Sorry for another tyre thread but I need advice

andyb78
andyb78 Posts: 156
edited March 2010 in Commuting chat
I've got a Boardman Road Comp, running 700x23cs Conti Ultrasports but hasn't been doing the commute over the winter (between 12-20 miles a day, dependent on how I'm feeling.) Now the weather's getting better I've had it out a few times but have a 50% p*ncture rate for the last week! I'm looking to put something bomb-proof on or as near to it as possible. I've heard the Schwalbe Marathon Pluses get very good reviews, but am a little wary about the weight gain, and also some very good (but also very bad) reports about the Conti Gatorskins.. Advice please? It will only be doing the commute and rides up to 40/50 miles ish at the weekend...

On a different note, would the Schwalbe 700 25s fit OK on the Boardman?

Thanks

Andy
Road bike FCN 6

Hardtail Commuter FCN 11 (Apparently, but that may be due to the new beard...)

Comments

  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    My 23mm Gators lasted me a year, but my two pairs of 25mms were pants.

    Switched to Durano Pluses and they're the mutt's nuts - I've used them on longer rides, too - see my post on the Open Pave thread.

    I won't be buying Gatorskins again.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • prawny
    prawny Posts: 5,439
    I run conti gatorskins on my road comp i've had 1 P in 5000 miles.
    I reckon you'd get 25's in there easy enough, I haven't tried yet I like it when it hurts :?
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  • essex-commuter
    essex-commuter Posts: 2,188
    I was puncturing with Gatorskins when Winter came at the end of last year, I moved to Marathon +'s and haven't pun....make up the rest yourself, I'm not tempting fate.

    Yeah they are heavier, but it's better training for me and makes me feel like I'm flying when I get on the race bike at the weekends.
  • UndercoverElephant
    UndercoverElephant Posts: 5,796
    I like Vittoria Rubino Pros, they may not be as resistant to the fairy as M+'s (not that she's visited me yet with them), but they're so much faster and lighter.
    Sun - Rain - Snow
  • FeynmanC
    FeynmanC Posts: 649
    Gatorskin 23's for me after a run if 1 p*** every other ride at the start of last year. None since I changed, though i've been off the bike since november.
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  • the_hundredth_idiot
    the_hundredth_idiot Posts: 813
    My Gatorskins have rarely punctured (2 in the last 3,000 miles, including this winter). Good job it's not more often as they are a b1tch to remove and refit. Overall, big fan (but I've never had a puncture on a dark, wet night and spent an hour trying to get the tyre back on*).

    * Hmm - tempting fate on a day like today?
    Never be tempted to race against a Barclays Cycle Hire bike. If you do, there are only two outcomes. Of these, by far the better is that you now have the scalp of a Boris Bike.
  • jamesco
    jamesco Posts: 687
    I'm running Marathon Pluses on my hybrid - absolutely bulletproof - no punctures in 18 months going across central London every day. As is well known, they're a pain to refit.

    My roadbike has had 28mm Conti GP 4 Seasons for two weeks and I've done about 100 miles in a fortnight of commuting on it. Early days, but no punctures despite riding over glass, comfy ride, decent grip and they don't feel slow; no reason not to like them, so far.

    Good luck!
  • asprilla
    asprilla Posts: 8,440
    I've got Marathon Plus on the station pig and they are bullet proof (but I wouldn't put them on a road bike.

    Gatorskins came and went within a month, GP4000s look to be doing the same. Krylium Carbons are so far holding their own on the road bike and I've just ordered some Duranos for the FG.

    Had another p* this morning.
    Mud - Genesis Vapour CCX
    Race - Fuji Norcom Straight
    Sun - Cervelo R3
    Winter / Commute - Dolan ADX
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    Gatorskin 700x23s have been good for me. Have the occasional puncture but not many. Have Hutchinson Fusion 2s (or are they 3s....?) on the Focus Cayo and have only had 1 puncture in a year or so on those, however most of the riding is in the country rather than through London
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  • Christophe3967
    Christophe3967 Posts: 1,200
    I've been pleased with my gatorskins (on my third set of 25mms, with none of the problems reported by CJCP), for commuting, but after recommendations here and from the Prologue boys, I stuck a pair of Conti 4 Seasons on my road bike and the improvement is very noticeable - they're not up to Michelin Pro 3 standard, but still pretty good. I would have gone for GP4000S but these don't come in 25mm and apparently they're not that good on the p****ture front. Its early days so I can't vouch for their resistance to the P Fairy but its unlikely that I'll get any more more gatorskins.
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  • oscarbudgie
    oscarbudgie Posts: 850
    50% puncture rate is extraordinary on any tyre - have you had a really good look / feel to see if there's anything that might be causing it + are you using a track pump to get high enough pressure? FWIW Rubino Pros are the nuts and plain Rubinos are cheap and very tough.
    Cannondale Supersix / CAAD9 / Boardman 9.0 / Benotto 3000
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    Christophe3967 wrote:
    I've been pleased with my gatorskins (on my third set of 25mms, with none of the problems reported by CJCP), for commuting, but after recommendations here and from the Prologue boys, I stuck a pair of Conti 4 Seasons on my road bike and the improvement is very noticeable - they're not up to Michelin Pro 3 standard, but still pretty good. I would have gone for GP4000S but these don't come in 25mm and apparently they're not that good on the p****ture front. Its early days so I can't vouch for their resistance to the P Fairy but its unlikely that I'll get any more more gatorskins.

    Really? You think Pro Race 3s are more "p" resistant than GP4000s? Or are you just referring to performance levels?
    Do not write below this line. Office use only.
  • wgwarburton
    wgwarburton Posts: 1,863
    Hi,
    I've been getting on fine with Specialized All-Condition Armadillos.

    Anyone else tried these? Maybe I've just been lucky...

    Cheers,
    W.
  • davis
    davis Posts: 2,506
    WGWarburton wrote:
    I've been getting on fine with Specialized All-Condition Armadillos.

    Anyone else tried these? Maybe I've just been lucky...

    That's what I've got; had my first visit two days ago, after maybe 4000 miles and 18 months; the tyres outlasted the rims, and it was the first use of the kit -- some of the patches had actually started to de-laminate*.

    Will probably try Schwalbe Durano Pluses next; I can't seem to get the exact Armadillos I've got on there now.

    * Well, maybe they didn't de-laminate, they were blotchy and ... weird. Old patches I guess
    Sometimes parts break. Sometimes you crash. Sometimes it’s your fault.
  • goco
    goco Posts: 35
    I've been on Specialized Roubaix Elite armadillos, and now All condition Pro II (came on new bike). Armadillos seem great, pretty solid. All Condition Pro II - too early to say i'm only 200 miles into them.

    Is there a reason so many on here talk about the conti's and schwalbe. But very vew mention the Spesh armadillos?
  • lost_in_thought
    lost_in_thought Posts: 10,563
    Kenda Kontender... :lol:

    No, seriously, I've had them on my fixie for almost 3 years, riding around London, not careful about potholes. I've replaced maybe 3 tubes, and one was a duff tube.
    FCN 7/1
    Viner Maxima, Tifosi CK7, Giant Bowery, Old commuter.
  • jedster
    jedster Posts: 1,717
    This is the point in a tyre thread when I butt in and point out that noones experience of tyres is statistically significant and we are all (including me) absurdly sensitive to our personal experience.

    With that (HUGE) caveat my experience has been

    specialised nimbus armadillos - very puncture proof, bit slow, bit slippy
    conti gatorskns - fairly puncture proof, quite fast considering
    rubino pros - not that puncture proof, bit faster
    bonti race light hard case - similar to rubino pros

    I'm tempted to try the spec all condition pros but seem to keep seeing deals on gatorskins...
  • dazza2
    dazza2 Posts: 4
    I have a very similar Boardman bike, commute through London, 20 miles a day,3-4 days a week, all seasons.

    Conti Ultra and Gator tyres yeilded many punctures during first 6 months. It was really undermining my choice to cycle.

    Switched to Specialized All-Condition Armadillo (23s) on rear and have enjoyed zero punctures in 2 years. I have had two slips, one on wet cobbles and one on wet drain cover. The second slip was recovered due to dual radius design of tyre. The tread on second radius kicked in as the tyre slid.

    I know I am statistically insignificant, and I am trying to remain objective.... but I love these tyres.
  • rbleightonbuzzard
    rbleightonbuzzard Posts: 116
    +1 Specialized All condition. Used for 3 years and never had the unmentionable happen.

    However, they are less grippy then the conti's I use in wet conditions.
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  • andyb78
    andyb78 Posts: 156
    oscarbudgie wrote:
    50% puncture rate is extraordinary on any tyre - have you had a really good look / feel to see if there's anything that might be causing it + are you using a track pump to get high enough pressure? FWIW Rubino Pros are the nuts and plain Rubinos are cheap and very tough.

    Yep - tyres regularly checked for $hite, checking valves etc.. track pumped up to 120psi. Reckon it might have just been a bad run and the fairy's way of saying she wants more sacrifices :lol:

    Thanks for all the advice folks - think I'll go with the Conti 4 Seasons to start with !
    Road bike FCN 6

    Hardtail Commuter FCN 11 (Apparently, but that may be due to the new beard...)
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    I run my tyres at 100-105 psi. When I put 115-120 in my Krylions, deflations seemed to occur more regularly.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • UndercoverElephant
    UndercoverElephant Posts: 5,796
    jedster wrote:
    rubino pros - not that puncture proof, bit faster
    bonti race light hard case - similar to rubino pros
    I have just replaced my Bontranger Race-lite hard case with a(nother) Rubino Pro. The Rubino Pros are far faster, able to take a MUCH higher pressure, grippier and more resistant to the fairy. I managed to wheelspin the bontys on a lightly wet road, and cornering in the wet was always squirmy.
    Sun - Rain - Snow
  • andyb78
    andyb78 Posts: 156
    cjcp wrote:
    I run my tyres at 100-105 psi. When I put 115-120 in my Krylions, deflations seemed to occur more regularly.

    Ahh.. perhaps I was over inflating then?
    Road bike FCN 6

    Hardtail Commuter FCN 11 (Apparently, but that may be due to the new beard...)
  • il_principe
    il_principe Posts: 9,155
    The Rubino's are ace. I've finally managed to knacker one but it's taken a fair old beating on London's roads before giving up. Must change it this w/e as I p*nctured this am. Running SS/FGwith trackends makes you choose tires pretty carefully.
  • Headhuunter
    Headhuunter Posts: 6,494
    By the way everyone, they're "tyres" not "tires", we haven't been fully annexed by the USA quite yet....
    Do not write below this line. Office use only.
  • antfly
    antfly Posts: 3,276
    Christophe3967 wrote:
    I would have gone for GP4000S but these don't come in 25mm and apparently they're not that good on the p****ture front. Its early days so I can't vouch for their resistance to the P Fairy but its unlikely that I'll get any more more gatorskins.
    You can get the Conti GP 4000 in a 25mm and the all black one is exactly the same as the GP 4000s, it even has the chilli. I use the 23mm ones on two bikes and I had one tyre ruined by glass but punctures are a rarity.
    Smarter than the average bear.

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