Recommend good quality commuting tires?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Arcadia, CA
Posts: 84
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Recommend good quality commuting tires?
Hi,
I commute to college and between classes every day and looking to possibly get a pair of tires in the 700 x 25 size. I bike fairly aggressively and I've eaten it quite a few times. This is usually from my tires locking or slipping on turns or hitting pot holes and sand. I was looking into continental gatorskins. What would be the difference between the folding tire and wire bead? That aside I'm open to any suggestions. I want something with good traction that will last me a long time.
Thanks,
Bleumeon
I commute to college and between classes every day and looking to possibly get a pair of tires in the 700 x 25 size. I bike fairly aggressively and I've eaten it quite a few times. This is usually from my tires locking or slipping on turns or hitting pot holes and sand. I was looking into continental gatorskins. What would be the difference between the folding tire and wire bead? That aside I'm open to any suggestions. I want something with good traction that will last me a long time.
Thanks,
Bleumeon
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Montpelier VT
Posts: 855
Bikes: Scott Genius, Surly Crosscheck, Yuba Mundo cargo, Specialized Dolce Triple (stolen 5/8/15)
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 29 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
i use gatorskins and i'm quite happy with them. over gravel or sand they don't do well, esp. on banking turns. i'm not sure any tires would be great for those conditions, i would imagine you might what knobby cyclocross tires and they'd work better, but i don't have the experience to lend.
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Northern California
Posts: 10,879
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 104 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 5 Times
in
5 Posts
Folding tires are significantly lighter weight as well as more expensive. Otherwise, not much difference.
If you love hitting potholes, jumping curbs, etc, then I would go for something bigger than 25mm. What is the widest tire that your bike can handle?
If you love hitting potholes, jumping curbs, etc, then I would go for something bigger than 25mm. What is the widest tire that your bike can handle?
#4
Cycle Dallas
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Land of Gar, TX
Posts: 3,777
Bikes: Dulcinea--2017 Kona Rove & a few others
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 197 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
5 Posts
I've been using Specialized Espoir Sport tires for a year, now. I really dig them.
They claim to have the same protection as the Specialized Armadillos (which I have used with great success), but they are lighter and provide a more supple ride.
They claim to have the same protection as the Specialized Armadillos (which I have used with great success), but they are lighter and provide a more supple ride.
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 2,980
Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4 Rival; 2014 Cannondale Trail 7 29; 1972 Schwinn Suburban, 1996 Proflex 756, 1987(?) Peugeot, Dahon Speed P8; 1979 Raleigh Competition GS; 1995 Stumpjumper M2 FS, 1978 Raleigh Sports, Schwinn Prologue
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 213 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
#1 - work on your cornering. Follow through when you turn. If going through sand, if you need to scrub speed, do it before you hit it (though the sand will scrub speed off for you). Just think of it like driving in snow or mud. Don't add or subtract power/speed during your turn or in gravel/sand. We have a lot of sand where I live (like, a lot. Where does it all come from???) and I always find myself riding through it.
#2 - If you can go wider with your tires, go wider. Wider tires = lower pressure = better traction
Why are your wheels locking up?
I don't use Contis. I've heard so many mixed things about Gatorskins and their traction (or, lack of). Personally I prefer Panaracer, or Clement or Vittoria tires.
#2 - If you can go wider with your tires, go wider. Wider tires = lower pressure = better traction
Why are your wheels locking up?
I don't use Contis. I've heard so many mixed things about Gatorskins and their traction (or, lack of). Personally I prefer Panaracer, or Clement or Vittoria tires.
#6
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Arcadia, CA
Posts: 84
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I'd have to check. Would putting on wider tires require different rims?
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Arcadia, CA
Posts: 84
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#1 - work on your cornering. Follow through when you turn. If going through sand, if you need to scrub speed, do it before you hit it (though the sand will scrub speed off for you). Just think of it like driving in snow or mud. Don't add or subtract power/speed during your turn or in gravel/sand. We have a lot of sand where I live (like, a lot. Where does it all come from???) and I always find myself riding through it.
#2 - If you can go wider with your tires, go wider. Wider tires = lower pressure = better traction
Why are your wheels locking up?
I don't use Contis. I've heard so many mixed things about Gatorskins and their traction (or, lack of). Personally I prefer Panaracer, or Clement or Vittoria tires.
#2 - If you can go wider with your tires, go wider. Wider tires = lower pressure = better traction
Why are your wheels locking up?
I don't use Contis. I've heard so many mixed things about Gatorskins and their traction (or, lack of). Personally I prefer Panaracer, or Clement or Vittoria tires.
#8
Senior Member
Schwalbe Marathon Plus - good traction, supple ride, great flat prevention
Specialized Armadillo - great flat prevention, ride is a bit harsh, traction is so-so in comparison to Marathon Plus
Continental Gatorskin - good traction, flat prevention not as good as Marathon Plus or Armadillo, ride is not quite as nice as marathon plus (however, I have the 25 gatorskins on my road bike and 28 marathon plus on my commuter - it could be that the wider tire makes the ride nicer on the marathon plus, and not necessarily the tire itself.)
My favorite commuting tire is the Marathon Plus.
Specialized Armadillo - great flat prevention, ride is a bit harsh, traction is so-so in comparison to Marathon Plus
Continental Gatorskin - good traction, flat prevention not as good as Marathon Plus or Armadillo, ride is not quite as nice as marathon plus (however, I have the 25 gatorskins on my road bike and 28 marathon plus on my commuter - it could be that the wider tire makes the ride nicer on the marathon plus, and not necessarily the tire itself.)
My favorite commuting tire is the Marathon Plus.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Columbia, SC
Posts: 2,980
Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4 Rival; 2014 Cannondale Trail 7 29; 1972 Schwinn Suburban, 1996 Proflex 756, 1987(?) Peugeot, Dahon Speed P8; 1979 Raleigh Competition GS; 1995 Stumpjumper M2 FS, 1978 Raleigh Sports, Schwinn Prologue
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 213 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 4 Times
in
4 Posts
Wider tires will not require different rims. I like to use 32s on my commuter, and the rims are standard run of the mill road bike rims.
#10
Disco Infiltrator
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Folsom CA
Posts: 13,775
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3126 Post(s)
Liked 2,102 Times
in
1,366 Posts
Come for the advice, stay for the admonition...
I haven't worn out any tires fast enough to really try all the others being recommended.
Here's some deep thoughts on treads, which is from a famous retrogrouch but which I buy pretty well. Bike tires don't hydroplane but they banana-peel just fine, a little bit of tread can help.
https://janheine.wordpress.com/2016/...nt-stick-well/
I haven't worn out any tires fast enough to really try all the others being recommended.
Here's some deep thoughts on treads, which is from a famous retrogrouch but which I buy pretty well. Bike tires don't hydroplane but they banana-peel just fine, a little bit of tread can help.
https://janheine.wordpress.com/2016/...nt-stick-well/
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
Genesis 49:16-17
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
Hi,
I commute to college and between classes every day and looking to possibly get a pair of tires in the 700 x 25 size. I bike fairly aggressively and I've eaten it quite a few times. This is usually from my tires locking or slipping on turns or hitting pot holes and sand. I was looking into continental gatorskins. What would be the difference between the folding tire and wire bead? That aside I'm open to any suggestions. I want something with good traction that will last me a long time.
Thanks,
Bleumeon
I commute to college and between classes every day and looking to possibly get a pair of tires in the 700 x 25 size. I bike fairly aggressively and I've eaten it quite a few times. This is usually from my tires locking or slipping on turns or hitting pot holes and sand. I was looking into continental gatorskins. What would be the difference between the folding tire and wire bead? That aside I'm open to any suggestions. I want something with good traction that will last me a long time.
Thanks,
Bleumeon
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Cambridge UK
Posts: 1,703
Bikes: Trek Emonda SL6 .... Miyata One Thousand
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 63 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 29 Times
in
22 Posts
Schwalbe Durano plus: Wiggle | Schwalbe Durano Plus Performance Rigid Road Tyre | Road Race Tyres
or Schwalbe Marathon Plus .... Wiggle | Schwalbe Marathon Plus Smartguard Rigid Road Tyre | City Tyres
Both give good grip in dry and wet, and both have excellent puncture protection .... and both are cheap
Gators have weak sidewalls from what I have read?
or Schwalbe Marathon Plus .... Wiggle | Schwalbe Marathon Plus Smartguard Rigid Road Tyre | City Tyres
Both give good grip in dry and wet, and both have excellent puncture protection .... and both are cheap
Gators have weak sidewalls from what I have read?
Last edited by dim; 01-25-16 at 03:47 PM.
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Arcadia, CA
Posts: 84
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
https://www.amazon.com/Schwalbe-Marat...op?ie=UTF8#Ask (wrong link previously, was changed somehow)
Is this the same marathon plus tire mentioned and linked in the thread?
Is this the same marathon plus tire mentioned and linked in the thread?
Last edited by bleumeon; 01-25-16 at 05:23 PM. Reason: not sure why walmart showed up, but its an amazon link
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 6,432
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 539 Post(s)
Liked 44 Times
in
38 Posts
Fast + Great Grip = Continental gp4000's.
Longest Lasting + Best Puncture Protection = Schwalbe Marathon Plus
Gatorskins haven't had a great reputation for great grip in odd conditions.
For potholes the solution is a wider tire. Like, 40c wide. A lot of road bikes won't handle a wider tire though.
For sand there's no big solution other that looking for sand and not hitting it. A wider tire helps some because some of the tire might be in contact with ground with no sand on it.
Longest Lasting + Best Puncture Protection = Schwalbe Marathon Plus
Gatorskins haven't had a great reputation for great grip in odd conditions.
For potholes the solution is a wider tire. Like, 40c wide. A lot of road bikes won't handle a wider tire though.
For sand there's no big solution other that looking for sand and not hitting it. A wider tire helps some because some of the tire might be in contact with ground with no sand on it.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
Also consider working on your cornering and bunnyhopping.
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Beaverton, OR
Posts: 14,787
Bikes: Yes
Mentioned: 522 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3228 Post(s)
Liked 3,851 Times
in
1,436 Posts
A tire with minimal tread will give you the best traction on pavement. No tire really handles loose gravel well, but if it's just a bit of gravel a smooth tire with good grip can sometimes re-grab the pavement after you've slipped a little.
The Conti GP 4 Seasons has great grip, even in wet conditions, but is pretty expensive. The GP4000S is also a very good tire and is available with a reflective sidewall (very useful if you ride at night). If you order them from UK websites the price isn't so bad.
__________________
My Bikes
My Bikes
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Arcadia, CA
Posts: 84
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My commuting bike is a vilano tuono. Does anyone know if it will accommodate 28 mm tires?
I contacted Vilano and they said the bike would accept 28 mm tires. Right now I'm looking at continental GP 4 seasons in 28 mm size. It is rather expensive so I'll probably wait to summer or the end of my quarter to buy and swap em out.
I contacted Vilano and they said the bike would accept 28 mm tires. Right now I'm looking at continental GP 4 seasons in 28 mm size. It is rather expensive so I'll probably wait to summer or the end of my quarter to buy and swap em out.
Last edited by bleumeon; 01-26-16 at 03:54 PM.
#19
Junior Member
Schwalbe Marathons are heavy, great in the rain, and last forever. I have had one puncture flat in 8 years of daily commuting (I am on my second pair, got more than 5K outta my first set.)
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: The First State.
Posts: 1,168
Bikes: Schwinn Continental, Schwinn Paramount, Schwinn High Plains, Schwinn World Sport, Trek 420, Trek 930,Trek 660, Novara X-R, Giant Iguana. Fuji Sagres mixte.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 35 Post(s)
Liked 22 Times
in
10 Posts
Panaracer Tservs. Relatively light and good flat protection.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 6,830
Bikes: Trek Domane SLR 7 AXS, Trek CheckPoint SL7, Trek Emonda ALR, Trek FX 5 Sport
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 751 Post(s)
Liked 1,666 Times
in
980 Posts
I've picked up some Gatorskins in 32 and have been very happy with them. My first experience with the Gatorskins. I had been using Michelin Pro4 Endurance for a while, but started having a rash of flats for some reason even though the tread looked good and I could not find anything in the casing. So I opted to change tires instead. the Pro4's rode great though, was very happy with them.
#23
Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Richmond VA
Posts: 36
Bikes: 2016 Cannondale Quick CX 1 & 2009 Cannondale Scalpel 3
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I have a similar question. I currently have Schwable Sammy Slicks ( Sammy Slick HS 414 | Schwalbe North America ). I like these tires alot as I often hit some off-road trails after work. A rash of punctures through the tread, including an annoying week and a half with a annoying sliver of glass lodged in the tire tread that I did not spot. I want something that can handle a tiny sliver of glass no matter what angle I hit it at.
I'm thinking of switching to the Marathon Plus Tour (Marathon Plus Tour HS 404 | Schwalbe North America) or the Marathon Mondial (Marathon Mondial HS 428 | Schwalbe North America). These are rated the same as the Sammy Slicks for off-road use-- 3 1/2 squares-- but I'm worried without the knobbies they may not be able to handle beginner/intermediate singletrack I take sometimes. Does anyone have any experience with these tires?
I'm thinking of switching to the Marathon Plus Tour (Marathon Plus Tour HS 404 | Schwalbe North America) or the Marathon Mondial (Marathon Mondial HS 428 | Schwalbe North America). These are rated the same as the Sammy Slicks for off-road use-- 3 1/2 squares-- but I'm worried without the knobbies they may not be able to handle beginner/intermediate singletrack I take sometimes. Does anyone have any experience with these tires?
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Kent Wa.
Posts: 5,332
Bikes: 2005 Gazelle Golfo, 1935 Raleigh Sport, 1970 Robin Hood sport, 1974 Schwinn Continental, 1984 Ross MTB/porteur, 2013 Flying Piegon path racer, 2014 Gazelle Toer Populair T8
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 396 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
Staying within ones skill level is usually the best place to start. Tires won't solve the issues raised.
#25
Proud hobo biker
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Schertz - New Braunfels area
Posts: 804
Bikes: 2019 Surly Ogre, 2016 Giant Anyroad 2, Lightspeed Roadrunner trike, SE Tripel (in process)
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 202 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I have a similar question. I currently have Schwable Sammy Slicks ( Sammy Slick HS 414 | Schwalbe North America ). I like these tires alot as I often hit some off-road trails after work. A rash of punctures through the tread, including an annoying week and a half with a annoying sliver of glass lodged in the tire tread that I did not spot. I want something that can handle a tiny sliver of glass no matter what angle I hit it at.
I'm thinking of switching to the Marathon Plus Tour (Marathon Plus Tour HS 404 | Schwalbe North America) or the Marathon Mondial (Marathon Mondial HS 428 | Schwalbe North America). These are rated the same as the Sammy Slicks for off-road use-- 3 1/2 squares-- but I'm worried without the knobbies they may not be able to handle beginner/intermediate singletrack I take sometimes. Does anyone have any experience with these tires?
I'm thinking of switching to the Marathon Plus Tour (Marathon Plus Tour HS 404 | Schwalbe North America) or the Marathon Mondial (Marathon Mondial HS 428 | Schwalbe North America). These are rated the same as the Sammy Slicks for off-road use-- 3 1/2 squares-- but I'm worried without the knobbies they may not be able to handle beginner/intermediate singletrack I take sometimes. Does anyone have any experience with these tires?