First road bike, tire recommendations

bstock
bstock Posts: 34
edited January 2013 in Road buying advice
Hello all.

I am about to purchase my first proper road bike. I have been riding for about a year now on a Giant Rapid (flat bar). It has been a great bike for getting me into cycling, I am fully addicted.

I tried out as many road bikes as I could from various local bike shops from as many different brands as I could get my hands on (alloy and carbon). I have settled on another Giant (2013 TCR Composite 3) which I have been offed with a fantastic discount, plus a £100.00 credit to spend on accessories! A hard deal to turn down, plus I loved the TCR for both ride and looks. I know that Giant are not the most exotic of brands but it seems to me like you get so much more for your money with Giant, especially at the entry level price point. Plus I love the look of the 2013 models. Just my opinion, which properly does not count for much at this stage I realise. I will post some pictures when I pick it up next week.

With the £100.00 credit I am getting with the bike I am going to get the best all weather puncture resistant tires I can find, since the weather is pretty awful at the moment and looks like it here to stay for a while. The bike shop has recommended Schwalbe Ultremo ZX orSchwalbe or Ultremo Aqua tires. I only have experience with specialized armadillos which are on my Rapid. These have been bullet proof, but they do seem heavy and uncomfortable compared to the stock PR3 tires that came with the Rapid, which is to be expected I am guessing.

There are good and bad reviews of almost all the tires I have looked at all over the internet (like most things).
Any help/recommendations on tires would be a great help.

Many thanks.
Ben

Comments

  • philbar72
    philbar72 Posts: 2,229
    puncture resistance - Conti 4 seasons.
    all purpose Continental Gp4000s.

    thats it.
  • smoggysteve
    smoggysteve Posts: 2,909
    Schwalbe Ultremo ZX DD are great tyres for all weather and do not cut up as much as the regular ZX's but you do gain a bit of rolling resistance.

    The continentals are a good bet too. Black chili compound are a must as they are both grippy and have a low role resistance.
  • smoggysteve
    smoggysteve Posts: 2,909
    IF you can, buy tyres from somewhere like bike24.de - So much cheaper than UK for some reason. I bought 4 ZX tyres for under €100 a few months back. You wouldn't get 2 for that price in some UK shops.

    http://www.bike24.de/1.php?lang=2;content=8;navigation=1;menu=1000,4,22,35;product=17834
  • bstock
    bstock Posts: 34
    Thanks for the feedback. I will see what deal I can get on some Conti 4 seasons or Schwalbe Ultremo ZX DDs when I pick the bike up.
  • wacka
    wacka Posts: 169
    Conti 4seasons without a shadow. Changed my Schwalbe durano's for the 4seasons and they're so much better, faster ride, more comfortable and grip better, highly recommend them especially the 25's.