Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

review

Schwalbe Durano tyre

8
£32.99

VERDICT:

8
10
Grippy, durable and fairly light, a very good all-round performance training tyre
Weight: 
235g
Contact: 
www.fisheroutdoor.co.uk

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

What the road.cc scores mean

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

  • Exceptional
  • Excellent
  • Very Good
  • Good
  • Quite good
  • Average
  • Not so good
  • Poor
  • Bad
  • Appalling

Schwalbe's Durano is 'for mile eaters': a training specific tyre. As a dual compound, folding tyre and at 235g, it is slightly more than this, a true utility tyre but how does it fare?

The first thing you probably want to know about a training tyre is what its puncture protection is like. Included is Schwalbe's premium level protection: RaceGuard, a synthesis of rubber and nylon moulded into the standard rubber. Schwalbe say this adds very little to weight and rolling resistance.

At 235g you can't dispute the first point and I found the tyre to zip along nicely; still remaining supple unlike some heavily reinforced tyres.

Puncture protection is hard to test but just riding, but I rode these tyres for a few thousand kilometres and didn't suffer any punctures. Luck plays its part, and perhaps Schwalbe went around sweeping the roads of Bath before the review but as tests go, it is a glowing result.

Dual compound rubber is normally found only on race tyres but it allows for a better combination of rolling resistance and grip. For grip, you want sticky rubber, but grippy rubber doesn't roll as well, and wears out quickly.

A dual compound aims to give the best of all worlds, by combining grippy rubber at the sides for cornering with a faster rolling compound in the centre. With lightly treaded sidewalls, the resulting tyre handles well in the wet (plenty of opportunity for that in the last month!) but isn't a labour to keep moving.

In fact, handling on this tyre is a strong point. It feels more like a premium race tyre than other training rubber I have used. The bite is good and I could confidently throw the bike into corners – even in the wet – without the backend fish-tailing about.

Longevity looks promising. The tyre still looks to have plenty of wear left after 2,000km; the top hasn't flattened off too much and sidewalls look healthy.

The Schwalbe Durano is available in a range of colours of questionable taste (we had the standard black), in folding or wired bead and plenty of wheel size and widths. It is clearly intended as a 'one-stop' tyre option.

The folding 23mm wide version is a good option for those who don't want to spend ages researching different tyres or having to change tyres the night before an event in pursuit of better characteristics. You can stick these on your bike year round and they should keep you happy.

The £32.99 rrp is about right – comparable with a Continental GatorSkin – and the dual compound of the Durano is one better.

Verdict

Grippy, durable and fairly light, a very good all-round performance training tyre.

If you're thinking of buying this product using a cashback deal why not use the road.cc Top Cashback page and get some top cashback while helping to support your favourite independent cycling website

road.cc test report

Make and model: Schwalbe Durano tyre

Size tested: 700x23C

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

"For mile eaters. Durano is the right choice for high mileage purposes, because no other racing tire lasts longer. At the same time the Dual Compound offers great grip for training on wet winter roads. It has the proven RaceGuard protection belt. Folding tire. 235 g."

I'd say they've hit the mark there: basically a long lasting racing tire.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Dual compound rubber, 235g, folding bead, plenty of wheel sizes and widths, RaceGuard puncture protection which appears to work.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
8/10

Taking it out of the bike and fitting it, it has a feeling of premium rubber. I didn't suffer any nicks or bead coming through either.

Rate the product for performance:
 
8/10

Strikes the balance of training tire and racer well. Good wet weather riding too.

Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

After 2,000km still has life in it. Sidewalls in particular look healthy.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
5/10

A Continental Gatorskin is around 220g so 30g less over a pair of tires; could do better.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10

A pleasure to ride and certainly doesn't test the nerves.

Rate the product for value:
 
6/10

£32.99rrp is a few pounds more than similar offerings but this is a slightly racier tire.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Performs well: zero punctures but you don't pay the price in ride quality.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Zero punctures throughout the test!

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Can't think of much really. I personally would dislike lime-green, cream and chocolate brown colours on my bike but the option is there. Each to their own!

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

A solid contendor for a true all-round road bike tire.

Overall rating: 8/10

About the tester

Age: 23  Height: 184cm  Weight: 66kg

I usually ride: Orbea Onix (Carbon) - Summer, Orbea Asphalt (Alu) - Winter  My best bike is: Orbea Alma G10

I've been riding for: Under 5 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Semi pro

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, club rides, mtb,

 

Add new comment

12 comments

Latest Comments