tyre choice for a 600k

[DooBlood]

Hey, what tyre's are folk using for their 400k plus jaunts?

 

[yello]

A timely question! Normally, I just use the tyres I'd use for my usual rides, Conti GP 4 Season. They're an all season tyre really (hence the name) offering good grip in all conditions and a good puncture resistance (ime!!!)? Downside; they're not the lightest and don't have the best rolling resistance (or should that be worst? Anyway, you know what I mean!).

SO

recently I've been wondering whether that for summer audaxes (and particularly PBP) I might not feel the benefit of having lighter tyres with less rolling resistance. I did a little research and thought that the Hutchinson Fusion 3 might be worth experimenting with.

I didn't have the best of experiences with some Hutchinson tyres many years back and had consequently black listed them all. Maybe it's time for me to revisit and hopefully revise that prejudice.

No idea of prices or availability in the UK though.

 

[Fiona N]

I'll keep the Michelin Pro Race 3 tyres on - nice and fast, good grip and what I'm used to - inflated to 100psi front and 110psi back

The bike is sufficiently comfortable that I'm not terribly taken with the idea of using lower pressure or heavier tyres for comfort.

 

[Nuncio]

It has been Conti GP 4 Seasons 28mm folders for 2 or 3 years, but I've taken the opportunity now that the front one is looking worn to replace it with a Schwalbe Durano 25mm. I'd prefer it if they came in 28mm but they've had some good reviews. That will be the set up for this Sunday's 200, the Brevet Cymru 400 and the Bryan Chapman 600 in May.

You'll probably get a lot of different opinions re- tyres. Continental Gatorskins often (ahem) split opinion. Previous discussions on them have tended towards a conclusion that their puncture resistance stops at flints, so users in flinty areas think they're rubbish and others that they're the D's Bs.

Some general points which tend towards consensus
- Schwalbe Marathons are as near as you can get to puncture-proofing without having a solid tyre, but you wouldn't want to ride very far on them.
- 25mm is probably the minimum size you'd want for long rides
- Quoted sizes are not always comparable (eg a Panaracer 28mm is nearer a Conti 25mm than a Conti 28mm, or vice versa)

 

[ian_oli]

I have had a year of audaxing/riding with Maxxi Fusion 25mm tyres. Light, good grip wet and dry, with good p. resistance until they wear out and then they go really fast - got ca 6000km out of my first pair. £18 or so each on the web.

 

[Fiona N]

- Quoted sizes are not always comparable (eg a Panaracer 28mm is nearer a Conti 25mm than a Conti 28mm, or vice versa)

Definitely agree with this as the Pro Race 3's are nominally 23mm but only 3mm smaller in wheel circumference than the 25mm tyres I have on the other road bike (Conti's of some description).

Wouldn't recommend Duranos BTW - at least for wear, they roll pretty well - as they were pretty un-durable on the Windcheetah compared to the Conti's which I'd had on previously.

 

[DooBlood]

Thanks all, I was (and still am) considering Michelin pro race 3's. My mate has them already, they get good reviews but someone told me that they split (or cut) easily. Hmm. I will keep the tyres I am using for my 400 and 600 (should I get there) and purchase new tyres as a treat if I qualify for PBP.
I have black listed Schwalbe Ultremo's as both front and back tyres both developed bulges. I do not like gator skins either - I found them no better with puncture resistance and were a bugger to get on and off. I currently have a vittria something or other (purchased from a fellow audaxer when previous said bulge developed) and a continental 4 season something on the rear.

 

[Greenbank]

Another vote for GP 4 Seasons. 25mm for me.

Down sides are that they're expensive. I typically get ~4500km out of mine before they start puncturing frequently.

 

[zacklaws]

I'm hooked on "Bontrager All Weather Hardcase" 23mm, its very rare to puncture and when they do its usually something large thats penetrated, their the only tyres that I can wear out through riding as opposed to some I've used where they split etc or wear out in a short time. Usually I get about 3500 miles out of them and as a bonus I find them easy to fit with just my finger, plus they are quite cheap, or they was, they have now gone up to £24 but if I was to shop around I could get them cheaper I suppose

 

[vorsprung]

I have used GP 4 Seasons, about 3 sets including doing PBP on them

They are grippy and fast. The 28mm flavour (actually 26.5mm) has plenty of air in it for comfort. But I don't use them now. Why? After 2500km they have enough nicks in them that they are not puncture resistant at all. I expect a puncture every 200km after this. Given that they aren't cheap tyres this isn't durable enough. Otherwise good though

Someone else mentioned Michelin Pro Race 3. Now, I've used Pro2 25mm extensively and had a good experience. They are incredibly fast and grippy. Comfy too. I've never had a puncture on them, despite doing a wet Bryan Chapman on them down some very grotty lanes.
The Pro3 is in many ways a better tyre than the Pro2. It is as fast and definitely grippier. I had some 23mm ones on my commuter bike. Difficult to compare them for suppleness vs the 25mm Pro2. They were very comfortable however. But they only lasted a week before being destroyed. Now, with a sample of one set of tyres over one week this isn't the best way to form a view. But the word on the streets is that the Pro3 is not as durable as the Pro2.

At the moment my long distance bike has 25mm Michelin Krylions on it. These aren't as supple/comfortable or grippy as Pro Race but feel much stronger. My tyre thoughts at the moment for 600km+ are

1) my NoS Pro Race 2 25mm- I have 4 with minimal wear and one still in the pack. Unlikely to find any in the shops though
2) Specialized Roubaix Pro - I got a pair of them with the Roubaix, they seem quite nice and are 25mm. Seem expensive to buy
3) Schwalbe Ultremo 28mm - Haven't seen them IRL but this is a 28mm tyre on a proper race/training compound. Take the mudguards off and they should (just) fit on the Roubaix. Difficult to source in this country but starbike.de do them
4) Michelin Pro Optimium - As discussed above, the Pro3 doesn't last as long as the Pro2 and the Krylion isn't as good a tyre. But Michelin have started making a long distance "Pro" performance tyre, only in 25mm. Still haven't tried them. Slightly costly but widely available
5) Panaracer Pasella - Not as fast as the above but a nice tyre. There is a folding bead version that is quite light. Used these in 28mm flavour on LEL 2005

 

[Tynan]

LBS talked me into Conti Sport Plus and they've been excellent for me, no idea why they aren't talked about more, certainly quick and been rock for me barring one huge incident and a couple when the rear was through the rubber in rather a lot of places

 

[zigzag]

i use spesh roubaix pro for good few years on my faster bikes. i was happy with their performance after two years, so bought another four tyres. in 25c size they are fairly comfy, reasonably fast, long lasting and robust (no incidents on two mega rides - wet and dry). easy to put on/off the wheels, no levers needed with mavic rims.

 

[fungus]

I use the same tyres (Michelin pro3 race) for whatever distance I'm doing from 50k to 1400k. I personally don't understand this chopping & changing of equipment for longer distances, just use what you normally do

 

[fossyant]

You lot are worse than racers, or sportive riders. Audax...performance rubber... what's going on.

I've got 4 year old Pro Race 2's on 2 bikes - not over used, but the rubber is past best. Still great tyres.

If Krylions are anything as good as Lithion 2's (which are cheaper) then you are on to a winner. I've just switched my commute bike from Conti 4 Seasons to Lithion 2's - mainly cost, but the Lithion's ride a damn site better than the Conti's and aren't far behind Pro Race... - seem just as puncture proof.

 

[Ian H]

I ride the same bike with the same tyres for anything from 100k to 1200k (and more). Currently 25mm either Gatorskins or Paselas. but anything from 20mm to 38mm has been used. A well-made tyre with good rolling resistance obviously helps.