Vee Tire Co Rain Runner clincher tyre

Vee Tire Co's Rain Runner clincher tyres are available in 23 or 25mm widths and are marketed as super-fast all-rounders. Several weeks using the 25mm option in changeable, autumnal conditions have certainly won me over.

Their soft Continuum Compound is designed with leech-like tenacity and optimal rolling resistance, while the tread pattern is limited to water-channelling grooves and a centre strip, which seem to do their thing without fuss or fanfare.

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The Rain Runners' vital statistics of 185tpi (threads per inch) casings, 231g and 145psi max inflation were once the preserve of tubulars, but thankfully these aren't so delicate, partly because of their rugged, reinforced Synthesis sidewalls. These supposedly minimise the likelihood of cuts and other damage synonymous with wet winter roads, and I certainly haven't had any punctures, though I have been mindful to sweep flints or anything else that might create mischief clear at the end of each ride.

My benchmark for swift tyres is 120tpi, and I was decidedly impressed by the Rain Runners' sprightly, responsive nature – on par with, if not better than, some tubulars I used back in the late 1980s, especially across coarser tarmac.

Having overcome some initial caution during the first few miles, I let rip on a 1-in-7 descent with fresh rains pounding down, wound things up to 37mph, and tried to persuade them off line, flicking around ruts, road kill and similar debris with just moments to spare. Nothing doing, and this doggedly dependable theme hasn't wavered – a serious boon when tiredness and fatigue begin to creep in.

Even packing the full 145psi, the ride quality never felt harsh, but 125psi seemed optimal for me. When things turned really grotty I dropped it to the minimum 100, which offered some additional contact with terra firma without blunting their bubbly persona.

I did have one or two pregnant pauses involving a 1-in-4 descent at 42mph, bovine dung and a recycling lorry, but this was later attributable to minor over-inflation (153psi actual) and hasn't recurred since I cross-referenced my track pumps with a standalone digital gauge.

>> Check out our guide to the best tyres for winter here

When it comes to fitting, logos and centre chevrons denote the correct rotational direction, and although folding tyres can fight back, these only rated 6/10 on my struggle-o-meter. Fitted to some very traditional Mavic hoops, the first 70 per cent proved pretty obedient when shepherded with two decent quality composite tyre levers, but the final section only submitted with a third and some primal grunting.

Ultimately, these have popped some extra sparkle into long, steady autumnal rides, and while I'd opt for something a bit harder wearing for commuting and when the gritting lorries come out, the Rain Runners have lived up to their name, and come highly recommended for training or just high speed fun.

Verdict

Lively, dependable tyres for fast paced road riding