a tired old question

magicbastarder · 07-02-2019 2:00pm #1

probably need to swap the tyres on my genesis out soon; they're four years old and i've done 9k+ on them, plus another 2k or 4k (can't remember which the previous owner of the bike had put on them), so they don't owe me anything.

apart from GP4000s or 5000s, what do people favour these days for good all-rounders? i'd want some puncture protection as it'll be my (two days a week) commuting bike they'll be going on, but that gets taken out on leisure spins quite often too, and is my go-to bike in the winter.

a chap in 360 recommended bontrager AW2s for about 60% of the cost of the GP5000s.
the tyres currently on the bike are continental grand sports, and i've been happy with them - two punctures in the time i've been using them, and one of those was a pinch flat caused by me letting the pressure get too low.

jamesd · 07-02-2019 2:10pm

Continental 4 Season - Im using them all winter and excellent.

Fighting Tao · 07-02-2019 2:37pm

I’ve been using Vittoria Corsa G+ since last July. Not a problem with them.

smacl · 07-02-2019 3:05pm

For a road tyre with some puncture protection, I've had good experience with Durano plus

magicbastarder · 07-02-2019 3:08pm

Fighting Tao wrote: »

I’ve been using Vittoria Corsa G+ since last July. Not a problem with them.

are they generally more race oriented?

Fighting Tao · 07-02-2019 3:12pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

are they generally more race oriented?

No idea. I’ve been using them for leisure and commuting. Now my commute is only between 12-14km each day depending on route. I prefer them over the GP4000s II I had on before. I check the pressure once a week to be sure.

ED E · 07-02-2019 3:22pm

Armadillos
https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Specialized/All-Condition-Armadillo-Elite-Road-Clincher-Tyre-700c/3EJN

They trade a little comfort for huge protection and grip is on par with the new 5000s (which are very good).

ted1 · 07-02-2019 3:24pm

Schwalbe Durano plus, with smart guard.

Much prefer these over contis which I don’t rate st all.

About 40% cheaper than gp5000

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/schwalbe-durano-plus-folding-tyre-smartguard/rp-prod128939

mirrormatrix · 07-02-2019 3:26pm

You'll do well to beat marathon plus for puncture protection. I don't like them though as I find they have a lack of grip in certain situations.

magicbastarder · 07-02-2019 3:29pm

cheers, i have a pair of marathon plus i bought off weepsie, with a bit of use on them. i've not tried them yet, partly because i hear they're beasts to get on.

rushfan · 07-02-2019 3:31pm

Swear by Panaracer Ribmo. Got roughly 10k out if a set without any puncture.

ted1 · 07-02-2019 3:32pm

mirrormatrix wrote: »

You'll do well to beat marathon plus for puncture protection. I don't like them though as I find they have a lack of grip in certain situations.

try the Durano, they've better grip.

droidus · 07-02-2019 3:39pm

jamesd wrote: »

Continental 4 Season - Im using them all winter and excellent.

Seconded.

magicbastarder · 07-02-2019 3:41pm

so two votes for GP 4 seasons
one for Vittoria Corsa G
two for Durano Plus
one for specialized armadillos
one for panaracer ribmo

no clear leader yet...

dahat · 07-02-2019 3:47pm

Why change? If the existing ones were good just replace with same?

magicbastarder · 07-02-2019 4:00pm

just seeing what's out there - the last pair were 'chosen' because they were already on the bike, wondering if i could do better.

07-02-2019 4:16pm

I'm disappointed MB didn't call the thread "a tyred old question"

magicbastarder · 07-02-2019 4:22pm

i thought what would have been too obvious!

rodneyTrotter. · 07-02-2019 5:01pm

Vittoria Corsa g are excellent. I have them on both my bikes . Fantastic grip and fast rolling . No punctures yet on either . Schwalbe one v guard are excellent too

Wishbone Ash · 07-02-2019 5:45pm

Another vote for Schwalbe Durano Plus - I'm averaging a puncture about every 10,000kms on them.

Panaracer Ribmo's are great also but a complete b@stard to get off and on at the roadside on a cold night.

magicbastarder · 07-02-2019 6:14pm

i have a ribmo on one bike and i managed to skin knuckles trying to get it on.

magicbastarder · 07-02-2019 6:15pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

i managed to skin knuckles trying to get it on.

i should point out i do not mean this in the marvin gaye sense.

eeeee · 07-02-2019 10:25pm

I have GP 4000s II's on the commuter, used to have ultra sports on the old bike, cant fault either, but prefer the niceness of the 4000s's.

Get In There · 07-02-2019 11:38pm

I have these on my commuter bike. Second pair now.

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/ie/en/lifeline-prime-armour-road-tyre/rp-prod155225

Can't fault them for the price really. I've found puncture protection to be brilliant. They roll ok

Chartsengrafs · 08-02-2019 9:54am

magicbastarder wrote: »

i have a ribmo on one bike and i managed to skin knuckles trying to get it on.

I don’t like the feel of them either. I found Durano Plus, although heavy, roll a lot better. Grip better too.

Miklos · 08-02-2019 11:23am

It's pretty hard to whack the auld Continental GP4000s. I'll probably put the 5000s on the race/summer bike for this season.

08-02-2019 1:00pm

Is there any chance a poll could be put up?

Cetyl Palmitate · 08-02-2019 1:10pm

My $0.02

Vittoria voyager hyper.

Used them for 2 years.

https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/tour-reviews/vittoria-voyager-hyper-2016

Ray Bloody Purchase · 08-02-2019 1:18pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

cheers, i have a pair of marathon plus i bought off weepsie, with a bit of use on them. i've not tried them yet, partly because i hear they're beasts to get on.

Are they really a bastard to put on? I ordered a pair this week after three punctures in the last month. My tyres are in a sh1te.

smacl · 08-02-2019 2:44pm

Ray Bloody Purchase wrote: »

Are they really a bastard to put on? I ordered a pair this week after three punctures in the last month. My tyres are in a sh1te.

I put them on both the kids bikes with slime filled tubes recently, couple of decent tyre levers and some patience and they're not so bad. Best done indoors, with a can of beer at your side to ease any initial frustration.

Ray Bloody Purchase · 08-02-2019 3:21pm

smacl wrote: »

I put them on both the kids bikes with slime filled tubes recently, couple of decent tyre levers and some patience and they're not so bad. Best done indoors, with a can of beer at your side to ease any initial frustration.

I'll bring a slab into the shed and do it. I won't do it where anyone can hear my wailing and cursing.

I've a long history of snapping tyre levers.

Wishbone Ash · 08-02-2019 4:19pm

Ray Bloody Purchase wrote: »

Are they really a bastard to put on? .....

The main problem with them is that when you get one part on, another comes off but it's easily done if you use cable ties. After you get each section on the rim, secure to to the wheel with the cable tie. When all of the tyre is on, cut the ties.

(I fully realise that it's completely different at the side of the road but hopefully they won't puncture. They are easier to work with when they get a bit of use.)

Ray Bloody Purchase · 08-02-2019 4:28pm

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

The main problem with them is that when you get one part on, another comes off but it's easily done if you use cable ties. After you get each section on the rim, secure to to the wheel with the cable tie. When all of the tyre is on, cut the ties.

(I fully realise that it's completely different at the side of the road but hopefully they won't puncture. They are easier to work with when they get a bit of use.)

Thanks a million. That's solid advice.

C3PO · 08-02-2019 4:46pm

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Another vote for Schwalbe Durano Plus - I'm averaging a puncture about every 10,000kms on them.

Durano Plus for commuting but wouldn't fancy them for weekend spins - Conti 4 seasons or GPs's for me!

doozerie · 08-02-2019 6:17pm

For my "winter"/training bike I use GP 4 Seasons 25mm all year round. Good grip, they roll well, and I've had about 3 punctures in over the many years I've been using them (two of which were because I was pushing my luck way too far - got a hole in one tyre from something sharp and I continued to use it with a tyre boot until that wore out and the tube bubbled out, and being a particularly bright sort, I used another tyre boot and left it like that until, surprisingly, it happened again...).

I use latex tubes in them, which I perceive as helping with all of grip, roll, and puncture resistance.

For my (hated) commute bike/tank I've been using fairly cheap non-folding Continental Contact II tyres in 32mm for several years. I possibly used them in 28mm at some stage too, I can't remember for sure now. Anyway, I find these perfectly fine for that purpose. I use butyl tubes in those as I can't be arsed pumping them up each day. Pretty good puncture resistance with these tyres too.

triggermortis · 08-02-2019 6:28pm

I've Durano Plus on the winter/commuter bike. Not had one puncture in over a year now (until now...).

Had 2 punctures in the times I was on Contis, and prefer their feel, but don't have enough wheels to swap them out for non commuting spins. Maybe they're the reason I'm slower these days on group spins??

magicbastarder · 08-02-2019 10:52pm

Aegir wrote: »

Is there any chance a poll could be put up?

one limitation in mod powers appears to be not being able to add a poll to a thread after the fact (or removing a poll either).

magicbastarder · 08-02-2019 10:55pm

was in duff cycles earlier - a brief chat with one of the sales guys (he was assisting another customer too) but he highly recommended durano DD tyres.
curiously, on the schwalbe site, their own spiel says this: "Due to its high level of protection and good riding characteristics, Durano DD is our recommendation for use on E-Race bikes."

Wishbone Ash · 08-02-2019 11:04pm

magicbastarder wrote: »

one limitation in mod powers appears to be not being able to add a poll to a thread after the fact (or removing a poll either).

It's difficult to judge a tyre on a poll anyway as priorities differ between us - grip, puncture resistance, rolling resistance, comfort, price etc. No tyre will satisfy each criterion.

I'd be the first to agree that GP4000's have good grip, roll beautifully and are very comfortable but they are expensive and in my experience, about as puncture resistant as a baloon.

Wishbone Ash · 08-02-2019 11:12pm

BTW - a club mate recommended these to me recently - WTB Thickslick. He said they have the puncture resistance of Durano Plus with more comfort.

Anyone have any experience of them?

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ie/en/wtb-thickslick-comp-tyre/rp-prod151676

tigerboon · 08-02-2019 11:46pm

I'll go with the durano plus as well. One puncture in about 3 years using them and that was from a piece of glass. Grippy enough and roll nice enough as well. On a Genesis as well if that sells them to you

magicbastarder · 09-02-2019 12:10am

i go to the tyre place with the car - what tyres do i want? 'well we've the cheapo ones for €70 a corner or the expensive ones for €85 a corner' and you go for the expensive ones cos well, tyres are important. but you pay no heed to the brand, could be anything.

but with bike tyres, there's a stupid paradox of choice.

Wishbone Ash · 09-02-2019 9:29am

magicbastarder wrote: »

.... but you pay no heed to the brand, could be anything.

but with bike tyres, there's a stupid paradox of choice.

:eek:

I always ask what brands they stock first in my car's size and then decide. Price wouldn't be a huge factor especially if it's only a few €uro difference between them. I'd never use those 'unknown' brands that the tyre sellers seem keen to push towards the customer.

I'm not going to be travelling at 120km/h in the wet on my bikes so I'm less fussed about brands.

magicbastarder · 09-02-2019 9:43am

probably phrased that badly. i always go for the more expensive option, but know little enough about car tyres that if you said it was bridgestone or continental, my reaction would be 'fine, just put the better tyres on'.

Wishbone Ash · 09-02-2019 9:51am

magicbastarder wrote: »

... my reaction would be 'fine, just put the better tyres on'.

....and the tyre fitter will probably choose the ones with the better mark up. :pac:

CramCycle · 09-02-2019 10:20am

ED E wrote: »

Armadillos
https://www.sigmasports.com/item/Specialized/All-Condition-Armadillo-Elite-Road-Clincher-Tyre-700c/3EJN

They trade a little comfort for huge protection and grip is on par with the new 5000s (which are very good).

+1 on the armadillos, great commuter tyre , good grip, decent puncture protection but the comfort is only slightly less than some expensive race tyres

smacl · 09-02-2019 11:39am

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

The main problem with them is that when you get one part on, another comes off but it's easily done if you use cable ties. After you get each section on the rim, secure to to the wheel with the cable tie. When all of the tyre is on, cut the ties.

(I fully realise that it's completely different at the side of the road but hopefully they won't puncture. They are easier to work with when they get a bit of use.)

I use two levers when trying to get that last really awkward bit on but do often end up with tyre levers flying through the air. Must try the cable ties thing next time. Funny enough, I always used to bring a handful of small cable ties with me for long solo commutes as they can end up being a kludge fix for many minor mechanicals.

C3PO · 09-02-2019 11:39am

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I'm not going to be travelling at 120km/h in the wet on my bikes so I'm less fussed about brands.

No, but you could easily be travelling at 60km/hr on two wheels with a relatively tiny tyre contact area in the same wet .... I know which situation I'd be most concerned about tyre efficiency!

Wishbone Ash · 09-02-2019 11:55am

smacl wrote: »

... I always used to bring a handful of small cable ties with me for long solo commutes as they can end up being a kludge fix for many minor mechanicals.

Same here - I store them inside the handle bars.

Wishbone Ash · 09-02-2019 11:58am

C3PO wrote: »

No, but you could easily be travelling at 60km/hr on two wheels with a relatively tiny tyre contact area in the same wet .... I know which situation I'd be most concerned about tyre efficiency!

Point taken although bike is not going to aquaplane.

triggermortis · 09-02-2019 12:00pm

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

Same here - I store them inside the handle bars.

And what do you bring to cut them?

a tired old question

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