Recs for 700x25c tyres please

[B19GRR]

Hi,

I'm currently running on some rough and ready 700x23c Rubino rigids, no real complaints about them but I have a hankering to try some 25 section as the B-roads are taking their toll on the nether regions. I also thought it could be a good opportunity to lose a few grams by going to folding tyres. I'm currently doing 15-20miles in the evening trying to average 18-19mph (mainly by avoiding hills ), no plans to win the TDF this year, maybe next, so I don't need pro-quality tyres or to blow my wallet.

So far Continental Ultra Race seem to be coming up as a reasonable choice for a sensible price with OK sounding reviews:
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-ultra-race-fo...

Another option is the Rubino Pro for a few pennies more, again with reasonable reviews:
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/vittoria-rubino-pro-foldi...

Any other rubbery thoughts? Is it even worth considering the move to 25s in fact?

Cheers,
Rob

[louiebaby]

I'm about to put some Armadillo Elite 23/25s on my new toy. I'll let you know how I get on...

[Jimbo.]

Wider tyres are worth a go, yes. Much more comfy and roll better IME.

As for suggestions: Vittoria Open Pavés. 24mm, but same idea. Roll so, so nice. And if they're good enough for the pros on cobbles of France and Belgium, then they're good enough for me!

Failing that, I've heard very good things about the Continental GP4000S 25mm. Used the 23s and liked them, although they feel a little "dead" compared to the Vittorias.

[B19GRR]

Jimbo. said:

As for suggestions: Vittoria Open Pavés. 24mm, but same idea. Roll so, so nice. And if they're good enough for the pros on cobbles of France and Belgium, then they're good enough for me!

Thanks guys, the Vit Open Paves look a lot like the Open All Weather tyre I used to run years ago which I really liked, shame Ribble are out of stock as they're very cheap there!

Cheers,
Rob

[shalmaneser]

I'm running conti 23s at the moment, seem to do the trick! I'm sure the 25 are fine too!

[B19GRR]

Right, I found the Open Paves at Shiny Bikes for a couple of quid more than Ribble but in stock, so the order's in. OK, round about twice what I was going to pay but that's just the way of cycling No doubt I'll see an easy 10mph increase in my average speed with these so worth the money

I'll report back once fitted and abused on Cambridgeshire's finest black top!

Cheers,
Rob

[Markp13]

I bought 2 x Schwalbe Ultremo R.1 Evolution Coloured Folding Road Tyre 700x23c Last week and I got 2 punctures on the first ride after hitting a tiny pot hole.

Apart from that I really like them so far

[Jimbo.]

B19GRR said:

Right, I found the Open Paves at Shiny Bikes for a couple of quid more than Ribble but in stock, so the order's in. OK, round about twice what I was going to pay but that's just the way of cycling No doubt I'll see an easy 10mph increase in my average speed with these so worth the money

I'll report back once fitted and abused on Cambridgeshire's finest black top!

Cheers,
Rob

Good choice. Experiment with pressures, as it's surprising how low you can run them without difficulty, yet you can also run them at higher pressures and not experience so much of the harshness you'd get with others. I'm 10.5st and currently run mine at 90psi (have tried 80-100ish), and it's like a magic carpet

[B19GRR]

Jimbo. said:

Good choice. Experiment with pressures, as it's surprising how low you can run them without difficulty, yet you can also run them at higher pressures and not experience so much of the harshness you'd get with others. I'm 10.5st and currently run mine at 90psi (have tried 80-100ish), and it's like a magic carpet

I'll definitely experiment with the pressure, I usually run at 120psi because "that's what you do with skinny tyres right?!"

I might have to lose a limb or two to get close to 10.5st, my body is stubbornly refusing to drop below 14st which is really annoying me, still Jan '10 I was over 17st so I'm happy with the progress so far at least, I feel it's going to be a tough challenge to get down to the low 12s I used to be in my fit yoof!

Cheers,
Rob

[anonymous-user]

Also from Conti is the recently arrived Conti GP4000S 700x25, expect them on amazon sometime soon at the same sort of price as the 23s

The 4000S is a very good tyre in 23c and should ride well in 25c too

[amnesia182]

B19GRR said:

I'll definitely experiment with the pressure, I usually run at 120psi because "that's what you do with skinny tyres right?!"

I might have to lose a limb or two to get close to 10.5st, my body is stubbornly refusing to drop below 14st which is really annoying me, still Jan '10 I was over 17st so I'm happy with the progress so far at least, I feel it's going to be a tough challenge to get down to the low 12s I used to be in my fit yoof!

Cheers,
Rob

+1 on that... struggling to get under 200lbs at the moment, despite cycling around 150-200 miles per week and eating sensibly. Target is 175lbs by August !

[Steve UK]

louiebaby said:

I'm about to put some Armadillo Elite 23/25s on my new toy. I'll let you know how I get on...

Please do, I put some on my Genesis Day one. I love them, they handle well and seem quick. However this is my first bike with 700c tyres so have no comparison. Bought them as I had specialized armadillo slicks on my MTB which never punctured.

Steve

[B19GRR]

At last, back from extensive testing!! OK, I skived off on hols for a bit, buggered up my hamstrings and had a bit of a cold so not actually been doing much on the bike, but I got out tonight and did nearly 16miles at apparently 19mph average (really should double check the circumference measurement) and they felt good. Did a pretty flat route in blustery conditions so I'm quite happy with that speed. Tyres felt good and as said roll along nicely.

Also fitted some aero bars last night so this was the first trial, ooo very weird especially given my crap sense of balance. Need a tweak or to to the pad position but overall I'm happy with them too, makes slogging in to the headwind a bit less tedious. Bit embarrassing getting caught up in a local time trial though, who's this fat beardy bloke think he is?

Cheers,
Rob

[crashS2K]

Michelin pro 3s come in a 25c size I rate them highly.

[Slaav]

Any chance of a quick tutorial in 'folding tyres'?

I have the stock tyres that came with my Allez 24 and they are 23's and slick obviously. Pumped up properly and no issues so far but several have said to trade up the tyres... are slicks not slicks and shouldnt make a huge difference?

A chap at work has said go for Armadillos and also suggested going fatter if going to ride in London? Makes sense and interested to see what others think about going from 23 to 25...

[princeperch]

if you have the stock mondo tyres on the allez get shot of them as they are crap.personally I wouldnt use anything other than gatorskins but you need to be anal about the pressure to get the best out of them.

[Slaav]

princeperch said:

if you have the stock mondo tyres on the allez get shot of them as they are crap.personally I wouldnt use anything other than gatorskins but you need to be anal about the pressure to get the best out of them.

They are the stock ones - will check but that rings a bell.

Will it make enough of a difference to warrant changing prior to my 215 mile ride over 3 days? I guess so from the tone of your post.

Do tyres really make that much of a difference?

[Jimbo.]

Yup. Massive difference, particularly in grip, comfort and rolling resistance. The latter two even become even more pronounced when switching from 23c to 25c.

Edited by Jimbo. on Sunday 15th May 12:05

[Slaav]

So new tyres it is then

Rather than hijack this thread will start another but; what tyres? I am a rather large chap who probably needs some puncture protection and as much help as possible on the ride.

Not bothered about comfort bizarrely as my legs and lungs will burst before my 4rse!

Slicks are fine by me and 23 seems the way to go for my needs....

Any firm recommendations?