Tyres - cheap and cheerful?

mjd611

I'm after some new tyres for my trek 1.2 as the stock ones have reached a point of at least one puncture per ride. I would say puncture-proof-ness is my first priority, followed by speed.

I was looking at Schwalbe Lugano Road Tyre which are £11.24

Vittoria Rubino Road Tyre at £11.69

Continental Ultra Gator Duraskin Road Tyre at £17.96

or is worth my while spending a little more for pro 3 race or Schwalbe Ultremo? I don't mind the expense so much if it really is worth the extra cash. But if they are not going to last as long as the cheaper ones, then i don't mind not going as fast.

Thanks for your help, matt

maddog 2

Mich Krylion

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Mode ... elID=20460

kingrollo

I like the rubinos as a VFM tyre

But the pro race 3 - transform you bike and IMO are an essential purchase.

weapons

If puncture proof ness is your priority, then I'd recommend Bontrager Hardcase Race - £11.99 each here.
http://www.allterraincycles.co.uk/product/119612.html

I've had two sets, each run around 4000-5000 miles per set and only 1 puncture between the two sets on London streets.

Pro 3 race or similar tyres will last nowhere near as long. My pro 3 race did at most 2000 miles and they were all cut up.

simon_e

+1 for Bontrager Hardcase at £12 each.

My pair have gone through over 18 months of commuting on crappy Shropshire lanes and the mean streets of Shrewsbury , shrugging off thorns and glass and still have some life left in them. Only one unscheduled deflation in that time, the cause of which I couldn't find as nothing had penetrated the tyre carcass.

More expensive tyres like the Pro 3s are lighter and faster and I'm sure they're great but there's a tradeoff in mileage and resistance to p*nct*res.

softlad

I would take a closer look at your rims and rim tape before you splash out on tyres. Unless your tyres are actually worn down to the casing, then one puncture per ride is not normal and it sounds like the problem might lie elsewhere...

Get new tyres by all means, but that might not be the answer....

daveydave43

+1 michelin krylion

passout

I'd say your first two choices were as good as anything. I found the Contis to be 'slippery when wet' though.

Rich Hcp

kingrollo wrote:

I like the rubinos as a VFM tyre

I use Rubinos, or Rubino Pros.

No probs

Down the Road

Get these

http://www.birminghamcitycycles.co.uk/product.asp?id=985

Anonymous

What pressure are you running your tyres at?

The punctures may be due to low tyre pressure or, as softlad says, the rims or tape...

No point in splashing cash on fancy tyres to have the same problem!!

Daimler

Not sure if you have this months CP mag but Hargrove cycles are doing an offer of buying two tyres and getting free inner tubes. Not sure what tyres are on offer but they may have it on their website too.
Worth a look.

mjd611

Perhaps i have been a little quick to jump on the new tyres bandwagon, although everything seems fine to me.
When looking at the rim tape what would i be looking for?
In answer to Nap D i've been using pressure of 100psi - what it says on the tyre. My inner tube has been the standard continentals.

rake

daveydave43 wrote:

+1 michelin krylion

+2 michelin krylion. as opposed to the race tyre the pro3 the krylion is focused on durability and puncture resistance, yet is lighter than most mileage tyres at 235g each. some say they are fast enough to race on as well which fits your somewhat rocking horse sh1t criteria better than any. they are also said to grip well in wet or dry. the krylion carbon isnt some gimmick about carbon fibre, it has more carbon in the centre part of the tread like older tyres used to have before they started messing about with silica compound rubber. this makes them more cut resistant and 30% better wearing. they come in 23 & 25mm and a mid price range around £20-£25. if they live up to their reputation they probably work out cheaper than cheap tyres. just fitted a set so i will see.schwalbe stelvio havent let me down either.

markos1963

+1 Rubinos. Had them on my winter trainer for 6 months now and no pun%$£res even down some of the crappy farm tracks I ride on.

Paul32uk

What tyres on your Trek now? Are they Bontrager AW tyres? I've read these are pretty pron to puncturing and on visiting my brothers last week was looking at his Trek and he said the only thing he didnt like were the original tyres (ones mentioned above) which would puncture all the time.

He changed to Bontrager race tyres and hasn't had any issues since.

I'm going to be getting a Trek 2.3 on through cyclescheme and I'm going to get the Bontrager AW tyres swapped over before I even leave the shop. I just have to decide which to get. Being my only road bike it will have to do training rides and events! I'll stick to using the MTB for commuting, the extra resistance is a good workout anyway

pianoman

If carbon makes the tyres last longer, wouldn't the Vittoria Diamantes be a good choice with their Kevlar Carbon Compound? They can be found quite well discounted given that everyone seems to be going for Open Corsas. And you can get them in 20, 23 or 25mm versions.

mjd611

Paul32uk wrote:

What tyres on your Trek now? Are they Bontrager AW tyres? I've read these are pretty pron to puncturing and on visiting my brothers last week was looking at his Trek and he said the only thing he didnt like were the original tyres (ones mentioned above) which would puncture all the time.

He changed to Bontrager race tyres and hasn't had any issues since.

I'm going to be getting a Trek 2.3 on through cyclescheme and I'm going to get the Bontrager AW tyres swapped over before I even leave the shop. I just have to decide which to get. Being my only road bike it will have to do training rides and events! I'll stick to using the MTB for commuting, the extra resistance is a good workout anyway

Yeah they are the Bontrager AW. Had read they are not great and considering the road conditions round here i'm surprised they lasted so long!

When buying new tyres is it alright to buy online as i guess they are posted folded. Or should i buy instore where they hang in a circle shape?

Evil Laugh

Posted is fine. Get some folding tyres. Bit easier to get on generally. I'm going for rubino pro 3.

Cycloslalomeur

May I present Michelin Pro 2s from here http://www.velo-motion.com/product_info ... 2Race.html. Even with the 10 euros for delivery it's fecking good value.

Cycloslalomeur

May I present Michelin Pro 2s from here http://www.velo-motion.com/product_info ... 2Race.html. Even with the 10 euros for delivery it's fecking good value.

Cycloslalomeur

May I present Michelin Pro 2s from here http://www.velo-motion.com/product_info ... 2Race.html. Even with the 10 euros for delivery it's fecking good value.

Crimmey

I've had

schwalbe stelvios - very good puncture proofness and rarely cut due to hardness but side wall disintegrated after 8 months and slippy when wet.

Continental GP 4000S - a lot softer tyre but I've not had any cuts or gouges in 6 months
Continental Attack - same as above

Bontrager Race lites - Very smooth surface, hardly any cuts, no gouges, but not ridden on very much.

I tried the ones below due to 'rave' reviews from these forums, here are my experiences.

Vittoria Rubino 20mm - took me 40 mins to get this bugger off after I had a puncture. Shard of glass penetrated all the way after my second ride pressure was about 115psi. Now on turbo wheels.

Vittoria Rubino 25mm - Quite grippy but seem prone to cuts like the 20mm. Had to eject a couple of pieces before it went all the way through very recently pressure ~115psi. Owned for 1-2 months.

Vittoria Rubino Pro Slick 25mm - Slippy but more resistant than the 2 above. Smaller cuts but no big gouges like the normal Rubinos.

Ill be getting some Michelin PR3 next to try out. Someone I know bought the lighter service course as a rear tyre and has a puncture every ride! (3)