winter tyre choice
Discussion
Need to replace my road tyres as getting too many punctures, they have been on the bike for a year now so look quite worn.
This bike is now going to be my winter trainer and am considering two options:
1. Continental grand prix 4 season
2. Schwalbe Durano plus
Any one got any views on either of these or perhaps some other suggestions please
This bike is now going to be my winter trainer and am considering two options:
1. Continental grand prix 4 season
2. Schwalbe Durano plus
Any one got any views on either of these or perhaps some other suggestions please
The GP 4 Seasons are amongst the best/most popular winter tyres, so you won't go wrong with them 
Other worthy contenders are the Vittoria Open Pave (currently 24mm width, and soon to be launched in 27mm, whereupon it'll become THE tyre for bad weather/roads) and Vredestein Fortezza Tricomps (receiving rave reviews at the moment).
I've used the Paves (brilliant) and have recently switched to the Vredesteins in 25mm trim (tall, but not as wide/volumuos as the 25mm GP4000S' they replaced).
Having had a set of Ultermo DDs (just as much a winter training tyre as the Durano, just a bit more racey), I wouldn't touch Schwalbe with a barge pole.
Other worthy contenders are the Vittoria Open Pave (currently 24mm width, and soon to be launched in 27mm, whereupon it'll become THE tyre for bad weather/roads) and Vredestein Fortezza Tricomps (receiving rave reviews at the moment).I've used the Paves (brilliant) and have recently switched to the Vredesteins in 25mm trim (tall, but not as wide/volumuos as the 25mm GP4000S' they replaced).
Having had a set of Ultermo DDs (just as much a winter training tyre as the Durano, just a bit more racey), I wouldn't touch Schwalbe with a barge pole.
I had my first trip out on the Quattro's today, a quick 20 mile spin around the slippery, pot hole ridden roads of the Thames Valley and my first impressions of them are VERY good.
The multi compound rubber seems to work really well, the slick center tread is a softer compound than the Krylions they replaced but has extremely low rolling resistance and is very surefooted. The softer compound shoulders have a directional shallow dimpled tread that runs from the slick center of the tyre to the hidden sidewall, put simply after about 20 mins they inspired confidence in wet and slippery corners. Two other things struck me while riding, firstly was how comfortable they were - even inflated to 130 psi - secondly was how quiet they were, there really was little/no noise from them at all! Finally, they spun up very easily, the Krylions were a bit heavier and took a bit of stamping on to get up to speed quickly - these are very close to summer tyres.
I had a quick inspection of the tread once I arrived back home to see if I had picked up any cuts/flint/rocksalt and was pleased to see that despite riding over some very grubby roads there was not a single mark on either tyres.
I have a minor concern about how long they will last, as I have said the compound feels quite soft so I guess the long term durability may suffer as a result. Having picked them up for £20 a tyre from Ribble I won't cry into my beer if I have to replace them next year, especially if they perform as well as they did today for the rest of this winter!
The only other negative I would mention is what a total PITA they are to fit! They are rated up to 175psi - yes 175psi!!, god knows why because I don't know of any clincher rims that would take that rating! - I guess in order to handle such a high pressure they need to be a very tight fit, fine in the garage but I would not want to change them in the pouring rain just above freezing at the side of the road!
In the short distance I have ridden them I would not hesitate in recommending them to anyone, time will tell how puncture proof they are, but in terms of handling, ride, and rolling resistance they are head and shoulders above the Krylions (which I have raved on about for years....)
Edit - other downside is they only come in 23mm
The multi compound rubber seems to work really well, the slick center tread is a softer compound than the Krylions they replaced but has extremely low rolling resistance and is very surefooted. The softer compound shoulders have a directional shallow dimpled tread that runs from the slick center of the tyre to the hidden sidewall, put simply after about 20 mins they inspired confidence in wet and slippery corners. Two other things struck me while riding, firstly was how comfortable they were - even inflated to 130 psi - secondly was how quiet they were, there really was little/no noise from them at all! Finally, they spun up very easily, the Krylions were a bit heavier and took a bit of stamping on to get up to speed quickly - these are very close to summer tyres.
I had a quick inspection of the tread once I arrived back home to see if I had picked up any cuts/flint/rocksalt and was pleased to see that despite riding over some very grubby roads there was not a single mark on either tyres.
I have a minor concern about how long they will last, as I have said the compound feels quite soft so I guess the long term durability may suffer as a result. Having picked them up for £20 a tyre from Ribble I won't cry into my beer if I have to replace them next year, especially if they perform as well as they did today for the rest of this winter!
The only other negative I would mention is what a total PITA they are to fit! They are rated up to 175psi - yes 175psi!!, god knows why because I don't know of any clincher rims that would take that rating! - I guess in order to handle such a high pressure they need to be a very tight fit, fine in the garage but I would not want to change them in the pouring rain just above freezing at the side of the road!
In the short distance I have ridden them I would not hesitate in recommending them to anyone, time will tell how puncture proof they are, but in terms of handling, ride, and rolling resistance they are head and shoulders above the Krylions (which I have raved on about for years....)
Edit - other downside is they only come in 23mm
Edited by MadDad on Sunday 9th December 20:28
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