700x25 Puncture-Resistant Tires
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700x25 Puncture-Resistant Tires
I'm putting together a bike for my (almost) son-in-law to use for fitness on local paved MUPs. Due to the configuration of the frame (20yo-ish race bike), the tire size is limited to 25s. I'm looking for something with good puncture resistance. My first thought is Conti Gatorskins. Is there a better choice?
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I liked the Michelin Power Protection+ as an option with a full Kevlar belt but also 110TPI carcass. It'll be a lot nicer than a Gatorskin, but of course also somewhat less robust. How resistant does it have to be?
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MUPs usually aren't too debris ridden. I'd prefer something like the Pirelli p Zero Race 4-Season. But its smallest size is a 26 -- not sure that'd work for you.
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My SIL is a newbie rider, and will have minimal skills for avoiding debris. I'm leaning towards more protection. A nicer ride and/or better performance are not really considerations, at this point.
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I know the paths he will be using. They tend to be fairly clean, but it's not unusual for there to be an occasional broken bottle or other debris that could cause tire damage. I'm looking for protection over performance. A 26 might fit, but probably not a 28.
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Not sure if your son in law is mechanically inclined or willing to think outside the box but I would put out there that the best bet might be to go tubeless. Do you know what rims are currently on his bike?/
Tubeless 25mm tires with fresh sealant in them can resist punctures very well and also roll really fast, absorb bumps great for a smooth ride and corner like spiderman.
Tubeless 25mm tires with fresh sealant in them can resist punctures very well and also roll really fast, absorb bumps great for a smooth ride and corner like spiderman.
Last edited by masi61; 12-15-23 at 05:16 PM.
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https://www.bicyclerollingresistance...=55&mingrip=55
you can search tires by best puncture resistance and see actual measured width.
you can search tires by best puncture resistance and see actual measured width.
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Gatorskins work well for me, running 23s ATM, and grip well cornering. Our common hazards are glass and puncture vine.
Have Rubino Pro 25s on a less-used bike with one snake-bite flat from hitting an angular rock pretty hard--not a fair test in my estimation. Ride quality is exceptional, just not enough miles to rate puncture resistance from common hazards.
Have Rubino Pro 25s on a less-used bike with one snake-bite flat from hitting an angular rock pretty hard--not a fair test in my estimation. Ride quality is exceptional, just not enough miles to rate puncture resistance from common hazards.
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https://www.bicyclerollingresistance...=55&mingrip=55
you can search tires by best puncture resistance and see actual measured width.
you can search tires by best puncture resistance and see actual measured width.
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On one of my road bikes I run Panaracer GravelKing 26c slicks. I use this bike mainly for climbing the unpaved fire roads at Griffith Park and the Hollywood hills. I find they have a nice balance between weight, puncture resistance, speed and road handling. Not to mention they go on sale every so often for about $25 a tire.
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Not sure if your son in law is mechanically inclined or willing to think outside the box but I would put out there that the best bet might be to go tubeless. Do you know what rims are currently on his bike?/
Tubeless 25mm tires with fresh sealant in them can resist punctures very well and also roll really fast, absorb bumps great for a smooth ride and corner like spiderman.
Tubeless 25mm tires with fresh sealant in them can resist punctures very well and also roll really fast, absorb bumps great for a smooth ride and corner like spiderman.
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Double down and go for Continental Gator Hardshells: Continental Gator Hardshell Tire - Components (competitivecyclist.com)
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might want to go with a less robust tire increasing the puncture risk as well as chance that, while stranded, he'll be eaten by a bear. Unless you like him. If so, nevermind.
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Pirelli Cinturato Velos are available in 26 mm and they are the BRR recommendation for reasonably fast, puncture resistant tyres. I've used the 32 mm version (run tubeless) and had zero punctures riding over all sorts of crap.
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Double down and go for Continental Gator Hardshells: Continental Gator Hardshell Tire - Components (competitivecyclist.com)
EDIT: Trigger pulled on the Hardshells.
Last edited by Eric F; 12-17-23 at 12:56 AM.
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A vote for Gatorskins.
Of course, I don't know about the riding style or tire sensitivity of your almost son-in-law. But, consider my wife as an example:
She rides about 1,000 miles on her road bike per year. She's been on tubed Gatorskins ever since I set her up on her first road bike about 10 or 12 years ago. She's never had a flat. That's ALL she cares about. (and as the guy pretty much responsible for her care-free riding, that's all I care about too).
Ride quality? She has no idea between good and poor "ride quality". Cornering? Not even close to a consideration.
She is an enthusiast for sure - she rides a lot and loves to ride, although at the pace of a late 60s, tiny, never raced, slowest in her group of friends (say, rough average 11 MPH rolling hills, 20 miles). Because of her enthusiasm, I did build up a nice ~18 pound CF bike for her. At 100 pounds and not very strong (call it weak), and living in hilly terrain, the justification for light-ish weight is probably greater than for most of us. And, the folding Gatorskins aren't a lot heavier than similar sized "better" tires.
Many, if not most, of my friends who ride a LOT, many more miles, much faster, also ride tubed Gatorskins because they either don't care or can't feel any meaningful difference with "better tires" in "ride quality", cornering etc. Avoiding flats trumps everything else. I have Gatorskins on one of my road bikes, and very nice Michelin Pro Race and Veloflex on the others. I think I can feel a bit more supple ride on the Michelin and Veloflex tires, but it is not very meaningful to me, doesn't at all impact the overall fun of the ride. Cornering? I never push any bike to the extent I'd notice that difference. To me, Gatorskins are just fine. (although, flats on the other tires is very rare - so that's not really a factor either).
If that riding description fits your almost SIL, get some Gatorskins for him.
Of course, I don't know about the riding style or tire sensitivity of your almost son-in-law. But, consider my wife as an example:
She rides about 1,000 miles on her road bike per year. She's been on tubed Gatorskins ever since I set her up on her first road bike about 10 or 12 years ago. She's never had a flat. That's ALL she cares about. (and as the guy pretty much responsible for her care-free riding, that's all I care about too).
Ride quality? She has no idea between good and poor "ride quality". Cornering? Not even close to a consideration.
She is an enthusiast for sure - she rides a lot and loves to ride, although at the pace of a late 60s, tiny, never raced, slowest in her group of friends (say, rough average 11 MPH rolling hills, 20 miles). Because of her enthusiasm, I did build up a nice ~18 pound CF bike for her. At 100 pounds and not very strong (call it weak), and living in hilly terrain, the justification for light-ish weight is probably greater than for most of us. And, the folding Gatorskins aren't a lot heavier than similar sized "better" tires.
Many, if not most, of my friends who ride a LOT, many more miles, much faster, also ride tubed Gatorskins because they either don't care or can't feel any meaningful difference with "better tires" in "ride quality", cornering etc. Avoiding flats trumps everything else. I have Gatorskins on one of my road bikes, and very nice Michelin Pro Race and Veloflex on the others. I think I can feel a bit more supple ride on the Michelin and Veloflex tires, but it is not very meaningful to me, doesn't at all impact the overall fun of the ride. Cornering? I never push any bike to the extent I'd notice that difference. To me, Gatorskins are just fine. (although, flats on the other tires is very rare - so that's not really a factor either).
If that riding description fits your almost SIL, get some Gatorskins for him.
Last edited by Camilo; 12-18-23 at 11:27 PM.
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A vote for Gatorskins.
Of course, I don't know about the riding style or tire sensitivity of your almost son-in-law. But, consider my wife as an example:
She rides about 1,000 miles on her road bike per year. She's been on tubed Gatorskins ever since I set her up on her first road bike about 10 or 12 years ago. She's never had a flat. That's ALL she cares about. (and as the guy pretty much responsible for her care-free riding, that's all I care about too).
Ride quality? She has no idea between good and poor "ride quality". Cornering? Not even close to a consideration.
She is an enthusiast for sure - she rides a lot and loves to ride, although at the pace of a late 60s, tiny, never raced, slowest in her group of friends (say, rough average 11 MPH rolling hills, 20 miles). Because of her enthusiasm, I did build up a nice ~18 pound CF bike for her. At 100 pounds and not very strong (call it weak), and living in hilly terrain, the justification for light-ish weight is probably greater than for most of us. And, the folding Gatorskins aren't a lot heavier than similar sized "better" tires.
Many, if not most, of my friends who ride a LOT, many more miles, much faster, also ride tubed Gatorskins because they either don't care or can't feel any meaningful difference with "better tires" in "ride quality", cornering etc. Avoiding flats trumps everything else. I have Gatorskins on one of my road bikes, and very nice Michelin Pro Race and Veloflex on the others. I think I can feel a bit more supple ride on the Michelin and Veloflex tires, but it is not very meaningful to me, doesn't at all impact the overall fun of the ride. Cornering? I never push any bike to the extent I'd notice that difference. To me, Gatorskins are just fine. (although, flats on the other tires is very rare - so that's not really a factor either).
If that riding description fits your almost SIL, get some Gatorskins for him.
Of course, I don't know about the riding style or tire sensitivity of your almost son-in-law. But, consider my wife as an example:
She rides about 1,000 miles on her road bike per year. She's been on tubed Gatorskins ever since I set her up on her first road bike about 10 or 12 years ago. She's never had a flat. That's ALL she cares about. (and as the guy pretty much responsible for her care-free riding, that's all I care about too).
Ride quality? She has no idea between good and poor "ride quality". Cornering? Not even close to a consideration.
She is an enthusiast for sure - she rides a lot and loves to ride, although at the pace of a late 60s, tiny, never raced, slowest in her group of friends (say, rough average 11 MPH rolling hills, 20 miles). Because of her enthusiasm, I did build up a nice ~18 pound CF bike for her. At 100 pounds and not very strong (call it weak), and living in hilly terrain, the justification for light-ish weight is probably greater than for most of us. And, the folding Gatorskins aren't a lot heavier than similar sized "better" tires.
Many, if not most, of my friends who ride a LOT, many more miles, much faster, also ride tubed Gatorskins because they either don't care or can't feel any meaningful difference with "better tires" in "ride quality", cornering etc. Avoiding flats trumps everything else. I have Gatorskins on one of my road bikes, and very nice Michelin Pro Race and Veloflex on the others. I think I can feel a bit more supple ride on the Michelin and Veloflex tires, but it is not very meaningful to me, doesn't at all impact the overall fun of the ride. Cornering? I never push any bike to the extent I'd notice that difference. To me, Gatorskins are just fine. (although, flats on the other tires is very rare - so that's not really a factor either).
If that riding description fits your almost SIL, get some Gatorskins for him.
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Gatorskins seems to be a good overall choice. I would also check the Schwalbe (my favorite tire brand) Marathon Plus.
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Tire liners give any tire more puncture resistance. Been using them for 15 years with light, supple tires.
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I have Gatorskin on my son's bike. He had a flat and upon inspection I found the tube pierced in 3 areas! All by those totally annoying goat head thorns. They're the absolute worst. Upon inspection of the tire itself I found that it had been pierced in several more areas, but not deeply enough to affect the tube. BUT, I've otherwise rode Gatorskins without having too many problems.