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What tyres for Flanders?

on-yer-bikeon-yer-bike Posts: 2,974
edited March 2012 in Road buying advice
People seem to rush out and buy exotic new tyres for this event but is really necessary? Are my Conti 4 Season 23mm OK or do I need something wider? Is it crazy to use PRO-3s?
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  • ddraverddraver Posts: 26,238
    If they re still in good condition, I reckon you ll be fine on 4 seasons tbh, I'm not sure if I'd use superlight tubes though (if you do)

    Wider tyres might make it more comfortable and be slightly grippier as you can run them at a lower pressure, but if it's just for one day, I'm not sure it is worth it.
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • pottsstevepottssteve Posts: 4,069
    I ride Conti 4 Season 28mm at 100psi on my cyclocross around here, including some cobbled sections. These are now wearing out so I'm changing to a 25mm - no problems, though you still feel the bumps.
    Head Hands Heart Lungs Legs
  • wintonwinton Posts: 165
    Vittoria Open Pave. Designed for pave riding, pros use the tubular version - it's a great all year round tyre in fact but really comes into it's own in Belgie!!
  • greasedscotsmangreasedscotsman Posts: 6,962
    on-yer-bike wrote:
    Is it crazy to use PRO-3s?

    I've used Pro 3s the 3 times I've done the Flanders Sportive without any problems. But the Contis will be fine, I'd just run a little less pressure in them than usual.
  • TheStoneTheStone Posts: 2,291
    You'll be fine with either, but I can't recommend the Vittoria Open Paves enough.
    I was a bit nervous and was a bit damp when I first did Flanders and found them great.
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  • on-yer-bikeon-yer-bike Posts: 2,974
    A friend uses Open Paves and doesnt rate them because of the amount of punctures hes had. I know the pros use them but they have a car full of spare wheels behind them.
    Pegoretti
    Colnago
    Cervelo
    Campagnolo
  • ugo.santaluciaugo.santalucia Posts: 28,018
    The PROs use the PAVE, but they are 27 mm tubolars, the open Pave are 24 mm clinchers, so not any bigger than normal 23 mm tyres. They are quite grippy, but not enough to justify spending 80-90 pounds for a set of tyres that don't last very long.
    For Paris Roubaix and RVV I have used Conti Gatorskins 25 and 28 mm, cheap and cheerful, more than adequate, good puncture protection, low grip, but on muddy cobbles no tyre has grip really... I would recommend 28 mm for Roubaix and 25 for Flanders... Belgian cobbles are in a much better state. 90 PSI is my ideal pressure... a touch higher if you are heavy, a touch lower if you are a feather. Don't exceed 95-100 PSI
    left the forum March 2023
  • TheStoneTheStone Posts: 2,291
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    The PROs use the PAVE, but they are 27 mm tubolars, the open Pave are 24 mm clinchers, so not any bigger than normal 23 mm tyres.

    They're suppose to have a much larger volume than a normal 24mm ... at least that's what the advertising claimed.

    I like them. Not cheap, but I think I paid £60 a couple of years ago and then only use them when I'm heading to Belgium (next week).
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  • ddraverddraver Posts: 26,238
    I think his question is, If he's going for one day only, is it worth buying new tyres specifically for that one day?

    I would say no, save the money for the Belgian Beer!
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • bobgfishbobgfish Posts: 545
    I rode 25mm Conti 4 seasons last year at Flanders and they were fine. Mate had 23 mm Conti 4000s and was also fine. I will also be doing Paris Roubaix on my 25 mm but that is becuase I'm not sure the 28mm will fit the frame. If they do I suspect clearance will be minimal. I have maybe 5 mm each side of tyre at present with the 25mm on...Is it enough to fit 28mm tyres?
    CyclingInTheLowMountainsOfSchweiz

    CyclingInTheFlatlands
  • ddraverddraver Posts: 26,238
    They ll probably fit, but it does nt leave much room for mud or if you knock the wheel out of true/break a spoke etc...Again for one day,is it worth spending the best part of a hundred squids on them? (although bike-discount.de have some stunning deals at the mo)

    Have a La Chouffre that morning and you ll be so relaxed you won't notice the difference anyway ;)
    We're in danger of confusing passion with incompetence
    - @ddraver
  • 2alexcoo2alexcoo Posts: 251
    While you don't need different tyres, there's no doubt the pave is bumpy and a larger casing than 23c will be more comfortable.

    I'll be using 28c Schwalbe Duranos this year which are about £20 an end at SJS. They'll get used for commuting afterwards so it's not like I buy special tyres just for this event.
    Alex
  • Richard GRichard G Posts: 15
    I'm another who used 25mm Conti 4 Seasons for Flanders last year at 85psi. No punctures. Noticeably more comfortable over the rough stuff in practice rides beforehand than theMichelin Pro 3s (23mm) I usually run in the summer.
  • greeny1greeny1 Posts: 106
    can get vittorias for 35 each if you shop about. still a little pricey but more durable than many would have you believe. had mine for a few month no cut ups and a gorgeous feel. Real step up from my contis imo. can run them at 110-115 and still rool smooth and take some buzz out of the road
  • ajb72ajb72 Posts: 1,178
    greeny1 wrote:
    can get vittorias for 35 each if you shop about. still a little pricey but more durable than many would have you believe. had mine for a few month no cut ups and a gorgeous feel. Real step up from my contis imo. can run them at 110-115 and still rool smooth and take some buzz out of the road

    Another vote for the Vittoria Evo CG from me. I rode a new route I'd plotted for the Garmin today - ending up doing 2-3 mies on fire road / dirt track through a forest! Tyres were awesome, never lost traction, very comfortable (110psi in rear), thankfully no punctures. I'm lucky as I have them on a set of HED Ardennes, so a perfect combo for that kind of terrain.
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