Is there such a thing as the perfect commuter tyre?
Discussion
Morning all,
I'm wondering whether there is such a thing as the perfect commuter tyre?
My commute consists of 15 miles each way, with a short stretch of unsurfaced soil/gravel part way through. I ride in all weathers, and usually have panniers on.
I'm trying to find the right balance of rolling resistance (not going to set any land speed records whatever happens, but seriously knobbly would just take too long), wet weather grip (on the basis that everything short of an MTB mud tyre will grip in the dry), comfort (23c and panniers isn't much fun!) and puncture resistance. Being able to get it on and off the rim easily is also fairly important, as there's nothing quite like standing in the pissing January rain after dark whilst your plastic tyre levers wrap themselves round the tyre without moving it at all.
At present, I've got Conti Cyclocross Speed 35c tyres on. These are fine for speed, comfort and grip, but are a real let-down on puncture resistance. I'd had four punctures already this year before today, and I had another TWO (one on each wheel, so no, I didn't fail to remove something sharp from the tyre) this morning!
Does anyone have any thoughts? I'm tempted to go for 32c Gatorskins, but they're not the greatest in the rain, so wondered if anyone had any alternatives...
I'm wondering whether there is such a thing as the perfect commuter tyre?
My commute consists of 15 miles each way, with a short stretch of unsurfaced soil/gravel part way through. I ride in all weathers, and usually have panniers on.
I'm trying to find the right balance of rolling resistance (not going to set any land speed records whatever happens, but seriously knobbly would just take too long), wet weather grip (on the basis that everything short of an MTB mud tyre will grip in the dry), comfort (23c and panniers isn't much fun!) and puncture resistance. Being able to get it on and off the rim easily is also fairly important, as there's nothing quite like standing in the pissing January rain after dark whilst your plastic tyre levers wrap themselves round the tyre without moving it at all.
At present, I've got Conti Cyclocross Speed 35c tyres on. These are fine for speed, comfort and grip, but are a real let-down on puncture resistance. I'd had four punctures already this year before today, and I had another TWO (one on each wheel, so no, I didn't fail to remove something sharp from the tyre) this morning!
Does anyone have any thoughts? I'm tempted to go for 32c Gatorskins, but they're not the greatest in the rain, so wondered if anyone had any alternatives...
I had a similar commute and found Vittoria Randomeur 2s ace, I think I saw them on Planet X for £7 the other day. I used 32x
Did 2000 miles on them:
Hated gatorskins as too firm and slippery on manhole covers
Did 2000 miles on them:
- Hard to get on initially , fairly liquid helped
- When I had the one puncture I changed the tube without even needing levers
- 1 puncture, that was down a gravel track and I rode 3 miles on a semi flat tyre without realising!
- Good on gravel
- Good on tarmac
- ok on mud, did the job
- Bit worn after 2k miles, not too bad
Hated gatorskins as too firm and slippery on manhole covers
Marathon Supreme could be good. Lighter and faster rolling than other Marathons, but with more puncture protection than a regular road tyre. There's a tubeless-ready version too, if you want to go that route.
http://www.schwalbe.com/gb/tour-reader/marathon-su...
http://www.schwalbe.com/gb/tour-reader/marathon-su...
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