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long distance cycle and tyre choice

  • 26-05-2021 10:27am
    #1
    woody1
    Registered Users Posts: 1,902 ✭✭✭


    considering doing the wild mayo ultra 300k , a lot of it is on roads i know fairly well, just to get through that kind of distance will be the challenge

    im curious whether it would be worth putting wider tyres on for it , i have 2 options put some 28s on the road bike, or i have a cross bike thatl take pretty much any size tyre i want , speed is not neccesarily an issue , im not worried about how long it takes, but if wider tyres help me keep going / delay fatigue then they would be worth the investment


Comments

  • #2
    Wishbone Ash
    Registered Users Posts: 24,948 ✭✭✭✭Wishbone Ash


    woody1 wrote: »
    .. i have 2 options put some 28s on the road bike, or i have a cross bike thatl take pretty much any size tyre i want , speed is not neccesarily an issue ....
    What width are you currently running? If 25's, you'd probably be fine.

    Will a cross bike be suitable for a 300? I didn't think they were designed for long on-road rides.


  • #3
    Weepsie
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,732 Mod ✭✭✭✭Weepsie


    If you can get the anywhere still, Vittoria voyager hyper tyres are both wonderfully comfortable and super fast rolling.

    Not the best in the wet now, and puncture protection isn't wonderful either, but that's more in a glass strewn city centre I find.


  • #4
    smacl
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 15,705 Mod ✭✭✭✭smacl


    Currently running 32c Gravel king slicks for road and light off road and find them very good. When I was regularly doing longer spins (150k+) I had 25c Durano plus on the road bike and moved to 32c Marathon Supremes on the CX bike which were a bit slower but much more comfortable. Way less road buzz coming through to the hands and ass. Thicker bar tap with a few strategically placed pads also helps on crappier roads.


  • #5
    smacl
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 15,705 Mod ✭✭✭✭smacl


    Wishbone Ash wrote: »
    Will a cross bike be suitable for a 300? I didn't think they were designed for long on-road rides.

    I've done the WW200 and a number of other long days on the CX bike and had no issues. Bit heavier and slightly higher BB but not far off an endurance / relaxed road bike on my setup (compact gears + 11-34 cassette). Many CX bikes would have a narrower gear range which could be a problem.


  • #6
    woody1
    Registered Users Posts: 1,902 ✭✭✭woody1


    smacl wrote: »
    I've done the WW200 and a number of other long days on the CX bike and had no issues. Bit heavier and slightly higher BB but not far off an endurance / relaxed road bike on my setup (compact gears + 11-34 cassette). Many CX bikes would have a narrower gear range which could be a problem.

    i have a focus mares al cross / commuter . i call it a cross bike as thats what i use it for but in reality its too heavy for cross, more a gravel bike, heavier than the road bike but i did 80k down the greenway to achill and back on it , with about 30k on the road , with the cyclocross tyres on and it was one of the most comfortable rides ive ever done ,


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  • #7
    woody1
    Registered Users Posts: 1,902 ✭✭✭woody1


    Wishbone Ash wrote: »
    What width are you currently running? If 25's, you'd probably be fine.

    Will a cross bike be suitable for a 300? I didn't think they were designed for long on-road rides.

    yeah 25s


  • #8
    mh_cork
    Registered Users Posts: 164 ✭✭mh_cork


    woody1 wrote: »
    considering doing the wild mayo ultra 300k , a lot of it is on roads i know fairly well, just to get through that kind of distance will be the challenge

    im curious whether it would be worth putting wider tyres on for it , i have 2 options put some 28s on the road bike, or i have a cross bike thatl take pretty much any size tyre i want , speed is not neccesarily an issue , im not worried about how long it takes, but if wider tyres help me keep going / delay fatigue then they would be worth the investment

    Wider is better, but also depends on which bike you are used to. Dont overthink it, its only 1 day, even if its very long!

    You also may want to consider the tradeoff between speed and puncture protection. You dont want to use a tyre that is designed for racing, or one with the best puncture protection - these are designed for commuting (e.g. Marathons).

    A very popular tyre in audax is the Continental 4 seasons. Lasts longer and more puncture resistant, but a bit slower than the gp4000 / gp5000. Over a long event, its a good compromise. Someone else mentioned Gravel king slicks, which are another popular tyre in endurance cycling, but havent used them myself.


  • #9
    n1ey
    Registered Users Posts: 31 ✭n1ey


    woody1 wrote: »
    considering doing the wild mayo ultra 300k , a lot of it is on roads i know fairly well, just to get through that kind of distance will be the challenge

    im curious whether it would be worth putting wider tyres on for it , i have 2 options put some 28s on the road bike, or i have a cross bike thatl take pretty much any size tyre i want , speed is not neccesarily an issue , im not worried about how long it takes, but if wider tyres help me keep going / delay fatigue then they would be worth the investment

    I have ridden in Mayo. You will encounter a lot of old pavement. The mixture will not be so coarse. Places like Derry are the worse.

    I would recommend 25 or possible 28.

    I would feel very comfortable with GP5000TL. Especially since I have better luck within them in the wet. I would avoid the Gravelking; this is a very slow tire. It's faster than other gravel tires not road tires. I find that it more probable to cut on glass in the roadway. My last ride in Mayo was on the GP4000.

    Some of the tires mentioned really serve no better for sidewall protection. All tires are weak in the sidewalls. Some will offer a bit more. Sidewall failure is more probably than tread puncture. In the last 50000 miles I only had two sidewall failures.

    Bill


  • #10
    byrnem31
    Registered Users Posts: 874 ✭✭✭byrnem31


    mh_cork wrote: »
    Wider is better, but also depends on which bike you are used to. Dont overthink it, its only 1 day, even if its very long!

    You also may want to consider the tradeoff between speed and puncture protection. You dont want to use a tyre that is designed for racing, or one with the best puncture protection - these are designed for commuting (e.g. Marathons).

    A very popular tyre in audax is the Continental 4 seasons. Lasts longer and more puncture resistant, but a bit slower than the gp4000 / gp5000. Over a long event, its a good compromise. Someone else mentioned Gravel king slicks, which are another popular tyre in endurance cycling, but havent used them myself.


    I currently have conti 4 seasons after having Gp 5000s. 4 seasons I find are just as fast as the 5000s yet they offer far better puncture protection. 5000s are more for racing and smoother roads. They are a pig to get off and on too.

    I'd go 32, I just done a quick run there this morning of 60klm on 4 season 32s from tallaght to Hollywood and back. The roads were awful, mucky, debris etc yet the 4 seasons managed it all and not one puncture. I ride a defy advanced 2 2020.


  • #11
    woody1
    Registered Users Posts: 1,902 ✭✭✭woody1


    n1ey wrote: »
    I have ridden in Mayo. You will encounter a lot of old pavement. The mixture will not be so coarse. Places like Derry are the worse.

    I would recommend 25 or possible 28.

    I would feel very comfortable with GP5000TL. Especially since I have better luck within them in the wet. I would avoid the Gravelking; this is a very slow tire. It's faster than other gravel tires not road tires. I find that it more probable to cut on glass in the roadway. My last ride in Mayo was on the GP4000.

    Some of the tires mentioned really serve no better for sidewall protection. All tires are weak in the sidewalls. Some will offer a bit more. Sidewall failure is more probably than tread puncture. In the last 50000 miles I only had two sidewall failures.

    Bill

    cheers. i live in north mayo, ive ridden most of the roads on the route barring about 50k but ive been in it in a car so i know its fine, generally on gp4000s and dont puncture that often , actually for the past month been bashing around on a tyre that was on a turbo all winter and still no punctures, although il probably get one next week now


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  • #12
    nicksnikita
    Registered Users Posts: 920 ✭✭✭nicksnikita


    woody1 wrote: »
    cheers. i live in north mayo, ive ridden most of the roads on the route barring about 50k but ive been in it in a car so i know its fine, generally on gp4000s and dont puncture that often , actually for the past month been bashing around on a tyre that was on a turbo all winter and still no punctures, although il probably get one next week now

    I’m living in north Mayo as well. I do all my miles on Mayo roads and use 25mm Conti GP4000s all year round without issue. But I’m nearly through my last pair so will be switching soon to GP5000s.

    I wouldn’t be making too many changes to your current setup as long as it’s reliable and relatively comfortable. I’d opt for the road bike before anything else...


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