Road Tyres

[ratbane]

I need to replace the Schwalbe Duranos on my Dale Super Six. Looking for some nice light summer tyres, for use on (normally) 50mile fast road rides, and a couple of Century rides.

Can anyone comment on Conti GP4000s, Conti Force/Attack, Michelin Pro 3 and Schwalbe Ultremos (R1? ZX?), or any others you may have knowledge of.

Edited by ratbane on Thursday 8th March 12:48

Edited by ratbane on Friday 9th March 08:20

[Simond S]

Pro 3's seem quite puncture resistant and roll nicely.

(I know I'm going to regret saying that when I ride out tonight)

[MadDad]

I can highly recommend Michelin Krylion Carbon's, I have been running them for a year over a mix of nice clean A roads, grubby B roads and country lanes around the Chilterns and am yet to have a puncture.

They are relatively fast rolling, hardwearing and very grippy (I have ridden them all through this winter without issue). They might be marginally heavier than some of their peers but IMHO they offer a really good balance of durability, speed, grip and puncture resistance.

[ratbane]

MadDad said:

I can highly recommend Michelin Krylion Carbon's, I have been running them for a year over a mix of nice clean A roads, grubby B roads and country lanes around the Chilterns and am yet to have a puncture.

They are relatively fast rolling, hardwearing and very grippy (I have ridden them all through this winter without issue). They might be marginally heavier than some of their peers but IMHO they offer a really good balance of durability, speed, grip and puncture resistance.

Thanks. I was going to go straight for the Scwalbe Ultremos. They are very light however, and given the appaling condition of our roads, I thought they may be a bit fragile.

[Rouleur]

Simond S said:

Pro 3's seem quite puncture resistant and roll nicely.

+1

[anonymous-user]

ratbane said:

Thanks. I was going to go straight for the Scwalbe Ultremos. They are very light however, and given the appaling condition of our roads, I thought they may be a bit fragile.

I am now using Schwalbe Ultremo DD's which are the tough version of the same tyre. They are faster than anything tougher and have awesome grip wet or dry despite the lack of any tread. So far so good with mine, a couple of cuts which was due to a monster hole but no sidewall issues or signs of wear yet (@500 miles approx) . I tried 4 seasons before which split the sidewalls and cut like crazy, not to mention felt pretty dead and before that GP4000's which I thought were pretty awful wet or dry.

The other tyres I will try next time are the Carbons, they will have to be pretty good to match the DD's

[Uriel]

Rouleur said:

+1

+2

Though saying that, I don't really notice any difference between them and the Ultremo R.1s I have on another set of wheels. Between the two, I'd go with whatever was cheapest and most readily available in all black.

I consider them training tyres though. If you're looking for light summer use, then 22c Veloflex Master/Corsa are noticeably better as long as you're on decent-ish roads. For rougher roads or marginally more comfort, then Vittoria Pave get my vote.

[CooperS]

Uriel said:

Rouleur said:

+1

+2

Though saying that, I don't really notice any difference between them and the Ultremo R.1s I have on another set of wheels. Between the two, I'd go with whatever was cheapest and most readily available in all black.

I consider them training tyres though. If you're looking for light summer use, then 22c Veloflex Master/Corsa are noticeably better as long as you're on decent-ish roads. For rougher roads or marginally more comfort, then Vittoria Pave get my vote.

Ultremo R.1s i've done best part of 1400 miles on mine increadbly and still look in good nick consdering Edinburghs roads. Punctured 4 or 5 times but cuts are minimal and im more than happy in the wet or dry (well to a point in the wet)

[ratbane]

Some great info here guys!!

[Jimbo.]

Not impressed by Schwalbes. Got some Ultremo DDs on my single speed, and they've developed splits around the sidewalls: both sides, both tyres. Whilst the sidewall doesn't APPEAR compromised, it makes me wary of putting any significant distance on them. From what I heard about earlier Ultremos, it's not a one-off.

GP4000S (note the S: it's the Black Chili compound): Nice. VERY grippy. Not cheap (but then what good road tyres are?). Feel a little dead but other than that, I like 'em. Tried 23mm, felt harsh: would like to try the 25mm.

Vittoria Open Paves: The dogs bks. Fast, fat (well, -ish: 24mm but think they come up a touch wider), comfy, grippy in all conditions, fast rolling and seem tough enough. If they're deemed by some pro teams for the Paris-Roubaix, then they must be sturdy! £50+ each but worth every penny. Do it!

[andyd68]

I swear by Vittoria Corsa Evo CX. Not that cheap but a great tyre. Light, fast rolling and good puncture protection.

[amnesia182]

MadDad said:

I can highly recommend Michelin Krylion Carbon's, I have been running them for a year over a mix of nice clean A roads, grubby B roads and country lanes around the Chilterns and am yet to have a puncture.

They are relatively fast rolling, hardwearing and very grippy (I have ridden them all through this winter without issue). They might be marginally heavier than some of their peers but IMHO they offer a really good balance of durability, speed, grip and puncture resistance.

Exactly this... I haven't had a single puncture in 2000 miles since fitting Krylion's, and they're only ~ 20gms heavier than Pro Race 3s for a 23mm tyre.

[mcelliott]

The Conti GP4000S for me. Cannot fault these tyres. Ridden them all over the Alps without any problems whatsoever. Oh, and not forgetting a grotty winter sportive season too.

[robpearson]

Perhaps it's the grotty roads in Birmingham, but my pro3's are in tatters after about 1000 miles use. Was going to try the contis next.

[Rocksteadyeddie]

mcelliott said:

The Conti GP4000S for me. Cannot fault these tyres. Ridden them all over the Alps without any problems whatsoever. Oh, and not forgetting a grotty winter sportive season too.

^^ This would be my opinion, however...

... truth be told I suspect all the major manufacturers produce similar quality tyres that us lesser mortals can't truthfully differentiate between. For every tale of "they're the best thing ever and I've never had a puncture" there will be someone else who rode through a patch of glass and knowledgably complains that the same tyre is made of cheese.

Try Stan's puncture repair latex if you want to avoid punctures. I am a big believer in it, and use it on all non-race bikes. I have never had a puncture in a million miles of commuting over rusty nails.... Oh, I did try to warn you

[okgo]

GP4000s here, no need to change, light, grippy, current set have done 3000 winter miles and probably have another 250 in them.

[ratbane]

Went for the Conti GP4000S in the end. Managed to get a pair for £54 too, so a bargain!

I'll see how they go tomorrow.