Fast winter tyre - does such a thing exist?

[J1888]

Morning all,

Decided to put the roadbike into hibernation as the weather goes to pot completely.

Time to bring out the Tank - aka the hybrid.

Current tyres are a solid, meaty 32 x 700, but wondering if something like a 28 would give me more stability than the road tyre (23) but a bit more zip than the 32.

As it stands, the hybrid feels so cumbersome, so anything to give a bit of zip is worth a look.

Thoughts?

 

[Yellow Saddle]

For paved road use there is no such thing as a winter tyre, unless you're looking to riding on ice, in which case a steel-studded tyre is the only option.
Summer, winter, spring, autumn....your tyres don't know the difference.

 

[J1888]

For paved road use there is no such thing as a winter tyre, unless you're looking to riding on ice, in which case a steel-studded tyre is the only option.
Summer, winter, spring, autumn....your tyres don't know the difference.

I guess I'm more concerned with width, sorry if that wasn't clear. My road tyres don't give enough grip in wet weather and with more rubbish on roads, I worry about punctures. So, I'm looking for a happy medium of faster than a 32, but with good durability, if that makes sense.

And, whether a 28 would make any difference to my speed over a 32

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

What's inherently wrong with road bike tyres?

 

[Hacienda71]

I tend to ride the same tyres most of the time. On the beater bike though I use Pro4 Endurance as they wear better than the Service Course or Power Race tyres I have on the bike I race on.

 

[ianrauk]

Same tyres all year round in all weathers on my commute. Durano Plus.
No punctures at all this year... so far.

 

[J1888]

What's inherently wrong with road bike tyres?

Nowt wrong with them per se, but I find that in wet weather, my 32 tyres give more grip than the 23 road ones

 

[Supersuperleeds]

Same tyres all year round in all weathers on my commute. Durano Plus.
No punctures at all this year... so far.

You've cursed yourself. You better set off 15 minutes early tonight

 

[T.M.H.N.E.T]

Nowt wrong with them per se, but I find that in wet weather, my 32 tyres give more grip than the 23 road ones

Maybe its the tyre not the size?

 

[Joffey]

I'm not sure that changing to 28 from 32 will make much of a difference with regards to 'zip' - I would guess it's actually the fact that you are riding a hybrid rather than a road bike that makes it feel sluggish.

Is the hybrid heavier? Are the wheels heavier? It is more likely this than the tyres.

 

[velovoice]

Grip is down to the rubber compound, not the width (or tread). So yes, it's the tyre, as @T.M.H.N.E.T suggested.

 

[jowwy]

stick a gp4season in 28mm on there and off you go

personally i ride my gp4000sII all year round

 

[Yellow Saddle]

I guess I'm more concerned with width, sorry if that wasn't clear. My road tyres don't give enough grip in wet weather and with more rubbish on roads, I worry about punctures. So, I'm looking for a happy medium of faster than a 32, but with good durability, if that makes sense.

And, whether a 28 would make any difference to my speed over a 32

I gathered that you were concerned with grip, hence my suggestion that tyres can't see seasons. Wide or narrow, the grip is the same. For better grip, get smooth tyres EVEN IN THE WET.

There is a recently current discussion raging on the topic right now, with some excellent scientific input.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

Nowt wrong with them per se, but I find that in wet weather, my 32 tyres give more grip than the 23 road ones

How did you test that?

 

[MrGrumpy]

Much as I love my svelte roadie with 25c tyres my CX bike with chunky monkey 33c tyres and knobs on top is the comfiest thing I`ve ridden thus far. Only thing is I`ve worn off the rocket ron rear tyres and puncture protection is nil . So now looking for something more gravel orientated for the winter and spring. For the record the bigger tyres don`t slow me down that much but then I`m known to be a bit of a speed merchant !