Talk to me about road tyres
Discussion
After 25 years of riding mountain bikes, I've recently got a (new to me) N+1 road bike (clinchers). I strongly suspect it's still on it's original tyres, 700cx23 which are pretty much slick and the side walls are beginning to show some signs of brittleness.
It appears that in the 20 odd years since I last road a road bike, tyre sizes got smaller, and are now getting bigger again.
I think there is probably clearance for a pair of 28mm tyres, but there is so much choice. I've previously used Scwhalbe Marathon Plus when I was doing a lot of road miles on the mountain bike and I especially liked the reflective sidewalls at night.
I can get them in 700c28 but they look to have just too much tread compared to the 23mm slicks that are on there now.
Any recommendations?
It appears that in the 20 odd years since I last road a road bike, tyre sizes got smaller, and are now getting bigger again.
I think there is probably clearance for a pair of 28mm tyres, but there is so much choice. I've previously used Scwhalbe Marathon Plus when I was doing a lot of road miles on the mountain bike and I especially liked the reflective sidewalls at night.
I can get them in 700c28 but they look to have just too much tread compared to the 23mm slicks that are on there now.
Any recommendations?
GuinnessMK said:
After 25 years of riding mountain bikes, I've recently got a (new to me) N+1 road bike (clinchers). I strongly suspect it's still on it's original tyres, 700cx23 which are pretty much slick and the side walls are beginning to show some signs of brittleness.
It appears that in the 20 odd years since I last road a road bike, tyre sizes got smaller, and are now getting bigger again.
I think there is probably clearance for a pair of 28mm tyres, but there is so much choice. I've previously used Scwhalbe Marathon Plus when I was doing a lot of road miles on the mountain bike and I especially liked the reflective sidewalls at night.
I can get them in 700c28 but they look to have just too much tread compared to the 23mm slicks that are on there now.
Any recommendations?
You can get Continental Gatorskins in 28mm as well as four seasons. I've ridden both and preferred the Gatorkins for reliability, but the four seasons are more comfortable on the road. It appears that in the 20 odd years since I last road a road bike, tyre sizes got smaller, and are now getting bigger again.
I think there is probably clearance for a pair of 28mm tyres, but there is so much choice. I've previously used Scwhalbe Marathon Plus when I was doing a lot of road miles on the mountain bike and I especially liked the reflective sidewalls at night.
I can get them in 700c28 but they look to have just too much tread compared to the 23mm slicks that are on there now.
Any recommendations?
If you want ultimate puncture protection, then by all means go for the marathons again, but they are very heavy and the gatorskins or the four seasons will be quicker on the road.
If you want puncture protection with a harsh ride get the Gatorskins.
I've moved to Continental GP4000S and they are so much more comfortable, less puncture protection but i've had similar amount of punctures over the last year. Most punctures I get are pinch punctures when the tyres get lower on pressure so its easy to fix. They wear out quicker but I wont go back
I've moved to Continental GP4000S and they are so much more comfortable, less puncture protection but i've had similar amount of punctures over the last year. Most punctures I get are pinch punctures when the tyres get lower on pressure so its easy to fix. They wear out quicker but I wont go back
What are you looking for? Commuting, on road only, Sunday best, all year round or summer?
I tend to ride Conti GP4000s in the warmer months and GP4S in the wetter/cold months. Both 25mm. Not the cheapest but plenty of deals around and it's worth spending a bit on the one part of the bike that keeps you upright.
There's better around if you're going to commute or need better puncture protection but then you're trading off weight and grip.
I tend to ride Conti GP4000s in the warmer months and GP4S in the wetter/cold months. Both 25mm. Not the cheapest but plenty of deals around and it's worth spending a bit on the one part of the bike that keeps you upright.
There's better around if you're going to commute or need better puncture protection but then you're trading off weight and grip.
walm said:
I run Gatorskins on 23 - built like a panic room and similarly pliable.
I run Gatorskins, and have for years. I don't know much about the ride quality, but they don't get punctures often. I keep the pressures around 110 - 120 psi anyway, as I'm 100-odd kgs. I doubt many other tyres would be very compliant at those pressures...louiebaby said:
walm said:
I run Gatorskins on 23 - built like a panic room and similarly pliable.
I run Gatorskins, and have for years. I don't know much about the ride quality, but they don't get punctures often. I keep the pressures around 110 - 120 psi anyway, as I'm 100-odd kgs. I doubt many other tyres would be very compliant at those pressures...If youre festively plump (15st), I don't find the conti's much good for puncture resistance (pinch) even at 110 psi.. I've found the schwable durano's to be a good durable tyre that resists punctures.. 1800 miles good so far on my rear... I use the conti gp on the front though, as theyre nice and sticky..
Matt_N said:
Vittoria Open Corsa CX trump GP4000 in my and lots of others opinions.
A true 320 TPI casing gives an almost tubular ride quality when paired 25mm on wide rims.
They are what I ride, but I hesitate to recommend them too widely. Absolutely lovely tyres, but quite fragile and quick wearing. The GP4000S is a better compromise for most people.A true 320 TPI casing gives an almost tubular ride quality when paired 25mm on wide rims.
I'd be tempted to give these a try personally, in 25C http://road.cc/content/review/179366-lifeline-prim...
A decent review and a very good price, and in my experience the Wiggle own-brand stuff is excellent, I've used brake pads, tubes, tools and now some wheels too and it's all much better than the price suggests it would be.
A decent review and a very good price, and in my experience the Wiggle own-brand stuff is excellent, I've used brake pads, tubes, tools and now some wheels too and it's all much better than the price suggests it would be.
Mr Will said:
They are what I ride, but I hesitate to recommend them too widely. Absolutely lovely tyres, but quite fragile and quick wearing. The GP4000S is a better compromise for most people.
True to an extent but the pros outweight the cons for me and they're not as fragile as some would have you believe ime.I'm switching to Pave CG for my commuter too whilst you can still get them.
Matt_N said:
True to an extent but the pros outweight the cons for me and they're not as fragile as some would have you believe ime.
I'm switching to Pave CG for my commuter too whilst you can still get them.
They're much more fragile IMO. They also (not tried very latest version) were dangerous in the wet. I'm switching to Pave CG for my commuter too whilst you can still get them.
Rolling resistance is comparable between the two anyway.
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