Tyres (again) michelin city

SPROCKET30
SPROCKET30 Posts: 67
edited October 2008 in Commuting chat
Hello sorry for another tyre post. At the moment my bike (giant FCR1) is on its origional tyres Kenda conterders. Which while they roll and grip well are wearing reasonably fast. I ride about 200 Km's a weak and the rear is starting to squared off after about 1000km and are being plagued by punctures especially small sharpish stones working their way through the tyre carcass and generally cutting them to pieces. They area where i live has sandy soil so they cycle path in areas is covered in them.

I am not much of a aggresive rider so I dont think I am overly adding to the puncture problem. Anyway down to the main point has anyone had any experiance with the Michelin city range of tyres? I have seen them on a few online stores and they claim to have puncture protection and a long tyre life. They also seem to be cheaper than the Schwalbe marathons. Would it be worth trying them or stick to the Marathons as they seem to have a good reputation. Also looked at the Continental Top Contact Reflex Road Tyre as another alternative.

I would also buy the 700cc x 28 versions over my current 700cc x 26. I dont think my bike or mudguards. will take anything bigger. Thanks in advane for any advice.

Comments

  • sc999cs
    sc999cs Posts: 596
    Schwalbe tyres are good - I've had no problems with their city jet tyres (for a MTB) so I'd expect the Marathon Plus would be a good choice. One question though - do you keep your tyres blown up hard?
    Steve C
  • SPROCKET30
    SPROCKET30 Posts: 67
    I check the pressure everyday normally keep them at around 90 psi.
  • sc999cs
    sc999cs Posts: 596
    I read some where that high pressure helps prevent sharps from embedding in the tyre. The theory was that as the tyre rolls the sharp is pressed into the tyre over and over again until it eventually penetrates. A hard, high pressure tyre, is more likely to bounce the sharp away than an under inflated tyre. Hence soft tyres puncture more easily. I don't know if it is true, but sounds plausible.

    As it sounds like you are plagued by stones getting caught in your tread, and then working their way through, have you considered slick tyres instead without any tread?
    Steve C
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    My Schwalbe Ultremos are cut up to b*ggery by London streets, and I do have to fish bits of glass out of them occasionally, but in 1300 miles not a single puncture yet...
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • Kieran_Burns
    Kieran_Burns Posts: 9,757
    SPROCKET30 wrote:
    Also looked at the Continental Top Contact Reflex Road Tyre as another alternative.

    I would also buy the 700cc x 28 versions over my current 700cc x 26. I dont think my bike or mudguards. will take anything bigger. Thanks in advane for any advice.

    Just bought those very tyres in that size. Quiet, smooth and come with free innertubes. They also have a 1 year anti-puncture guarantee which can't bad.

    The rolling resistance is minimal as there is a smooth middle section with plenty of tread on each side.

    They also have the reflective coating on both sides which is obviously good for safety.
    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
  • downfader
    downfader Posts: 3,686
    biondino wrote:
    My Schwalbe Ultremos are cut up to b*ggery by London streets, and I do have to fish bits of glass out of them occasionally, but in 1300 miles not a single puncture yet...

    So are/were my race lites. The drunkards go out and smash bottles in the roads at this time of the week. :?
  • SPROCKET30
    SPROCKET30 Posts: 67
    sc999cs wrote:
    As it sounds like you are plagued by stones getting caught in your tread, and then working their way through, have you considered slick tyres instead without any tread?

    The kenda tyres are slick in the center with light tread on the outside.
  • Totalnewbie
    Totalnewbie Posts: 932
    My tourer came with Michelin City tyres, done well over 1000 miles by now and they seem good. I have the older 27 inch wheels, the tyres are 32s.

    Little stones get stuck in the tread but flick out easily and they're nowhere near as cut up as the semislick Spesh Boroughs that came with my other bike, a Globe.
    http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v395/ ... 400572.jpg
  • sc999cs
    sc999cs Posts: 596
    SPROCKET30 wrote:
    sc999cs wrote:
    As it sounds like you are plagued by stones getting caught in your tread, and then working their way through, have you considered slick tyres instead without any tread?

    The kenda tyres are slick in the center with light tread on the outside.

    I'll get my coat. :?
    Steve C
  • SPROCKET30
    SPROCKET30 Posts: 67
    sc999cs wrote:
    I'll get my coat. :?

    Sorry did not mean it to come across like that :( . I was just describing the tyre. I hink its either the little stones around here are very sharp or the tyres are not the best in the world or possibly abit of both.
  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    I've seen quite a few bad reports/anecdotes about Kendas on this site and elsewhere fwiw.
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
    Blog (incl. bikes)
  • sc999cs
    sc999cs Posts: 596
    SPROCKET30 wrote:
    sc999cs wrote:
    I'll get my coat. :?

    Sorry did not mean it to come across like that :( . I was just describing the tyre. I hink its either the little stones around here are very sharp or the tyres are not the best in the world or possibly abit of both.

    Don't worry, it didn't. :D I should have done a bit more research before making my suggestion about slicks when that's what you're effectively using...
    Steve C

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