Good Commuting Tyres

Continental now have the Sport Contact in 700x28, Ideal for your bike and conditions. 😎

Rockhopper66 said:

Please could you give me some advice. I have a Specialised Sirrus Sport which I use to commute to and from work each day. I travel approximately 20 miles and do try to cycle come rain, shine, hail, frost and basically anything that global warming or cooling can throw at me. I do have to travel through some pretty glass infested subways and the roads always seem to be covered in debris.
I went through the stock Specialised Tyres (700 x 28) Armadillo in about 400/500 miles. they were shot full of holes and slices. I bought some Continental Gatorskin tyres and they have survived for about 1000 miles. I have suffered a number of rear wheel punctures recently and am wondering whether I should change tyres. I do run them at the recommended 95 PSI and I'm about 12.5 stone.
Could you recommend a good all-round commuting tyre that would fit the bill for me? I would like to stay around the 700 x 28 size if possible.
Thanks

Schwalbe Marathon Plus and Schwalbe Marothon XR are both very tough and puncture resistant. They only come in 700 by 32 and above, but roll easily and the possible loss in performance is worth it if you can ride all year without puncturing.

Rockhopper66 said:

I bought some Continental Gatorskin tyres and they have survived for about 1000 miles.

There are some new gatorskins out in australia i think there called Continental Gatorskin 4000......or something. They are much more durable and slightly lighter....

I M, the new Conti is the GP4000, about twice the price of a Gator Skin. I tried both on my TRY-bike, the Gators are just that, rough as guts, just like gator skin, the GP4000s are like babys bums, smoooth as... so I bought 4.
http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle/ti%20grand%20prix%204000.shtml

gclark8 said:

I M, the new Conti is the GP4000, about twice the price of a Gator Skin. I tried both on my TRY-bike, the Gators are just that, rough as guts, just like gator skin, the GP4000s are like babys bums, smoooth as... so I bought 4.

i had heard they were good, looks like i may have to go out and invest......although christmas is just round the corner😄

How about the Vittoria Open Pave CG - its 24mm section and rides very nicely. Made for Pave type conditions and is quite tough.

I usually dont put "matching" tires on F+R. Usually, my aim is a great handling/cornering front tire(does not need to be super puncture resistant.. since its a rare case when you get a front flat anyways).... and tends to be a $40+ retail front tire.

For the rear... I'll buy something as bomb-proof as possible.... and inexpensive $10-20(sale) range , and possibly line it with a tire liner for extra puncture resistance. I usually go through 1 front tire... for every - approx. 3 rear tires.

I've heard good things about the Specialized Armadillos(about to try one on the rear) , Continentals have always made good tires(Super sports, Ultra Super sports, Sport 1000 , Ultra 2000, Ultra 3000, etc.)

Rockhopper66 said:

. I travel approximately 20 miles and do try to cycle come rain, shine, hail, frost and basically anything that global warming or cooling can throw at me. I do have to travel through some pretty glass infested subways and the roads always seem to be covered in debris.
I went through the stock Specialised Tyres (700 x 28) Armadillo in about 400/500 miles.

You might consider the airfree polyurethane microfoam tire which cannot go flat or blow out. I have used them since October 2001 and we presently have them on five bikes.

www.airfreetires.com

You might like the Daytona TT 700x20 120 psi equiv which requires a rim 14 to 17mm inside diameter, minimum depth 6mm http://www.airfreetires.com/Bicycle/Legacy/700x20TT.html

; or perhaps the Laguna Hybrid 700x35 90 psi 18 to 20mm ID, 10 mm depth.
http://www.airfreetires.com/Bicycle/Legacy/700x35.html