I think I need to re-evaluate my tyres until I can afford a cx bike. Currently on my Defy I’ve got michelin lithions in 23c form. They aren’t cutting it on my new commute as I’ve lost 3 tubes in 2 weeks (more than what I did in 2 years on lincs roads). I can only get away with a 23c tyre due to clearance with my mudguards. Has anyone got any recommendations??

spesh roubaix armadillo – they’re 25s but pretty small IMO
carcass is a 23, with extra rubber on top
(not all that grippy mind, so I wouldn’t take the piss on corners)

panaracer pasela.

Schwalbe durano on my winter big mile machine 25mm.. Come in 23mm too.. Loads of miles no issues 🙂

Continental Gatorskins. Pretty rigid but pretty puncture proof.

Schwalbe Durano are great IMO. Available in 23, 25, and now 28mm I think. I use 23mm and they seem to last ages.

Duranos for sure, 2nd winter on mine & still going strong

Schwalbe marathon supremes here on my Pompetamine. Cheap from on-one, but doesn’t look like they have them skinny enough for you.

Bontrager Hardcase. 14 quid each….

DSCN3930 by Slugwash, on Flickr

Conti Gator Hardshell.
2 punctures on the rear in 2700miles inc winter and offroad still had life in them but I swapped the back as it had to be removed anyway.
Put a hole in the sidewall at 800 miles
Lots of cuts and holes in the tread but only 2 punctures.

These were 28s but available in 23.

Continental GP 4Season. I’ve been running either 23mm or 25mm for the past few years but switched to 28mm when the last set wore out. Fantastic tyre, I won’t be going back to 23/25 on the commuter.

I used bontrager hardcase a good few years ago, horrible wooden feel, not that puncture proof, don’t resist cuts very well. They’re £14 for a reason.

another vote for duranos, weighty and fiddly to fit but pretty good puncture proofing, I didn’t get on with gatorskins.

Yet another vote for Durano. Got 28c Durano S on CX bike for commute and winter bimbling and they have held up really well and have a lot more grip in wet/ gritty/ muddy corners than plasticky feeling Gatorskins.

Wheres best place to get Duranos? I dont mind buying from Ze Germanz.

Gatorskins or Durano Plus for me, depending on the season. Only ever had one puncture in 3 sets of Durano Plus….. and that was nail through the sidewall. Not sure you can get the Durano’s in 23 though – def 25, but they are a big 25 with the PU strip.

Another vote for Bonty Racelite Hardcase. 8000 miles. No punctures.

Schwalbe Durano Plus in 25c (wire bead), or Marathon Plus in 25c. I’ve commuted and club ridden on both. I’ve also ridden Durano S and Durano Plus in 23c kevlar folding. The 25c are bombproof, Durano Plus are basically shaved down Marathons sans tread. Should fit under your brakes OK. I’ve never punctured a Marathon, but have eventually punctured a Durano Plus and Durano S a few times. Wider is more pothole friendly at this time of year.

Even the Marathon is not a slow tyre, and they all have very good wet weather grip.

Wheres best place to get Duranos?

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TYSCDUR/schwalbe-durano-folding-tyre ?

I just bought some Hutchinsons from there. They don’t appear to be recommended on this thread 🙁

ps. had enough of Contys – in the wet they puncture far too often (various models including Gator skins)

Durano Plus for me too, they seem to have been on my bike forever and I only remember one puncture. Also reassurng grip whatever the conditions. Looking to try the 28mms though, too many craters in the road for 23s!

my commuter has a gatorskin on the back – I’ve tried them on the front but the hard compound makes them too sketchy esp in the wet, I have a lithion on the front but have had punctures, they are summer tyres only

am wondering whether to try a pro4 endurance from PX for 20quid

ps. had enough of Contys – in the wet they puncture far too often (various models including Gator skins)

I live in the west of Scotland, I commute 20 miles each way mostly in the rain on shit roads and that’s not my experience in years of using gp 4seasons.

Looks like the durano is top choice then! There are also the rages from PX with the Kevlar puncture strip.

Are 4seasons better than gatorskins? I’ve got a set of 28mm gatorskins and they make the bike feel awful, just a really dull feeling.

BUT, I’ve never had a puncture on them and after 1500 miles the rear still has the mold strip showing..

Continental supersport plus seem pretty good. £16 from Planet x

For commuting gatorskin hardshell .

If you have more money 4 seasons. Not as hard wearing but a nicer Tyre and better in the wet and colder months

I couldn’t recommend anything specialized armadillo – I’ve got nimbus on my (crappy) hardtail which has been relegated to commuting and I’ve had 3 punctures in the last couple of weeks.

Good job I have 3 bikes!

+1 for Duranos. Tough and grippy.
APF