Not ridden for 25 years - update me on tyres
Discussion
Hi. I used to ride competitively as a young man. Time trials and road races. Built my own bikes.
Recently I have the urge to get back into it. What’s the story with tyres these days and puncture recovery out on a ride? Back in my day you had clinchers and tubular. The tubulars were called ‘tubs’ and were actually glued or taped to the rim. I carried the sticky tape and at least one complete new tub to replace a punctured tyre. If I was using clinchers I would carry at least one spare inner tube and tyre levers.
I understand that the latest tubeless tyres run on airtight rims and aren’t actually tubular as I describe. Is this correct? Are beaded clinchers still a thing? Are modern tyres very puncture resistant? What do you guys use for general road riding, and how do you ensure you don’t get stranded?
Hope all of that makes sense.
Recently I have the urge to get back into it. What’s the story with tyres these days and puncture recovery out on a ride? Back in my day you had clinchers and tubular. The tubulars were called ‘tubs’ and were actually glued or taped to the rim. I carried the sticky tape and at least one complete new tub to replace a punctured tyre. If I was using clinchers I would carry at least one spare inner tube and tyre levers.
I understand that the latest tubeless tyres run on airtight rims and aren’t actually tubular as I describe. Is this correct? Are beaded clinchers still a thing? Are modern tyres very puncture resistant? What do you guys use for general road riding, and how do you ensure you don’t get stranded?
Hope all of that makes sense.
Tubs - still the tyre of choice for pros and some amateurs. Too much hassle for normal riding unless you want to carry a spare pre-glued tub.
Clinchers - still the most common tyre and performance is on par with tubs (albeit without the benefit of being able to continue riding with a flat). Most are 'folding' so don't have a stiff wire bead (although you can still get those they tend to be heavy duty and not ideally suited to light and nimble road bikes). On a ride I'll carry two spare tubes and mini pump. I don't bother patching and usually just throw away old tubes as they're relatively cheap to replace.
Tubeless - increasingly popular but still way behind clinchers in their popularity. The main benefit is their ability to self-seal with most punctures (apart from big tears), although comes with downsides such as more faff to set up. They're not for me as I prefer the simplicity of a 5 minute tube change given how infrequently I puncture on a ride, but each to their own.
Another recent things is that tyres are probably much wider than you'll remember. I started riding in 2012 when 23c tyres were the norm, but in the last couple of years 25c is the default choice for many, with 28c now starting to sell particularly for use with winter bikes. Wider tyres are more comfortable (lower PSI), as fast/faster than skinny tyres and only have a slight weight penalty over skinny tyres.
Clinchers - still the most common tyre and performance is on par with tubs (albeit without the benefit of being able to continue riding with a flat). Most are 'folding' so don't have a stiff wire bead (although you can still get those they tend to be heavy duty and not ideally suited to light and nimble road bikes). On a ride I'll carry two spare tubes and mini pump. I don't bother patching and usually just throw away old tubes as they're relatively cheap to replace.
Tubeless - increasingly popular but still way behind clinchers in their popularity. The main benefit is their ability to self-seal with most punctures (apart from big tears), although comes with downsides such as more faff to set up. They're not for me as I prefer the simplicity of a 5 minute tube change given how infrequently I puncture on a ride, but each to their own.
Another recent things is that tyres are probably much wider than you'll remember. I started riding in 2012 when 23c tyres were the norm, but in the last couple of years 25c is the default choice for many, with 28c now starting to sell particularly for use with winter bikes. Wider tyres are more comfortable (lower PSI), as fast/faster than skinny tyres and only have a slight weight penalty over skinny tyres.
Edited by nammynake on Sunday 25th November 22:06
No problem!
I hope you had an understanding dentist having to ride 18mm. If you're looking for clinchers I'd highly recommend Continental GP4000S. They're about to be replaced with the new 5000, but they're consistently rated as one of the best all round tyres. Go for the 25mm version and you'll be very happy.
I hope you had an understanding dentist having to ride 18mm. If you're looking for clinchers I'd highly recommend Continental GP4000S. They're about to be replaced with the new 5000, but they're consistently rated as one of the best all round tyres. Go for the 25mm version and you'll be very happy.
nammynake said:
No problem!
I hope you had an understanding dentist having to ride 18mm. If you're looking for clinchers I'd highly recommend Continental GP4000S. They're about to be replaced with the new 5000, but they're consistently rated as one of the best all round tyres. Go for the 25mm version and you'll be very happy.
Another vote for Continental Grand Prix 4000 SII tyres in 25 mm width!I hope you had an understanding dentist having to ride 18mm. If you're looking for clinchers I'd highly recommend Continental GP4000S. They're about to be replaced with the new 5000, but they're consistently rated as one of the best all round tyres. Go for the 25mm version and you'll be very happy.
I also use Continental GP 4Seasons if I'm buying new tyres in winter time. Worth looking in Decathlon for them too, as they seem to be permanently down around the £30 to £33 mark, rather than up beyond the £45 mark as in many local stores.
I'd go for 28 mm width if my bike would accommodate them, but clearance is pretty tight, especially the fork.
I used to use Schwalbe Ultremo, but they could be a bit fragile. Very quick running with great grip, although sadly too prone to getting cut up, but I'd bought a job lot cheap (in unpopular colours) direct from Schwalbe UK. But that model has been replaced by the Schwalbe One, I think, and I've not had a set of them to form an opinion on them.
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/700x25-grand-prix-4000... @ £29.99
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-grand-prix-400... @ £31.99
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/700x25-grand-prix-4-se... @ £31.99
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-grand-prix-4-s... @ £34.99
Some people swear by them, but i'd be sure to avoid Continental's "Gatorskin" tyres like the plague. In my experience they're no better at puncture protection, and a sure-fire method for finding yourself upside down in a ditch in wet weather...
Vittoria Corsa Control 25's - the Controls are a lot more durable than the Corsa's, I haven't noticed any particular difference in feel but have had a lot less punctures since switching
For me they ride much nicer than the Continentals, the cotton side walls I think give a much more compliant ride coupled with better feeback from the tyre as well.
For me they ride much nicer than the Continentals, the cotton side walls I think give a much more compliant ride coupled with better feeback from the tyre as well.
Vittoria Corsa Control 25's - the Controls are a lot more durable than the Corsa's, I haven't noticed any particular difference in feel but have had a lot less punctures since switching
For me they ride much nicer than the Continentals, the cotton side walls I think give a much more compliant ride coupled with better feeback from the tyre as well.
For me they ride much nicer than the Continentals, the cotton side walls I think give a much more compliant ride coupled with better feeback from the tyre as well.
Randy Winkman said:
18mm tyres? I had them on my TT bike in 1996. By the way, as someone who has been riding for years I'd say that tyres are way more puncture resistant than they used to be. I use Schwalbe Durano DD in 25mm width for general riding.
Yeah. I ran 18mm slick tubs on my TT machine. I still have the bike - 650c front wheel and aero bars. It’s a bit of a museum piece now, but it was amazing in its day. I had the frame custom made.
yellowjack said:
Some people swear by them, but i'd be sure to avoid Continental's "Gatorskin" tyres like the plague. In my experience they're no better at puncture protection, and a sure-fire method for finding yourself upside down in a ditch in wet weather...
Insert obligatory counter argument about using them for years, never had a puncture since I switched, thousands of miles, never had a crash on them, default choice for any bike etc etc...
And only died twice this week.
(I actually do swear by Gatorskins, BTW.)
Gatorskin Hardshells are virtually indestructible but offer absolutely no feel or inspire any confidence when leaning into a corner. Any change of surface, water, leaves, and you're off. Ask me how I know.
Never had a puncture with them in the 1300-odd miles I had them but when they wore enough to justify a change, I tried some Schwalbes which also never punctured but offered all the feedback missing from the Continentals.
Honestly, I can't really work out why I stuck with them for so long.
Never had a puncture with them in the 1300-odd miles I had them but when they wore enough to justify a change, I tried some Schwalbes which also never punctured but offered all the feedback missing from the Continentals.
Honestly, I can't really work out why I stuck with them for so long.
This is what I am currently eyeing up. It’s probably way too good for my level of fitness, but being an old hand I wouldn’t let myself buy something that’s not at least technically ‘accomplished’. Says it comes with 28mm tyres so I guess the frame will give me plenty of options when buying spare/more tyres.
Not the best bike in the world by any means but I reckon it’s probably good enough to satisfy my desire to have a half-decent machine that gives me the motivation to keep riding and get fitter
Not the best bike in the world by any means but I reckon it’s probably good enough to satisfy my desire to have a half-decent machine that gives me the motivation to keep riding and get fitter
Kenny Powers said:
Randy Winkman said:
18mm tyres? I had them on my TT bike in 1996. By the way, as someone who has been riding for years I'd say that tyres are way more puncture resistant than they used to be. I use Schwalbe Durano DD in 25mm width for general riding.
Yeah. I ran 18mm slick tubs on my TT machine. I still have the bike - 650c front wheel and aero bars. It’s a bit of a museum piece now, but it was amazing in its day. I had the frame custom made. Mine were on a (Chas) Roberts triathlon bike with 650c wheels front and back. A fashion that lasted a few years but I don't think you'd see now except on a small size. It has a level top tube with the seat tube extended about 4 inches up towards the seat in order to get enough seat post overlap. I still have the bike in the shed under a cover. I could still ride it I suppose but I'd never get up a hill because the gearing is so high. 
Yes it will be interesting. To be clear though I haven’t definitely decided on this yet. At the moment it’s exploratory. I wouldn’t be buying a bike until the New Year at the earliest. I’m very much aware that I’m unlikely to become a powerhouse running with no carbs, but for sure I’ll keep the discussion updated 
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff