What Tyres?

[MossCommuter]

Hi

Coming home, noticed a lumpy ride - quick inspection and nothing obvious but now @ home I see the tyre bulging. The rear tyre. It's got a flat spot with a small hole in it. I remember pulling a lump of glass from it some time ago and I also remember locking up with an emergency stop a couple of weeks ago. Looks like the law of sod has prevailed and the glass and flat spot are in the same place... Anyway, it's worn through.

For now I have put a spare tyre from an old BSO I have (just to get to to work tomorrow) but will need to get new at the weekend.

So, apart from the size (700c) I have no idea what to get. It's a hybrid bike, my ride is 50% tarmac and 50% pot-holed dirt roads (rapidly becoming mud as the rain comes). I am not rich and even the cheapest 700c tyre on Evans looks dear to me :S and the price range (17 quid to nearly 40) is huge.

Any tips? What tyres should I be considering?

thanks

P

 

[mcshroom]

To save money then you may want to go online. I've used Michelin Citys (£10 each) on my hybrid (700x32c - they come up big) and they were good solid tyres (if a little heavy). They were fine for me on a trip along bits of muddy TPT in Barnsley, but that was damp rather than full on mud.

A good tyre for more mixed surfaces would be something like a Schwalbe Landcruiser (£13 each) or if you want to push the price then Schwalbe Marathons (£20 each) are good all rounders.

 

[MossCommuter]

700x32c - they come up big

hey

thanks for the reply.

OK, so now I feel a bit thick but the one I took off is 700x37c. Don't I have to get the same again or is it just the 700 bit that's important?

 

[mcshroom]

About the quote - I was just commenting on the citys, the 32mm is a bit more like a 35mm in some other tyres.

For your bike the sizes you can put on the bike will depend on the rim width (it should be stamped on the rim somewhere hopefully), but most hybrids seem to have 622x19 rims, therefore should be able to go down to 700x28 as a rough guide. A better guide can be found here - scroll down to the bottom of the page.

 

[youngoldbloke]

Some cheap Michelins at Chain Reaction - 5.99

 

[Fab Foodie]

I actually think that decent tyres are worth investing in.
Cheap tyres mostly feel dead and uninspiring, a good tyre can transform the feel of a bike and the riding experience. I would also add it depends what the bike will be used for and the surfaces encountered.
On my road bike I use Michelin PR3s, they're expensive and not overly durable, but they go like hell and grip like buggery which I'm happy to trade for a few more flats. I ride it for fun though, not to commute or utility.
If you're commuting, durability and p*ncture resistance might be important, The Marathons would be good choice and go for Marathon + for increased durability and even better protection.
Oh, and make sure you have a decent track-pump with gauge for correct pressure... makes life much sweeter!

Lighter tyres may feel more sprightly but you loose durability.

regarding size, check the rims, BUT, unles your runing at over say 16 mph average, thinner tyers will offer little or no benefit, especially if you have mudguards. Main advantage of thin tyres is aerodynamics and this only comes into play at higher speeds. Fatter tyres seem uncool, but often roll better on regular roads and provide better comfort.

 

[Ben M]

Bontrager racelite hardcase. Pretty cheap on allterrain cycles and they're really good.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Bontrager racelite hardcase. Pretty cheap on allterrain cycles and they're really good.

Funnily enough I've just bought a 700 x 23c from there!

As a winter replacement for my worn-out rear PR3! Usually I run 25c Krylions in the winter but with Crudguards fitted I can't get 'em on. So I'm using the Bonty on the rear, the original PR3 on the front which is still in good shape. In the spring I'll buy a pair of new lurvely PR3s.

The Bonty looks good, several mates have them and they seem very P*ncture resistant.

 

[MossCommuter]

Thanks everyone

I looked at the advice and I think I ended up ignoring it... eek.

Anyway - I got a pair of Continental Travel Contact tyres (700x37) from that nice man Dan at Evans' cycles. They're semi-slick with knobbly edges.

A small discount, a year's guarantee and free Conti inner tubes swung it.

thanks again

MC

 

[RedBike]

A small discount, a year's guarantee and free Conti inner tubes swung it.

How on earth did you wrangle a years guarantee?
I've never managed to get a tyre to last a year!

 

[mcshroom]

Well if you're going to ignore us why ask in the first place

The Contis are good tyres, so don't worry about ignoring us. Just remember to keep them inflated and check them over every now and them to make sure that there's no little sharp bits of stone/glass that's slowly working it's way into the tyre. That holds true for any tyre.

Good luck and you'll be surprised how much quicker the bike goes

 

[MossCommuter]

How on earth did you wrangle a years guarantee?
I've never managed to get a tyre to last a year!

I know, seems amazing doesn't it - remains to be seen how it applies in practice, but it's standard on Conti's by all accounts. Have a quick look at the website (http://www.conti-tyr...e/SSGpage.shtml) for more info.

][/color]
This is a 1 year guarantee against tyre failure which applies to tyres in our Safety System tyre range and to the new Top Contact tyre with double Vectran breaker technology. Each tyre is also supplied with a free Continental Inner Tube .
In the event that a foreign object punctures or cuts into your tyre despite our Safety System breakdown protection, we'll replace the tube and the tyre at absolutely no cost to you!.
How does a consumer make a claim? When you buy a Safety System tyre, be sure to keep the guarantee card in a safe place. You'll need to present this and a valid till receipt to your bike shop. The dealer will swap your defective tyre for a new tyre & tube. Its as simp-le as that.
Each of our bicycle dealers will then receive a credit for the value of the tyre from their Continental tyre supplier.
For further details, please call our information line on 01970 626777 (UK customers only)

 

[MossCommuter]

Well if you're going to ignore us why ask in the first place

I know, I know, I know... sorry, sorry, sorry... but these looked like such a good deal

 

[sgw]

They do look good. Last time I tried some smooth centre knobbly edges I was plagued with punctures. The smooth and thin centres offering no resistance on hard surfaces. I changed to Marathons but do feel a lack of grip when on softer ground. The puncture protection with dual purpose tread looks good for my winter set. If only I could wear out the Marathons!

Let us know how you get on with them, esp off road.

 

[MossCommuter]

Let us know how you get on with them, esp off road.

for sure! but I am a bit of a noob so don't have much in the way of comparisons.