[Closed] What road bike tyres?

First ride on vittoria G+ corsa this morning. 23mm (nothing bigger will fit) with latex tubes. Lovely smooth and grippy. Can't attest to their performance in the wet as it wasn't raining. And likewise this is a bike for dry days or "caught out in a sudden downpour".

I am expecting them to be like all Vittoria tyres in the wet though: dreadful.

But they are very nice in the dry.

Not cheap though. but I went for them because they have tan sidewalls = more PRO = More faster.

Bookmarked -
I'm bored of replacing cut up Gp4000s now so looking at something else for the racing bike.
GP 4 seasons have been going strong on the commuter though, also did some racing on them and they're fine, but don't feel as quick as the GP4000s.

Perhaps now is the time to go road tubeless?

Conti GP4000
Schwalbe Pro One
Vittoria corsa
Specialized Turbo cottons

They're all good. Like the GP4000S as an all rounder, have it on all year on the training bike. Usual demise is a flint cut but I doubt any soft race rubber would survive that. And they're relatively cheap at 30 quid. Pro One's the obvious choice if you want to go tubeless.

wrong thread 😆

I find GP4000's fragile even for the nice bike.

I'm going to suggest some Bontrager R2's they are 210grams in a 25mm, quite soft grippy rubber and roll fast.

They come up slightly small(like 4seasons) but theres a 28mm if your looking for large 25mm.

There also significantly cheaper than the big brands.

In term of pure performance, I like VeloFlex Master's, had them on my best bike for a while and loved them, fast, light, grip well, look pimp, everything you need. They don't however play well with carbon rims. So now i'm on Vittoria G+, they seem very good so far too.

In terms of what I didn't like, I never got on with Conti GP 4000's or Michelin Pro 4's so would suggest you avoid those.

Is funny how people get on with some tyres and not others. if you've been riding 4 seasons and are use to the way they feel I'd say go with GP4000S. Will feel better but likely still familiar.

I find GP4000's fragile even for the nice bike.

Similarly some people find some tyres fragile, others don't. Maybe it's a local roads thing, the type of grit and stone you get on the roads might suit some tyres better than others. Maybe you're a bit heavier or lighter. Or maybe you run a specific pressure. Or maybe the particular tyre just happens to work well with the tube you use. Or it might just be luck.

Like I said, I've had good year round experience with GP4000S. Though I run with vittoria latex tubes and set pressures before each ride.

Got some Pro One's to try next as I recently got some tubeless compatible wheels. Not entirely convinced but shall give it a go.

i dont do cheap tyres and always buy quality as ride quality over longevity for me but i’m quite impressed by the michelin pro4 endurance i’m running on my summer bike, think they were on special somewhere for a pair.
i usually have schwalbe ones or GP’s but would buy these again.

Corsa G+. Fabulous, grippy and smooth rolling. I raced the in what was basically a jetwash and they never missed a beat. Fit latex tubes to 25c. Avoid the skinwalls, they lure you in with siren calls but are a harsh mistress when it comes to cleanliness!

Heavily reduced Michelins on Merlin. Not sure if that is because they are not very good though. Touted as a performance tyre.

For the use that you want I'd go GP4000, good balance of performance and longevity for me.

I like VeloFlex Master's, had them on my best bike for a while and loved them, fast, light, grip well, look pimp, everything you need.

After thinking that GP4000's were the world I bought a pair of VeloFlex Open Corsa 25's after a suggestion on here ages ago. I'm not a big roadie by any means but there is a palpable difference to their suppleness and feel.

I've got or had recently:

Schwalbe Durano - good, reasonably fast rolling, long lasting
Michelin krylion carbon - excellent tyres full stop. They stopped making them though
GP4000S II - default choice, can't complain, known quantity and all that. I bought a second set recently for my spare wheels
Clement Strada LGG (120tpi version) - on balance I like these slightly better than the GP4000SII but they're 28c rather than 25c so that could account for a lot. Great tyres however I have a slight issue with the construction on one side of one tyre

Went from Michelin Krylion Carbons (great all round), to Pro 2 (nice ride but puncture prone), to Pro 3 (like Pro 2's but slightly tougher, and now on Power Endurance (more puncture resistant than Pro's but a bit wooden and just not as good as the sadly discontinues Krylion Carbons).
In order of priority I favour ride quality, puncture resistance, tread longevity. Haven't found a tyre that has ride quality and puncture resistance.

For those like me upset about the demise of the krylion carbon, you'll be glad to know they were re-badged as pro4 endurance.
The bad news is that pro4 endurance are also technically discontinued and they drift in/out of stock in different sizes/colours.

I mostly use GP4000S's or Specialized S-Works Turbo's and like both. I haven't had issues with the GP4000's being fragile though - if anything they seem better than the Specialized's in that respect.

I just use Grand Prix's half the price of 4000's and marginally heavier, not had punctures or cutting problems

Seems quite a few deals around on the Shwalbe ones at the moment. Not the pro ones but might be worth a punt?

Not too fussed with tubeless as wheels not suitable.

Not really thought about Vittoria, will have a look at those too.

Seems I can't go wrong really with 4000's or 4 seasons but good to know a few more to look at.

Getting on really well with the Bontrager AW2 Hard Case Lite in a 28mm width. I have them set up tubeless on 2 bikes now with no issues. They give a more plush ride than Gatorskins with a tube, no question, and I've not had any issues with grip or perceived (or measured via garmin) speed.

I've got a couple of sets of roadie wheels that are tubeless compatible and even have some tubeless ready tyres but haven't got around to trying tubeless yet. Not sure I ever will in fact - I don't really suffer from any problems that tubless would fix.

Corsa G+ in 28 flavour and non skin wall nonsense.
Like a magic carpet ride...

Corsa's will be my next set of when the Pro-one's wear out, tubeless.

Have them on my tubs and they've been great.

Corsa's will be my next set of when the Pro-one's wear out, tubeless.

Shame it's only the Corsa Speed in 23mm that's available tubeless.

I've got a couple of sets of roadie wheels that are tubeless compatible and even have some tubeless ready tyres but haven't got around to trying tubeless yet. Not sure I ever will in fact - I don't really suffer from any problems that tubless would fix.

Same here for the past few months. Though I have some Orange Seal sealant on the way and will set them up with Pro One's when they get here. Going to give it a try.

Ah...although I had trouble squeezing the 25mm Pro-Ones into my 'winter' bike when I moved the training wheels across.

Wide rims, tyres were coming up around 28mm so maybe the 23mm Corsa will help.

Same here for the past few months. Though I have some Orange Seal sealant on the way and will set them up with Pro One's when they get here. Going to give it a try.

I rode the LVRC Omloop couple of weeks back, the only time I've had any trouble with tubeless in 2 years...3 holes in one hit.

Two sealed on the spot, the third needed an anchovy. Okay so race was up the road (after 6 minutes) but managed to get back to the HQ on about 40 psi

Heard that they're going to do the Rubino in TLR soon though probably not the Corsa, which would be a shame.

I had alright experiences with duranos, 1 puncture out on the road in 3 years, tread lasted fine, the sidewalls go before the tread does

ive had no issues with gp4000 (folding) at all, the one on my rear is years old, and literally am about to order a fresh pair this afternoon.

interestingly i recently bought a bike that came with some conti gatorskins (wire) and i could not believe how dead and unlively they were compared to the gp4000, i really was quite amazed at the difference and took them straight off preferring my old well worn tyres.

Gatorskins are horrible, no grip, not overly puncture proof, just a terrible tyre. If you want a good, grippy winter tyre that's not too heavy or dead have a look at Vredestein Senso Xtreme, lovely tyre for the winter bike.

I just use Grand Prix's half the price of 4000's and marginally heavier, not had punctures or cutting problems

I've got a set of wheels with Grand Prix on it and I wouldn't touch them whilst I still have some GP4000SII that aren't dead. Definitely a harder rubber, not as confidence inspiring. Admittedly they're pretty fast in a straight line though.

I've just started using Pro One's tubeless in 25mm, superb so far, fast rolling and went (and stayed) up first time. Hopefully they will last!

I've just started using Pro One's tubeless in 25mm, superb so far, fast rolling and went (and stayed) up first time. Hopefully they will last!

I have used Shwalbe durano's in 28mm and they were good, puncture resistant, lightish and durable. Recently fitted some Vittoria Pave 27mm, they are really grippy but not had them long enough to say much else, they survived the white roads classic sportive with about 30km of chalky tracks fine.

Just ordered some GP4000s II 28mm from Canyon. Only £27 each (but postage is a little bit steep from Germany).

Used to use the 23mm on my road bike so looking forward to trying out this larger size now that I have the tyre clearance.

vittoria G+ corsa

I have ran these for about 3 months now. the 25's.

incredibly smooth, really soak up the bumps and bad road surfaces, a real joy to ride. without a doubt my new favourite DRY tyre.

but, had them out in the wet for the first time this weekend, and they were sketchy. slipped more than once on out of seat climbs, almost saw me off both times, others riding around me were fine....

Though I have some Orange Seal sealant on the way and will set them up with Pro One's when they get here. Going to give it a try.

Well as expected it took bloody ages to even get the tyre on the rim (worrying if I ever need to pop a tube in there roadside.) Now can't get the bloody thing to inflate. My old faithful coke bottle inflator, which has never failed to seat an mtb tyre, is just not doing the job. Being so tight it's not getting enough air in there to push the bead to the rim. Might pop a tube in to get it to seat. Though tempted to just give up 😕

Though tempted to just give up

Well another hour wasted. Not going to seat without a big compressor.

Tubeless faff is well worth it for mtb. For road, I'm thinking no.

I've got hunt's and ordered them with Pro ones set up tubeless. More trouble that it was worth, plus I thought the pro ones in 28mm were terrible in the wet. So off came the tyres and valves and on went a set of 28mm GP4000's with tubes - night and day, I flippin love GP4000's....

I've got the skinwall Corse G+'s and they're ok, and I like the Turbo cottons but they seem to wear out pretty quick and don't feel that much nicer than the GP4000's in 25mm that they replaced. Look cool though...

tubeless. More trouble that it was worth,

Had another go today with a proper tubeless inflator and I still couldn't get it to work. The bead is so damn tight that it won't pop out onto the rim and no amount of soap or persuasion seems to help. Going to take it down the LBS and give it a go with their big compressor.

If the only way to get the tyre seated is with a huge compressor then they are going back. Wasted far too much time on these already 😡

Tubeless, skin walls etc. All shit compared to GP4000S!!!

Tubeless, skin walls etc. All shit compared to GP4000S!!!

Balls. Turbo cottons are much nicerer 🙂

LOOOL over fifty quid a tyre! Wonder how long they'd last on lakeland roads over winter. Plus they've got those try-hard skin walls. You'd have to slam your stem and pull your socks up to get away with them.

I didn't pay for mine and I don't ride my nice road bike in winter. Or in the rain 🙂

Anyone had any experience of the Mavic tyres that come with their wheels? I got some and wondering whether to swap them straight off for the part worn Conti GP4000sII's I have on another set of wheels.

I've been pleased with the Schwalbe Pro Ones I've had on two sets of wheels now. It was easy to inflate the first set on new wheels, the second pair was a bit harder - maybe because the tubeless tape has dimpled in the spoke holes and made it harder to get that initial seal and pop across to the rim bead? Worth the perseverance though! Not mega durable but then they are a race tyre rather than a durable winter boot.

All depends on the road quality (invariably poor in the UK) but there's no reason you can't mix front and rear, on my commuter i have pro4endurance front and durano rear, used to have the dreaded gatorskins on rear and they are ok on the back (never front!) F you run them at 6 bar rather than past 7bar

I didn't pay for mine and I don't ride my nice road bike in winter. Or in the rain

😀 show off!

Skinwalls?

I did[s]n't [/s]pay for mine and I do[s]n't[/s] ride my nice [s]road[/s] gnarmac bike in winter[s]. Or [/s] and in the rain

Skinwalls are MOAR BETTERER! That's a science fact!

May have to have a little look at the new S-Works Roubaix Turbo Cottons, too....

The roubaix turbo cottons seem a much better idea for day to day riding. Although iirc the riders that used them in this years actual Paris-Roubaix had quite a lot of flats.

I'm on Challenge Strada Bianca at the moment, and not getting many punctures at all (I know, I know....cursed!). I have sliced a couple of them though, but no matter how good, cheap, strong, orsum you think your tyres, a Hampshire/Wiltshire flint will kill them to death if it wants to. Nothing can defeat a flint!

Had another go today with a proper tubeless inflator and I still couldn't get it to work. The bead is so damn tight that it won't pop out onto the rim and no amount of soap or persuasion seems to help

How did you get on?

I used to have a little Innovations CO2 chuck that worked every time until I lost it. Really struggled afterwards and eventually bought an Airshot, problem solved.

No soap or pre-inflating with a tube, all I need to do is pop the valve out and load the inflator with about 140 psi.

I've also been a fan of the Conti gp4000s but I got talked into trying the Spesh Turbo Cottons. Though the tyre feels nice I had to throw away two tyres in the first three weeks after they both had identical holes right through the casing. Spesh were good enough to warranty them both but I seem to get a puncture a week on the damn things! I'm going back to the Contis once they wear out.

How did you get on?

Close to giving up. Tried everything, loads of soap on the rim and bead, 180psi in the tank. Still not enough to seat the tyre. Tried a mates small compressor, same result. Going to pop down the LBS to give their big compressor a go, but if I need to do that each time I want to fit a new tyre then I'll be sticking with tubes.

I'm a bit surprised really as while the tyre is bloody hard to get on the rim I can still manage it with encouragement from a tyre lever, so can't be that tight.

Did you try the inflator with the valve out?

Yes. Always with the valve core out.

Hmm, surprising...I've had times when I've struggled but inflator has worked for me last few times.

Can't blame you for feeling a bit disillusioned if you need to go to the LBS everytime...

Hmm yes, maybe just the combination of rim and the Pro One's just not working well.

Pacenti SL23 here for what it's worth.

Thinking back I've also had success by re-taping the rim, assuming you're not working on a fresh layer

Wheels came with yellow tape. I guess I could try re-taping 😕

I've had schwalbe tyres that were just too tight. Nobby mics on stans. You might be able to stretch them with an inner tube. I ran my pro ones on ksyriums without any issue. Non tubeless rims though.

Will mount a Corsa Speed onto my new jet plus disc wheel later. Last one was tight but the long Topeak lever flipped over got them onto the last rims. It also gets them off. I carry them with the spare tube.