Tyres for the commute

[lejogger]

I haven't had a puncture once ever since I got my 4 Seasons about a year ago and I often take really bad roads. I heard about Michelin Krylion Carbon tho.
What is the advantage of these tires compared to the 4 Season or even the Conti GP 4000s?

I have gp4000s on my carbon bike and use them for best and racing. They are great tyres, very grippy, but have less puncture protection than the 4 seasons but I didn't find the 4 seasons very much more resistant. Thorns seemed to happily work their way through.

They were fast enough and maybe ok on a winter club run bike but not hardy enough for the commute in my opinion.

This is all only my opinion.

I've done a few thousand miles on the Krylion carbons now - commuting miles and winter club runs... I also cycle past two tips on the way to work. Not had one puncture yet... Touch wood.

 

[Thomk]

I also use bontrager racelites and have had no punctures since fitting them several thousand miles ago. Less than £30 a pair delivered.

 

[Eljay76]

So maybe I should give the Michelin or the gp 4000s a shot. I'm planning a longer trip(several weeks) through Europe on my road bike and want to be fast on the one hand but also have a tire that is robust like the 4 Season. I might also have to take crummy roads if there are no other options so I'm wondering which tire will do the best job, also when it's raining. I originally intended to use the 4 Season but several people told me that they're much slower than the 4000s.

 

[lejogger]

So maybe I should give the Michelin or the gp 4000s a shot. I'm planning a longer trip(several weeks) through Europe on my road bike and want to be fast on the one hand but also have a tire that is robust like the 4 Season. I might also have to take crummy roads if there are no other options so I'm wondering which tire will do the best job, also when it's raining. I originally intended to use the 4 Season but several people told me that they're much slower than the 4000s.

I dont think they're much slower than the GP4000s at all. Nothing like the difference you'd see if you swapped to a Marathon or a Marathon + as they're still pretty light. In general they will be a little less supple but a bit more durable, a bit more puncture resistant and a fraction slower.

You'd really struggle to get hold of the Krylion Carbons now, so maybe try the Pro 4 Endurance which is their replacement. I haven't tried them so I don't know how good they are.

Also there's lots of shouts here for the Bontragers and durano +. Pop into your LBS and see if you can have a look at them.

Avoid Marathons if you want a fast tyre.

 

[Eljay76]

I dont think they're much slower than the GP4000s at all. Nothing like the difference you'd see if you swapped to a Marathon or a Marathon + as they're still pretty light. In general they will be a little less supple but a bit more durable, a bit more puncture resistant and a fraction slower.
.

I actually checked and the weight is identical. They both weigh 230 gr. so in that sense there isn't any difference.

 

[Moodyman]

All of the above are good tyres. I'm currently using Vittoria Randonneur.

 

[lejogger]

All of the above are good tyres...

Exactly. There's no right or wrong answer unless you happened to be looking at a set of knobblies or snow studs for a euro summer road tour. We've all had our experiences with the various options and they are bound to vary from rider to rider.

You won't go far wrong with any of the ones mentioned. Take on the advice given and add that to your gut preference and give them a go... then next time this thread comes up you can add your experiences to the mix

 

[jowwy]

Thanks for all the replys - currently i am using gatorskins - but have had 4 visits from the fairy recently 3 in the front tyre on the hybrid - 1 in the rear tyre on the road bike

not found them sketchy, although i am careful when riding in the wet, cause of oil residue and the likes

 

[Andy_G]

My mate had Marathons fitted 6 months ago and has never had a puncture, i seem to change them like my moods and i found Conti GP4 the don, but now im kinda loved up with my Vredesteins.

 

[Downward]

Vittoria Rubino's on my Roadie. But I am thinking of changing to M+ - Will the weight difference on a 10kg machine be noticable ? I want to start using my Roadie to commute and the hybrid over Winter.

On another note - How long do people run with winter tyres on for (The studded Marathons for example) ?

 

[BSRU]

Vittoria Rubino's on my Roadie. But I am thinking of changing to M+ - Will the weight difference on a 10kg machine be noticable ?

Probably yes plus they will fell awful when compared to Rubino's.

On another note - How long do people run with winter tyres on for (The studded Marathons for example) ?

Until there is no more ice or chance of ice, have not used mine for two weeks now.

 

[Downward]

Probably yes plus they will fell awful when compared to Rubino's.



Until there is no more ice or chance of ice, have not used mine for two weeks now.

See I'm thinking are they suitable for a Winter - IE leave them on for 4 or 5 months ?

 

[BSRU]

See I'm thinking are they suitable for a Winter - IE leave them on for 4 or 5 months ?

Some people keep them on all winter, just pump up to maximum if no ice around.
When I used to commute on a hybrid I had two identical sets of wheels, one with Marathon Winters(studded) for ice and the other set with Conti GP 4 Seasons for the rest of the time, it means quick to change.

 

[GrasB]

Vittoria Rubino's on my Roadie. But I am thinking of changing to M+ - Will the weight difference on a 10kg machine be noticable ? I want to start using my Roadie to commute and the hybrid over Winter.

I'd look at D+ rather than M+. I find that the M+ doesn't offer any more real-world protection & offers up a harsher ride with less grip & at times unpredictable handling.

On another note - How long do people run with winter tyres on for (The studded Marathons for example) ?

They have their own wheel set as the rims want be be wider (I use 29er MTB rims) with a wide ratio cassette (11-32 rather than 11-23). So I simply swap the wheels over.

 

[Downward]

Ah right cheers - It was slippy this year but I think this may be the fact my M+ on my hybrid are a few years old now.