Best road bike tyres 2024 — get more comfortable and faster with fewer punctures

When it comes to road tyres, Continental GP5000 has long enjoyed unparalleled popularity, and deservedly so. When it comes to the overall best tubeless tyre from our selections, the GP5000 S TR is a tyre with race-day speed and everyday durability. It brings some welcome upgrades to the already excellent GP 5000 TL, such as being a claimed 20% faster and 50 grams lighter per tyre, plus improved sidewall protection and compatibility with hookless rims.

Although still stubborn to fit on some rims, out on the road Continental's Black Chilli rubber compound has found a wonderful balance between grip and speed while not wearing out as quickly as many similar tyres. The TRs impressed us both in the wet and the dry with predictable cornering. They really are an all-around tubeless-ready package.

If you're still sticking to tubes and clinchers, the Continental Grand Prix 5000 Clincher is a good option and also featured in this guide further down. 

The Corsa Speeds have time and time again proven to be some of the very quickest on the market. Not only that, but we found them easy to set up tubeless and they offer a much superior ride compared with some tubeless rubber we've tested. 

The tyres are made in a very similar fashion to Vittoria's excellent regular Corsa G+ clinchers. That means you get the same 320tpi (threads per inch) core-spun cotton casing and a graphene compound. Weight is also very good for a tubeless tyre at 471g for the pair (235.5g each), but while we found puncture resistance ok, these will wear quite quickly.

It is worth noting that there is now a G2.0 version but these are a fabulously fast and supple tyre, though their delicate nature and price probably limits them to racing and fast rides.

When it comes to clocking in thousands of miles, the Hutchinson Challenger TLR tyres have come out as top contenders in the category of durable training tubeless road tyres. Designed for all-season riding, these tyres boast ultra-longevity, exceptional puncture resistance, and a comfortable grip. With a claimed lifespan of up to 10,000km and high puncture resistance, they are particularly well suited for winter riding and endurance cycling. Installation is a breeze, and their compatibility with both hookless rims and traditional setups makes them versatile. Riders can expect a smooth and enjoyable ride with impressive grip in wet and dry conditions. While not the lightest option on the market, the fact you're unlikely to puncture and don't have to get another set anytime soon makes these an excellent investment for distance cyclists. 

We reviewed these tyres back when Rene Herse was still called Compass, but other than the name on the sidewall nothing has changed. If you're rocking some smaller wheels then chances are you also have some increased clearance to play with, and these 48mm Switchback Hills are one of our favourite ways to fill it. 

In our full review you can read just how capable these tyres are... but spoiler, we said they're "super-comfortable, fast-rolling, tubeless-compatible, off-road-capable and light." There's really not a lot wrong here! Dave added that while others are considering switching to 28mm tyres from 25s, his advice would be to skip a few sizes and fit a pair of these if you can. They're great.

At just 412g per tyre; the extra light casing is super supple and soaks up tarmac miles with no obvious penalty over something much, much narrower. Just be prepared for a few funny looks from your thin tyre counterparts as you keep up just fine. 

If money is no object for you, then the Ere Research Genus Pro CCX Skinwall tyres offer supreme comfort and speed for some fast riding and racing. These rather premium tyres feature a 320TPI cotton casing, which makes them exceptionally supple and fast. They are tubeless-ready and compatible with hookless rims, making them compatible with most modern wheelsets. The tyres incorporate a 65a durometer rubber compound with CarbonX fibres, which should enhance rolling resistance without compromising grip. Despite the very hefty price, these tyres deliver exceptional performance with a smooth and fast ride quality - as long as you are okay with limited size options. 

Matt concluded his review of these: "Ere has taken the technology and brought it up to date, alongside only a few competitors, and the Genus Pro CCX delivers incredible performance with a beautifully smooth and fast ride quality; the only drawback is that it all comes at a substantial price."

At the time of writing these tyres are sold out, but we're told more stock is imminent including a new 32mm version. 

The Bontrager R3 Hard-Case Lite TLR tyre seems to have found the sweet spot of durability and grip proving to be a comfortable choice for poor road surfaces and long distances. 

The R3 Hard-Case Lite TLR is a lightly treaded, tubeless-ready road tyre available in 25, 28 and 32mm widths, made with proprietary TR-Speed compound rubber and puncture-protected with an improved Hard-Case Lite breaker belt.

They've proved to be fast-rolling for their size, suffering no punctures and proving to be extremely durable.

If you want predictable performance, the Panaracer Agilest TLR Road Tyre is a lightweight and grippy option. It's easy to fit on modern rims and holds air very well,  and despite lacking dedicated puncture protection layers, it performed admirably during our tests, showing no signs of wear or damage. The grip, even in wet conditions, was also impressive, providing confidence-inspiring handling. While not the absolute "agilest" tyre, it offers excellent performance with neutral steering characteristics and a rounded profile. It's also good value compared to competing all-rounder road tyres!