ROAD TYRES

sproggysprocket

I would like advice on which tyres to go for. I ride a felt f55 for pleasure and sportives and would like to get a set of tyres which are good alrounders. The current set are the factory fitted ones which are vittoria rubino pros and have been great but now the weather is getting wetter they slip when I stand up to climb the local hills. Any suggestions.

cyclingfury

Sproggy if you're riding the same bike all the year round you may find it is advantageous to use different tyres in the summer and winter. I personally use Michelin Pro Race tyres in the summer on my best bike but on my winter bike I use Continental Gatorskins as they tend to be tough and handle the grit and debris on winter roads. They're not racing tyres though, but in the winter I personally place additional puncture protection over a grippy summer type tyre as my riding consists mostly of training and clocking up the miles. In the spring I'll put Michelins back on my winter bike as it acts as my spare for the summer.

sproggysprocket

Do the gatorskins grip well in the wet weather?

cyclingfury

I use 25mm folders and only inflate them to the manufacturers lowest which is 95psi. This may seem a bit low but I find it inhances wet weather grip and comfort. They can be inflated to over 120psi, so I guess it pays for individuals to experiment to find what works for them. I've never had a problem with grip in wet weather but as with any type of cycling component you will get a whole range of views depending who you ask. You could try googling the tyres for a range of reviews from a large number of users.

sproggysprocket

I have googled them and have found them available wired or folding what is the difference and is there much of a difference

cyclingfury

The folding use kevlar instead of a wire bead. As the name suggests they can be folded without becoming deformed so are easy to carry as spares. The reason I buy them is that I find them easier to get on and off wheels than the wired and I always think they are more supple and therefore afford superior grip. There is probably no evidence to support this last point, it's just a psychological thing I think! The other obvious difference is that folder are more expensive, so if you're on a budget the wired will be a cheaper buy.

sproggysprocket

my tyres are 700 23c i assume the 23 relates to the width? should i go for the 25 to give a better grip?

campagsarge

sproggysprocket wrote:

Do the gatorskins grip well in the wet weather?

I found them to be very scary in the wet and don't use them anymore mainly for that reason.

sproggysprocket

if these arent the ones for the wet are there any other suggestions to consider

portuguese mike

Michelin Krylions or Conti GP 4 seasons.

edeverett

Pro 2 Race grips?

Am I the only one that likes these?

Ed.

3leggeddog

The only problem Ive had with was fitting/removing them to a new pair of wheels (105s). Think "when harry met sally", so I sacked them off for the winter.

I found they gripped fine climbing in the wet. Try adjusting your technique.

I learned years ago mountain biking to stick my arse out when climbing out of the saddle. Keeps more weight over the rear wheel so you dont lose traction

acorn_user

edeverett wrote:

Pro 2 Race grips?

Am I the only one that likes these?

Ed.

I love them, but they would be a race day only tyre for me. My team used some in a wet crit. It was funny watching us corner on rails whilst most other ridesr skittered about.

andy_wrx

portuguese mike wrote:

Michelin Krylions or Conti GP 4 seasons.

I wouldn't bother with GP4Seasons.
I had some fitted on a bike I bought last Autumn, ended-up binning them.

Absolutely the worst grip I've ever experienced in the wet (rather ironic for a tyre called 4Seasons), far worse than your Rubinos.
And they puncture at the slightest excuse (thorns, etc get caught in the tread pattern and then work their way through the 'puncture resistant strip')
The sidewalls very quickly ended-up scuffed and damaged (from ordinary road riding), with plies sticking out, I wasn't very keen to see if this was just superficial or actually dangerous
And they're an absolute sod to get on or off.

DavidBelcher

I've always fared well with Vredestein Fortezza Tri-Comps after being recommended them by a club-mate years ago. They seem a little prone to superficial surface cuts, though the underlying puncture resistance is good - most of the flats I've had with them have been down to "snakebites" from drain covers or potholes which I failed to notice or avoid in time! No problems when riding them in the wet, whilst for smaller budgets they do a cheapo rigid-bead version too (Vredestein Ricorso).

David

hamstercp

I run Gatorskins and GP 4 season and have found both last fine (New Forest) where they get hammered on cattle grids and broken roads a lot.

However I had one which seemed to get shredded in no time. I suspect it's just the bad luck "three buses at once" thing.

wildmoustache

PR2s for grip, low rolling resistance, decent puncture resistance and fairly low cost.

Vred Tricomps also very good ... bit more comfortable but a bit heavier.

GP4000S as good as PR2s and more comfortable but more prone to cuts IME

Looking forward to the PR3s.

pjh

Michelin Lithions .... fab in the wet and resilient too

giant_man

There are better tyres than Gatorskins out there, offerings from Michelin (Krylion carbon) and Schwalbe to mention just two.,

I have ridden on 'skins for a couple of years and they have been good especially when new, but there are better tyres imo for winter use.

fluff.

DavidBelcher wrote:

I've always fared well with Vredestein Fortezza Tri-Comps after being recommended them by a club-mate years ago.

+1 for Tri-Comps, the best all rounder I've used. Only thing is they don't end up in LBS's very often so you'll have to get them online (Parker have offers on them quite often). Gatorskins just are scary in the wet and PR2s are a bit too susceptible to cuts for winter use, not tried the Krylion so can't comment on those. I'm using Lithions at the mo as I needed some tyres in a hurry, they seem hardwearing enough though not especially grippy (had the front wheel disappear from under me in greasy conditions, though that may have been my fault).

John.T

Gatorskins were useless for me. They cut very easily and the carcase then deformed. I have had 4 and have given up with them. Been using 4 Seasons since Sept 2006. They have done over 2000 miles with just one puncture (tempting fate there). They also grip very well at 110 psi for 700/23C. The front is still almost as new and the rear is about 1/2 worn.
Almost any tyre will slip when out of the saddle on greasy roads. You need to modify your technique a little. Sit down more or keep your weight back as per the earlier post.

John.T

I said I was tempting fate. Got the second puncture today. My fault really. I have not been checking for glass and flints. A bit of glass worked through. Still reckon the tyres are good.

sproggysprocket

I opted for the gatorskins which i have put on and pumped up to about 85. I have done my first ride on them and have attacked the hill that was casuing the problems. it is a steep little sod with a constant moisture on the surface. The tyres gripped fine so thank you for all your help.

sproggysprocket