Tyre upgrade from Mavic Aksium - Mich Pro4?

nawty

After a few scary moments going around wet roundabouts I think I'd like to change my tyres...

I was all set to just buy some Conti 4000S when I came across this deal on the Michelin Pro4:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Kits ... elID=85815

Which seems pretty darn good to me as the cheapest I can find the Conti's is £26 each (the German places don't seem to have them in 700 size at the moment).

Can anyone assure me that the Michelin's will be a decent upgrade on my current tyres or would you say that I should just pucker up and get the Conti's?

timegan2002

Conti 4000s IMO. All my lbs said they were best all round tyre for puncture protection, grip and rolling speed and after using them for 3 yrs I 100% agree. 2 slow punctures in 3yrs
Yep Tweaks and wiggle have for £26each I think.

smidsy

Scary moments on wet roundabouts may well be more to do with the conditions or your style of navigating them so do not expect changing the tyres to solve the issue.

The Mavic supplied tyres are actually OK, if they are not that old and do not actually need replacing yet I would wait.

teebs_123

nawty wrote:

After a few scary moments going around wet roundabouts I think I'd like to change my tyres...

I was all set to just buy some Conti 4000S when I came across this deal on the Michelin Pro4:

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Kits ... elID=85815

Which seems pretty darn good to me as the cheapest I can find the Conti's is £26 each (the German places don't seem to have them in 700 size at the moment).

Can anyone assure me that the Michelin's will be a decent upgrade on my current tyres or would you say that I should just pucker up and get the Conti's?

I got that deal a few months back now. Really pleased with them.

I had GP4000s previously, but wanted to try something different.

Grill

I use both. Prefer the Pro4 but there's not much in it.

nawty

Thanks for your thoughts people.

I'm fairly new to cycling so am pretty cautious when taking bends and I was trying to be uber-careful on the roundabout but the rear tyre just slipped out - luckily I didn't go down in the rush hour traffic. I guess it could have been because I was carrying a pretty heavy rucksack as I was commuting which I don't do when out riding normally.

I might just get them as one of the problems with being a newbie is that you don't have a reference point for how capable your kit is and I'm the kind of chap who likes to know I'm the one at fault, not the kit. Also, when it comes to cars I'm not the kind of person to skimp when it comes to the little bits of rubber that keep you connected to the road so I wouldn't be adverse to applying that logic to my bike...

GGBiker

How many miles were on the tyres when the incident happened? Tyres have a coating that needs to be worn off, usually takes a few hundred miles to get proper grip. I have a pair of vittoria rubino pros that were lethal until 200 miles now they're great. I've heard a bit of white vinegar and sandpaper can shift it though.

Other thing to consider is that there may have been a bit of diesel on the road at the time causing you to lose traction.

smidsy

Problem with roundabouts is they are prime targets for contamination such as diesel being spilled.

If the surface is contaminated no tyre will be able to stop a slide at a given lean angle.

As stated the Mavic tyres are decent enough - but if changing them gives you peace of mind then fair enough.

nawty

To be fair there was probably only 100 miles on them at the time and I've not commuted since (weather got NASTY!), all my rides around the New Forest have been fine (still gaining confidence on the fast wet corners though :shock: )

It may give me some peace of mind if I do get new tyres but it will definitely give me peace on the ears if I don't - I've been expressly told that I can't get any more bike stuff until I clear out the garage

I think you guys have talked me out of it for now, there's no substitute for experience and in reality I'm sure I'd be better off going out and doing more miles than fretting over the tyres. If they really do become a consistent issue then I'll change them then.

Thanks for the advice

GGBiker

100 miles is nothing, give them a rough up with some sandpaper to remove the factory coating.

northpole

Roundabouts can be a complete nightmare in the wet. It's where vehicles stop and take off under load to avoid being hit and as a consequence if anything is going to leak from the vehicle mechanicals, a roundabout is all too often where it will happen.

You can't be careful enough on roundabouts and no bike tyre will really deal with any oil based deposits. If you are new to bikes also take great care to avoid contacting painted white lines, manhole covers and the like - they can have you off in the blink of an eye.

I have a set of Pro 4 and think they are great. I haven't however, tested roadholding in any way - they are used on my commute which is pretty much straight roads all the way!

Peter

nawty

Thanks for the advice Peter (and all), much appreciated.

I'm looking forward to the days drawing out a bit so I can commute much more regularly and no doubt once I've got used to it (and the 3 BIG roundabouts with no obvious lane guidance) I'll be a full on convert - by the time I've walked from the car park to my office it is actually time neutral as to whether I cycle or drive.