Pyranees ride tyre advice

jellikins

Thx to those who responded with advice about whether my Bonty Race Lite wheels were worth upgrading on my Madone.

If I am going to keep them, what tyre and tube should I use for the Raid to maximise climbing ability with little weight, but also be comfy for 5 days in the saddle and be strong enough to last please.

Monty Dog

When are you going? If summer, then any decent race tyre should suffice, whereas in the spring there may still be a bit of broken tarmac and grit around from the winter snows that might necessitate a slightly more durable tyre. My choice would be a 25mm tyre like Schwalbe Ultremos or Vittoria Open Corsa - additional comfort and grip for negligible weight penalty. The extra grip for descents, particularly if it rains are a big plus.

jellikins

Going in mid June.

Have Bontrager Race X Lite tyres on at mo, so will the ones you suggest be a bit lighter dragging my ass up the 18 cols?!!

Monty Dog

Dunno the weights off hand, but expect they'll be a little lighter - the difference will be the suppleness of the tyre - the Schwalbe and the Vittoria will feel better and grippier, particularly on long fast descents - with narrower tyres, they don't feel so progressive with their grip as you negotiate tight bends. A fatter tyre also means you can run lower pressures which makes the ride less harsh too - mountain roads aren't generally that smooth, so blatting 8 bar into your tyre isn't such a good idea.

il_principe

Rode the Tourmalet and Hautacam (Etape 08) on 23mm Conti GP4000S' @ 120psi - can highly recommend them, full confidence in the descents and it was a wet wet old day.

John.T

I used Conti Attack and Force which were great but you will be fine with the Bontis as long as they are still in good condition by then. Any good 23mm race tyre will be fine.

Floodcp

I used Michelin Pro Race 2 last year for the Etape and then another 2 weeks riding in the Pyrenees.
I am also doing the Raid this year and will probably use the new Pro Race 3 I have waiting to go on.

As others have said a good quality 23mm tyre should last the duration (hopefuly) and also be comfy

Flood

DaSy

I always tend to put new tyres on just before any trips abroad with the bike. New tyres are some much better at protecting against punctures, and I want all to go without a hitch when on a riding holiday.

You can always swap back to your old tyres on your return and wear them out before putting the hardly used holiday tyres back on.

GP400S is always my tyre of choice both home and away.

ugo.santalucia

One brand is like the other.

Pantani used very low profile ones, things like 700x19 or 700x20.

A higher tyre pressure would slightly help, but will increase the risks of explosion downhill (especially on a hot day rims can overheat due to the braking action, pressure increases and BANG).
You have to consider the pros and cons. Personally I wouldn't risk my life to get on top of the Aspin 10 seconds earlier.
When I climb big mountains I use 90-95 PSI. If I climb only one I use 100 and slightly reduce the pressure before going down