no chance of sitting down to improve traction!
fixedwheelnut said:
Vredstein Fortezza Senso winter tyres and if it gets icy the Schwalbe Studded ice tyres come out 
I'm looking at replacing my 4 seasons with the vredstein's would you know how they compare for performance and size, the 25c 4 season is very narrow compared to the 25c gp4000 for example.Ive run the old Vdest Fortrezza Tricomp on my summer bike and conti 4 seasons on my winter bike for years
Probs not relevant as you are referring to the the Fortrezza replacements , the old one was a good tyre, good grip, but not amazing and no punctures. I did try other tyres for a while, but found the roads deformed them, so went back
Love the suppleness of 4seasons and good grip
Probs not relevant as you are referring to the the Fortrezza replacements , the old one was a good tyre, good grip, but not amazing and no punctures. I did try other tyres for a while, but found the roads deformed them, so went back
Love the suppleness of 4seasons and good grip
Janosh said:
To answer my own question, it seems that the Xtreme offers slightly better wear at the cost of slightly higher rolling resistance... so I've ordered the Xtreme in 25c flavour.
You won't regret it, better grip than the summer version, I have never used the Conti's so can't compare.Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff