Tyres for the commute

[GrasB]

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.

I find that in general with the M+. When I talk about the M+ not having any more protection I mean that what gets though a D+ tends to be stuff that would have gone through an M+ (e.g. a 3/4" screw or nail)

 

[Supersuperleeds]

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) ?

Similar to BSRU. I have two sets of wheels, one with Marathon Plus on them and one with Marathon Winters. If I see any sign of ice the winters go on, even if 99% of the commute is on the dry, this way I have the confidence of keeping the mileage up. I also haven't used the winters for two weeks!

 

[Blurb]

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) ?

What about trying standard Marathons.
As mentioned by GrasB if it's going to get through 3mm Ms, then it'll probably get through 5mm M+(The mm is the thickness of the protection layer). Much like the discarded allen key which took out my new M+ yesterday. I will probably revert to standard Marathon when these eventually wear out and save about 400gm.

 

[Arjimlad]

Cheapy Schwalbe Lugano's do me fine all year round. Little problem with punctures but then most of my rides are out-of-town where there seems to be less glass on the roads anyway.

 

[gam001]

I'm using Bonty Racelights at the moment; they've nothing special on the p'ture protection front but they're light and were reduced at the time. FWIW I can't remember off hand when they were fitted Jan or Feb but they've only had 1 p'ture but that is probably more down to wear I ride and rider weight (although the bike weighs the proverbial tonne!).

Bonty RaceLite Hardcase
Used for last 2 years on both commuter and weekend bike. Many thousand miles and only 1 puncture so far.
Usually get around 2k to 3k miles out of rear tyre and around 4k miles out of front tyre. Also used an old one on my turbo trainer all winter with no probs!
I check my tyres before every ride - spin wheels and roll palm of glove over tyres to rid any stones etc, and carefully take out anything still stuck in the tread with a small knife.
I buy from here for £13.99 per tyre...
http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/bontrager-race-lite-hardcase-tyre-id40573.html

 

[400bhp]

+1, been using them on the commuter for the last couple of years too and my experiences are very similar, although probably had a few punctures rather than 1.

 

[Thomk]

+1, been using them on the commuter for the last couple of years too and my experiences are very similar, although probably had a few punctures rather than 1.

About 4K on mine so far with no punctures.

 

[bahamas]

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?

Specialized Roubaix Pro

 

[Jeffrey4670]

Hi, I am considering replacing my factory fit tyres with Marathon+ tomorrow,as I am just fed up of punctures. Apart from the Marathon+ being more resistant to punctures, will I see an improvement on my commute over my factory fits, I have an hybrid.

 

[ianrauk]

Hi, I am considering replacing my factory fit tyres with Marathon+ tomorrow,as I am just fed up of punctures. Apart from the Marathon+ being more resistant to punctures, will I see an improvement on my commute over my factory fits, I have an hybrid.

No, in fact probably a bit slower as the Marathon Plus' have a weight disadvantage due to the anti puncture belt.

 

[bahamas]

Roubaix Pro

 

[BarryBonkers]

what tyres do you guys use for the commuter

had 4 punctures in my gatorskins in the last 3 commutes.

In terms of probability, 4 punctures in 3 rides usually points to something still embedded in a tyre, or pinch punctures from the tyre levers.

Without wishing to teach anyone to suck eggs, it's worth emphasising the benefit of regular weekly tyre pressure checks. A track pump with a pressure gauge is the kit you want. With high pressure tyres it's very hard to get the correct pressure. Personally, I held off from buying a track pump for years. I was too tight! In hindsight, I realise that was a mistake.

There's also the question of riding style, and picking a line that's likely to be free from road debris. If you can, keep in the tracks of the cars, and don't ride too close to the edge of the road. Similarly, I would sweep the front wheel with the palm of my glove if I accidentally went over glass or similar.

For commuting in London I used Continental GP3000's during the winters, then Conti GP4000's, and in summer Veloflex Masters. I used to average about one puncture per year commuting and training, and several per year racing. Given the huge difference in mileage, I suspect that racing punctures occurred precisely because one tends to ride across everything on the road in a race, rather than ride around.

Recently, I used Continental Grand Prix 4 Season with DuraSkin for one year training in Indonesia on terrible roads, where the surface was often entirely broken and there was every type of debris. No punctures. As they say, YMMV!

 

[jowwy]

In terms of probability, 4 punctures in 3 rides usually points to something still embedded in a tyre, or pinch punctures from the tyre levers.

Without wishing to teach anyone to suck eggs, it's worth emphasising the benefit of regular weekly tyre pressure checks. A track pump with a pressure gauge is the kit you want. With high pressure tyres it's very hard to get the correct pressure. Personally, I held off from buying a track pump for years. I was too tight! In hindsight, I realise that was a mistake.

There's also the question of riding style, and picking a line that's likely to be free from road debris. If you can, keep in the tracks of the cars, and don't ride too close to the edge of the road. Similarly, I would sweep the front wheel with the palm of my glove if I accidentally went over glass or similar.

For commuting in London I used Continental GP3000's during the winters, then Conti GP4000's, and in summer Veloflex Masters. I used to average about one puncture per year commuting and training, and several per year racing. Given the huge difference in mileage, I suspect that racing punctures occurred precisely because one tends to ride across everything on the road in a race, rather than ride around.

Recently, I used Continental Grand Prix 4 Season with DuraSkin for one year training in Indonesia on terrible roads, where the surface was often entirely broken and there was every type of debris. No punctures. As they say, YMMV!

the punctures were front and back on the hybrid - rear tyre on the road bike twice in two rides - nothing in the tyres, just very unlucky

but all in gatorskins, but this was months ago - changed to conti 4 seasons since then

 

[palinurus]

I use all-condition Armadillo 28 mm. Main reason is that they are supremely lucky.

They are the greatest tyre, if you are Palinurus.

 

[Thomk]

Just today bought bontrager racelites to replace my bontrager racelites....no punctures ever.