What tyres are you using to commute to work?

[Alex321]

You can use any tire that suits your specific needs.

If you live in an area where flats happen a lot than find a really good highly flat resistant tire, like the Schwalbe Marathon Plus, but it is a heavy tire at around 750 grams each, but it's the most flat resistant tire you can buy, and last around 10,000 miles.

Now if you don't need that much flat protection there are many tires on the market that will do quite well, like the Conti Gatorskin, or the Specialized All Condition Armadillo elite tire, which will weigh about half of the Schwalbe and give really good flat protection but they will last about 5,000 miles.

If you are getting 5,000 miles out of any bike tyre, you must be riding mainly flat, open roads. My marathon+ "only" last me about 3000 - 4000 miles, but that is with quite a lot of hills, so a lot of braking, plus a lot of narrow twisty roads, often with poor surfaces.

 

[I like Skol]

If you are getting 5,000 miles out of any bike tyre, you must be riding mainly flat, open roads. My marathon+ "only" last me about 3000 - 4000 miles, but that is with quite a lot of hills, so a lot of braking, plus a lot of narrow twisty roads, often with poor surfaces.

Really? 3-4k is my typical life span for a 'normal' tyre. Vittoria Randonneurs used to do 5k with excellent puncture resistance, but then they went cheap and lifespan was much reduced. Currently running Schwalbe Spicers with K-guard and getting great milage from these with minimal puncture until the tyre are at end of life.

 

[Alex321]

Really? 3-4k is my typical life span for a 'normal' tyre. Vittoria Randonneurs used to do 5k with excellent puncture resistance, but then they went cheap and lifespan was much reduced. Currently running Schwalbe Spicers with K-guard and getting great milage from these with minimal puncture until the tyre are at end of life.

Just looked back at my spreadsheet, and I am getting more than I thought - though still nowhere near the 10K mentioned above for the rear. I fitted one to the rear at 5,948 miles (on the current bike, which is now at 13,153), and replaced it at 10,765 - not sure how much longer it would have lasted, but tread had disappeared from the centre of the tyre. I don't think I've replaced the front, so that has done somewhere close to 10K.

 

[mrushton]

Durano +, Rubino pro and Panaracer Pasela have all worked for me (Fixed/700c). Just need a an easy fit tyre with some protection and longevity.

 

[accountdeleted]

A bit of an update - Marathon Plus, Continental GP 4 Season, Durano Plus

Marathon Plus - I've had them on my commuter for years (multiple tyres 25 - 28c) - My current pair of 28c has now hit over 10,000miles with just one puncture! Lots of deep cuts and the centre tread has gone (the tyre profile now looks like rounded square/squircle). Trusty pair of the most puncture resistant tyre (though I never experienced Gatorskin or other "puncture-proof" tyres).

Durano Plus - I tried for just over a month (approx. 500miles) in April, swapping from Marathon Plus. Noticeable difference in the feel, perceived "responsiveness" and speed (average 1.5mph faster on my usual commute route!). So much more fun than Marathon Plus - the puncture protection level is yet same as Marathon Plus (Schwalbe Puncture Protection Level 7).

Continental GP 4 Season - I tried it for 4 months (May - Sept approx 1,700miles) after trying Durano Plus for a bit. Feel was pretty much the same as Durano Plus, maybe a smidge faster (0.5mph?) but perhaps more of a placebo effect. Unfortunately I had a pin prick puncture on my way home in the beginning of September when we had windy/rainy week after a looooong dry spell (little thorn / twig on the road). I wasn't expecting the protection level of Marathon / Durano Plus so it was expected. I swapped back to Marathon Plus (just so that I can claim "I've done 10,000miles on a pair of Marathon Plus" status )

Going forward, I'd be using on my commute (+odd 20-40miles on weekends):
- retiring Marathon Plus now (but keep them as a desperate back-up)
- Durano Plus as winter tyres
- GP 4 Season as summer tyres

Id feel that's a good balance of speed, fun and puncture protection appropriate for winter / summer!