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road Q - need a winter tyre

17 posts & 9 voices | Started 1 year ago by mrmichaelwright | Latest reply from ourmaninthenorth

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mrmichaelwright - Member

i've decided to use my 'nice' bike over the winter this year as the groupo is all pretty shabby anyway and a carbon frame isn't going to be affected by salt etc, it also give me an excuse for a new groupset in the spring. I'd normally use my tricross in the winter but with race blades on i'll be fine and faster on the light bike, i will however need to use something other than my schwalbe ultremos so need a tougher grippier tyre to cope with the mud, greasy roads and water

any recommendations?

Don't want to spend a fortune and i'm not too bothered about weight

I don't like Schwalbe Blizzards which are the obvious choice, i've had a couple of nasty offs after they've let go on greasy roads

Posted 1 year ago #
thebikechain - Member

Hey Mike.
What size can you get in? Presuming a 23c here so what about a Durano? Harder wearing and puncture proof.

Blizzards are a 'cheaper' compound so are a bit skittier.

Posted 1 year ago #
ourmaninthenorth - Member

Vittoria Pavé or Conti GP 4 Seasons.

I use the former as winter tyres - excellent.

Posted 1 year ago #
djc1245 - Member

I just this minute ordered some Schwalbe Blizzards. Cheap and got good reviews

Posted 1 year ago #
mrmichaelwright - Member

hiya

23 probably biggest with the race blades on

Duranos are a bit to much cash, £60 for a pair winter tyres seems a bit extravagant especially as my ultremos aren't that old and cost as much as a small house

Marathons are available in 23 but i think they are a bit like hen's teeth

Posted 1 year ago #
nickc - Member

Continental GP 4 seasons, even round here they didn't puncture all winter, or I've a spare set of Kenda Khama that you can have if you want.

Posted 1 year ago #
Steve-Austin - Member

Gatorskins work for me

Posted 1 year ago #
Gary_M - Member

Conti GP 4 Seasons for me, just bought a new set this morning, they are just under £60 the pair though from high on bikes.

I was going to go for the Vittoria Pave but I really trust the gp 4 season and didn't want to try something that might be less puncture proof. Might try them next spring when the threat of puntures in the cold and dark isn't an issue.

Posted 1 year ago #
mrmichaelwright - Member

thanks nick, GP4s are a bit too much as well

Posted 1 year ago #
Gary_M - Member

Bontrager lite hardcase? I think they're about £15 each from all terrain cycles. I don't like the feel of them, very wooden feel, but they're okay puncture wise. No where near as good as gp 4season but if thats what you want to pay then they're alright.

Posted 1 year ago #
mrmichaelwright - Member

hmmm

Kenda Juarez C2C DTC for £20 each look like they are ok

maybe i should just push the boat out for GP 4s

if i buy them form the LBS i might get a free cup of tea too and they'll probably price match crc

Posted 1 year ago #
wellhung - Member

+1 for Gatorskins

Posted 1 year ago #
FuzzyWuzzy - Member

The Ultremo is my preferred winter tyre (OK, planning to switch to the DD tyre for winter as use the normal one in summer to). not sure what you're expecting to find that's grippier (you don't want tread on a road tyre and it's a pretty soft compound rubber). It's at least as good in the wet as black chilli compound Conti tyres I'd tried.

The only negative thing I've found is they are prone to the tread getting cut up but any softish compound tyre will be the same - get a rock hard durable compound tyre and it won't grip anything like as well.

Posted 1 year ago #
mrmichaelwright - Member

i actually do want a little tread on them, some of our local lanes become pretty much off road in winter! There are also a couple of short paved BW sections that become muddy in winter

Posted 1 year ago #
ourmaninthenorth - Member

get a rock hard durable compound tyre and it won't grip anything like as well.

I work on the principle that the only things between me at the ground are two small rubber contact patches.

So, I prefer better quality tyres, which are often softer (and grippier). this, for me, is even more valuable in winter precisely because the roads are greasy and dirty and I *may* find myself on the towpath/tracks riding home.

Posted 1 year ago #
mrmichaelwright - Member

fair point, i'm probably looking for the moon on a stick at that price point, i have always applied the same principles to mountain bike tyres, i'm a bit of a durometer tart in that respect!

Posted 1 year ago #
ourmaninthenorth - Member

Oh, the Vittorias have some file tread on the shoulders. the GP4S have sipes, IIRC.

Both are ace tyres.

Posted 1 year ago #

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