Which tyres?

[brockers]

What is it about Continental tyres and sidewall splits? It's not something you hear much about from other tyre manufacturers. Personally, I'm not a great fan of Gatorskins. I've had less punctures per mile on lighter weight racing tyres (Fortezza tri-comps, Pro-Races) even running them through the winter. Personal faves are still Krylions (which grip better than Gatorskins in my mind) and only puncture when they're squared off and there's barely any rubber left. But then I don't weigh much so that might have something to do with it. And they (conti tyres that is) are a notoriously tight fit especially on Campag wheels.

 

[l4dva]

+1 for the Krylions.. brilliant tyres!

 

[aberal]

I use 25mm Gatorskins and am more than happy with them and virtually never puncture. There does seem to be two criticisms of them though out there. One is that they are slippery in the wet, which I personally have never experienced despite using them on all road surfaces through the winter. The other is that with their stiff side walls they can give a bit of a harsh ride. The offset for good puncture resistance is a lessening of comfort levels. This could be a valid criticism in my experience as I have to set them at around 90-110 psi, well below their recommended 120psi, simply to soften the ride a bit. This is worth pointing out as on a long ride like the LeJog which you are planning, comfort does matter. I did a bit of research recently and the Michelin Pro Optimum with different front and rear tyres seemed to offer a good compromise between comfort and puncture resistence, though I haven't tried them personally.

 

[Rebel Ian]

Thanks for that. I've always tended to run my tyres at the maximum pressure. On my current ones that's about 130psi. I'm going to run the new ones at lower than that on LEJoG just from a comfort point of view.

 

[Cush]

A daft question . I am due to replace my tyres tomorrow, I will listen to what the LBS has to say and probably take their advice. I have my kit ready just in case I get a P*** and I know the drill on how to change the tube but how do I find what the tyre prsssure's are, will a car gage work or is their a simple cycle tyre pressure gage I can get. Up till now I have just seen one advertised and that looked a bit breakable.

 

[Rebel Ian]

A daft question . I am due to replace my tyres tomorrow, I will listen to what the LBS has to say and probably take their advice. I have my kit ready just in case I get a P*** and I know the drill on how to change the tube but how do I find what the tyre prsssure's are, will a car gage work or is their a simple cycle tyre pressure gage I can get. Up till now I have just seen one advertised and that looked a bit breakable.

You can either buy a specific gauge like this http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/raleigh-valve-pressure-item26930.html or get a hand pump with a gauge like this http://www.evanscycles.com/products/topeak/turbo-morph-pump-ec008137. A car gauge will only work on a schrader type valve.

 

[cyberknight]

You can either buy a specific gauge like this http://www.jejamescy...-item26930.html or get a hand pump with a gauge like this http://www.evanscycl...h-pump-ec008137. A car gauge will only work on a schrader type valve.

+1 for the road morph , very good pump for on the road.

I use a track pump at home which is a lot easier to get the tyre pumped up and keep on top of tyre pressures .

 

[Rebel Ian]

Finally got round to doing some miles on the new Conti Gatorskins. WOW!!! Either I'm getting fitter or these tyres have added about 1.5mph to my usual average. They are so much quicker than the Zaffiros that were on there before.

They were a bit skittish on Saturday morning in the wet, especially over anything shiny like a manhole cover but I was anticipating that so did my best to avoid drains and the like. Initial impressions are very good. I can't believe how much difference a tyre can make to speed.

 

[Sapper]

Finally got round to doing some miles on the new Conti Gatorskins. WOW!!! Either I'm getting fitter or these tyres have added about 1.5mph to my usual average. They are so much quicker than the Zaffiros that were on there before.

They were a bit skittish on Saturday morning in the wet, especially over anything shiny like a manhole cover but I was anticipating that so did my best to avoid drains and the like. Initial impressions are very good. I can't believe how much difference a tyre can make to speed.

When I ride on my M+ tyres, down one hill, I average 32-33 mph. When I had my Pro-3 race tyres on, I was closer to 40mph averaging 37-39 or so.

So Good tyres make a difference

Adrian

 

[gbb]

I use 25mm Gatorskins and am more than happy with them and virtually never puncture. There does seem to be two criticisms of them though out there. One is that they are slippery in the wet, which I personally have never experienced despite using them on all road surfaces through the winter. The other is that with their stiff side walls they can give a bit of a harsh ride. The offset for good puncture resistance is a lessening of comfort levels. This could be a valid criticism in my experience as I have to set them at around 90-110 psi, well below their recommended 120psi, simply to soften the ride a bit. This is worth pointing out as on a long ride like the LeJog which you are planning, comfort does matter. I did a bit of research recently and the Michelin Pro Optimum with different front and rear tyres seemed to offer a good compromise between comfort and puncture resistence, though I haven't tried them personally.

Its that sidewall strength that reduces deformation and therefor increases speed. I read a good 700x25 can be better than a 23 say (or even thinner) and sidewall strength is the key.

Finally got round to doing some miles on the new Conti Gatorskins. WOW!!! Either I'm getting fitter or these tyres have added about 1.5mph to my usual average. They are so much quicker than the Zaffiros that were on there before.

They were a bit skittish on Saturday morning in the wet, especially over anything shiny like a manhole cover but I was anticipating that so did my best to avoid drains and the like. Initial impressions are very good. I can't believe how much difference a tyre can make to speed.

Exactly what i find. After theyve scrubbed up, i never find it a problem

 

[Rebel Ian]

Its that sidewall strength that reduces deformation and therefor increases speed. I read a good 700x25 can be better than a 23 say (or even thinner) and sidewall strength is the key.

Thanks for that. I've never understood the science that says that a 25 tyre can have less rolling resistance than a 23.