Commuting tyres

[Cordulegaster]

I've just picked up an old city bike for my son to commute at uni in Cardiff. It has 27 *1.25in wheels and the tyres are perished.

I want some puncture resistant city tyres. He doesn't go far, 15-20km a day.


I have Schwalbe marathon reflective city tyres on my old faithful. They are a bit heavy and fatter than some but grip is good and i haven't had apuncture yet. The alternative might be Conti gatorskins. The marathons are hard to get in 27".

What do you recommend on around £20 per tyre budget.

Glyn

 

[fossyant]

If it's old school 27", then anything you can get.

700C then Schwalbe Marathon, dead weight things - they don't puncture though !

 

[BlackPanther]

I'm a die hard Marathon Plus fan having done over 7,000 miles without a puncture. I've found that a Marathon Plus rear, with a Durano Plus front (they're half the weight) is an excellent commuting combo on my road bike. http://www.simpsoncy...1/27_inch_tyres sell Marathons in 27 inch (£22.99 inc del).

 

[Cordulegaster]

Thanks for the helpful responses.

Anyone had any experience of the Gatorskins?

 

[Tynan]

gators?

people love them or hate them, they're either bomb proof or they cut badly and are scary in the wet

 

[Rebel Ian]

Thanks for the helpful responses.

Anyone had any experience of the Gatorskins?

I bought Gatorskins after using cheap Vitorria for year. No punctures on the Vitorrias, 2 in a week with the Gatorskins!! They had much better rolling resistance than the cheap tyres but don't believe they won't puncture.

 

[PatrickPending]

I have these on my 1974 Carlton

http://www.spacycles.co.uk/products...Pasela_TG_PARTS_&_ACCESSORIES_Tyres_-_Touring



best tyres ive found for 27" wheels.

 

[Moodyman]

I have these on my 1974 Carlton

http://www.spacycles...Tyres_-_Touring



best tyres ive found for 27" wheels.

I've tried several different tyres for commuting and settled on the Bontrager Racelite Hardcase on the main commuter and Marathon Plus for the winter/bad weather bike. But neither come in 27".

I've read some positrive comments from Panaracer Pasela TG users and will try them next.

 

[John the Monkey]

Marathons (just regular Maraton, not plus) come in 27". Those are kevlar reinforced, without the heavy rubber "Smart Guard" that the plus has.

I rode Paselas for 150 miles on a bike that I ended up selling - very good tyre, I thought, although the gum coloured sidewall is a bit old school for some people.

I've ridden Gators, but don't like them - roll very nicely at the recommended pressure, but far too slippy in the wet. Not noticed much of a problem with cuts, mind. ISTR having a couple of p*nctures on them.

FWIW, my personal views on tyres I've ridden so far;
http://monkeyphotomcr.blogspot.com/2010/08/rain-and-tyres.html

 

[biking_fox]

I've ridden Gators, and also wasn't that impressed - they were fine int he wet, but did cut up very quickly.
I'm currently on Specialised al condition pro at 26x 1.0" which is a difficult size to find many options! These seem fine - not superb, but good enough. Don't know if they do a 27" version.

 

[Tynan]

OP wants a funny size, lets please resist turning this in yet another favorite tyre thread if that tyre is not in 27 1/4

 

[Cordulegaster]

Thanks for the comments. I won't get the gators.

It seems a toss up between the marathons and the panaracer pasella TG's.

 

[goo_mason]

Had Schwalbe Stelvio & now Ultra Gatorskins on the road bike - the Stelvios were more puncture-resistant than the Gatorskins, but I've found that both get badly cut up pretty quickly on the Edinburgh roads.

Just wish that Marathon Plus came in ultra-skinny road tyre sizes - had M+ tyres on my MTB and they were pretty bomb-proof (iirc I only ever had 2 flats with them, and they were BIG things that went through them, not the microscopic flecks of the glass that cut up the road tyres.

 

[tyred]

I would look at Michelin City which do come in 27 x 1 1/4. An excellent tyre imo, tough, durable, puncture resistant and roll pretty well for a heavy tyre. The only thing I would be careful of is the amount of clearance on the frame. They do appear to be bigger than a normal 27 x 1 1/4 and it's fine on my Pug as that has mega clearance but they won't fit my Carlton even though it also had 27" wheels.

I wouldn't discount the venerable Michelin World Tour either. I have those on a few bikes and they wear very well but do not have puncture resistance.

 

[John the Monkey]

Just wish that Marathon Plus came in ultra-skinny road tyre sizes - had M+ tyres on my MTB and they were pretty bomb-proof (iirc I only ever had 2 flats with them, and they were BIG things that went through them, not the microscopic flecks of the glass that cut up the road tyres.

What size do the Marathon Racer come in, goo? People on the LHT newsgroup love them, although the LHT rider favours a larger tyre

I think Schwalbe do smartguard in a racing tyre now too, don't they?

EDIT: Yes they do, the Durano Plus, 23 & 25c in folding bead; http://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/racing_tires/durano_plus