Tyres

[cyana13]

I need To replace my tires on my road bike as the back one is starting to look quite worn( is looking a bit flat)
I use thebike mainly for commute and I do 14 miles each way on road, so I need something durable. The current ones are Hutchinson Equinox 23c.
My budget is around £60 for the pair.
Any recommendation? Gatorskin is an option as I have it on my old bike and they're OK.
Also, how often are you supposed to change the tires?

 

[ianrauk]

Durano Plus

How often? How long is a piece of string?
When they are worn out.

 

[Racing roadkill]

Like Ian says. I've had Durano plus tyres on one of my road bikes for a couple of years. I've dug some horrific looking pointy stuff out of the tyres, several times, and never had a visit from the p*ncture fairy as yet. They grip quite nicely, and the rolling performance is acceptable. I'd replace my tyres, when the cords start to show, or there are significant cuts, or damage, or any sort of bulge appearing

 

[Spiderweb]

If you are commuting then a tyre with decent puncture protection is a must. My Continental Gatorskins have done 6500 miles with one puncture so I can certainly recommend those. Specialized Armadillo tyres, although a bit heavy have excellent puncture protection too.
As others have said the Schwalbe Durano's are well regarded although I have no experience with them.

 

[cyana13]

Ok. Thanks for your suggestions.
I will probably buy them next week so plenty of time to decide.

How about Michelin pro4 endurance?

 

[Ajax Bay]

Continental GP 4 Seasons for me. I have 28-622s - which are actually only 26.1mm wide (on 15mm rims) so may fit in your frame (and assume the 25s are less than 25mm). They are light (quoted 240g for 25s; my 28s are 280g) and have top tier puncture protection (better than Gatorskins); the grip is meant to be good (I have only found the limit once (but stayed upright - at speed)) and, in class, so's the rolling resistance. My current front has given me over 8000km and is still good (never been off the rim in that time ). My rear could have gone longer than 5000km but it had a few little nicks and I was rather risk averse and changed it 'early'. You can get them for £59.98!

How about Michelin pro4 endurance?

They would be my second choice - a close second best.

 

[HarryTheDog]

I switched to 25 mm Michelin Pro 4 endurance 2 or 3 months ago from using 25 mm Gatorskins for around 5 years . Gatorskins are a fine commuting tyre but I felt like something different.
I am now sold on the Michelins, seem faster and feel more comfy and grippy. Slightly disappointed to have a puncture in the first week but none since. I dont think they are as tough as the Conti but not far off. They are now being phased out so you can get them quite cheap ( 21 quid each) though the 25mm seem to be running out in a lot of shops, 23mm seem still plentiful . The new ones are called Michelin Power Endurance. Strangely in a independent test the rolling resistance is worse. ( around 32 quid each)

 

[cyana13]

I switched to 25 mm Michelin Pro 4 endurance 2 or 3 months ago from using 25 mm Gatorskins for around 5 years . Gatorskins are a fine commuting tyre but I felt like something different.
I am now sold on the Michelins, seem faster and feel more comfy and grippy. Slightly disappointed to have a puncture in the first week but none since. I dont think they are as tough as the Conti but not far off. They are now being phased out so you can get them quite cheap ( 21 quid each) though the 25mm seem to be running out in a lot of shops, 23mm seem still plentiful . The new ones are called Michelin Power Endurance. Strangely in a independent test the rolling resistance is worse. ( around 32 quid each)

Thanks a lot for the feedback

 

[Ajax Bay]

25 mm Michelin Pro 4 endurance . . . are now being phased out so you can get them quite cheap ( 21 quid each) though the 25mm seem to be running out in a lot of shops, 23mm seem still plentiful

25 mm Michelin Pro 4 Endurance are here in all dimensions - £22 - £24.

 

[User33236]

My Specialized Armadillo tyres puncture for fun. Now for GP4 seasons on 1 commuter with 4500 puncture free kilometres.

Thing is no two tyres are made exactly the same. I rode London to Paris last week without a puncture but my son, with the same brand and model of tyres (Schwalbe Durano with raceguard), had two unrelated punctures on the rear a day apart.

 

[ianrauk]

My Specialized Armadillo tyres puncture for fun.

Blimey, I have done more miles on these then any other tyre over the years and can count on one hand the number of punctures they suffered.

 

[User33236]

Blimey, I have done more miles on these then any other tyre over the years and can count on one hand the number of punctures they suffered.

I was getting 3 and 4 punctures a week on them so much so the shop I bought them from offered to send them back to the manufacturer to have them checked out lol.

 

[ianrauk]

I was getting 3 and 4 punctures a week on them so much so the shop I bought them from offered to send them back to the manufacturer to have them checked out lol.

Yeah, they sound faulty. They are very good, bomb proof tyres. Perfect for crappy roads. However, they roll as well as a steamroller going through treacle.

 

[vickster]

Ok. Thanks for your suggestions.
I will probably buy them next week so plenty of time to decide.

How about Michelin pro4 endurance?

The only tyres I've managed to wear out into holes in a couple of '000 mostly dry miles

I'll be trying Durano plus on the commuter next

 

[wonderloaf]

Michelin Pro 4 Service on special offer at Decathlon
http://www.decathlon.co.uk/pro4-service-course-road-bike-tyres-twin-pack-700x25-id_8371322.html