700x23 tyres

Dav3m

Hi all,

Now I know there's a load of threads on this subject, and trust me i've read most of them, but as a slight beginner i get quite confused as to whether people suggest tyres for road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids etc...

I've had a number of punctures the past few days, all in the front tyre.

I have a specialised allez and the tyres are 700x23c specialised mondo tyres (came with the bike).

I'm looking for somethign a bit more puncture proof (I ride through the streets of London) but I don't want a tyre that is too heavy it will take the fun out of riding. THe tyre i've read alot about is the Schwarbe Marathon Plus - would this be OK to add onto my specialised allez, or would someone recommend something else?

I don't mind changing a puncture from time to time, but i'm getting a bit depressed about doing it every other day now...

iPete

I also own an Allez and the standard tyres quickly became a nightmare.

Changed to Continental Ultra Gatorskins & I'm very happy, the only time I've got punctures is when I've hit pot holes at silly speeds!

Headhuunter

There's a few - Gatorskins, Armadillos and Marathon Plus. Also think carefully about where you're riding. Stay out of the gutter and as far as possible, into the "tracks" of car wheels. Cars, especially when it's wet, flick debris - glass, twigs etc, to the edge of the road, where you're riding, so those areas are best avoided, however they leave a "clear" patch. Also if your ride is along country lanes where cars don't go, you may suffer more, as the road may have more scattered debris all across it.

cjcp

I've had good experiences with 23mm non-folding Gatorskins (over 6,000 miles out of them - although got a spate of 7-8 deflations in two weeks after about 4,000 miles IIRC), but not the 25mm versions. I got fed up with the 25mm last autumn, after about 1,000 miles, so switched to Schwalbe Durano Pluses. A bit pricier, but very happy with them so far. About 2,000 miles in, I think.

UndercoverElephant

Vittoria Rubino Pro. Fast, light and really quite tough.

roger_merriman

the Marthon Plus has battleship class protection thus heavy, and will give a leaden ride.

could do worse than try some of the training tires I use blizzards which are cheap and tough. still fairly quick, fun tires.

Dav3m

thanks guys - much appreciated.

I live in Wimbledon and comute into central London, so either spend my time in bus lanes or dodging stationary traffic and try to keep out of the gutter where possible.

Clever Pun

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Vittoria Rubino Pro. Fast, light and really quite tough.

this, I've just converted from conti gator skins to these as the contis had given up the ghost rather dramatically

Headhuunter

Clever Pun wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Vittoria Rubino Pro. Fast, light and really quite tough.

this, I've just converted from conti gator skins to these as the contis had given up the ghost rather dramatically

I find Gatorskins fine.... Rarely get any punctures with them. I use the cheapo non folding type for commuting

Dav3m

Headhuunter wrote:

Clever Pun wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Vittoria Rubino Pro. Fast, light and really quite tough.

this, I've just converted from conti gator skins to these as the contis had given up the ghost rather dramatically

I find Gatorskins fine.... Rarely get any punctures with them. I use the cheapo non folding type for commuting

I understand folding tyres are more lightweight - does this make them more likely to puncutre? In the case of commuting - is it better to go with non-folding tyres?

TheStone

Schwalbe Durano Plus.

Rode these and the previous Stelvio Plus for a few years and never had a puncture.
Come in 700x23 and roll fairly quick. They're heavier than a Pro3Race of GP4000S, but
not by a massive amount.

Headhuunter

Dav3m wrote:

Headhuunter wrote:

Clever Pun wrote:

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Vittoria Rubino Pro. Fast, light and really quite tough.

this, I've just converted from conti gator skins to these as the contis had given up the ghost rather dramatically

I find Gatorskins fine.... Rarely get any punctures with them. I use the cheapo non folding type for commuting

I understand folding tyres are more lightweight - does this make them more likely to puncutre? In the case of commuting - is it better to go with non-folding tyres?

Not really sure actually, most of the weight is lost through using a kevlar band rather than metal, but the walls may be thinner too I suppose

gs3

If you want to stick with Specialized tyres then have a look at the Roubaix Pro II - kevlar bead, 23mm tread on a 25mm carcass (comfort) and best of all, flak jacket protected below the tread to help prevent punctures.

I've been using these for about 8 months on my Tricross on my road commute (about 10 miles) with little or no problems from glass or general road debris or potholes (and I'm just under 15 stones in weight).

I previously used All-condition Pro's on my Sirrus (folding type) but when I had to replace on after about a year, I found that the folding type were not available in this country as an aftermarket option - they were only OE on the Sirrus - go figure!!

Have a look and see what you think!

.

Oddjob62

I don't find the Rubino Pros to be particiarly p proof, but i live them they are very grippy, and relatively easy to get on/off the rim. Oh and they look nice :P

AndyOgy

iPete wrote:

I also own an Allez and the standard tyres quickly became a nightmare.

Changed to Continental Ultra Gatorskins & I'm very happy, the only time I've got punctures is when I've hit pot holes at silly speeds!

Same here. I don't know what Specialized are playing at with those Mickey Mouse tyres but they're doing themselves no favours. Three punctures in the first week and they looked knackered after less than 100 miles. They don't even grip particularly well.

It's not even like Specialized don't make some pretty good tyres.

Anyway, been quite impressed with the Gatorskins, so far.

El Gordo

I've found Gatorskins to be OK but they do get a bit cut up and let the odd puncture through. I had a pair of Armadillos which were fairly bulletproof but were dead to ride.

The best of my limited bunch though are Michellin Krylion Carbons - a few thousand miles puncture free and no cuts in the tread at all. They were a bugger to put on though so it's just as well I've not had to do any roadside repairs.

Canny Jock

El Gordo wrote:

The best of my limited bunch though are Michellin Krylion Carbons - a few thousand miles puncture free and no cuts in the tread at all. They were a bugger to put on though so it's just as well I've not had to do any roadside repairs.

I've heard many good reports about these but they seem difficult to find. Do they still make them, and are they 23's only?

Paddy O Dawes

FWIW I've found Continentals (which seem to have many fans), including the various Grand Prix and Gatorskins, cut up really quickly on London's crappy roads, and almost seem to attract glass and flint shards. I find mid-ranking Michelins much more rugged, without being as sluggish as things like the Marathon+. (I've heard good things about Vittorios but never tried them myself.)

jonginge

I've had good experience with all the Conti tyres I've used on my commute bikes. The gatorskins have been fine for me but, perhaps, wear out a bit too fast and aren't the grippiest in the wet. The GP 4 Seasons are fantastic but a bit pricy.

My rear gatorskin is on its last legs and am tempted to try a Rubino Pro...

benno68

cjcp wrote:

I've had good experiences with 23mm non-folding Gatorskins (over 6,000 miles out of them - although got a spate of 7-8 deflations in two weeks after about 4,000 miles IIRC), but not the 25mm versions. I got fed up with the 25mm last autumn, after about 1,000 miles, so switched to Schwalbe Durano Pluses. A bit pricier, but very happy with them so far. About 2,000 miles in, I think.

Hope you've brought some spare tubes with you today CJ as you've just reminded her to pay you a visit :twisted: .

I was reading this thread to pick up some tips, I have no further comment

Surf-Matt

This seems just like MTB tyres - no one tyre stands above the rest.

I've got an Allez with standard tyres - so far okay but only done a few hundred miles (I'm a cold/wet weather wimp on the road bike and stick to my MTB in Winter) but sounds like they might die soon.

Took me many years to find the perfect (for me) MTB tyre - sounds like it will be similar with the road bike too - dammit!

Dav3m

Thanks guys, I've decided to go for the Vittoria Rubino Pro based on the recommendations here.

In the mean time, I've been round my existing tyre several times pulling out all sorts (big/small shards, bits of staple) with a tweezer, think i'll have to start doing this more often! Hopefully it will keep me going a few days until the new tyre arrives.

wyadvd

conti have just upgraded gatorskins to gator hardshells.....more kevlar!

alfablue

wyadvd wrote:

conti have just upgraded gatorskins to gator hardshells.....more kevlar!

They definitely need something if they are to live up to the name.

jpm5555

Canny Jock wrote:

El Gordo wrote:

The best of my limited bunch though are Michellin Krylion Carbons - a few thousand miles puncture free and no cuts in the tread at all. They were a bugger to put on though so it's just as well I've not had to do any roadside repairs.

I've heard many good reports about these but they seem difficult to find. Do they still make them, and are they 23's only?

CRC have some for 20 notes each - I've just ordered some

They also have some 25s in stock


http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=20460

brixtonbiker66

I am on my second set of Michelin Krylion Carbons,

First set lasted about a year and a half before starting to puncture.

The current set i put on in September 09. - £20 from CRC

Have had 4 punctures so far. (always wet roads)

Don't like em now.

Today ,the road was very wet, i thought, I wonder if i will get a puncture, Sure enough half way to work, Glass straight through into the tube...

Just ordered Schwalbe Durano's

benno68

brixtonbiker66 wrote:

I am on my second set of Michelin Krylion Carbons,

First set lasted about a year and a half before starting to puncture.

The current set i put on in September 09. - £20 from CRC

Have had 4 punctures so far. (always wet roads)

Don't like em now.

Today ,the road was very wet, i thought, I wonder if i will get a puncture, Sure enough half way to work, Glass straight through into the tube...

Just ordered Schwalbe Durano's

I've got Michelin Krylion Carbons (25c) on now, they do seem to cut up fairly easy.

sampras38

UndercoverElephant wrote:

Vittoria Rubino Pro. Fast, light and really quite tough.

+1 on the Rubino Pro's and I can also recommend Michelin krylion Carbons and I tend to use them on my winter bike.

Aguila

Dav3m wrote:

In the mean time, I've been round my existing tyre several times pulling out all sorts (big/small shards, bits of staple) with a tweezer, think i'll have to start doing this more often! Hopefully it will keep me going a few days until the new tyre arrives.

This is absolutely essential and your 3 punctures in short space of time strongly suggests that the puncturing item was still in the tyre. You need to check them regularly and pick out stuff that could otherwise work it's way through over time. Also be sure to keep the pressures up, invest in a track pump. After each puncture be sure to check your rim tapr too for bits of spoke that could be poking through. These things more important than tyre selection IMO.

Clever Pun

I read somewhere that when you take chunks out of your tyre if you fill the hole with a little glue (when it has time to dry obviously) it should prolong the life of it

Ectomorph

Benno68 wrote:

brixtonbiker66 wrote:

I am on my second set of Michelin Krylion Carbons,

First set lasted about a year and a half before starting to puncture.

The current set i put on in September 09. - £20 from CRC

Have had 4 punctures so far. (always wet roads)

Don't like em now.

Today ,the road was very wet, i thought, I wonder if i will get a puncture, Sure enough half way to work, Glass straight through into the tube...

I've got Michelin Krylion Carbons (25c) on now, they do seem to cut up fairly easy.

Hmm, so it's not just me then. These are the new (post Oct 09) Krylions, right? Wet roads, country lanes, got four p****ures in 300 miles (practically one every other ride) and they're cutting up quite bad. A pity as the ride quality is superb.