Tyre Size for Winter

jimmas

Hi Guys
I currently have a 2013 Giant Defy 4, what size tyre can I go up to for winter commuting, it has 700-25c fitted currently.

Sprool

whats wrong with the 25's?

simon_masterson

I doubt you'd manage higher than 28. Do you have mudguards on?

jimmas

Hi Guys
Thanks for replies, I do not have mudguards currently, I have Gatorskins fitted and find them a little slippy in the wet, I wondered if I fitted larger tyres I would get better grip, I may be looking at this in the wrong perspective maybe same size tyre but different make.

Sprool

I moved from 23's to conti GP4000s 25's last year and find that being able to run them 10 psi lower helps the comfort and increases the contact area. The 23's were cheap ultra sports, the GP4000s compound feels a lot more surefooted to me. Ive heard others complaining about gatorskin tyres in the wet/winter, feeling like they are low on grip, maybe its a tyre compound thing? Others are more than happy to use gatorskins all year round and say they are great for resisting punctures. I think maybe softer compound combined with a larger contact area and lower pressure would all help with grip level in adverse conditions.

cat_with_no_tail

I had to go from 25s (GP400s) to 23s (Mavic powerlink/griplink) so I could get some roadracers on there. Bad times. Well, not actually, they've done a pretty good job so far. That said, other than the wind and rain, I'm pretty sure *winter* hasn't really hit here yet.

Edit: Reading that back, sounds to me like a solid case for a winter bike because n+1

mmacavity

More rubber in contact with the tarmac will give more grip. Plus some types of rubber has more grip than other types of rubber, especially at lower temperatures.

mmacavity

http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/arti ... ing-38889/

http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle ... _02_11.pdf

http://www.cyclingactive.com/bikesgear/ ... nter-tyres

http://roadcyclinguk.com/gear/buyers-gu ... tyres.html

http://bike.michelin.co.uk/tyres/michel ... ice-course

ednino

I'm still on my 23mm GrandPrix tyres from summer. No trouble yet in the rain

edten

i have the hardshells and they do not expire confidence in any conditions other than entirely dry. I would recommend the 4 seasons over them any day and get the occasional extra puncture.

mmacavity

It probably depends how fast you go, but 25mm is a fairly popular summer tyre size.

http://inrng.com/2013/04/reinventing-the-wheel-25mm/

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/05/ ... ire_218011

The fatter the better in winter, with the limiting factor of what tyre/frame and fork clearances you have and still squeeze mudguards in.

But on patches of ice, diesel on wet road, mud on road, wet man-hole covers and cat's-eyes etc you will still not get much grip.

mmacavity

Or go Tubeless

http://www.schwalbe.com/gb/newsreader/t ... -bike.html

http://www.hutchinsontires.com/en/road/ ... eless.html

http://www.slowtwitch.com/Tech/All_Abou ... _2799.html

nunowoolmez

I used to run GP4000s 23mm on all my bikes year round with no issues, but this year I bought a pair of 25mm to use on my training bike & I do notice the difference. I will just leave them on & use em year round now. 23mm though on the other bikes. I'd never go bigger than 25mm personally & never have any issues with the GP4000s in autumn/winter.

jimmas

Thanks for all the replys guys, i have an idea of what I need to do now, which will be to replace my tyres for another brand for the winter duration.