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Choosing Tyres

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  • January 3, 2015 at 11:58 am #22950
    benlanghorne

    Hi guys,

    I’ve just bought a set of Fulcrum Quattro’s for my bike and have been looking at tyres for them. I’ve never upgraded the wheels before and so have never really looked for tyres!

    I usually take part in sportives (roughly 150miles) and so need something durable, but of course I’d like something that would help with my speed too 😉

    I’m considering the Continental GatorHardshell Folding Road Tyre, as it seems incredibly durable and not too sluggish but wanted to see what you guys think or whether you could offer alternatives.

    Also, is there much difference between 23 and 25mm? I know that the 25mm is allegedly more comfortable and less racy, but does this make much real world difference?

    Thanks, Ben

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  • January 15, 2015 at 12:44 am #825107
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    CYCLECRANK

    we are all riding crossplies
    we are all riding crossplies !!! i have tried the Vittoria radials on special early dec from planet x, a tenner each delivered,now 16ish.. i can only offer high praise at the moment, my usual rubber is michelin pro 3 and pro 4, paves, gators, have been on good stuff these past 12 years, less than 10 punctures on the road in that time!!! these radials are not sensitive to pressure imo.. i have run them as low as 48 in the front and 60ish rear and it feels like a pro3/4 at 80/90 psi no dead steering ,no visible bulge at the contact point on the tarmac, last outing i ran them at 75 front and 85 rear checked with a good presta guage, and they felt like pros at max pressure and handled rough stuff superbly.. as its wet and greasy and frosty at present i haven’t had them at high speed cornering yet but now when the mould release has worn off next dry day i will see what they are made of..

    January 14, 2015 at 11:24 pm #825105
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    njkacher

    I’m also a big fan of
    I’m also a big fan of Specialized tires. Having run Gatorskins in the winter and GP4000s in the summer for the past few seasons, I’ve been on Spec Roubaix Pros (not the armadillo kind though) for the past few months and am quite happy with them. A little more supple than the Armadillo (or Gatorskins) but plenty durable, and very well priced.

    January 6, 2015 at 8:26 pm #825103
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    matthewn5

    Can I put a word in for
    Can I put a word in for Specialized All Condition Armadillo Elites? Thousands of miles of p****ure free riding including a lot of inner-city glass-strewn streets, flinty lanes, the lot. Grip well, too, when run in.

    January 6, 2015 at 2:52 pm #825101
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    le Bidon

    Conti 4000s II all the way
    Conti 4000s II all the way for me. They inspire total confidence and roll really well too. They are quite expensive, but worth every penny.

    January 6, 2015 at 1:59 pm #825099
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    arfa

    I’d already clocked up a 100
    I’d already clocked up a 100 miles on them so they should have been “run in” as such

    January 6, 2015 at 1:39 pm #825097
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    glynr36

    New tyres are always ‘less
    New tyres are always ‘less grippy’, some are worse than others for this.

    January 6, 2015 at 1:29 pm #825095
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    arfa

    Another vote for GP4000’S
    Another vote for GP4000’S here and a cautionary tale to boot.
    having just picked up a new commuter in the sales, I thought i’d run the shop fitted schwalbe luganos and wait to fit my usual gp4000’s. The end result was a heavy “off” on a right turn on my usual route when the conditions were dry and I wasn’t pushing it. The front wheel just slid away from me on commencing the turn. I’m afraid the difference in grip is night and day and I won’t make that mistake again.

    January 5, 2015 at 9:00 pm #825093
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    Tintow

    I’ve been using Conti GP 4
    I’ve been using Conti GP 4 Seasons 28mm (actual size only 26mm) for the last 3 months and although they’re badged as puncture resistant I’ve had 5 punctures in the last 3 weeks!

    Also, they are soooo tight to get on and off the rim it’s a nightmare when they go out on the road as you literally have to wrestle the tyres off and back on.

    Bought 4 of them as they were on special, one is already in the bin due to an excessive number of cuts and I’m looking forward to trying something else!

    January 4, 2015 at 11:29 pm #825091
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    Jack Osbourne snr

    Schwalbe Durano 25 mm.
    Schwalbe Durano 25 mm. Cracking tyre for high mileages.

    Special occasions get Schwalbe Ultremo ZX 25mm. Fantastic tyres, but don’t expect more than 1800-2000 miles out of a pair. I’ve never punctured one in over 10000 miles of riding them.

    January 4, 2015 at 11:15 pm #825089
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    benlanghorne

    Sounds like you’ve had a lot
    Sounds like you’ve had a lot of bad luck with the Conti’s Mike! I guess it is ultimately down to luck whether you hit that tiny shard of glass or not.

    Might get the 4000s first since a lot of people use them then decide to go from there.

    January 4, 2015 at 4:56 pm #825087
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    mike the bike

    benlanghorne wrote:mike the

    benlanghorne wrote:
    mike the bike wrote:
    fenix wrote:
    Go with the Gp4000s in 25mm. You won’t regret it.

    I did. And I do.

    Why do you regret it Mike?

    It may be bad luck, it could be that the gods hate me or perhaps I am being punished for my father’s sins, but I have never experienced a good set of Conti tyres.

    From the cheapo commuting rubber that came fitted to a new bike all the way up to GP4000s that cost me an arm and a leg, via the Gatorskins that I hate, every single Conti tyre I have used has been a disappointment.

    The 4000s were fragile, picking up several flats on good roads where my companions survived unscathed. They also wore quickly, certainly faster than the Ultremos that replaced them. And, although they gripped well, I always thought they lacked the comfort offered by other top brands.

    After many years of switching brands I have finally settled on Schwalbe tyres as the best all-round performers. I currently run Ultremos, Duranos and Durano Plus on my bikes and I have never had a moment’s trouble. But I also know people who swear by Contis so I guess you pays your money and takes your choice.

    January 4, 2015 at 4:40 pm #825085
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    massspike

    I put 2500km into my first
    I put 2500km into my first set of 25mm GP 4000SII’s without a flat (knock on wood) and I ride almost 1/2 the time on gravel or rough paved roads. They seem to be wearing better than the original 4000S’s so I think I’ll get another 1000km out of them. I’ll definitely be buying these again.

    If durability is your main concern, I’d be very wary of the Vittoria Open Corsa CX. I went through 3 of them each with less than 1000km on them. They all were cut by glass or debris. They ride better than the Conti’s but I can’t trust them — even though I can buy them for $20 less than the 4000SII’s.

    January 4, 2015 at 4:08 pm #825083
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    Topcat

    I’ve had GP 4000SII tyres,
    I’ve had GP 4000SII tyres, they roll really well but can be damaged by little flints and stones easily in wet weather. I have found very little difference in speed between the 4000sII and the Grand Prix GT tyres which is a slightly tougher 25mm only tyre.

    Personally I would be looking at the GTs or Michelin Pro 4 Endurance

    January 4, 2015 at 3:59 pm #825081
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    DrJDog

    I have GP4000sIIs on my bike,
    I have GP4000sIIs on my bike, and I also have a pair of Continental Supersonic extra light jobbies for TTs or whatever. I have never used the Supersonics. When the time comes to change over I just think, is there really any point?

    January 4, 2015 at 3:20 pm #825079
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    benlanghorne

    Thanks guys. Think I might go
    Thanks guys. Think I might go for the Vittoria for sportive days and get GP 4000s II for day-to-day riding.

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