What road tyres?

Drfabulous0

Just realised I don't know anything about road tyres, what would you reccomend for my commute that will be fast but still have some grip in the rain for 700c wheels.

graeme_s-2

Everyone will recommend something different, as we all have our preferences and experiences with different brands and models. Assuming you're entirely on the road, you don't want anything with a tread. The tread will give you less grip compared to a slick in both dry and wet conditions. In other vehicles a tread prevents aquaplaning, but bicycles have high pressure narrows tyres, and can't aquaplane at the speeds they are capable of reaching.

More information about bikes aquaplaning here:

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tyres.html#hydroplaning

graeme_s-2

Oh - I'm using 23C continental 4seasons on my road bike, and 25C continental ultra gatorskins on my fixie. Been very happy with both so far, the 4 seasons are probably grippier, but the gatorskins were cheaper.

Slurp

I've been using Specialized's All Condition Armadillos for about four years. I found they last for about 4,000 miles and average about one puncture in that time -- usually when they wear out.

OTOH, I have slipped a couple too many times in the wet. Don't know if that's the tyre or my own innate incompetence, but have just switched one tyre to Bontrager something or other. Forget which.

cygnet

As Graeme_S says, everyone will recommend something different. Perhaps a better way round would be to ask which tyres are no good (for your wheels). For example I got some vittoria rubino pro's (because they were on sale), then found out they were absolute buggers to get on and off my rims (ventos). Then I looked on here and found threads pointing this out. Hopefully you'll at least get to know what to avoid.

(currently running michelin pro race on said wheels)

Hairy Jock

I have been using conti ultra gatorskins for a couple of years without any problems. But then again we hardly have any rain here in Scotland

Wooliferkins

I'm for the Gatorskins as well.

Sea_Green_Incorruptible

I use Panaracer Tourguards for my communte (on a roadie). They're 25's and so a bit fatter than normal but it doesn't seem to make much difference to me in practice. They're grippy and well nigh indestructable.

A - W

Slurp wrote:

I've been using Specialized's All Condition Armadillos

I am using these too, no problems with mine.

Just remember to keep your tyres correctly inflated.

IsledeBlanc

Schwalbe Marathon Plus.

If you're strong enough to make them turn, they're the most puncture resistant tyre out there.

Small Fish

I'm on 23c Gatorskins too.

Day to day they're great but I've had a couple of heartstopping moments in the wet.

Wet grip on tarmac has never been a problem but you need to be really careful on road markings - recently only luck kept me on 2 wheels when I slid on a painted line as I turned into a side road and another time my front wheel nearly went from under me when I was braking and crossed over one of those shiny black criss-cross lines that cover the car detecting strips in tfront of traffic lights... (sorry that's a bit of a rubbish explanation!!)