Opinion on tyres for winter

[San Marco]

Hello all
I bought a Genesis Equilibrium 20 earlier in the year as I wanted a comfortable all-rounder and the bike is sold as the ' quintessential four-season UK road bike '. So far, really really happy with it.

I was wondering if any of you has used Continental Grand Sport Race tyres during the winter before. These are the tyres that come with the bike, would they be really a 4-season tyre? Or should I swap for a tried and tested pair of Gatorskins before the winter starts?

Cheers

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

On the grand scheme of things it makes zero difference.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

On the grand scheme of things it makes zero difference.

How do you makes no difference, just had a quick look, are you saying they are pretty much the same tyre.

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

How do you makes no difference, just had a quick look, are you saying they are pretty much the same tyre.

No I'm saying that with the exception of spiked/studded tyres there really is no such thing as a winter tyre for a bicycle. There is nothing special about a tyre that means it can only be used in "winter" and that will render it useless in July

 

[Nigelnaturist]

No I'm saying that with the exception of spiked/studded tyres there really is no such thing as a winter tyre for a bicycle. There is nothing special about a tyre that means it can only be used in "winter"

I agree, I just run my Gators all year, no issus last year, mind you we hardly had any ice, and I certainly didn't ride in temps that cold compared wit the year before.
@San Marco as durability I can recommend gatorskins nearly 9,000 miles without a puncture.

 

[fossyant]

Same tyres all year round. Generally Conti 4 Seasons or Mich Pro 4 Endurance on my commute. The Contis are a bit tougher, but the Michelins ride better. And the Michelins are much cheaper.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Same tyres all year round. Generally Conti 4 Seasons or Mich Pro 4 Endurance on my commute. The Contis are a bit tougher, but the Michelins ride better. And the Michelins are much cheaper.

Isn't it the same with German and French cars though

 

[bpsmith]

Isn't it the same with German and French cars though

Never ridden in a French car that's better than German yet.

 

[Nigelnaturist]

Ok I will spell it out, French suspension is better for modern roads.

Besides I hate German cars, hard ugly things they are.

 

[fossyant]

Michelin tyres are certainly the fastest

 

[bpsmith]

Ok I will spell it out, French suspension is better for modern roads.

Besides I hate German cars, hard ugly things they are.

Always liked German cars, so will call it a day on this one. Lol.

 

[San Marco]

Thanks for your responses.

I didn't mean Gatorskins are exclusive for winter. I simply have a spare pair and was thinking should I just swap with the Continental Grand Sport Race (and just leave them throughout), or keep the tyres my bike came with which I've not heard of.

As far as cars go... I drive a rattly 5 year old Citroen Picasso with low miles. My mate has an 04 Audi A4 with 105k miles and nothing rattles inside that car, solid. Picasso has nice curves, Audi is a bit boxy looking. Form over function I guess. But now I want a box.

 

[mjr]

No I'm saying that with the exception of spiked/studded tyres there really is no such thing as a winter tyre for a bicycle. There is nothing special about a tyre that means it can only be used in "winter" and that will render it useless in July

Maybe not useless, but some tyre compounds perform better in certain temperatures, don't they?

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Maybe not useless, but some tyre compounds perform better in certain temperatures, don't they?

Would that be the "harder compound" rubbers generally touted around for winter use that grip less?

 

[broadway]

Would that be the "harder compound" rubbers generally touted around for winter use that grip less?

"The compound is adapted to work in colder temperatures and so this tyre will keep you going when other riders are spinning their wheels."

Not that they are much use on road bikes as they on as 700x37 is the narrowest size.

http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle/ti topcontactwinter.shtml