wha is the best for a road tyre? I have one that needs replacing, a Vittoria which has punctured 3 times in two rides so must be ‘thin’ I had already changed the back for a Pro Evo 4 Michelin (i think).

I have used the GPS 4000 in the past and the gatorskins.

I also want to fit something with a little more tread for my Genesis flyer singlespeed bike which I want to use for unmade tracks etc.

Any advice guys

Conti 4 season 28mm back and 25mm front. (In true STW fashion – recommend what you run) Got them cheap from on one – ages ago. Worn very well and can take a bit of ruff stuff, I also triathlon with them. Never had a puncture (that’s blown that).

Thanks Wally, are they smooth or do they have some tread?

Conti 4 season 28c,
schwalbe the one
Specialized Turbo Cotton

Read good things about the cottons… just quite pricey.
The 4 season have a tiny amount of tread.. ive carefully ridden them down bridle paths. Ive been running them with latex tubes which seems to make them run smoother and a bit nicer

For heavier duty, I’ve been on Durano’s lately. The folders are quite light and feel great. I’ve also been running Pasela’s for years (just changed one of the tandems rears yesterday). They’re light, fast rolling and OK for minor rough road excursions if knobbles aren’t required.

The default lightweight choice seems to be GP4000SII or Schwalbe One. I’ve been running Ultremo’s for years and am just about to try the One’s so can’t provide any personal anecdotal backup yet.

I would describe a smooth with sips to let water move a little. I am a nervous chap (very nervous this week) and found them ace when it poured last weekend. They roll very well IMO.

I’ve used Michelin Pro 4 tyres for the last three years so I must like them. I did have a Durano on the back for a short period (it was an emergency mid-ride purchase) but really didn’t like it – it felt like it squirmed around all the time so I didn’t trust it and put a Pro 4 back on at the earliest opportunity.

Schwalbe The One on the summer bike.
Conti 4 seasons on the winter bike.
(May be the same bike if you squint!

Vredestein Senso Extreme. Hard wearing, pretty fast, not puncture prone and a bit of tread. They’re what I use on my winter commuter/gnarmac bike and I like them a lot. Reasonable price at Ribble too.

schwalbe one 25mm winter and summer

Gp4000 or pro4s

I’ve ridden 12k a year for the last four years, the majority of those commuting on the road and have tried lots of different tyres.

In my experience there’s a hierachy of fast to slow as follows – you just need to decide where you want to be on that hierarchy:

– Fast with reasonable puncture protection – Conti GP4000S
– Handling in winter (better with punctures) – Conti GP4S or Schwalbe Duranos
– Better protection but slower and no grip in the wet – Conti Gatorskins
– Even better puncture protection but wooden feel – Armadillos
– Bombproof but heavy and slow – Marathon+

I have yet to try the Schwalbe One’s. And don’t get Ultremos because they won’t last!

Don’t worry, you’re welcome.

with sips to let water move a little

Which make no difference at all on Tarmac. You need to be travelling at about 70mph to aquaplane a 25c bike tyre. The siping is there to appease weak minds not for grip. Grip comes from compound and a supple carcass not from tread.

I would put the Ones with the gp4000s but if you run them tubeless the puncture resistance is better

+1 to the Marathon+ description 😛

I got some specialised turbo 25mm on a trade in deal, punctured on the first ride with a bit of flint. 🙁
No problems with the conti 4seasons and didn’t notice much difference in the ride either.

Thanks guys…I concur on the pro 4s vs GPS4000s. I have used both a very pleased with both. yet to try 4 seasons or schwalbe ones. The gators were excellent puncture resistance but seemed twitchy in the wet and during winter, this maybe psychological?

No the gators are squeaky in the wet and don’t have black chilli compound rubber, the stiffer carcass doesn’t help either.

I like my Pro 4 Endurance tyres.

Armadillos are bullet proof – but roll like an immortal in a stab vest.

Rubinos are much nicer and in loads of colours, didn’t puncture in 4 months before I swopped to:

Pave – Grip, cushioned ride, grip, daft green line if you want it, grip, so little rolling resistance, grip and lasting pretty well so far.

Racing on Scwalbe One tubeless 23c and training summer/winter on standard clincher Ones in 25c flavour, great tyres but not long lasting.

Vittoria corsa are the daddy’s.

Gave up on contis, beads kept fraying.

great tyres but not long lasting.

I’m getting about 5000km on a rear tyre, seems decent on some shocking roads

No, no, no.

Get a pair of Veloflex Open Corsas from Ribble for around £52, they are superb tyres. Sticky, fast, amazingly smooth and the bike just feels so “planted” and secure on the road. Once you’ve had these you will never go back to another – anybody want a pair of half-used Pro 4s?

Run ’em with latex tubes and you’ll be in heaven.