Best road bike tyres for commute

[User6179]

23c Gatorskins, I've been using them continuously for 2 years and have more in stock. I'm relatively new to the technology behind the sport as I only saw cycling as exercise to complement my running for many years. Now I'm getting more into it I've got a few pairs of wheels to try and some Rubino Pros and GP4000s to try, but just Gators until now (apart from the OE Michelins on my Allez but they were awful).

The gp4000s are by far the best tyres I have used , grippy ,quick, good puncture resistance for a race tyre and they last twice as long as a Schwalbe ultremo

 

[sittingbull]

The gp4000s are by far the best tyres I have used , grippy ,quick, good puncture resistance for a race tyre and they last twice as long as a Schwalbe ultremo

I'll give the GP4000s a go next then

I think I probably get higher mileages than most from tyres. One of my Gators has done 10500 miles with 6500 miles on the front and another 4000 on the rear and is only just approaching the wear indicators. The other only lasted 9500 miles as it was on the rear for the first 6500.

My current tyre stock will last approx 30k miles

 

[User6179]

I'll give the GP4000s a go next then

I think I probably get higher mileages than most from tyres. One of my Gators has done 10500 miles with 6500 miles on the front and another 4000 on the rear and is only just approaching the wear indicators. The other only lasted 9500 miles as it was on the rear for the first 6500.

My current tyre stock will last approx 30k miles

I only got 2000 miles out a Gator , you must be very light.

 

[albion]

I've used both and I can't say I feel a difference.

Same here, though my 23mm tyres do also measure 25mm in the calipers !

 

[gaz]

If you put the same psi in both they will feel the same

But if you are putting the same pressure in both then you are under inflating or over inflating the other. The point of using something like a 25mm tire is that you can use a lower pressure but keep a similar rolling resistance. So a slightly more comfortable ride and similar rolling resistance.

 

[User6179]

But if you are putting the same pressure in both then you are under inflating or over inflating the other. The point of using something like a 25mm tire is that you can use a lower pressure but keep a similar rolling resistance. So a slightly more comfortable ride and similar rolling resistance.

That was my point

 

[gaz]

The feel of a tyre is mostly in how the side wall is constructed. that is where the deflection happens. A wider tire takes less pressure but will have more volume, and a bigger contact patch. Naturally a narrower tyre has to have more construction in the sidewall to support the load that it is under, and as such a narrower tyre will not be as comfortable.

 

[User6179]

The feel of a tyre is mostly in how the side wall is constructed. that is where the deflection happens. A wider tire takes less pressure but will have more volume, and a bigger contact patch. Naturally a narrower tyre has to have more construction in the sidewall to support the load that it is under, and as such a narrower tyre will not be as comfortable.

That's not really correct , for example a marathon plus 28c will be have a tougher less flexible sidewall than a 23c conti gp4000 and a marathon plus 28c at 80 psi will feel harsher than the conti 23c at 100psi .

 

[gaz]

That's not really correct , for example a marathon plus 28c will be have a tougher less flexible sidewall than a 23c conti gp4000 and a marathon plus 28c at 80 psi will feel harsher than the conti 23c at 100psi .

I didn't say anything to contradict what you said I mentioned that naturally it has more construction, depending on the purpose of the tyre, it may be different.

I've never used a marathon plus tire so I have no idea what its side wall is like. I know that they have a particularly thick and hard compound of rubber in the tyre body, along with something like kevlar underneath for added puncture protection. I would be surprised if the tyre wall of a 28mm marathon plus was harder than a 23mm GP4000.

The GP4000 has 330 threads per inch in the tyre. The Marathon plus has only 67 per inch. So the GP4000 has much more construction in the tyre wall than the marathon plus does.

 

[User6179]

I didn't say anything to contradict what you said I mentioned that naturally it has more construction, depending on the purpose of the tyre, it may be different.

I've never used a marathon plus tire so I have no idea what its side wall is like. I know that they have a particularly thick and hard compound of rubber in the tyre body, along with something like kevlar underneath for added puncture protection. I would be surprised if the tyre wall of a 28mm marathon plus was harder than a 23mm GP4000.

The GP4000 has 330 threads per inch in the tyre. The Marathon plus has only 67 per inch. So the GP4000 has much more construction in the tyre wall than the marathon plus does.

A marathon plus sidewall is far harder than a gp4000 ,does not flex , what I am saying is not all wider tyres run smoother but the same tyre in a wider size does.

Spesh armadillos for instance in 28 would be harsher than the GP also.

Higher thread count makes the tyre more flexible not the other way around which I think your saying?

 

[gaz]

A marathon plus sidewall is far harder than a gp4000 ,does not flex , what I am saying is not all wider tyres run smoother but the same tyre in a wider size does.

Spesh armadillos for instance in 28 would be harsher than the GP also.

Higher thread count makes the tyre more flexible not the other way around which I think your saying?

Harder and stronger is not the same thing

 

[HLaB]

and so why not 28c..?

serious question

i want to buy new tyres for my latest Peugeot - the 23c tyres were perished
i do have 23c on my other bike - shake my [remaining] teeth out at 110psi on our country roads

If you have clearance and the money ;-) the new conti 4000sII come in a 28mm version which folk claim rolls better than all their competitors 23mm or 25mm.

 

[Mo1959]

If you have clearance and the money ;-) the new conti 4000sII come in a 28mm version which folk claim rolls better than all their competitors 23mm or 25mm.

Wish they would hurry up and come into stock. I really fancy giving these a try on my Charge Grater hybrid. Mind you, there is the small problem of my house insurance to pay this month, so maybe have to wait till next month anyway.

 

[HLaB]

Wish they would hurry up and come into stock. I really fancy giving these a try on my Charge Grater hybrid. Mind you, there is the small problem of my house insurance to pay this month, so maybe have to wait till next month anyway.

Ribble had them when I last looked and a few lbs. My forks on the Kinesis can 28mm tyres but the caliper brakes are tight with 25mm so i probably wont bother but if I do Flanders again I might try them.

 

[User6179]

Harder and stronger is not the same thing

I give up