tyre width for safe commute 38 or 47 size

[Tom B]

It depends how chunky you want to go, we use Schwalbe Landcruisers at work on 26" rims, but the do them in 700x35 and 700x40.

They have a central rib around the tyre and a domed shape which gives you the road tyre shape and makes it run nicely on tarmac, but as soon as you come to anything squshy they sink in and bite a little. They do give up on deep mud i think because [of their shape] they cut into the mud looking for the harder stuff below.. The only thing they are really crap at is dealing with the green algae that build up on york stone flags etc but that can be lethal on foot.

Before these we used to use something that is discontinued but looked similar to the Kid Plus, but with a more pronounced tread, i found them great on dry tarmac, but awful in the wet and usles in mud/mulch.

 

[winjim]

One more thing that occurred to me is that why don't bike tyres come in winter compounds, ie soft like a winter car tyre? Winter bike tyres are studded, which obviously isn't great for tarmac. ..

I'm currently commuting on Vittoria Rubino Pro Tech which is the "extreme weather" version of the Rubino. Has a different compound and improved sidewall protection. Only go up to 28mm though so no good for the op. I have yet to attempt them on anything too slidy

 

[philepo]

Been googling a fair bit... found these soft compound jobbies

Michelin stargrip
Continental top contact winter ii
vredestein 4 season

But, can't see a uk seller for the vredestein

Any opinions on conti vs michelin?

 

[philepo]

Fitted Continental Contact II. Unbelievable how much more free rolling energy I've got. In a gear or 2 higher all the time ! ☺ all for 17 quid each.

On size... the Kendas were 622 40 / 700 38c measured as 35 mm.
The continentals were 622 42 and measures 36 mm. Not sure why they bother with the size guide.

On tyre pressure. So far I've used 55 rear 45 front but this seems a bit hard. But they are at approx recommend pressure of 50. I am 80kg. Will experiment with lower.

 

[mjr]

The sizes are hangovers from history, when each manufacturer measured at different points on different rim widths for different tyres. ISO is better but still not perfect for everything.

It depends how heavy the bike is but I run 85kg bike+rider +kit on 37mm at 45+60psi front + rear on Delta Cruisers (puncture protectedbut softish ssidewalls). It seems reasonably fast on smooth surfaces and fairly comfortable on soft, but you can almost feel the energy being sapped by the bumps! Better than the bottom bashing, though!

 

[Rohloff_Brompton_Rider]

One more thing that occurred to me is that why don't bike tyres come in winter compounds, ie soft like a winter car tyre? Winter bike tyres are studded, which obviously isn't great for tarmac. ..

They do...

Continental winter contact 2.


Oops already mentioned.