My aesthetic interest in tyres leads me to want skinwalls, but my interest in a tyre exhibiting all the qualities I want is at least as high.
In this respect, I currently run Conti GP 4000s, but will be looking to replace them soon, and want a tyre that is
1) fast rolling
2) good in corners
3) confident in the wet
4) fairly durable
Is there a skinwall that ticks all of these boxes at around the £50/tyre mark or less? Or should I forego the skinwalls and stick with the GP 4000s, which seem to meet all of the above criteria?
I should add that I could probably accept if some reasonable compromises were made.
What about Clement Strada LGGs? I suspect that they're not going to be as fast as the higher price-point tyres, but reviews talk about their robustness and their general all-roundedness.
Any thoughts?
I'm not a roadie, but I've just fitted a pair to my CX bike. Only done one ride so far, 100 miles road with a bit of track, ran them at 60psi, they rolled well, comfy with the volume. Mine are black and as round as a circle.
Veloflex master is one to consider .. They tick all your boxes(maybe not quite as long lasting) but can be had around £28 each
Roll beautifully and very grippy in all conditions:)
I'm really happy with my Vittoria Corsa G+ although I've just had to replace the rear after just shy of 2000 miles as it started to cut up quite easily (prior to this I didn't have a single puncture on them) They're a bit lighter in colour than most skin walls but I quite like that. And they roll and grip superbly.
Gratuitous pic
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Veloflex master are sooo supple, fast and grip forever. Not in anyway long lasting though. Clement tyres generally are very good. Used a few of their cross tyrescanf tubs. Another vote for the new corsas. Impressed so far.
Challenge Strada Bianca, Paris Roubaix or Strada perhaps?
Look for the proper Pro/Race spec open tubular versions, but I suspect they'll be just beyond budget. The lower priced ones have a single puncture belt, rather than double, and a lower thread count.
The shiny ones are lush. Really supple, fast handling and great grip. Plus....yum!
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My experience is that the high end skin walls generally grip well, roll fast but don't last long.
Veloflex Masters, Vittoria G+, Spec Turbo cotton all fall into this.
Lunge, those are all quite 'race' styled tyres, especially the Turbo Cottons.
Something like a SB or PR as above, or the new Hell of the North Turbo Cottons (much yum) tend to be more durable. Not as fast by a little, but if you're not racing.....
Also, given the state of the roads around my way, 30mm is very welcome!
I found them to be about as quick but more prone to puncturing than my current conti four seasons. They also seemed to pick up more small tears etc but I did over 2000 miles on a pair and had no real complaints. The contis are better though.
[url= https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2835/34187662422_274897028d_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2835/34187662422_274897028d_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/U63GXy ]IMG_0324[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/54931015@N07/ ]Plus one2010[/url], on Flickr
Skinwalls rock 🙂
Skinwalls rock
[url= http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/the-stw-skinwall-appreciation-society ]Indeed they do![/url]
I rode Bontrager R4's last year, nice tyre very similar to the Vittoria.
Don't Conti make a classic version of the GP in skinwall?
I've challange CX and wide road tyres and they are lovely.
Don't Conti make a classic version of the GP in skinwall?
If the skinwall was lighter on the classic GP, I would buy them in a flash. As it is, though, the skinwall is quite a dark brown, and hardly stands out from the black. I know it's all a bit superficial, but I really don't think that's what I want for my bike.
I use Challenge Paris Roubaix on my commuting /training bike. Fast, comfy and decently durable so far.
I've been using Clem Strava LGG 25 skin walls for years. Best tyres ever.
How do they size up? Are they a big or small 25?
The old tubular skinwalls look good on a shallow profile rim on an old racing bike. They were a low volume tyre though.
Alot of these new skinwall tyres are high volume and the skinwall is too big and looks bloody dreadful, especially on a gravel bike or MTB.
Big or small 25's?
Erm, 110psi front 115psi rear fit my R5ca perfectly on MavM40c's.
Better get another opinion on your bike clearances..
A lot difference in various brands way of sizing, that's all, I've had 25's from one make come up smaller then a 23s from another. Just asking your experience,
difference in various brands way of sizing
Rim shape is important, too.
Shiny walled GP's perhaps?
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I think these 28's look ok...
Corsa G+ in 25c are excellent. They don't stay that colour for long though. Fast rolling, good in the wet. I run the grey ones on the race bike and skinwalls on the nice bike.