What tyres

[sayek1]

Now looking at a couple of short listed options. What is the difference between 700x23 tyres & 700x28's. Obviously width, but what about grip etc - my commute is tarmac the whole way - around 20miles. However it is very wet (Scotland)!!!

Thanks for any comments.
K

 

[HJ]

The narrower the tyre the harder you can pump it and (in theory) the faster you can go for the same effort. The down side is the harder the tyre the more uncomfortable the ride, realistically unless you are a masochist there is not a lot of point in going below a 700x28 for commuting. Grip wise, get slicks they offer plenty of grip in the wet (it is near imposable to hydroplane a bicycle). Best tyre for general commuting: Conti GatorSkins.

Oh and if you want a better climate, move about 50 mile to the east...

 

[GrasB]

+1 for GatorSkins & I've gotten rather partial to Michelin Pro 3 Race in 650x23

 

[Crankarm]

Now looking at a couple of short listed options. What is the difference between 700x23 tyres & 700x28's. Obviously width, but what about grip etc - my commute is tarmac the whole way - around 20miles. However it is very wet (Scotland)!!!

Thanks for any comments.
K

And height. A 28C tyre has a larger rolling cicumference than a 23 or 25 C tyre, generally. Check your frame can accommodate a 28C tyre with mudguards. You will also need to recalibrate your cycling computer if you go for a different size to what you already have.


Grip has nothing to do with tyre size but is determined by the type of tyre you choose, the compound and tread if any.

As others have said you can't aquaplane on a bike tyre but if you ride in all weathers particularly winter riding I would go for a tyre with some tread, not a nobbly but a good road tyre. You won't get roadie/training tyres in 28C, maybe 25C, and definitely 23C. Likewise a touring tyre won't probably go below a 28C. I'm not going to mention any as there are literally thousands to choose from catering for every budget and scenario.
But basically the greater the puncture protection you seek the heavier the tyre. And when fitting them make sure you get them on the right way as many now are directional.

Good luck.

 

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Gaters for me next definately

 

[scouserinlondon]

Ohh timely thread, I've started a similar one over in kit. Noticed some quite bad gashes in my bontranger hardcase tyres, and am worried they're dangerous to ride on.

If they are knackered I'm in the market for new ones, was looking at Marathons....

 

[knonist]

Ohh timely thread, I've started a similar one over in kit. Noticed some quite bad gashes in my bontranger hardcase tyres, and am worried they're dangerous to ride on.

If they are knackered I'm in the market for new ones, was looking at Marathons....

M+

 

[hackbike 666]

My new Greentyre (rear) gets a spin out tonight to Ilford....So im expecting no p*nct*res (on the rear at least)

Ideal for my commute but I expect to be ridiculed on this board as usual because when it's a slightly different thing then it is frowned upon on here.Hopefully with the new wheel the gear trouble will be gone also.Managed to get the rear block off of the old wheel.

The Greentyre is 700x28 but it looks like 700x25 to me....Have sucessfully used a 700x23 for over 1000 miles.The new one was a slight bugger to get on but only took two cable ties and it fits like a glove.

At £17 quid a throw...say a bit more for p+p I have nothing to lose.

On the last commute on the other greentyre a screw surprisingly entered the tyre and delayed me as I had to pull it out.

(Horrible ride with that screw in)

Heavy bike tonight so it should be interesting.

 

[MajorMantra]

As others have said you can't aquaplane on a bike tyre but if you ride in all weathers particularly winter riding I would go for a tyre with some tread, not a nobbly but a good road tyre.

Why? The 'tread' on road tyres does nothing except reduce the size of your contact patch.

FWIW I ride 700x23s all year round on all my road bikes on Edinburgh's crap roads. Works for me.

Matthew

 

[irc]

My new Greentyre (rear) gets a spin out tonight to Ilford....So im expecting no p*nct*res (on the rear at least)

Ideal for my commute but I expect to be ridiculed on this board as usual because when it's a slightly different thing then it is frowned upon on here.Hopefully with the new wheel the gear trouble will be gone also.Managed to get the rear block off of the old wheel

If being puncture proof matters more to you than the Greentyre's increased rolling resistance then why not use them?

I seem to get a puncture around every thousand miles of urban commuting and touring using normal tyres. So for me I'd rather have faster tyres but the choice is yours.

 

[hackbike 666]

If being puncture proof matters more to you than the Greentyre's increased rolling resistance then why not use them?

I seem to get a puncture around every thousand miles of urban commuting and touring using normal tyres. So for me I'd rather have faster tyres but the choice is yours.

No doubt...I hate fixing P*nct*res when they happen.Not so bad on the way home but not so nice at 4 in the morning on a freezing cold commute in bandit country when all the p*sshe*ds are out during the weekend.

Yes what you say about the rolling resistance is interesting but if I didn't have so much junk on my bike then that probably wouldn't be so much of a problem anyway.Interesting point you have bought up there.

It's only fitted to rear as 75% of p*nct*res seem to come from there.

That's what the ride is about tonight as I know im not to bad fit wise using bike number two which comes down to weight/junk + Greentyre on bike number one.

There wasn't too much difference with commute times anyway due to that diversion crap due to 2012.

I didn't realise the problem was rolling resistance I thought it was ride quality.Ride quality seems fine/rolling resistance sounds about right.

For a note of reference what tyres do you use?

 

[irc]

I didn't realise the problem was rolling resistance I thought it was ride quality.Ride quality seems fine/rolling resistance sounds about right.

For a note of reference what tyres do you use?

I use Marathons (not the heavy plus) but I'm basing my comments on the Greentyre rolling resistance comparisons posted on crazyguyonabike by Joff Summerfield.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?page_id=102515

He states they were compared againt Michelins with a similar tread. He does also mention a harsher ride on the Greentyres but thats harder to measure of course.

 

[hackbike 666]

I use Marathons (not the heavy plus) but I'm basing my comments on the Greentyre rolling resistance comparisons posted on crazyguyonabike by Joff Summerfield.

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?page_id=102515

He states they were compared againt Michelins with a similar tread. He does also mention a harsher ride on the Greentyres but thats harder to measure of course.

Hmmm never rode Marathons but I have a few here which came with the (new at the time) bike and they look good and light.

As im using Armadillos with an innertube about 4X the normal thickness of a normal innertube perhaps im not rigging my bike up for work as if im riding the Tour De France.I use Armadillos as well and I think they are heavier tyres.

I didn't really notice any difference in the Greentyre and half the time I forgot it was on the back.

As I said probably fine for the commute now I know better it's limitations.

 

[neslon]

I flatted in Dudley at 0645 in the rain a week or two back - when I looked closely, the Gatorskins (2yrs old) were sliced all over (yes, its the first tie I looked). The toughest I could get at the LBS were Aramadillos, which feel:
a. Bombproof
b. As if they are made from Burmese teak.

I'm too mean to buy new ones, so I'll have to put up with the harsh ride until they are worn out. Bah!

 

[hackbike 666]

I thought that said Burmese Tank.