Best tyres for Alps?

triathlonthomas

Off to the Alps for a week of climbing, descending and hopefully not too much rain.

Recommendations for a good set of tyres to go on my Canyon road bike? Currently running the Mavic Yksion Powerlink / Griplink that came with the bike - impressed but worried that with 1,500 miles in them, I might be sensible to replace them before the trip...

Also got a set of Continental 4 Seasons - would they be more suitable for Alpine roads? Mostly concerned with grip on fast descents, particularly if the roads aren't dry.

On a related note, what sort of mileage do you get out of your road tyres?

Cheers

ugo.santalucia

Something with good grip, that makes you feel safe descending... how about Vittoria Pave'?

Monty Dog

Vittoria Open CX or Veloflex Corsa with latex tubes.

thegreatdivide

Monty Dog wrote:

Vittoria Open CX or Veloflex Corsa with latex tubes.

These^

rolf_f

Monty Dog wrote:

Vittoria Open CX or Veloflex Corsa with latex tubes.

But be careful of low profile rims if using the Vittorias. I measured them to have approx 6mm smaller diameter than the Veloflex which on my Campag Neutrons was enough to make the Vittorias unuseable - I broke two tyre levers trying to get them off whereas the Veloflex were not too bad. Fine on slightly deeper rims like Ventos.

As a result I had to take my Veloflex Masters to the Alps and, whilst they were lovely, they came back with dingy grey sidewalls due to a couple of rainy days! I'd bought the Vittorias specifically to avoid that!

ugo.santalucia

I have both CX and Pave' as tubulars (the rubber bit is the same as the clinchers) and the Pave' do corner better going down... could be the size, could be the grip, but I trust them better

thegreatdivide

You could always buy another set of the Mavic tyres? Some good deals on at the moment.

Mike Cotty

triathlonthomas wrote:

Off to the Alps for a week of climbing, descending and hopefully not too much rain.

Recommendations for a good set of tyres to go on my Canyon road bike? Currently running the Mavic Yksion Powerlink / Griplink that came with the bike - impressed but worried that with 1,500 miles in them, I might be sensible to replace them before the trip...

Also got a set of Continental 4 Seasons - would they be more suitable for Alpine roads? Mostly concerned with grip on fast descents, particularly if the roads aren't dry.

On a related note, what sort of mileage do you get out of your road tyres?

Cheers

From experience the roads in the Alps are generally in better condition than the heavy, dead feeling, roads we have the pleasure of riding on back at home. Smoother tarmac for the most part means less abuse to the tyre - but if it rains take extra care (whatever tyre you're riding) as the roads can turn super-slick very quickly. I always find it's good to ride on equipment that I've spent some time on already and therefore know how it'll perform in certain situations. If you're confident with your equipment then maybe stick with it. Tyre pressure is a massive factor when it comes to grip and performance (especially in the wet). You'll certainly feel a noticeable improvement in grip if you buzz a few PSI out of your tyres when the roads are soggy.

Ride safe and enjoy!

Mike

thegreatdivide

Mike Cotty wrote:

triathlonthomas wrote:

Off to the Alps for a week of climbing, descending and hopefully not too much rain.

Recommendations for a good set of tyres to go on my Canyon road bike? Currently running the Mavic Yksion Powerlink / Griplink that came with the bike - impressed but worried that with 1,500 miles in them, I might be sensible to replace them before the trip...

Also got a set of Continental 4 Seasons - would they be more suitable for Alpine roads? Mostly concerned with grip on fast descents, particularly if the roads aren't dry.

On a related note, what sort of mileage do you get out of your road tyres?

Cheers

From experience the roads in the Alps are generally in better condition than the heavy, dead feeling, roads we have the pleasure of riding on back at home. Smoother tarmac for the most part means less abuse to the tyre - but if it rains take extra care (whatever tyre you're riding) as the roads can turn super-slick very quickly. I always find it's good to ride on equipment that I've spent some time on already and therefore know how it'll perform in certain situations. If you're confident with your equipment then maybe stick with it. Tyre pressure is a massive factor when it comes to grip and performance (especially in the wet). You'll certainly feel a noticeable improvement in grip if you buzz a few PSI out of your tyres when the roads are soggy.

Ride safe and enjoy!

Mike

If anyone has experience of Alpine roads it's Mike ;-)

FWIW – I did the L’Epine, Croix Fry, Aravis and Colombier on dry roads and my Vittoria Corsa tubs did a great job. Rode the Aravis and Croix Fry in torrential rain and they still did an admirable job. There’s plenty of fresh ‘Tourmac’ around so the roads are in superb shape.

triathlonthomas

Thanks all for the helpful replies and recommendations.

I think the Conti 4seasons will offer better grip in the wet (based on this - http://www.conti-online.com/www/downloa ... 00s_en.pdf) so am minded to use those. Not going to be racing, just enjoying the views.

Will be sure to let some air out if it's particularly slippery.