Winter tyres

Bordersroadie

KINGGARY wrote:

4 seasons for me every time, gatorskins i found to be lifeless with poor grip.
I know the 4 seasons aren't cheap, but when your stood at the side of the road in the freezing rain you may wish you had paid the extra!

I agree that Gators are lifeless and slippy by comparison but for my night-time winter training bike (ie for the dark, cold, wet times when I really, really don't want the P-fairy to visit) I use Gator Hardshells. I've used GP4S for years and love their speed and grip but on the roads round here they cut up and puncture far more than the industrial Hardshells.

It's always a trade-off between road feel/grip/weight and puncture resistance. The GP4S win on the former but not the latter.

simon_masterson

I'm heading into my third winter on the same Gatorskins (in 27 x 1 1/4, or 32mm, I might add, so comfort and grip aren't particularly problematic) and have always been happy with them (only punctured once), but I did just write off my front rim and will be 'modernising' by swapping for a 700c, so I'll have more options... might well be the Durano.

jermas

Duranos are great apart from one major drawback, the sidewalls (tyre bead) near the rim wear away. They lose threads, get thinner, and eventually rip open. This seems to happen quicker in winter- on muddy roads. I've never managed to wear the tread out because of this. (Brakes pads are set correctly, not too high)

thegreatdivide

jermas wrote:

Duranos are great apart from one major drawback, the sidewalls (tyre bead) near the rim wear away. They lose threads, get thinner, and eventually rip open. This seems to happen quicker in winter- on muddy roads. I've never managed to wear the tread out because of this. (Brakes pads are set correctly, not too high)

So not great at all then!

Usget

(Yet) another vote for 4 Seasons. I have a set of 28s which I've squeezed onto a CAAD8 for commuting, and they're grippy and confidence inspiring in the wet.

jermas

A good tyre I've been using lately is the Conti Grand Prix GT. It's basically a cross between a Gatorskin and Gp4000s. It has the black chili compound so it's grippy, but also has a toughened carcass. The only slight downside is , it has quite a small volume for a 25mm tyre (especially compared to Michelins).

tom3

jermas wrote:

A good tyre I've been using lately is the Conti Grand Prix GT. It's basically a cross between a Gatorskin and Gp4000s. It has the black chili compound so it's grippy, but also has a toughened carcass. The only slight downside is , it has quite a small volume for a 25mm tyre (especially compared to Michelins).

snap, used these all winter. Never once lost grip in some horrendous conditions.

rnath

Have used 25mm GP4000S year-round for the last few years, but after suffering a serious sidewall cut and a spate of punctures with a recent set in quick succession, thought I'd try Pro4 Endurance this winter. These are working out really well. Was expecting a loss in ride quality, but have found quite the opposite - significantly more comfortable and feel more sure-footed on corners. Also, no sign of the multiple cuts I was getting on the GP4000S. Very surprised TBH. Don't know if I can expect the same high-mileage I was getting from the Contis, but have no doubt this is proving to be a nicer riding tyre - for me at least.

de_sisti

I used brand new Schwalbe Durnao Plus* on an Audax ride last Saturday (Mr Pickwick's Autumnal Outing).
I suffered a puncture from a tiny piece of flint that worked its way through the blue puncture proof belt
inside the tyre. If those types of flint can get through a Durano Plus, then they'd be able to get through
any tyre.

*23 mm pumped up to 140 psi.

lostboysaint

An update from me.

Owing to the massive price rises from Conti, meaning that even with discounts it's over £30/tyre, and a sidewall tear (on a track in Portugal) I have replaced my GP4s with a pair of Michelin Pro4 Endurance. Early (200 miles or so) indications are that the speed/rolling is very similar, they feel more comfortable (slightly larger - in "25mm" size) and inspire even more confidence on less than perfect roads. Very impressed so far. I'd also add that I have not been visited by the fairies despite riding them on the usual gravel strewn, flint laden lanes of the Hampshire countryside. So I'd say they edge the GP4s.

fudgey

I have also just recently fitted a pair of the Michelin Pro4 endurance although in 23mm, seem to roll well like you say and so far so good on the toughness scale.

were on offer at £22odd a piece from wiggle

NaishTT

I like the sound of the Michelin Pro4s but see their maximum width is unfortunately 25mm.
What are your recommendations for 28-32mm for mainly road riding with a touch of towpath/gravel road here and there?

simon_masterson

NaishTT wrote:

I like the sound of the Michelin Pro4s but see their maximum width is unfortunately 25mm.
What are your recommendations for 28-32mm for mainly road riding with a touch of towpath/gravel road here and there?

Some around here don't like them, but as per my post above, I've done well with Gatorskins; wire bead in 32mm (27 x 1 1/4). Longevity is fantastic, I've ridden them on roads (and some fairly poorly surfaced ones at that), tracks, gravel paths... only puncture was one thorn a couple of weeks ago that managed to find its way into the sidewall. For what they are meant for, they're fantastic.

ai_1

NaishTT wrote:

I like the sound of the Michelin Pro4s but see their maximum width is unfortunately 25mm.
What are your recommendations for 28-32mm for mainly road riding with a touch of towpath/gravel road here and there?

They may still be too small but in reality I think the Michelin Pro 4 in "25mm" actually measures between 27mm and 28mm depending on the rim.

lostboysaint

Ai_1 wrote:

NaishTT wrote:

I like the sound of the Michelin Pro4s but see their maximum width is unfortunately 25mm.
What are your recommendations for 28-32mm for mainly road riding with a touch of towpath/gravel road here and there?

They may still be too small but in reality I think the Michelin Pro 4 in "25mm" actually measures between 27mm and 28mm depending on the rim.

My "25"mm tyres are 27mm on my Velocity A23 rims.

NaishTT

Its interesting to hear that the Michelins are actually a fair bit wider than billed although I'm really looking for something 28mm plus.

So which others should I be considering?