Best road bike tyres for commute

[GrumpyGregry]

Anyone else have problems with gatorskins in the wet? I have some newish ones on my commuting bike and have had several moments where I have managed to spin the rear wheels up when applying the POWARGH! (I didn't even know this was possible on a road bike). A really weird feeling, like my chain had fallen off but less dramatic.

23s, usually inflated to 120 about once a week. Only 9 and a bit stone though and probably more forward and out of the saddle than I should be in those conditions.

No. Never.

28's and/or 25's. Never inflate above 100 psi rear 90 psi front and way, waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay heavier than you.

 

[MikeW-71]

Anyone else have problems with gatorskins in the wet? I have some newish ones on my commuting bike and have had several moments where I have managed to spin the rear wheels up when applying the POWARGH! (I didn't even know this was possible on a road bike). A really weird feeling, like my chain had fallen off but less dramatic.

23s, usually inflated to 120 about once a week. Only 9 and a bit stone though and probably more forward and out of the saddle than I should be in those conditions.

For 9 stone weight, that's waaaaay too much pressure IMHO.

 

[sittingbull]

According to these stats from the BBC quoting the Office for National Statistics (2010 data for England), the average male weighs 13.16 stone and the average female weighs 11 stone. I would assume that the average cyclist weighs less than an average member of society.

The above quoted article by Stonepark states tyre deformation is directly related to rolling resistance. I would expect that we may differ from the average stats by possibly several stone (in either direction) which would make this the dominant factor in rolling resistance. Being at the lighter end of the spectrum I doubt I could detect relatively small changes in tyre width and suspect benefits in lower rolling resistance would be marginal at best.

I would happily settle for increased comfort (which to be fair appears to be the overall benefit for little or no loss of performance). I do wonder if the current claims for the optimum size are effectively stating "we got it wrong previously", or if other factors have changed (average rider weight over the decades etc.).

@ManiaMuse Yes. I have spun my Gators but only when climbing and I suspect other tyres would have behaved similarly.
@MikeW-71 I would agree that 120 psi is too high for that rider weight, however if inflating once per week it will soon drop off IME.

 

[martinclive]

Anyone else have problems with gatorskins in the wet?.

Yes can be a little twitchy in the wet (but I inflate to 115psi front and back)

Still best commuting tyre have used

 

[DWiggy]

Anyone else have problems with gatorskins in the wet? I have some newish ones on my commuting bike and have had several moments where I have managed to spin the rear wheels up when applying the POWARGH! (I didn't even know this was possible on a road bike). A really weird feeling, like my chain had fallen off but less dramatic.

23s, usually inflated to 120 about once a week. Only 9 and a bit stone though and probably more forward and out of the saddle than I should be in those conditions.

Yes same here but they do grip up after a few miles

 

[biking_fox]

Thanks for the link. This bit seems key "
Why do Pros ride narrow tires if wide tires roll better?
Wide tires only roll better at the same inflation pressure, but narrow tires can be inflated to higher pressures than wide tires. However, they then obviously give a less comfortable ride. In addition to this, narrow tires have an advantage over wide ones at higher speeds, as they provide less air resistance."

I'll stick with my narrow tyres. I'm fine with the comfort level they provide.

 

[Leodis]

Prefer GP 4 Season for winter over Gators, far better grip in the wet. That said I am riding Sch Ultremo 2014 to work at the mo on 23s

 

[User6179]

Thanks for the link. This bit seems key "
Why do Pros ride narrow tires if wide tires roll better?
Wide tires only roll better at the same inflation pressure, but narrow tires can be inflated to higher pressures than wide tires. However, they then obviously give a less comfortable ride. In addition to this, narrow tires have an advantage over wide ones at higher speeds, as they provide less air resistance."

I'll stick with my narrow tyres. I'm fine with the comfort level they provide.

These days Argos-Shimano, Blanco, BMC Racing, FDJ, Omega Pharma-QuickStep, Orica-Greenedge, Radioshack-Leopard and Sky are running 25mm. Why? Well increased grip is one explanation. But there’s more to it. Here’s one reason:

We went from 21mm and 23mm to 25mm tyres in the last few seasons; new research shows that 25mm have less rolling resistance and I have the feeling they give more comfort and traction so it’s a win-win situation
- Koen de Kort, Argos Shimano speaking to RIDE Cycling Review, Issue 59, p95.

 

[Origamist]

Nominal 25s for the commuting win. I never go above 95psi rear and 90psi on the front and I'm a hefty unit.

 

[Harv]

When a conclusion is reached, the Arab-Israeli conflict needs sorting.

Conti gatorskin hardshells or Vittoria Open Pave CG III since you ask.

I'm non the wiser. I weigh 10 stone. I currently have 23c inflated to 110 on the front and back.

 

[Schneil]

Prefer GP 4 Season for winter over Gators, far better grip in the wet. That said I am riding Sch Ultremo 2014 to work at the mo on 23s

I am a big fan of Gatorskins for toughness and puncture resistance, but I find the hard rubber not very grippy in the cold and wet. So I am now running 25c Gatorskin Hardshells in the Summer and 4seasons in the Winter

 

[Rouge79]

i weigh 63 kg +/- 3kg and run 28mm Gp4seasons on the hybrid and it does give a more comfortable ride.

I run 23mm GP4seasons on the roadie but am fed up with them as I keep loosing the back wheel Just get any grip with them.

I used to run at around 110pst but dropped to 100psi and 95psi but not much difference.

Just ordered some of the last 25mm GP4000s available from Rose bikes in Germany

Early reviews of the new GP4000s II aren't great. Seems the sideways are much thinner and susceptible to the P fairy!!!!

 

[Skyfoil]

Anyone else have problems with gatorskins in the wet? I have some newish ones on my commuting bike and have had several moments where I have managed to spin the rear wheels up when applying the POWARGH! (I didn't even know this was possible on a road bike). A really weird feeling, like my chain had fallen off but less dramatic.

23s, usually inflated to 120 about once a week. Only 9 and a bit stone though and probably more forward and out of the saddle than I should be in those conditions.

All the time. I'm 15st and run 28mm Gatorskins at 110psi and often spin in the wet.
However, once I've got going they seem to have more rolling resistance than my old Vittoria Randonneurs. Might just be my imagination, but I swear my average speed has dropped.
I know that's a bit contradictory, but they are the weirdest tyres I've ever used.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I do wonder if this gators spin in the wet is actually more to do with pedalling style, body positioning, and gear choice than the grip of the tyres themselves.

 

[ManiaMuse]

I do wonder if this gators spin in the wet is actually more to do with pedalling style, body positioning, and gear choice than the grip of the tyres themselves.

Well I had some stock Zaffiro 23mm tyres on the bike before and rode in some pretty nasty conditions over this winter and never had any problems with grip in the wet (only problem was with the tyres getting chewed up and getting punctures all the time).

It was only when I swapped to the Gatorskins that I noticed the rear tyre doing weird things in the wet. Don't think I changed my riding style at all, at least consciously...