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Winter commuting tyres

Kieran_BurnsKieran_Burns Posts: 10,052
edited September 2008 in Commuting chat
Given that I have a 700 x 32c (maximum) tyre size available for my road / commuter, what tyre would people recommend for more severe winter riding?

The present tyres have a slick mid section with treaded sides and I can't help but think that if there is any snow I'm not going to stay on the bike.

Could someone recommend a good tyre to get or give some good advice for Winter cycling?
Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
2011 Trek Madone 4.5
2012 Felt F65X
Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter

Posts

  • whyamiherewhyamihere Posts: 7,465
    On wet roads, the best tyres you can get for grip are fully slick ones. Grooves are a marketing ploy, they're no help at all on a bike.
    Snow, of course, is a different matter. Full on CX tyres are the only things that are going to grip at all. Go for 28s to give some room between the tyre and frame for snow clearance.
  • Kieran_BurnsKieran_Burns Posts: 10,052
    Thanks moddy-type bloke :D

    I started looking after I posted and thought cx would be a good idea, but the smaller tyres didn't occur to me...

    I wonder if I should get a complete spare set? Wheels and tyres so I can just straight swap? I guess there would be a problem with the rear cassette unless i can find the same one
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
    2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
    2011 Trek Madone 4.5
    2012 Felt F65X
    Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
  • andrewc3142andrewc3142 Posts: 906
    Recently put some Conti 4 season on for the winter. Impressed so far but I'll wait until it's colder before deciding if they are better than the 4000s.
  • N0bodyOfTheGoatN0bodyOfTheGoat Posts: 4,505
    3 tyres come to mind: Schwalbe Marathon Plus; Marathon; Stelvio Plus...

    M Ps are renowned for p* resistance but are heavy and I believe 28mm is the smallest size.
    Ms are not as p* resistant but are lighter and I THINK 25mm are availlable.
    S Ps have the same p* resistance design as the M Ps, but are lighter and available in 23mm and 25mm.

    Personally, I plan to buy the latter, probably for 28 Euros (£22?) each at...
    http://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;p ... 93a7815a1f

    Edit: Hmmm, I could have sworn I saw Marathons and Pluses in 700c sizes, but now I'm not so sure, having looked briefly at Bike24...
    Edit2: Not quite hit insanity yet, just found 700c versions of the Marathon/Pluses at...
    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Cate ... oryID=1049
    ================
    2020 Voodoo Marasa
    2017 Cube Attain GTC Pro Disc 2016
    2016 Voodoo Wazoo
  • cjcpcjcp Posts: 13,345
    Have been riding on Conti Gator Skins and like them. Re WHY's post - they seem to be a stickier compound than Armadillos or Krylions.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • Nick6891Nick6891 Posts: 274
    i think i will be using my mountain bike when it snows
  • fonty1978fonty1978 Posts: 101
    NitrousOxide wrote:
    3 tyres come to mind: Schwalbe Marathon Plus; Marathon; Stelvio Plus...

    M Ps are renowned for p* resistance but are heavy and I believe 28mm is the smallest size.
    Ms are not as p* resistant but are lighter and I THINK 25mm are availlable.
    S Ps have the same p* resistance design as the M Ps, but are lighter and available in 23mm and 25mm.

    Personally, I plan to buy the latter, probably for 28 Euros (£22?) each at...
    http://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;p ... 93a7815a1f

    Edit: Hmmm, I could have sworn I saw Marathons and Pluses in 700c sizes, but now I'm not so sure, having looked briefly at Bike24...
    Edit2: Not quite hit insanity yet, just found 700c versions of the Marathon/Pluses at...
    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Cate ... oryID=1049

    I have the marathon plus tyres 700cx38 on my Scott Sportster hybrid and am really happy with them, nice grip but what they'll be like in snow etc we'll just have to wait and see..
    Commuter Surosa Toledo S34 Audax
    Best Bike Merida Road Race 901-18

    In truth i love them both
  • Kieran_BurnsKieran_Burns Posts: 10,052
    All this talk of 38c tyres makes me want a new bike - I think my 32c are too big for my frame... the tyres rub on the rear mudguard no matter where i position it :cry: I'm going to get some 28s and see how I go.
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
    2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
    2011 Trek Madone 4.5
    2012 Felt F65X
    Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
  • cjcpcjcp Posts: 13,345
    Kieran_Burns wrote:
    All this talk of 38c tyres makes me want a new bike - I think my 32c are too big for my frame... the tyres rub on the rear mudguard no matter where i position it :cry: I'm going to get some 28s and see how I go.

    Whatever the problem, a new bike is always the way to go. :)

    What about a crosser?
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • Kieran_BurnsKieran_Burns Posts: 10,052
    cjcp wrote:
    Kieran_Burns wrote:
    All this talk of 38c tyres makes me want a new bike - I think my 32c are too big for my frame... the tyres rub on the rear mudguard no matter where i position it :cry: I'm going to get some 28s and see how I go.

    Whatever the problem, a new bike is always the way to go. :)

    What about a crosser?

    I cross dress for no one :? :wink:

    I'll see how I do with the commuter in mid-winter and if it gets really bad, I'll look at a mtb style hybrid
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
    2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
    2011 Trek Madone 4.5
    2012 Felt F65X
    Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
  • biondinobiondino Posts: 5,990
    The other option is to not ride when the weather's filthy...

    (puts on armour, picks up shield, prepares for inevitable brickbats)
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • andrewc3142andrewc3142 Posts: 906
    biondino wrote:
    The other option is to not ride when the weather's filthy...

    (puts on armour, picks up shield, prepares for inevitable brickbats)

    Nah, you miss out on all the fun that way.

    As regards tyre size, I use 23c on my road bike all year and 32 on my tourer since it won't take thinner on those rims.
  • Kieran_BurnsKieran_Burns Posts: 10,052
    I need tyres that can take a bridleway and the 23s I had weren't up to it. I've got some 28c ones now and will them a whirl...

    the only problem is: I saw a stunning Specialised CX bike down at Samways at lunch... mmmmmmm :D
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
    2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
    2011 Trek Madone 4.5
    2012 Felt F65X
    Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
  • cjcpcjcp Posts: 13,345
    Kieran_Burns wrote:
    I need tyres that can take a bridleway and the 23s I had weren't up to it. I've got some 28c ones now and will them a whirl...

    the only problem is: I saw a stunning Specialised CX bike down at Samways at lunch... mmmmmmm :D

    Now we're talking. Mtbs represent the dark side of the Force. :)
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • Kieran_BurnsKieran_Burns Posts: 10,052
    it was this one: http://www.cyclesuk.com/1011/106-258453

    bloody gorgeous looking piece of kit and exactly the kind of bike I'd use.
    Chunky Cyclists need your love too! :-)
    2009 Specialized Tricross Sport
    2011 Trek Madone 4.5
    2012 Felt F65X
    Proud CX Pervert and quiet roadie. 12 mile commuter
  • cjcpcjcp Posts: 13,345
    I'm afraid you'll have to buy it.

    (Seriously though, might be worth having a look at what's on the second hand market before you buy.)
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • cjcpcjcp Posts: 13,345
    I think Coriander has one. Might be worth asking her what she thinks of it.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • RufusARufusA Posts: 500
    NitrousOxide wrote:
    3 tyres come to mind: Schwalbe Marathon Plus; Marathon; Stelvio Plus...

    M Ps are renowned for p* resistance but are heavy and I believe 28mm is the smallest size.

    FWIW you can definitely get MPs in 700c x 25mm - I have them on my hybrid. A reasonably surefooted tyre, and in approaching rain, snow, wind, cold and darkness puncture-proofness trumps rolling resistance by a factor of 10-1.

    I got mine from http://www.bikeplus.co.uk/ - not the best website, but very good price, in stock and delivered promptly! PITA to fit the tyres through!

    HTH - Rufus.
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