Specific Tyre Advice Please

garysan
garysan Posts: 63
edited April 2011 in Road buying advice
I'm currently riding a Specialized Tarmac with the factory-fitted Pro II Mondo Spec. tires fitted. The rear is getting close to needing replacement and was wondering what might be the best choice for me and the roads I ride?

I mostly ride on country roads (granite/chip/chip-scale) some in better condition than others but wanted something perhaps a little more forgiving than the stock tyre. I'm not racing and have no desire to - more interested in longer solo or with friends or wife so comfort more important than razor-sharp handling/speed.

Any and all suggestions welcome :)

Comments

  • balthazar
    balthazar Posts: 1,565
    Your current tyres are probably 23mm. Fit 25mm tyres, at low-ish pressure (depends on your weight, but assuredly below 100psi). Whatever brand.
  • Simon Notley
    Simon Notley Posts: 1,263
    As above, I would suggest going for a wider tyre. There are so many out there I doubt anyone has tried them all. My suggestion would be Continental Grand Prix 4 Seasons in the 28mm width. They are expensive, but you'll get a good life out of them and hopefully stay relatively puncture free without compromising too much on grip on speed.

    Here is a link to them on wiggle, but you can probably get them cheaper.
  • garysan
    garysan Posts: 63
    Yes, current tyres are 23mm. I currently run pressure at about 7.5 bar which I think is about 105 PSI (prolly a bit less after I disconnect the pump).
  • mrushton
    mrushton Posts: 5,182
    Make sure your bike has room for 28mm
    M.Rushton
  • garysan
    garysan Posts: 63
    mrushton wrote:
    Make sure your bike has room for 28mm

    My initial thought too. Perhaps stick with 25mm to be safe...
  • FransJacques
    FransJacques Posts: 2,148
    All great advice - go 25mm front or 28mm (if it fits) rear. Don't go above 95psi, that's 6.5 bar. (not that many pumps are accurate) but play around to see what works.

    Despite elastomer infused seat stays, 27.2 mm seatposts, "vertically compliant" frames, long wheelbases, and gel saddles etc.. I reckon tyres and tyre pressure are 80-85% of the comfort equation.

    If you wonder if a 28mm tyre fits, go to your LBS and ask if you can fit a wheel off a bike with a 28mm tyre.

    When I'm going wide the simple Conti 4000 25mm tyre has a wide and importantly since this is often overlooked - tall - profile. The 'tallness' gives you more suspension" before you bottom out the tyre. The Conti 4000 25mm tyre measures 26mm tall on a Mavic rim, whereas the 25mm PR3 is more like 23mm. Sounds small but it's about 12% taller so why not?

    The Gatorskin also comes in a 28mm version for the rear.

    The best thing is that these are almost race-tyre quality tyres so you'll no be compromising the "feel" of your bike. Life is too short to ride tyres that feel like shoe leather.

    I've not tried the Ultremo 25mm version but they make one - why not give that a go?
    When a cyclist has a disagreement with a car; it's not who's right, it's who's left.
  • garysan
    garysan Posts: 63
    FransJacques wrote:
    I've not tried the Ultremo 25mm version but they make one - why not give that a go?

    Funnily enough, that was the one I've just been looking at on CRC website.
  • FransJacques
    FransJacques Posts: 2,148
    garysan wrote:
    FransJacques wrote:
    I've not tried the Ultremo 25mm version but they make one - why not give that a go?

    Funnily enough, that was the one I've just been looking at on CRC website.
    What you could do is get 2 different tyres to see which one you like more - get 1 25mm Ultremo (do they have the 28mm??) and a 25mm Gatorskin or 4000 or Vittoria Open Evo CX. Put them on, see how they feel, how they wear, if they puncture, etc.

    At Flanders on Saturday I had a 25mm 4000 on the rear (same tyre I used in 2010) and a 25mm Vittoria Open CX (320tpi) on the front. Man I was impressed with the Vittoria. The Contis are more dead-feeling but they're very dependable and wear well and of course, they're fat, which is good when you're 82 kgs and used to MTB & CX bikes - i.e. I don't baby my road bike as much as I probably should over the rough stuff.
    When a cyclist has a disagreement with a car; it's not who's right, it's who's left.
  • huuregeil
    huuregeil Posts: 780
    FransJacques wrote:
    When I'm going wide the simple Conti 4000 25mm tyre has a wide and importantly since this is often overlooked - tall - profile. The 'tallness' gives you more suspension" before you bottom out the tyre. The Conti 4000 25mm tyre measures 26mm tall on a Mavic rim, whereas the 25mm PR3 is more like 23mm. Sounds small but it's about 12% taller so why not?

    Because it's volume of air that counts with regards comfort. 25mm PR3s are fatter than the conti 25mm GP4000 (I have both) and, critically, the PR3 is a significantly smoother ride. Whether this is due to fatness, tallness or sidewall suppleness, I don't care!

    Anyway, yes, 25mm tyres for comfort (...and speed, and grip :-) ). And I'll bet the 25mm Open Corsas will be awesome, I've only ever ridden the 23mm and they are plush.
  • garysan
    garysan Posts: 63
    Bought a pair of the 25mm Vittoria Open Corsa EVO CX's and fitted them this afternoon. I have a longish ride tomorrow (for me anyways) which will total about 32-34 miles dependent on friend's direction sense as it's his route.

    Will post afterwards with my thoughts.
  • Ron Stuart
    Ron Stuart Posts: 1,242
    I have found these.... http://www.parker-international.co.uk/1 ... n=pid11861 to be a great tyre 24mm and very hard wearing and doesn't suffer from cuts or punctures nearly as much as the full on race tyres.
    You can get folders as well, a bit more expensive but by todays standards excellent value for money.

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