What tyres are you using to commute to work?

[Jameshow]

Found a pair of 25mm ultra sports in cupboard, going to put them on the winter bike for summer.

 

[markharry66]

Get a puncture. Fix it. Move on. It’s no big deal. Costs very little. Takes little time, far less than puncture proof types. Just get faster tyres and be done with it.

all depends where you cycle, my route goes past several pubs always broken glass in front of the pub its a daily miracle I dont get a puncture coupled with fact most of the roads look like the surface from the lunar landings so to me it matters what tyre i have on as I dont want a daily puncture. Faster is not always better.

 

[Mazz]

Get a puncture. Fix it. Move on. It’s no big deal. Costs very little. Takes little time, far less than puncture proof types. Just get faster tyres and be done with it.

Fair play to you, but it's easier said than done in winter, especially if you've got Raynaud's Syndrome.

 

[markemark]

Fair play to you, but it's easier said than done in winter, especially if you've got Raynaud's Syndrome.

I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. But there seems to often be a ‘avoid punctures at all cost’ mindset. I’m just saying they’re not that bad (agreed for some, but all) and that the odd puncture can be a fair compromise to fast tyres. I ride mainly city roads. I get maybe 1 per 1,500 miles if I think it through. I can cope with that.

 

[Jameshow]

I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. But there seems to often be a ‘avoid punctures at all cost’ mindset. I’m just saying they’re not that bad (agreed for some, but all) and that the odd puncture can be a fair compromise to fast tyres. I ride mainly city roads. I get maybe 1 per 1,500 miles if I think it through. I can cope with that.

I haven't had one in 5 years!! 🤔🤣

 

[mjr]

I'm using old favourite Schwalbe Delta Cruiser for the commuter bike. Average all round.

Wore them out. Still didn't puncture much even when worn out, including stopping a half-inch metal spike (probably some sort of failed industrial staple) at one point that made me think "what's that sparkling on the side of the tyre?". When the first one (rear, as usual) wore out, I thought it was mud on the tyre, because I didn't realise that the wear indicator layer is now beige instead of blue. What genius made that change?

I got a good deal on a Pirelli Cycl-E GT 37mm-wide for the back, and I'm using up a spare Kenda something-obsolete-already-again 42 on the front. So far so good.

 

[mjr]

I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. But there seems to often be a ‘avoid punctures at all cost’ mindset. I’m just saying they’re not that bad (agreed for some, but all) and that the odd puncture can be a fair compromise to fast tyres. I ride mainly city roads. I get maybe 1 per 1,500 miles if I think it through. I can cope with that.

The trouble is that it makes journey times less predictable. Most of them go off as expected, but then 1 per 1500 miles (if you're as lucky as you think) is delayed. Reduce that to 1 per 5000 miles and it's easier to excuse, less frequent than the "sorry, I got caught in a traffic jam" (no you probably didn't, you probably helped cause one) that motorists use. Otherwise you have to aim to arrive everywhere early enough to repair most punctures and that's not always attractive.

I accept more punctures for faster comfier tyres on the touring bike, but that's not the one I use for most appointments.

 

[markemark]

The trouble is that it makes journey times less predictable. Most of them go off as expected, but then 1 per 1500 miles (if you're as lucky as you think) is delayed. Reduce that to 1 per 5000 miles and it's easier to excuse, less frequent than the "sorry, I got caught in a traffic jam" (no you probably didn't, you probably helped cause one) that motorists use. Otherwise you have to aim to arrive everywhere early enough to repair most punctures and that's not always attractive.

I accept more punctures for faster comfier tyres on the touring bike, but that's not the one I use for most appointments.

It’s 10 mins max as I don’t rush . Faster tyres I have found, tend to be easier to change.

My commute often fluctuates 5-10 mins depending on traffic, lights, weather anyway.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

It’s 10 mins max as I don’t rush . Faster tyres I have found, tend to be easier to change.

My commute often fluctuates 5-10 mins depending on traffic, lights, weather anyway.

I agree in summer, with it for the better ride, but in winter, in the dark, in sleet, I prefer puncture resistant tyres.

Trying to find a sharp in a tyre is very difficult under these circumstances.

 

[EckyH]

Recently I replaced the 32-622 Panaracer Gravelking Semislick Plus (GKSP) with the 36-622 Vittoria Ridearmor (RA).
The difference is noticeable: it's quieter, a tad more supple, a bit more confidence-inspiring in corners and subjectively a tiny bit less rolling resistance. To be honest: I also replaced the butyl inner tubes with TPU tubes.

Time will tell whether the puncture resistance is at least as good as the GKSP which gave me over 4000km without a puncture and the durability. Regarding to the durability - the pattern on middle strip of the GKSP is gone on the rear tyre and nearly disappeared on the front tyre after roughly 4500km.

The GKSP is a great tyre and that pair will find a new home on another bike here.

E.

 

[Jameshow]

I agree in summer, with it for the better ride, but in winter, in the dark, in sleet, I prefer puncture resistant tyres.

Trying to find a sharp in a tyre is very difficult under these circumstances.

You finger finds it easy enough ouch!😢🤣

 

[roubaixtuesday]

You finger finds it easy enough ouch!😢🤣

Actually the opposite - I get Raynauds and the problem is I could slash through a finger and not even realise

 

[Tom B]

Schwalbe marathon greens 28s. I use them all year except for icey or snowey days when I switch to schwalbe Winters

 

[froze]

You can use any tire that suits your specific needs.

If you live in an area where flats happen a lot than find a really good highly flat resistant tire, like the Schwalbe Marathon Plus, but it is a heavy tire at around 750 grams each, but it's the most flat resistant tire you can buy, and last around 10,000 miles.

Now if you don't need that much flat protection there are many tires on the market that will do quite well, like the Conti Gatorskin, or the Specialized All Condition Armadillo elite tire, which will weigh about half of the Schwalbe and give really good flat protection but they will last about 5,000 miles.

 

[accountdeleted]

Some update re: Durano+. Done approx 460miles in April (averaging 100miles/week).

Absolute game changer from Marathon+, averaging 2mph faster on Durano+ and it's sooooo much wooshy and fun!

I'm not in London or big city, I live in the south with plenty of medium size towns with villages and farms in between. I now realise Marathon+ is overkill for my environment. Sure, I only had 1 puncture in 16000 miles on Marathon+, but I'm happy to sacrifice puncture protection more to shed weight and gain fun speed.

Experiencing how fast I feel Durano+, I just got a pair of bargain GP 4 Seasons 28c to try out (maybe GP4S for summer and Durano+ for winter).

A bit surprised all season type tyres like GP 4 Seasons, Pirelli P Zero 4S, Michelin Pro 4, etc aren't mentioned here. Maybe these are not up for challenge on London crud roads?

A bit of an update since April.

Moved on to Continental Grand Prix 4 Season 28mm in May and done 1,200miles since. Mostly on commute and some 20-30mile weekend rides - my commute is cross town / city so it's pretty much equivalent to recreational solo rides (rather than a London-type, stop-start, mega-trash cycle lane commute).

GP4S has been a game changer for me, moving away from Marathon+ (also 28mm). Definitely 2mph faster and much more responsive. I'm now confident with GP4S that puncture protection is good enough for my need (Marathon+ was an overkill for the condition). I still have Durano+ and will swap out in Oct/Nov for winter (also got another wheelset so I can simply swap them out).

If you're in rubbish strewn city, then Marathon+, no doubt. If you're in rural / outer city - then something less puncture protection and "faster" tyres will suffice, I reckon. Each to their own, really.