Winter road tyres.

[swk9]

HI Guys, just after a few suggestions or recommendations.

I'm about to buy my first road bike, Cannondale Caad8 tiagra, this comes with standard Schwalbe Lugano, 700×23c tyres(which I've been told aren't great) . I will be using the bike on a 12 mile round trip commute were some of the roads can be a bit treacherous in terms of pot holes, cracks etc. I am looking for a decent road tyre with good grip and durability but without breaking the bike. I've had a look on websites etc to gauge the various tyres, but to be honest I'm pretty lost as to the difference between the various ones.

Any information would be a great help.

Thanks

Kev

 

[Twinks]

Watching this

 

[iggibizzle]

I've got the schwalbe Lugano on and they've handled everything brilliantly this winter so far. No freezing temps yet but ridden through torrential rain every day this week without a hitch. That's doing about 250km a week on average commuting etc

 

[Kiwiavenger]

I had luganos and couldn't falt them. I only binned one when it had a dirty great screw through it and the other one wore down after 1500 miles or so.

I used gatorskins up until a few weeks ago, I swapped back to luganos, which I had on for about 2500 miles but had squared off so weren't great in the wet! My commute is an 11 mile round trip and if it gets a bit funky out I whip out the beater mountain bike with conti doublefighters which have been good for me.

Personally ride on whatever tyres you have and be smooth, steady and predictable. Once you know your tyres it'll become second nature on how to ride them in the wet/damp/snow

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

I like Schwalbe Durano pluses for the winter. Excellent grip but they are heavier and slower.

I do a 22 mile reach easy commute 3 times a week on them, or did til I hurt my back earlier this week

 

[jongooligan]

Nowt up with Luganos. Think mine are 25mm , not 23 but I've had no bother with 'em.

 

[Sharky]

In the summer I usually ride 23mm tyres, but from about November through to Feb, I switch to something with a bit more rubber and air to help get over the bad road surfaces around here, especially in the dark. My current favourites are Continental Contacts @ 28mm for about £16 each. They are a bit heavier than the 23mm ones, but when the good weather returns and you switch back, you really appreciate the difference.

Good luck
Keith

 

[400bhp]

Just use the Luganos. They are reasonably puncture proof but they wear out relatively quickly.

 

[HLaB]

Cease, its not winter, no more of this talk ;-)
As said on a post above though, its got a lot more to do with how you handle your bike. That said for a bit more robustness, I'll revert back to my 23mm Krylion Carbon (Pro 4 Endurance) at some point.

 

[Tin Pot]

Are luganos italian or Swiss italian?

 

[swk9]

thanks for all the replies, I'm pleased to hear a lot of you guys bigging up the existing tyres, I will give them a fair crack of the wipe and see how I get on. thanks to all who replide.

Kev

 

[mrvandango]

Another vote for Luganos here, and mine are 25mm too.

About a 1 mile section of my daily commute is along a shared track (with farm vehicles) and I've had no trouble with the sharp pieces of stone that get left behind when the rain has washed the mud away, so I'm guessing they are pretty robust. Not a single nick or slice that I can see in 750 miles so far.

 

[Pico Triano]

I go with wider tires in the winter. Granted I have to deal with snow here.

 

[jongooligan]

Are luganos italian or Swiss italian?

They're made by Schwalbe. I think that's a German company.

 

[Berties]

I ride all my bikes on gatorskins,my winter hack croix de fer did all winter and any abuse rides I can give it ,such as the camel trail and sections of cobbles from Roubax ,and had no punctures on 28s,road hack will get 5k plus before changing,and even my aero bike has a set,not every one likes them but I have stood with them and I have been getting them at cost price so that has been good ,for me they have served me well