Tyres for Winter / Commuting Wheels

[John the Monkey]

My Gatorskins are coming up on 2,500 miles fairly soon, so I'm thinking I may need to get some new tyres sooner rather than later.

Currently thinking;

1) Pair of Pro2 Race for slightly less than £40 (700x25)

2) Pair of GP4000 for £40 (700x25)

3) Pair of Pro3 Race for £45 (700x23)

I've ridden GP4000 in 23mm, and I know that I like the tyres - I've not ridden them much in commuting conditions though. I've not ridden Michelins at all, ever.

I know the tyres are probably overkill for the commute, but they do go out on the Sunday ride if it's wet (every bloody weekend lately) and I've lost confidence in "commuting/city" tyres as such after the skittery performance of the Gators in the wet, making me thing that extra grip is the thing to go for rather than outright durability.

I know the Pro3 Race is well regarded, but is it worth the premium over the Pro2 Race? Will a 23mm tyre rattle my teeth out over the crappy roads through Wilmslow? What slicks does your 700C commuter wear?

 

[giant man]

Pro Race 2s make good winter tyres, I think as good as Ultra Gators or Krylion carbons for grip and puncture resistantability. Even the 23s, but I reckon the 25s are excellent. Good all year round tyre imo.

 

[MajorMantra]

Just out of curiousity, where would you get PR2s? I didn't think anyone stocked them now they've been replaced by the PR3s.

Matthew

 

[Tynan]

gators skittery?

mine lasted all of 200 miles before being chucked

had a GP4000 on the rear and got tired of it cutting and puncturing, it's under the stairs if you want it

 

[John the Monkey]

gators skittery?

25mm wire on - worst grip in the wet of any tyre I've ridden so far.

had a GP4000 on the rear and got tired of it cutting and puncturing, it's under the stairs if you want it

thanks for the offer... Not had that problem with my 23mm, but they've been on fine weather rides only since last June (admittedly over some fairly rough roads though).

 

[llllllll]

I used Gatorskins last year they weren't great, skiddy in the wet and I got plenty of puntures even when they were new. I replaced them with Hutchinson Intense and have been riding them for about 4 months now (around 1000miles). I couldn't be happier with them, they're lighter, grippier and I've only just had my first puncture with them this morning (which is very good considering the roads I'm using them on). And as if that wasn't enough, they're much easier to get on the rim than the Contis, very important when you're stuck at the roadside in the freezing cold.

GP4000 and Pro3 Races are great tyres for summertime, but not for cummuting at this time of year.

 

[HLaB]

That minds me I'll have to check the state of my conti 4 seasons (700x25). I bought them last witer because I felt my old spesh nimbus armadillos were too skittish. The 4 seasons are great grippy winter tires but mine only see action on the club runs and weekend miles, its big chunky 700x37 conti contacts on my commute on my hybrid but my commute is very short.

 

[Tail End Charlie]

Bontrager race lites are good tyres. 15 quid each. Last one lasted 4400 miles on the rear of my fixie. When I took it off I noticed a large gash in the tread, don't know how long that had been there but it hadn't got through the layer underneath. they are quite light too.

 

[fossyant]

Right then....gatorskins are off the fixie then if skitty.....(that's the standard fit)

John, Pro Race 2's at 23mm are great........luv them.............so long as you wear off the manufacturing grease.... I've liked them loads.... but a bit too good for commuting ? Maybe your best wheels... but at current prices...oh yes.........

GP 4000 All Seasons ? Anyone....Please !

 

[Mortiroloboy]

Spesh Armadillos on my winter bike 700x25's seem OK so far, and Bonty racelites 700X23's on my best bike, both makes roll well and seem to be good VFM.

 

[John the Monkey]

Right then....gatorskins are off the fixie then if skitty.....(that's the standard fit)

FWIW, one of the guys I know from my train journey rides gators on his fixed, and reckons they're ok (we've speculated about whether that's because of the increased road feel through the back wheel &c). Not my first choice for a wet weather tyre though, by a long way.

John, Pro Race 2's at 23mm are great........luv them.............so long as you wear off the manufacturing grease.... I've liked them loads.... but a bit too good for commuting ? Maybe your best wheels... but at current prices...oh yes.........

Cheers - I reckon that's the way I'll go in that case.

GP 4000 All Seasons ? Anyone....Please !

The 4 seasons? Well reviewed, but can't find a pair anywhere for less than £55.

Charlie - I've ridden hardcases on my old bike, but had a nasty puncture when the bead separated from the tyre carcase - soured me on them a bit.

 

[fossyant]

TBH, I've been running those thin Hutchison Top Slick's on my MTB for 6 months - been very good, and they are a thin/race type road tyre for MTB's - so really can't think why Pro Race won't do in town - it will give the bike a bit of life...great in the wet too....

 

[John the Monkey]

Just out of curiousity, where would you get PR2s?

Probikekit had them, but have handily sold out now I've decided to buy the bloody things.

The moral here is buy now, think later

 

[fossyant]

Pro 3's are coming down to sub £25 each often - even Decathlon have them for £24.99.....

 

[giant man]

Pro Race 2s:

http://www.wheelbase.co.uk/product_3056.htm
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/:wink:/5360015674/
http://www.italian-solutions.co.uk/product.php?productid=161669
http://www.cyclexpress.co.uk/products/Michelin_Pro_Race_2.aspx
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Michelin-Pro-...14&_trkparms=72:1683|66:2|65:12|39:2|240:1318
http://www.yorkcycleworks.com/products.php?plid=m2b0s121p908&mode=print

FWIW if it were me, and you have trouble finding the PR2s, because they are an old tyre and getting so scarce now, just go for the 3s, still be a great tyre and possibly better than the 2s. I have ridden the original ProRace and the 2s for the last 4/5 years and I wouldn't use anything else. I like Michelin tyres.

Or you could go for the Krylion carbons, which 23s are around. The 25s are more difficult to find. I have a brand new pair of Krylion carbon tyres 23s for sale- still in pack and totally unused - in red which you can have for £40 if you want. But you can probably get these the same price or less if you look around. PM me if interested.