The latest tyre threadT
Discussion
I'm aware that there are lots of these so apologies for creating a new one. Having got my second puncture in 3 days on the rear of my commuter, I fear the tyre is past it (2000 miles on a Michelin Krylion Carbon - not sure if that's good or not?). I appear to be fairly heavy on the rear tyres and should probably swap them front to back but never get around to it until it's too late. They no longer make Krylions so I the options as I see it are:
- Michelin Pro 4 Endurance (the Krylion replacement)
- Conti GP4000s (have these on my nice road bike but not sure that they're really a commuting tyre?)
- Conti 4 seasons
- Something else
Interested in hearing from anybody who is currently abusing the Michelins.
- Michelin Pro 4 Endurance (the Krylion replacement)
- Conti GP4000s (have these on my nice road bike but not sure that they're really a commuting tyre?)
- Conti 4 seasons
- Something else
Interested in hearing from anybody who is currently abusing the Michelins.
You'll always get asked, what size and what terrain?
For puncture resistance (so far, not one in ~1K miles) I'd recommend Conti Gatorskin Hardshell on my 700c wheels. 100% success for me.
On the MTB I'm going to try something with the Conti "Protect" system because the normal Mountain Kings are made from party balloons.
For puncture resistance (so far, not one in ~1K miles) I'd recommend Conti Gatorskin Hardshell on my 700c wheels. 100% success for me.
On the MTB I'm going to try something with the Conti "Protect" system because the normal Mountain Kings are made from party balloons.
Watchman said:
You'll always get asked, what size and what terrain?
For puncture resistance (so far, not one in ~1K miles) I'd recommend Conti Gatorskin Hardshell on my 700c wheels. 100% success for me.
On the MTB I'm going to try something with the Conti "Protect" system because the normal Mountain Kings are made from party balloons.
Sorry, road tyres (700C x 23) riding on London roads. 1k miles isn't enough to know unfortunately, I had none in 2k and now had 2 in 3 days For puncture resistance (so far, not one in ~1K miles) I'd recommend Conti Gatorskin Hardshell on my 700c wheels. 100% success for me.
On the MTB I'm going to try something with the Conti "Protect" system because the normal Mountain Kings are made from party balloons.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Cold weather specific on a bike? Choosing a new tyre is a minefield Will take a look at some reviews, my lunchtime is going to be spent mending the puncture though Watchman said:
For puncture resistance (so far, not one in ~1K miles) I'd recommend Conti Gatorskin Hardshell on my 700c wheels. 100% success for me.
I commute with relatively heavy panniers, at one point I had 8 punctures in two weeks (pretty soul destroying) i changed to the above recommended tyres, they are fantastic.....touch wood 
I was intending to get Schwalbe Durano for my hybrid commuter about 6 months ago, but they were out of stock at the time. I ended up getting Schwalbe Marathon Supremes. I've had one puncture since but that was an old patch that started leaking after having been fine for nearly a year.
Unfortunately I think they only go down to 28mm width though.
Unfortunately I think they only go down to 28mm width though.
When I get round to using my bike for the commute I have picked up a lot of punctures as my route takes me along a dual carriageway which seems to be littered with screws, nails, glass etc.
Since fitting Halo Courier Berlin tyres I have not had a puncture. They are available in 24 and 29 c widths.
Since fitting Halo Courier Berlin tyres I have not had a puncture. They are available in 24 and 29 c widths.
There are only two tyres you will ever need on a road bike.
SUMMER = Schwalbe Ultremo R1 (now replaced by the ZX evolution)
WINTER = Continental Grand Prix 4Seasons
That's it really. You may well buy other brands/models, but once you've ridden the two above, you won't need to think twice before buying them again and again. The only thing is, with the summers we've been having lately, you might as well not bother with the Ultremos. The 4Seasons ride well enough to serve as your all-year-round tyre if you don't want to be chopping and changing with the weather. If something better were to become available, I would consider it, but in the meantime I'll stick to these two types.
Up until now, I've ridden the Ultremos in 23C guise during the summer months, and the 4Seasons in 25C during the winter, but recent articles in the cycling press and on the 'net have suggested that you can actually go faster on a wider tyre, as the larger volume of air in the tube allows you to run them at lower pressure, smoothing out the ride for you, and letting you concentrate more fully on propelling the bike forward without as much fatigue from vibration of the frame, or 'road buzz'.
SUMMER = Schwalbe Ultremo R1 (now replaced by the ZX evolution)
WINTER = Continental Grand Prix 4Seasons
That's it really. You may well buy other brands/models, but once you've ridden the two above, you won't need to think twice before buying them again and again. The only thing is, with the summers we've been having lately, you might as well not bother with the Ultremos. The 4Seasons ride well enough to serve as your all-year-round tyre if you don't want to be chopping and changing with the weather. If something better were to become available, I would consider it, but in the meantime I'll stick to these two types.
Up until now, I've ridden the Ultremos in 23C guise during the summer months, and the 4Seasons in 25C during the winter, but recent articles in the cycling press and on the 'net have suggested that you can actually go faster on a wider tyre, as the larger volume of air in the tube allows you to run them at lower pressure, smoothing out the ride for you, and letting you concentrate more fully on propelling the bike forward without as much fatigue from vibration of the frame, or 'road buzz'.
I've never fallen off on them so they seem fine to me.
Then again you'd have to be a bit thick to start flying round 90 deg corners on them in the wet like you would on a GP4000s! I think a lot of peoples issue with winter tyres is that they try to ride them like summer ones. You can't, the same as you can't expect a road car tyre to perform like a slick.
Adapt your riding is the answer and when its wet or covered in leaves, don't ride like you're on a smooth drag strip haha. Winter tyres on a commuter should be heavy solid things (like the ones I have) I reckon. On your training bike I'd agree with the above and go for 4 seasons.
Then again you'd have to be a bit thick to start flying round 90 deg corners on them in the wet like you would on a GP4000s! I think a lot of peoples issue with winter tyres is that they try to ride them like summer ones. You can't, the same as you can't expect a road car tyre to perform like a slick.
Adapt your riding is the answer and when its wet or covered in leaves, don't ride like you're on a smooth drag strip haha. Winter tyres on a commuter should be heavy solid things (like the ones I have) I reckon. On your training bike I'd agree with the above and go for 4 seasons.
For those who have not seen it, the December issue of 'Cycling Plus' magazine has, yet again, reviewed a whole bunch of winter road bike tyres.
In summary, the results were:
Best on Test = Continental Grand Prix 4 Seasons [outstandingly tough, lightweight responsiveness, smooth ride, surefooted traction] @£42.95
Best Value = Schwalbe Durano S [impressively durable, enjoyably responsive, rapid] @£35.99
Fast Cornering = Vredestein Fortezza Tricomp [sumptuous ride quality, fast, floated, supremely surefooted, surprisingly tough, but wear life only 'adequate'] @£40.00
All three of the above were rated 5 Stars, you just need to work out whether you need a good all rounder, or if you can sacrifice tyre life for cornering performance. I can't imagine the difference in price of £7 per tyre would be enough of an incentive to save money by going down the 'budget' route, as there are plenty of cheaper tyres out there for the penny pinchers. I'm sure any of the above would serve you well over the winter, but I'm sticking to my personal recommendation, the Continental Grand Prix 4 Seasons.
In summary, the results were:
Best on Test = Continental Grand Prix 4 Seasons [outstandingly tough, lightweight responsiveness, smooth ride, surefooted traction] @£42.95
Best Value = Schwalbe Durano S [impressively durable, enjoyably responsive, rapid] @£35.99
Fast Cornering = Vredestein Fortezza Tricomp [sumptuous ride quality, fast, floated, supremely surefooted, surprisingly tough, but wear life only 'adequate'] @£40.00
All three of the above were rated 5 Stars, you just need to work out whether you need a good all rounder, or if you can sacrifice tyre life for cornering performance. I can't imagine the difference in price of £7 per tyre would be enough of an incentive to save money by going down the 'budget' route, as there are plenty of cheaper tyres out there for the penny pinchers. I'm sure any of the above would serve you well over the winter, but I'm sticking to my personal recommendation, the Continental Grand Prix 4 Seasons.
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