Tyres

[Bealz998]

I recently got a puncture on my tdf stock tyres and it's put a whole in it so I'm after some new ones. I've looked at the gator skins for the puncture protection but are there any better tyres out there with just as much protection but faster rolling?

 

[jay clock]

The Gators are a re great compromise between full on racing and heavy duty commuting. Not cheap though and mine have the grim brown sidewalls. A cheap option (under half the price) are Zaffiros from Vittoria, but less resistant. Nice colours though

 

[MikeW-71]

Tyres are a well discussed topic on all forums, so you'll get a wide variety of recommendations. Gatorskins get good reviews for puncture resistance, but some report they are a bit slippy in the wet.

I have experience of the following:
Conti GP4000S - Very fast rolling and very good grip wet or dry, but still have puncture resistance. None so far for me.
Vittoria Rubino Pro - Not quite as fast as the 4000S and good puncture resistance. Grips best in warm/hot weather, but aren't feeling so good in cold wet conditions.

I'm about to try some Conti GP 4 Seasons, which have better puncture resistance than 4000S but are nearly as fast (so they say). The compound is also better in cold weather and in the wet.

 

[Chris Meewezen]

I have a dissappointing experience with Schwalbe Land Cruiser tyres, which although supposedly puncture resistant punctured on average once every 283 miles. Even the cheapest Kenda tyre managed to cover 363 miles on average between punctures, and that has no puncture resirance pretensions.

What experience do others have?

 

[VamP]

I have a dissappointing experience with Schwalbe Land Cruiser tyres, which although supposedly puncture resistant punctured on average once every 283 miles. Even the cheapest Kenda tyre managed to cover 363 miles on average between punctures, and that has no puncture resirance pretensions.

What experience do others have?

That's shocking! I have done 7k+ last year with one puncture, and I use lightweight race tyres. What kind of surfaces do you ride on?

 

[MikeW-71]

I'm about to try some Conti GP 4 Seasons, which have better puncture resistance than 4000S but are nearly as fast (so they say)

Just tried them. Yes, they are as fast rolling as 4000S, very nice indeed!

 

[Chris Meewezen]

That's shocking! I have done 7k+ last year with one puncture, and I use lightweight race tyres. What kind of surfaces do you ride on?

I live in Rural Cheshire, so mainly main roads with some country lanes. All but one of the punctures were due to thorns, only the last one was due to a small piece of glass

 

[mattobrien]

It's not yet been said, so I'll say it. Michelin Pro4 Endurance. I switched from 4 Seasons to these as one of the 4 Seasons had a rip in it.

They were £20 each and I can't really tell the difference, certainly no worse. No punctures yet and they are on my wet weather / winter bike, so are more likely to find conditions in which punctures occur.

 

[Bealz998]

So what your saying is I'm best to get conti 4000s

 

[Bealz998]

Tyres are a well discussed topic on all forums, so you'll get a wide variety of recommendations. Gatorskins get good reviews for puncture resistance, but some report they are a bit slippy in the wet.

I have experience of the following:
Conti GP4000S - Very fast rolling and very good grip wet or dry, but still have puncture resistance. None so far for me.
Vittoria Rubino Pro - Not quite as fast as the 4000S and good puncture resistance. Grips best in warm/hot weather, but aren't feeling so good in cold wet conditions.

I'm about to try some Conti GP 4 Seasons, which have better puncture resistance than 4000S but are nearly as fast (so they say). The compound is also better in cold weather and in the wet.

I've just searched for conti gp4000s tyres on eBay some show folding some don't are they all the same ?

 

[MikeW-71]

Exactly the same construction and compound, the difference is that a folding tyre has a flexible kevlar bead and non-folding use a solid wire bead. Folding are a bit lighter, so in theory very slightly quicker, but a bit more money. Otherwise, no difference.

Folding are also much easier to mail order as they will fit in a small box.

 

[Bealz998]

Where's the cheapest place to buy from

 

[MikeW-71]

Wiggle have them on offer just now. I've never paid full rrp for them.

Twin pack less than £50:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/continental-grand-prix-4000s-road-tyre-twin-pack/