Which tyre (commuting)

[clonmult]

Wanting a change of tyres - currently running Schwalbe Marathons (700x25, narrowest that I can fit on the rims) that have been on the rims for about a year.

Reading around here, liking the idea of either the Michelin Krylion, or maybe the GP4000s.

Any other suggestions? The few times I've tried relatively lightweight tyres I've had punctures way too frequently. So something reasonably fast with decent puncture protection is definitely needed - the Schwalbes are definitely reliable, but they've always struck me as a little slow.

[Kermit power]

I don't know how they would compare for speed, but Continental Gatorskins have been absolutely bullet proof (and with one exception, shard of glass proof) in well over 3,000 miles of London commuting for me.

[Jimbo.]

clonmult said:

Wanting a change of tyres - currently running Schwalbe Marathons (700x25, narrowest that I can fit on the rims) that have been on the rims for about a year.

Reading around here, liking the idea of either the Michelin Krylion, or maybe the GP4000s.

Any other suggestions? The few times I've tried relatively lightweight tyres I've had punctures way too frequently. So something reasonably fast with decent puncture protection is definitely needed - the Schwalbes are definitely reliable, but they've always struck me as a little slow.

That's the beginnings of wanting the moon on a stick. Anything that offers meaningful puncture protection is going to be heavy/thicker/harder, and therefore slower. If it's for commuting, then IME go durable: nothing more annoying than a flat on the way into work.

[thiscocks]

Why would you want to sacrifice reliability with a faster tyre for commuting? The Schwalbes are probably one of the best commuting tyres. Yes their heavy but they aren't racing tyres.

[clonmult]

thiscocks said:

Why would you want to sacrifice reliability with a faster tyre for commuting? The Schwalbes are probably one of the best commuting tyres. Yes their heavy but they aren't racing tyres.

I used the Schwalbes for about a year commuting through London, didn't have one failure.

Put on a set of lighter/faster Continentals middle of last year in prep for a 55 mile ride - they were definitely faster, but the number of punctures on that ride was beyond a joke.

Just that now I'm doing a much longer ride (the London ride was only about 10 miles per day), I was wondering if there was anything a little faster that would offer similar levels of protection.

Decision made then, I'll stick the the Schwalbes for the moment. Shame my second set of wheels are so damn wide, or I'd put a lightweight set on them as well (currently have some Specialized 700x45 tyres that are truly dire).

[thiscocks]

Yeah I'd stick with them. I wouldn't consider any other tyres for my touring bike- and considering the bike weighs nearly 14kg it would be a bit pointless to put faster tyres on!

[Watchman]

swerni said:

Kermit power said:

I don't know how they would compare for speed, but Continental Gatorskins have been absolutely bullet proof (and with one exception, shard of glass proof) in well over 3,000 miles of London commuting for me.

Get my vote as well

Mine too.

[mk1fan]

Done similar mileage on Marathon Plus tyres.

Get my vote.

ETA: They have a very usefull - imho - reflective band around the shoulder too.

Edited by mk1fan on Saturday 7th April 15:03

[Jimbo.]

mk1fan said:

Done similar mileage on Marathon Plus tyres.

Get my vote.

ETA: They have a very usefull - imho - reflective band around the shoulder too.

Edited by mk1fan on Saturday 7th April 15:03

You're not wrong re. the reflective sidewalls. They really stand out, in a "Oh, that can only be a bicycle..." way much like pedal reflectors. I shall be equipping the commuting bike with them come the darker months.