700x23 Tyre Advise

[jaynana]

All,

just 1000 miles down the road on a new bike, front tyre is full of holes. i think i might have gone over some debris (found glass particles embedded in the tyre), anyhow, have tried 2 new tubes, only for both tubes to go flat within 10 miles max!! all debris have been cleared but i think some of the holes are sizeable and this time around (yesterday) the new leaks are from existing holes, not new punctures!!

So the bike is grounded! its time to replace my tyres!! (only one is damaged but the tyres are white-walled so i will replace both so that they look right)

bike is used for commuting, around 20 to 25 miles per day, almost 5 days/week.

what tyres would you recommend? i'd prefer a white or red walled tyre to suite my oem bike looks. but durability (based on my experience!) is key and that supersedes looks! so far what i've found, in the order of preference:

1. Schwalbe Durano Plus Performance Folding Road Tyre
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-durano-plus-performance-folding-road-tyre/

2. Schwalbe Durano Plus London Wired Tyre
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/schwalbe-durano-plus-london-wired-tyre/

3. Continental Ultra GatorSkin Road Tyre
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-ultra-gatorskin-road-tyre/

4. Michelin Pro4 Endurance Folding Road Tyre
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/michelin-pro4-endurance-folding-road-tyre/

please let me know of any comments based on usage, or any other recommendations..


also some tyre related questions pls:
1. what's the big idea with folding tyres? i'd presume portability, if so what's the compromise? must be durability and/or performance?
2. what are tubular tyres? don't need tubes? do they fit onto normal rims? what are the pros and cons?

appreciate your advise please.

cheers

j

 

[PpPete]

I don't know the difference between 1 and 2
I think the Durano Plus is pretty resistant to damage, but heavier than 4.
3. Marmite - some love 'em some hate 'em
4. Good durability (reckon on 3000 miles), not completely P* proof, but not bad. Light, fast, grippy. The 700x23 come up more like a 22, the x25 in contrast is more like a 26

Folders - kevlar bead instead of wire so lighter, faster
Tubulars - preserve of racers, not to be confused with tubeless, both need special rims

 

[Rob3rt]

Conti GP4000s. Currently on sale on Probikekit.

 

[jaynana]

Thanks guys, Conti GP4000S ordered.

found it cheaper at wiggle, with a £5 discount code for ordering the newsletter!

i wasn't sure whether to go for the GP4000 or GP4000S. difference is not very clear, apart from the price plus i couldn't find black/black on the GP4000! so i went for the S. not a life and death decision i guess so lets see how it goes, should be miles better than my current tyres.

i like the fact that its only 205g with all that puncture resistance, in comparison to Schwalbe Durano

cheers

j

 

[DCLane]

GP4000S is a good choice; mine have done around 2k miles since May and are still fine. I've had a couple of punctures; both on the CC Manchester 100

 

[Buzzinonbikes]

I currently have (due to lack of funds when replacing) a Schwalbe Durano Plus (folding) on the front and newer Conti Gatorskin on the back.
IMHO the Schwalbe offers more grip because it is softer and more rubbery. The Conti has better rolling resistance because it is effectively 'hard'. Both seem to perform about the same in-terms of puncture resistance. I have heard some loud pops as the conti bounces of shards of debri (glass etc.) where as I reckon the Schwalbe would pick those up and the piece could work it's way through the blue inner layer over time.
Oh and number 2 is exactly the same as 1 but not folding. The London bit is just a logo on the side I believe.

 

[Rob3rt]

Thanks guys, Conti GP4000S ordered.

found it cheaper at wiggle, with a £5 discount code for ordering the newsletter!

i wasn't sure whether to go for the GP4000 or GP4000S. difference is not very clear, apart from the price plus i couldn't find black/black on the GP4000! so i went for the S. not a life and death decision i guess so lets see how it goes, should be miles better than my current tyres.

i like the fact that its only 205g with all that puncture resistance, in comparison to Schwalbe Durano

cheers

j

The GP4000S is the red chilli compound version, the GP4000 is the normal compound version. The S is the better of the two, apparently. Very good tyres.