Road tyres

Iain Jones

Evening all, long time no post, but spending 8 hours in front of a
computer at work means less hours on the computer at home ;-)

Last night I had my ??th puncture this winter and looking at the pin-
cushioned tyre decided it's time to get a new, decent set of tyres. The
ones I've got now are Schwalbe Blizzard Sport, they were on the bike when
I bought it in Sep 2003.

I don't race, all my riding is to and from work (3 miles each way in the
city) and when I can, some long days out in the countryside. I'm after
some reliable tyres which will last a long time, won't puncture right
through the winter, grip well in all weather, and which will be
comfortable for those long rides (50-100 miles or more on a day out)
(does tyre size make a great difference? Is 700x25 more comfortable than
700x23?)

My brother recommends Michelin Axial Pro's, he's had them for years and
seem to do all I want, but I can't find a great deal of places selling
them, more importantly, on Wiggle who today sent me a £5 gift voucher!
Another hopeful one going by Wiggle's description is Michelin's Carbon
Folding Tyre, only available in 700x23, I keep getting 700x25 thrown at
me for more comfort. They're £30 reduced to £15 on Wiggle which is a
great price too, for me.

Any suggestions please?


Thanks
Iain

Tosspot

Iain Jones wrote:

<snip>

> Any suggestions please?

Marathon XRs are highly esteemed round our way. I use the marathons
with the blue spongy bit and I've just managed 1000 miles commuting no
puncture. Don't seem to wear either (both types).

Just my tuppence worth.

David Martin

On 13/1/05 5:52 pm, in article
Xns95DDB577B5ABFiainfreshfield4wanad@195.92.193.157, "Iain Jones"
<spam@freshfield4.wanadoo.co.uk> wrote:

> Evening all, long time no post, but spending 8 hours in front of a
> computer at work means less hours on the computer at home ;-)
>
> Last night I had my ??th puncture this winter and looking at the pin-
> cushioned tyre decided it's time to get a new, decent set of tyres. The
> ones I've got now are Schwalbe Blizzard Sport, they were on the bike when
> I bought it in Sep 2003.

I use schwalbe blizzards of similar vintage and have had no punctures with
them.


> Any suggestions please?
If you keep getting punctures then either you ride on a puncture prone road
or you need to pump your tyres up.

Get a track pump if you don't know what pressure your tyres are at.

...d

Pete Biggs

Iain Jones wrote:
> Evening all, long time no post, but spending 8 hours in front of a
> computer at work means less hours on the computer at home ;-)
>
> Last night I had my ??th puncture this winter and looking at the pin-
> cushioned tyre decided it's time to get a new, decent set of tyres.
> The ones I've got now are Schwalbe Blizzard Sport, they were on the
> bike when I bought it in Sep 2003.
>
> I don't race, all my riding is to and from work (3 miles each way in
> the city) and when I can, some long days out in the countryside. I'm
> after some reliable tyres which will last a long time, won't puncture
> right through the winter,

Could that last requirement be going too far? Unfortunately tyres have to
be pretty thick and heavy to be that puncture resistant--making your
longer rides less pleasant.

> grip well in all weather, and which will be
> comfortable for those long rides (50-100 miles or more on a day out)
> (does tyre size make a great difference? Is 700x25 more comfortable
> than 700x23?)

Yes definitely when the pressure is lower, as is usually the case,
naturally. There's quite a lot more air volume in a 25.

> My brother recommends Michelin Axial Pro's, he's had them for years
> and seem to do all I want

Might be /relatively/ tough but it's still a thin racing tyre--still
easily possible to puncture a few times during the winter, I would have
thought. (I've not used them, but have examined them and used similar
from other makes).

> but I can't find a great deal of places
> selling them

That's because Michelin has various new versions of it.

> Any suggestions please?

For winter useage: Continental UltraGatorskin or Schwalbe Blizzard Kevlar
(quite different from the Sport)--decent compromise tyres. Or Specialised
Armadillo if you insist on bullet proof jobs.

Then Axial Pro or similar for late spring/summer.

~PB

Paul D

"Pete Biggs" <pwrinkledgrape{remove_fruit}@biggs.tc> wrote in message
news:34nticF4am4khU1@individual.net...
> Iain Jones wrote:
>> Evening all, long time no post, but spending 8 hours in front of a
>> computer at work means less hours on the computer at home ;-)
>>
>> Last night I had my ??th puncture this winter and looking at the pin-
>> cushioned tyre decided it's time to get a new, decent set of tyres.
>> The ones I've got now are Schwalbe Blizzard Sport, they were on the
>> bike when I bought it in Sep 2003.
>>
>> I don't race, all my riding is to and from work (3 miles each way in
>> the city) and when I can, some long days out in the countryside. I'm
>> after some reliable tyres which will last a long time, won't puncture
>> right through the winter,
>
> Could that last requirement be going too far? Unfortunately tyres have to
> be pretty thick and heavy to be that puncture resistant--making your
> longer rides less pleasant.
>
>> grip well in all weather, and which will be
>> comfortable for those long rides (50-100 miles or more on a day out)
>> (does tyre size make a great difference? Is 700x25 more comfortable
>> than 700x23?)
>
> Yes definitely when the pressure is lower, as is usually the case,
> naturally. There's quite a lot more air volume in a 25.
>
>> My brother recommends Michelin Axial Pro's, he's had them for years
>> and seem to do all I want
>
> Might be /relatively/ tough but it's still a thin racing tyre--still
> easily possible to puncture a few times during the winter, I would have
> thought. (I've not used them, but have examined them and used similar
> from other makes).
>
>> but I can't find a great deal of places
>> selling them
>
> That's because Michelin has various new versions of it.
>
>> Any suggestions please?
>
> For winter useage: Continental UltraGatorskin or Schwalbe Blizzard Kevlar
> (quite different from the Sport)--decent compromise tyres. Or Specialised
> Armadillo if you insist on bullet proof jobs.
>
> Then Axial Pro or similar for late spring/summer.
>
> ~PB
>
>

Conti Ultra Gatorskins seconded. I had similar problems to you this year.
Had some thin & fast specialized tyres that were good over the summer but
from Sept - Nov I hardly had a ride without a punture. Binned them in Dec
for some 23mm conti's & theyre superb, no punctures since then.

MSeries

Paul D wrote:
> "Pete Biggs" <pwrinkledgrape{remove_fruit}@biggs.tc> wrote in message
> news:34nticF4am4khU1@individual.net...
>
>>Iain Jones wrote:
>>
>>>Evening all, long time no post, but spending 8 hours in front of a
>>>computer at work means less hours on the computer at home ;-)
>>>
>>>Last night I had my ??th puncture this winter and looking at the pin-
>>>cushioned tyre decided it's time to get a new, decent set of tyres.
>>>The ones I've got now are Schwalbe Blizzard Sport, they were on the
>>>bike when I bought it in Sep 2003.
>>>
>>>I don't race, all my riding is to and from work (3 miles each way in
>>>the city) and when I can, some long days out in the countryside. I'm
>>>after some reliable tyres which will last a long time, won't puncture
>>>right through the winter,
>>
>>Could that last requirement be going too far? Unfortunately tyres have to
>>be pretty thick and heavy to be that puncture resistant--making your
>>longer rides less pleasant.
>>
>>
>>>grip well in all weather, and which will be
>>>comfortable for those long rides (50-100 miles or more on a day out)
>>>(does tyre size make a great difference? Is 700x25 more comfortable
>>>than 700x23?)
>>
>>Yes definitely when the pressure is lower, as is usually the case,
>>naturally. There's quite a lot more air volume in a 25.
>>
>>
>>>My brother recommends Michelin Axial Pro's, he's had them for years
>>>and seem to do all I want
>>
>>Might be /relatively/ tough but it's still a thin racing tyre--still
>>easily possible to puncture a few times during the winter, I would have
>>thought. (I've not used them, but have examined them and used similar
>>from other makes).
>>
>>
>>>but I can't find a great deal of places
>>>selling them
>>
>>That's because Michelin has various new versions of it.
>>
>>
>>>Any suggestions please?
>>
>>For winter useage: Continental UltraGatorskin or Schwalbe Blizzard Kevlar
>>(quite different from the Sport)--decent compromise tyres. Or Specialised
>>Armadillo if you insist on bullet proof jobs.
>>
>>Then Axial Pro or similar for late spring/summer.
>>
>>~PB
>>
>>
>
>
> Conti Ultra Gatorskins seconded. I had similar problems to you this year.
> Had some thin & fast specialized tyres that were good over the summer but
> from Sept - Nov I hardly had a ride without a punture. Binned them in Dec
> for some 23mm conti's & theyre superb, no punctures since then.
>
>
I have been disappointed with Conit Ultra Gatorkskins. Three punctures
in two tyres. My worst record ever.

JBB

"Iain Jones" <spam@freshfield4.wanadoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:Xns95DDB577B5ABFiainfreshfield4wanad@195.92.193.157...
> Evening all, long time no post, but spending 8 hours in front of a
> computer at work means less hours on the computer at home ;-)
>
> Last night I had my ??th puncture this winter and looking at the pin-
> cushioned tyre decided it's time to get a new, decent set of tyres. The
> ones I've got now are Schwalbe Blizzard Sport, they were on the bike when
> I bought it in Sep 2003.
>
> I don't race, all my riding is to and from work (3 miles each way in the
> city) and when I can, some long days out in the countryside. I'm after
> some reliable tyres which will last a long time, won't puncture right
> through the winter, grip well in all weather, and which will be
> comfortable for those long rides (50-100 miles or more on a day out)
> (does tyre size make a great difference? Is 700x25 more comfortable than
> 700x23?)
>
> My brother recommends Michelin Axial Pro's, he's had them for years and
> seem to do all I want, but I can't find a great deal of places selling
> them, more importantly, on Wiggle who today sent me a £5 gift voucher!
> Another hopeful one going by Wiggle's description is Michelin's Carbon
> Folding Tyre, only available in 700x23, I keep getting 700x25 thrown at
> me for more comfort. They're £30 reduced to £15 on Wiggle which is a
> great price too, for me.
>
> Any suggestions please?
>
>
> Thanks
> Iain

I'm not sure Axial pro's are the answer they're a bit light for winter; I
found they punctured quite readily in the wet and didn't wear especially
well. The carbon comps are supposed to be tougher but Iwas warned off them
as supposedley a bugger to get on and off a the rims (Open Pro's). This
winter I am running Conti GP3000 4 season in 25m. Comfort is fine and only 1
puncture so far (blackthorn). For information in summer I use Vittoria Open
Corsa Evo pros in 23mm which I like very much but I have found that like the
Axial pros they are prone to punctures in the wet. I can live with this in
summer because the ride is great but in winter I don't want to fixing
punctures by the roadside hence the change of tyres.

HTH
Julia

Cliff

"Iain Jones" <spam@freshfield4.wanadoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:Xns95DDB577B5ABFiainfreshfield4wanad@195.92.193.157...
> Evening all, long time no post, but spending 8 hours in front of a
> computer at work means less hours on the computer at home ;-)
>
> Last night I had my ??th puncture this winter and looking at the pin-
> cushioned tyre decided it's time to get a new, decent set of tyres. The
> ones I've got now are Schwalbe Blizzard Sport, they were on the bike when
> I bought it in Sep 2003.
>
> I don't race, all my riding is to and from work (3 miles each way in the
> city) and when I can, some long days out in the countryside. I'm after
> some reliable tyres which will last a long time, won't puncture right
> through the winter, grip well in all weather, and which will be
> comfortable for those long rides (50-100 miles or more on a day out)
> (does tyre size make a great difference? Is 700x25 more comfortable than
> 700x23?)
>
> My brother recommends Michelin Axial Pro's, he's had them for years and
> seem to do all I want, but I can't find a great deal of places selling
> them, more importantly, on Wiggle who today sent me a £5 gift voucher!
> Another hopeful one going by Wiggle's description is Michelin's Carbon
> Folding Tyre, only available in 700x23, I keep getting 700x25 thrown at
> me for more comfort. They're £30 reduced to £15 on Wiggle which is a
> great price too, for me.
>
> Any suggestions please?
>
>
> Thanks
> Iain

I have had two pair of Conti GP 3000 700 x 23 and have never had a puncture
in about 4000 mile (Touch wood) I know they are a racing tyre but the are a
great ride, if you will excuse the expression. My commuting bike has 2.1
Knobblies on it and I have two pictures this year.

I think it is a case of "Ya pays ya money and ya takes ya chance" but I do
agree, get a track pump, they are worth every penny. (£20.00 from cycle
promotions)

Cliff

Jack Ouzzi

On Thu, 13 Jan 2005 20:07:05 -0000, "Paul D"
<paul@paulster.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:

>
>"Pete Biggs" <pwrinkledgrape{remove_fruit}@biggs.tc> wrote in message
>news:34nticF4am4khU1@individual.net...

>>> Any suggestions please?
>>
>> For winter useage: Continental UltraGatorskin or Schwalbe Blizzard Kevlar
>> (quite different from the Sport)--decent compromise tyres. Or Specialised
>> Armadillo if you insist on bullet proof jobs.
>>
>> Then Axial Pro or similar for late spring/summer.
>>
>> ~PB
>>
>>
>
>Conti Ultra Gatorskins seconded. I had similar problems to you this year.
>Had some thin & fast specialized tyres that were good over the summer but
>from Sept - Nov I hardly had a ride without a punture. Binned them in Dec
>for some 23mm conti's & theyre superb, no punctures since then.
>

Gatorskins for me as well, and I live in deepest mud producing country
(Lincolnshire) where roads are covered in crap for most of the winter
!! Mind you not many hedge clippings as they were all ripped out years
ago (and still not been replaced - end of Green comment)

M

dkahn400

MSeries wrote:

> I have been disappointed with Conit Ultra Gatorkskins. Three
> punctures in two tyres. My worst record ever.

Just before Christmas I reported that I'd had a number of punctures in
a new pair of Gatorskins, averaging one every 50 miles. Shortly after
that the front one suffered a cut in the tread that caused it to bulge
so I had to retire it although it was hardly worn. I replaced it with a
Conti Grand Prix 4 Seasons as Pearsons were out of Gatorskins. I
haven't had a puncture since - around 500 miles. The Puncture Fairy
obviously had a grudge against that particular tyre.

--
Dave...

Arthur Clune

JBB <juliadream@btopenworld.com> wrote:

: I'm not sure Axial pro's are the answer they're a bit light for winter; I
: found they punctured quite readily in the wet and didn't wear especially
: well.

I've had no problems with them, and I'm still riding them now. Mainly
due to the can't be arsed fitting a tyre factor, but still, they are
running fine so far.

As for wear, well they are lightweight race tyres. I get about 1,500
miles from them then ditch them.

Arthur

--
Arthur Clune PGP/GPG Key: http://www.clune.org/pubkey.txt
It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness

Tom Jackson

On 13 Jan 2005 17:52:31 GMT, Iain Jones
<spam@freshfield4.wanadoo.co.uk> wrote:

>>
>Last night I had my ??th puncture this winter and looking at the pin-
>cushioned tyre decided it's time to get a new, decent set of tyres. The
>ones I've got now are Schwalbe Blizzard Sport, they were on the bike when
>I bought it in Sep 2003.

>Any suggestions please?

Iain, if you'relooking for a budget option you might want to consider
some of the Vittoria tyres, either the RUBINO or the ZAFFIRO. These
are both pretty tough, with puncture proof bands in them (Kevlar etc).

They seem to be heavily discounted at many on-line places including
wiggle, xpedia.co.uk, oldhamcyclecentre.co.uk, ribblecycles.co.uk etc.

They come in 23 or 25 sizes, and I've found the Zaffiro to be a good,
cheap commuting tyre.

tom.

MasonS@BP.com

Paul D wrote:

> Conti Ultra Gatorskins seconded. I had similar problems to you this
year.
> Had some thin & fast specialized tyres that were good over the summer
but
> from Sept - Nov I hardly had a ride without a punture. Binned them in
Dec
> for some 23mm conti's & theyre superb, no punctures since then.

Thirded. The Conti Ultra Gatorskins on my road bike have had no
punctures in 3000 miles. On my hybrid, the Schwalbe Marathon Plus is
the best.

--
Simon M.

Tosspot

MasonS@BP.com wrote:

<snip>

> Thirded. The Conti Ultra Gatorskins on my road bike have had no
> punctures in 3000 miles. On my hybrid, the Schwalbe Marathon Plus is
> the best.

Thats the jobbies I have, much impressed as a commuting tyre.