Road bike tyres!

Schecter01

Ok it's becoming apparent that getting started cycling is as straightforward as building an engine, another question:

I've been told that stock tyres in some bikes are fairly ropy, so to expect punctures early on, to prepare for such an event, what the is average price to pay for a tyre and which brands are to go for? As I see Michelins from €18 - €60 and all in between. What brands to avoid?

quozl

Try the stock tyres out first, the bontrager hardcases I got on my trek were fantastic. about 6000km, 1 puncture.

Darkglasses

Schecter01 wrote: »

Ok it's becoming apparent that getting started cycling is as straightforward as building an engine, another question:

I've been told that stock tyres in some bikes are fairly ropy, so to expect punctures early on, to prepare for such an event, what the is average price to pay for a tyre and which brands are to go for? As I see Michelins from €18 - €60 and all in between. What brands to avoid?

Not all stock tyres are equal - my most recent purchase came with Vittoria Zaffiro pros which lasted me very well. Try them and see what happens, just make sure you're equipped to replace a punctured tube mid-ride if necessary.

Me personally, I would recommend Vittoria's Zaffiro pros or better (Rubino being the next step up). They're excellent for ride quality and grip in my opinion, and are far cheaper than other high quality tyres. There's no particularly bad brands out there per se, but there are some which are designed for very specific conditions - Schwalbe Ultremos for example have a reputation for being very fast and lightweight, but not for having great longevity - best used for racing. On the other hand, Continental Gatorskins have a reputation for excellent puncture resistance, but not for good ride quality or grip - best used for commuting. Continental GP4000 are a very highly regarded all-rounder, but they are somewhat expensive.

Hope that helps!

quozl

I really must try out those Zaffiros. The price difference is ridiculous compared to 4 Seasons.

Schecter01

Thanks for those responses guys! I've just checked the bike in getting -Cube peloton race has conti sport II tyres, they seem pretty good standard, i have to stop watching videos on YouTube

Wishbone Ash

Schecter01 wrote: »

Thanks for those responses guys! I've just checked the bike in getting -Cube peloton race has conti sport II tyres, they seem pretty good standard, i have to stop watching videos on YouTube

Their rolling resistance will be good but the puncture resistance may be poor.

07Lapierre

Schecter01 wrote: »

Ok it's becoming apparent that getting started cycling is as straightforward as building an engine, another question:

I've been told that stock tyres in some bikes are fairly ropy, so to expect punctures early on, to prepare for such an event, what the is average price to pay for a tyre and which brands are to go for? As I see Michelins from €18 - €60 and all in between. What brands to avoid?

Correct tyre pressures will make a big difference too...

NS77

Darkglasses wrote: »

Continental GP4000 are a very highly regarded all-rounder, but they are somewhat expensive.

+1 on this.... best all-rounder. With regular inspection and correct tyre pressure I've never had an issues with these.

Worth the extra scheckles IMHO

T-Maxx

Don't overthink things OP. Get the bike first, make sure the pressures are correct as others have said, and run them till they're dead. Tyres are consumables after all.

Schecter01

Thanks T maxx you're right it's a habit of mine, just looking forward to getting out there , and hopefully not trash the bike in the first ride

zl1whqvjs75cdy

Ditto for the tire pressure. Get yourself a decent track pump and keep those tires hard.

irishrover99

quozl wrote: »

I really must try out those Zaffiros. The price difference is ridiculous compared to 4 Seasons.

I got the cheapest version(zaffiro road tyre) recently of CRC. Have to say there is very little resistance. I noticed the moment i pushed my bike out to the front garden after putting them on how good they were.

But, there is very little grip in the wet. I lost the front end of the bike for the first time ever going around a corner at about 30 kph in damp conditions. OK maybe i was going too fast but then next time i tried them i was able to spin the rear wheel while starting at traffic lights while in about 50/20 gear.

I'd go for the rubino next time if i but them again

Tonyandthewhale

I've rubino's on one of my bikes for a good while now (on my second set actually). Last time I bought them they were only about 15euro on CRC and for that they're very good, decent puncture protection, lasted far longer than the zaffiro and don't seem too heavy or sluggish. Definitely not the grippiest tyre going but I suppose you can't expect perfection at that price point.

lissard

I've commuted for a year on Conti 4000s and so far no punctures. Prior to that I had Giant stock tyres which lasted about 2000km before puncturing regularly. Keeping them inflated properly is the key - echo the other posters recommendation of getting a decent track pump.

irishrover99

lissard wrote: »

I've commuted for a year on Conti 4000s and so far no punctures. Prior to that I had Giant stock tyres which lasted about 2000km before puncturing regularly. Keeping them inflated properly is the key - echo the other posters recommendation of getting a decent track pump.

I got 700km out of the Giant stock tyres. Very good when new but didn't last long at all

check_six

Good prices on Continental 4000S tyres on this site:
http://www.bike-discount.de/en/shop/grand-prix-4000-s-2040

I get my tyres from this crowd. The Continentals are a great tyre, their grippiness is a good confidence boost in poor conditions. Use the tyres that come with the bike till they wear out, then have a look at other fancier ones.

Wishbone Ash

check_six wrote: »

.... The Continentals are a great tyre, their grippiness is a good confidence boost in poor conditions....

I liked the feel of them and the grip but mine are now in the attic as I punctured in every ride I used them (including 4 in one ride alone) and I don't typically suffer punctures.

07Lapierre

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I liked the feel of them and the grip but mine are now in the attic as I punctured in every ride I used them (including 4 in one ride alone) and I don't typically suffer punctures.

Why are they in the attic? Punishment for all those punctures?

check_six

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I liked the feel of them and the grip but mine are now in the attic as I punctured in every ride I used them (including 4 in one ride alone) and I don't typically suffer punctures.

Weird, I've had more luck puncture wise with them. Didn't know they had an issue like that.

BoardsMember

I have only punctured once on my gp200s but I am not fully confident on the wet roads with them, could be just me though. I bought vittoria pave for wet based on posts on this forum but yet to use them.

Beer Assistant

Continental gp4000 two years no punctures over 3,000km. And come in different colours.

StevieGriff

check_six wrote: »

Weird, I've had more luck puncture wise with them. Didn't know they had an issue like that.

Bad news for you mate, you've just jinxed yourself. Two flats on each wheel next time you're out.

check_six

StevieGriff wrote: »

Bad news for you mate, you've just jinxed yourself. Two flats on each wheel next time you're out.

Ha! Maybe, maybe not. I have my mtb at home with two flat wheels I got in the space of 48 hours (first puncture was real slow, and I was too lazy to fix it before the other one got a chunk of glass through it). I reckon I've got a bit of positive fortune stored in the karma bank!

I want to know what happened to the fella on here a while back who claimed to have never had a puncture in all his years cycling. In my mind's eye he let the pressure drop a little in his front tyre, hit a bump, and the ensuing snakebite puncture set off a huge fireball-type explosion.

check_six

Check this out!!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by endacl
I've never had a puncture. I learned to cycle at the usual age. I cycled to school as a kid. As a teenager I cycled to school, and as one of Roche's babies, got into training with a club and racing around '87. Used a bike in college. Used a bike for work. Still use a bike to commute. Very tempted to treat myself to a nice road bike for long spins*. I've done tens of thousands of miles on various bikes over 35 odd years, yet I've never once had a puncture. I've woken up to flat tyres from time to time, and fixed tubes, but I've never had a 'puncture'. I've never been that guy on the side of the road in the rain.

I feel like I've been missing out. Wonder if this post jinxes me....?

mjp

Schecter01 wrote: »

Thanks for those responses guys! I've just checked the bike in getting -Cube peloton race has conti sport II tyres, they seem pretty good standard, i have to stop watching videos on YouTube

Bought cube peleton pro last year with mavic Aksium wheels and aksion tyres. Have changed back tyre to gatorskin tyre last week after getting 3 punctures after covering less than 300km on them. LBS said that whilst Aksium wheels are pretty good the aksion tyres aren't designed for irish roads. Will probably change the front for Gatorskin soon as am tired of changing tubes !!!

Schecter01

How do you find the peloton?

bp_me

Darkglasses wrote: »

Me personally, I would recommend Vittoria's Zaffiro pros or better (Rubino being the next step up). !

I have done over 3600km on Rubino pros and have not been let down at the side of the road yet. This despite a small slit in the rear tire that was picked up within the first 100km or so!

not yet

Lad in Cyclesuperstore swayed me away from Conti gp400 towards Veloflex corsa's...

Collecting them tomorrow, any feedback.

dragratchet

heading into the city centre shortly, might pick up a set of a decent tyres for the racing season.. anywhere central sell continentals or vittoria's?

not yet

dragratchet wrote: »

heading into the city centre shortly, might pick up a set of a decent tyres for the racing season.. anywhere central sell continentals or vittoria's?

Cycleways Parnell st..

run_Forrest_run

When I bought my Cube Peloton it came with Schwalbe Ultremo ZX and after doing one sportive I noticed a slit in the front tyre so I've started looking around for a stronger (in terms of punctures) tyre. The Ultremos are still on the bike for the meantime..great speed off them alright, great fun going downhills

@Darkglasses I'm glad you recommended the Rubino Pro because I'm going to get those, it was a toss between those and GP4000 and Gatorskins, the price won it for me.

Schecter01

What psi do you run yours at? Mine are pretty firm

ted1

Schecter01 wrote: »

What psi do you run yours at? Mine are pretty firm

120 for me and check them once a week.