Winter spec tyres ...

[levad]

I have just taken delivery of a pair of Marathon Plus' in 700x28 for the winter commute. I removed the Ultra Gatorskins (700x25) and realised that the inner tubes were for 19-25 tyres. Now I also have some large tubes for the other family bikes, these are 35-43's. I um'ed and ah'ed and decided to go with the 19-25's until I can get some 28's. Tyres are inflated to 100psi.

Is that a wise thing or am I encouraging disaster?

 

[HJ]

Personally I just use GatorSkins year round...

 

[John the Monkey]

They'll be fine.

 

[levad]

I was hoping to stay with the gatorskins but 2 deflations (grit getting through in the wet) has made me nervous of them over the winter.

 

[HJ]

I was hoping to stay with the gatorskins but 2 deflations (grit getting through in the wet) has made me nervous of them over the winter.

Sorry but how does it being wet make grit get through? I has never come across this problem before

 

[Globalti]

More likely there is more grit lying around in winter because water traps it on the road surface and it can't get blown away by passing cars as it does when dry.

 

[John the Monkey]

I've heard it said that the wet lubricates the puncture causing bits, allowing them into the tyre more easily. That's not a problem unique to gators though.

 

[levad]

I've heard it said that the wet lubricates the puncture causing bits, allowing them into the tyre more easily. That's not a problem unique to gators though.

That is also what I have been told. The gator on the rear had lots of little cuts in it. I decided not to trust it over the winter but will put it back on in the spring. I know it won't reduce the chance of deflations even then but at least my commute will be back in daylight!

Clocks change this weekend so it will be dark both ways soon

 

[HJ]

I have done nearly 2000 miles on my current set of Conti GatorSkins. I have seen the wee cuts on the surface of the tyre, mostly they come from splinters of glass, however nothing has gone through the tyre, but then it hardly ever rains in Scotland...

 

[John the Monkey]

I have done nearly 2000 miles on my current set of Conti GatorSkins. I have seen the wee cuts on the surface of the tyre, mostly they come from splinters of glass, however nothing has gone through the tyre, but then it hardly ever rains in Scotland...

Arf

I found that things would work their way in if I left them long enough - generally I check over the tyres and remove glass &c when I wash the bike.