Following on from making my v old school road bike more comfortable, as per a suggestion on here, im going to use my Reilly Gradient gravel bike as my winter road bike.
Ive got some Hunt 4 season wheels so im going to put some modern width road tyres on, and some mudguards.
So as i usually use either Panaracer GK SK in a 42mm, or vittoria Terreno wets or some 650b Vittoria terreno zero slicks in 47mm, what road tyres for trying to up my winter mileage? My road bike runs 23mm gp5000s with latex tubes. Id like to feel that im not riding through treacle, and have a little comfort. Im looking to do long days. So whats the fit and forget, fast comfortable road tyre for over winter?
Im going to fit full mudguards too, so any recomendations for something that would work well on the Reilly would be welcome.
Plan A was to drop c. £4k on a Roubaix, so this option seems sensible and doesnt really have a limited budget.
Thanks
Ian
I did just that. On mine, standard SKS guards and Schwalbe One's in 28c (were Durano's). Whilst not the lightest, very long lasting and puncture resistant. I also use Hunt 4 Seasons though I've just swapped to SL's as they were in the sale. We'll see if they have any bearings left in the spring 🙃
Im old and brittle! I will go larger than 28mm unless it is like riding through velcro!
Ooh, new wheels, theres an idea!!
I just put 35mm Gravel king slick+ on to mine for the winter for road use, set up tubeless and set the pressure to 35psi, had a spin out last weekend and it was very comfortable and not draggy at all. I would have happily gone for the Schwalbe G one speeds, but alas my pockets weren't deep enough.
Another vote for Schwalbe Durano (now called "One" and not to be confused with the Pro One!).
I used to commute on them and they were very hard wearing. The new ones are marked specifically for Tubeless or Tubed (the tyre has either TLE or TUBE ONLY on the sidewall) so make sure you get the right ones!
There's a new One 365 as well now which is the replacement for the old Durano DD (Double Defence) with extra puncture protection and aimed at winter training, cold weather, wet roads etc.
They come in 32c which for me is the ideal mid-ground between a 38-42c gravel tyre and a 25-28c road tyre.
Fit mudguards job done really.
Gravel bikes only really show their issues on the road if your riding in groups. Folks on road bikes will generally just ride away from you due to more available gearing.
My Diverge has entered full winter bike mode now (which is why it's so sunny) full mudguards and 32mm Roubaix tyres set up tubeless. Went out on a 3 up ride today guy on a Venge and another on a Defy, kept up fine, was on the verge of spinning out a few times on pedally descents (46:11 biggest gear) but it was fine. Dropped both riders on the climbs, kept up on flat, did my share of work. If I was struggling I would put some narrower bars on as mine are quite wide for bikepacking, but I can't be bothered.
Vittoria Rubino pro TLR? Should be durable and comfy for winter and come in 30 or 32mm I think.
Of course if money is an object my winter road/commuter is currently using a pair of 28mm lifeline 'commuter', cheap and cheerful tubed tyres from wiggle/CRC that will do a few miles and not cost much to replace.
I run tubeless 32mm Gravel King slicks on my winter road bike (not gravel, Laverack Jack so a bit "all road")
Check the Portland Design Works website for measurements but if the Gradient has the fixings, PDW mudguards are bombproof and rattle free.
And the silver ones look cool AF on a Ti bike.
I fitted 28mm GP4Seasons to my Amazon. Those, a dynamo and mudguards make for a decent winter road bike. I'm certainly tempted to go a bit wider but I already had these and I'm a tightarse.
Pirelli Cinturato Velo TLR on my winter bike, specifically because they have a thicker tread depth than similar tyres so I figured less susceptible to punctures (am tubeless but only 25mm so need to run higher pressures, not confident sealant would work).
They went up easy, seem to roll well, don't appear to lose pressure, so all good.
Pirelli Cinturato Velo TLR here too. 40mm ish on my Amazon when on commuting duties, and they roll well and seem tougher than most I’ve tried. Also running 25mm versions on my old road bike that also sees a lot of Glasgow commuting duties and they roll really well.
Those PDW mudguards are lovely.
Just got to decide on tyres now...
Go to 25c and latex tubes. Perhaps 28c if you must. These will easily go under the mudguards you will also fit (PDW in my case). I’ve just moved to 25c and 5.5 bar. Notable comfort increase but even that width means I miss the zing of the 23c at high pressures. I think you’ll be dissatisfied with anything wider than 25c. And they’re cheap at Sigma Spirt at the moment.
Here my Gradient in winter road bike mode. SKS Blumels 45s over Gravel King Semi-Slicks 
Dynamo and robust tyres and decent bag to be prepared with stuff!
It will then feel nice going back to summer weight tyres.
Bigger tyres also give extra confidence in the dark/ wet debris strewn roads.
I use Schwalbe Almotion in winter.
Used it on rear in a 300km gravel event too. Does the job for me.
I've got some Giant 28mm tyres that were barely more than half the price of various Conti options.
I'm only one ride in but they're sure footed enough for my relatively relaxed take on road riding. I am running them tubeless at about 70 psi for the 100kg of me.
There was a whole thread on here about a month ago about 700*30+ tyres. Most of the same options have been mentioned above already but may be worth searching up.
Kinesis fend off guards on my gravel bike and both my road bikes. Excellent coverage and rattle free. Rubino Pro TLR, wore the last set down to the carcass and were completely trouble free.
Stick some mudguards on and pump the tires up a bit more.
Job jobbed!
I did exactly the same. Hunt wheels for winter road bike transformation on my gravel bike. I went 32mm Conti GP 4 seasons just since the roads round here are so grim / rough / pot holed here in the winter. Plenty fast enough for winter group ride use
Those GP 4 seasons look a good plan too.
Thanks for your input all.
Off to chose tyres and see which PDW guards i want
ian
I'm planning on sticking guards on my Colnago World Cup, only issue is no mounts at all, so Raceblade Pro XL might just work. I've two sets of wheels, one with 38c gravel tyres, the other 28c Conti Gators
There are new Conti 5000 All seasons.
Supposed to be 20% more puncture resistant to the summer ones according to various sources.
The Older 4 Seasons are good, maybe a touch less fast. Not sure if they sell them still? Probably a bit cheaper now?
Done many happy miles at a reasonable pace on the vittoria rubino pro tlr tyres. Great to set up tubeless and roll and deal with winter debris well. Would recommend
Sounds like you've got it sorted TBH.
I like Hutchinsons winter/high mileage tubeless tyres (Fusion 5 11storm something or other?)
I like SKS guards, but they can be a bit of a faff to setup, I prefer guards with plastic compression fittings to adjust the stay length. Depends on the bike though, mine gets left in bike racks so the guards take a beating and need truing often. If you take better care of a nice bike then SKS are great and look nice.
I'm planning the opposite, As I've missed out on so many "standards" I'm going to make my next "nice" road bike a 4-season one as there doesn't seem much point now having a nice 'summer' one with disk brakes and then making my racy bike a 'winter' one!