folding tyres

Schwalbe’s Marathon Supreme is the quickest big volume semi-slick I’ve used to date, rolling a lot faster than its two-inch profile or 600g weight would suggest. The tyre is aimed at tarmac-riding touring cyclists. Its centre section uses harder rubber designed for optimum durability and reduced rolling resistance, while softer shoulders and Liteskin sidewalls improve cornering and shave a few grams. Schwalbe call this construction ‘triple nano compound’.

The Panaracer Closer is a new tyre for 2010 that is marketed as a "fantastic balance of high end race performance and the superb durability, comfort and confidence of a training tyre". I'll certainly go along with the high end race performance bit. At 210 grams, you can't accuse it of being heavy. It remind me a lot of my set of Michelin Pro2Race's both in terms of looks and performance.

Vittoria's Open Pave EVO CGs ride like tubulars with the convenience of a wire on and should satisfy the most demanding of four seasons racers thanks to ultra high density 320 tpi casing, puncture resistant Kevlar belt and very modest weight. However, ours initially demanded the mighty “Speed Lever” to persuade the ultra supple casings aboard a common or garden Mavic wheelset so resist the desire to mount them in the heat of competition unless you have a finely honed knack for seating stubborn tyres in seconds.

Named for their road holding prowess and serpentine tread pattern, Kenda’s Konstrictors have been among the most rewarding mid price 23mm road tyres I’ve used though they're a pig to mount when new, even aboard very traditional rims. Incorporating the brands “Iron Curtain” technology not only safeguards against punctures but forms part of the wall structure, combining speed, handling prowess and durability in a lightweight package.

RiBMo? that'll stand for 'RIde Bicycle MOre' then, as if you couldn't guess. Luckily the acronym is the worst thing about this urban runner though, which has proved itself tough and grippy around town.

The RiBMo is Panaracer's first tyre with a Protex shield, which the makers claim is three times as puncture resistant as an equivalent Kevlar belt. Mated to an 800D casing this is a tough tyre, but not a particularly heavy one: ours weighed in at 415g which is pretty good for the level of protection you're getting.