Bike tyres for new bike

forgotrafe

I've just ordered a lovely new road bike which comes with 700/25 Schwalbe Blizzard tyres.

My current road bike came with some 700/25 Conti tyres that punctured literally every time I went out so I replaced them with what a friend of mine was running and who didn't get punctures. These were Vittoria Rubino Pros and I've not regretted it at all, they really have been superb.

Two questions:

1) Given how well I've got on with the Rubinos, should I just fit them to the new bike from day one and ebay the Blizzards? I can afford to do this which is always an important factor!

2) Should I fit 700/23 or 700/25?

Bike is a Cannondale Synapse. I do a mix of rides including all dayers, am not a racer riding for pleasure not speed. The roads near me are pretty rural and invariably covered in crap like grit, mud, poo and pot-holes

Apologies if the 23/25 argument is one of those "should I degrease my new chain" crazy arguments.

Jimbo.

Try the Blizzards first and see how you get on? After that, try the Rubinios and see which you prefer...

Given the Synapse's intended use, something not-yer'-typical-23mm-race-tyre would be quite fitting, if following the usual wide/volume/comfort/rolling reistance arguments, so (in theory at least) the Blizzard may be a winner.
'course, the real...indeed, only answer is a pair of Open Paves

forgotrafe

I presumed the Blizzards would have some resale value if I hadn't ridden them. I suppose I should check ebay out!

I presume that's a vote for 25mm? Am not familiar with the usual wide/volume/comfort/rolling reistance arguments but I guess the argument is that a 25 gives a bit more volume/comfort at the cost of a little resistance? That's certainly the reason I stuck with 25 because the roads I ride on really are quite shockingly grim!

I have had to replace two Rubinos before they were worn out, once after colliding with a moped and once after riding over glass. Both times there was a nasty gash and both times it took a few days to get a new tyre so now I keep one in stock.

Am thinking of keeping the current road bike as a winter bike so there is an argument for keeping the same tyres on both.

The Open Paves look good but are sodding expensive! Again, presume you're suggesting a 25mm version.

rokkala

forgotrafe wrote:

I presume that's a vote for 25mm? Am not familiar with the usual wide/volume/comfort/rolling reistance arguments but I guess the argument is that a 25 gives a bit more volume/comfort at the cost of a little resistance? That's certainly the reason I stuck with 25 because the roads I ride on really are quite shockingly grim!

Apparently they 25s don't have any added increase in rolling resistance compared to 23s. They do seem more comfortable though. Only thing against them is prob increased air resistance due to bigger area, but that is probably tiny, someone else will answer that.

balthazar

In general, wider tyres of a given design present less rolling resistance than narrower. In practice, this is an academic concern as the differences are small, and swamped by other factors such as inflation pressure and tread thickness. Bigger (25mm) tyres are more compliant, however, resulting in a more comfortable ride and better adhesion than narrower ones.

forgotrafe

LOL! Though I am doing very well with the weightloss (over a stone so far!) I really am not in the league where increased air resistance of a tyre makes any real difference. Nor do I want to be really.

I thought there was a real stigma, if nothing else, with regard to running 25s but obviously I was wrong.

Thanks for all the advice guys!

mrushton

You'd really worry if someone derided you for having 700x25 instead of 700x23? I'd question whether that person was actually a rider and not someone just stringing you along and also you need to ride more if you listen to them.

forgotrafe

No I'd not worry in the least! Just was expecting a little flak for asking the question. Instead I got some useful advice. Will stick with the 25 Blizzards. If they're great then great. If they're shite I'll go back to Rubino Pros.

onlyonearrow

forgotrafe wrote:

My current road bike came with some 700/25 Conti tyres that punctured literally every time I went out so I replaced them with what a friend of mine was running and who didn't get punctures. These were Vittoria Rubino Pros and I've not regretted it at all, they really have been superb.

The roads near me are pretty rural and invariably covered in crap like grit, mud, poo and pot-holes

I'm interested in your positive experience with The Vittoria Rubino Pros. I'm looking for new tyres for the spring/summer to replace original fit wire bead Kenda Kriterium 700x25 that I've used since last summer and through the winter. I've not had any problems with them - no p*******s either, but want to try something different and folding bead.

Like you the roads around me are rural, so can be a bit rough in places. I was struggling to make a decision. Think I might give them a go.

forgotrafe

I really can thoroughly recommend the Vittoria Rubino Pro Folding tyres (not the tech or slick, not used them). Try and get 2010 ones not old stock as they have more threads per inch now (not that the old ones were bad) - they have a III on the box I think.

We have a lot of sharp grit on our roads which is what used to go right through the original tyres I had - even though they were meant to be puncture proof! The Rubinos seem to shrug it off far better.

I've used the Rubinos in all conditions except snow/ice - I don't bother cycling then and consider them all year round tyres for me.

Hope that helps.

owenlars

forgotrafe wrote:

I presumed the Blizzards would have some resale value if I hadn't ridden them. I suppose I should check ebay out!

My suggestion would be to get the seller to put the tyres you want on before you get the bike delivered. That way you will either get a credit or a small surcharge and you will, in effect, get the full value of the tyres back.