Im looking to start commuting on my road bike but at the moment i seem to be picking up atleast two punctures a week and there is nothing obviously sharp with the rims. i currently have 700x23 conti ultras that came as standard and looking to upgrade to gator skins as there is a good deal on a set from [url= http://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-ultra-gatorskin-road-tyre-and-tube-set/ ]Wiggle[/url]. The roads over here are pretty shocking, would moving to 700x25 improve my chances of puncture free milage ?
Not unless they are pinch flats...but you can run lower pressures, I think I've seen it argued both ways whether that helps or not.
lots of people seem to like gatorskins but they've let me down 😳 in the past on flinty-gravel covered roads
spesh roubaix armadillo are pretty much bulletproof IME (23mm tyre with enough rubber to make up to 25 size)
going to 25 would make snakebites less likely, but not "general" punctures, I think
(will yr frame allow bigger tyres ?)
Plenty of clearence with 23's so I dont forsee any problems. Ive had a few other recommendations for the Armadillos so may shop around for a deal on those
I doubt it - just sounds like your roads are not great?
Schwalbe Blizzard also worth a look. I've used them for 10 years now on winter bike (not the same pair obv) and covered a lot of mileage fairly puncture free.
IMO 25c is def worth it if you have the clearance, not for puncture protection but for a little more comfort.
conti ultras are pretty pants, ime. gatorskins are much better. bit sketchy in the wet though.
25s for comfort if they fit.
BTW just bought myself a pair of Maxxis Detonators - only done 250 miles on them as only had them 2 weeks but seem very good value for money £19/tyre:
http://www.maxxis.com/Bicycle/Road-Training/Detonator.aspx
I put Stans in my inner tubes in the commuter, makes a huge difference, don't get punctures (that I notice) anymore....
Conti ultra sports were pretty terrible when I ran them for a brief period. Conti gatorskins and Vittora Rubino Pros are worth trying for commuting IME. Grip levels aren't great but they should offer better puncture protection.
Michelin Pro 3 Krylions in 25mm appear to have solved my puncture worries of all sorts, and still feel faster than I'm capable of. The roads of the Peoples Republic of Wiltshire are about as bad as it gets.
I find that any tyre becomes more puncture-prone as it gets older.
If you're mainly commuting, think about a light touring tyre like a Panaracer Pasela. Not too heavy and very good puncture resistance (I had one in about 3 years).
I run Bontrager Race Lite Triple Hardcase on my commuter. Had them on a year and never punctured, even picked a chunk of glass out of them & they were fine. I run with 700x28 @ 100psi and I paid £18 a tyre. They were available in other widths too.
Schwalbe Durano Plus. 23 and 25c. Mine have yet to puncture over the winter (1000 miles), and I keep recommending them without being jinxed. Not cheap, but smooth rolling and good in the rain. This on the streets of Hillingdon, Slough, Windsor and lanes. The spare tube is still folded unloved!
