Good commuting tyre

[Will]

Can anyone recommend a commuting tyre?

I've used Continental GP 3000s in the past, and they were nice and fast, only getting punctures occasionally, but arguably a little pricey.

I've since downgraded to Continental Ultra Gatorskins, and have had about 5 punctures in the last fortnight...

I realise that Kevlar-banded tyres are probably a good idea, but have used Hutchinson ones in the past, and found them too slow, and not that grippy, and that has put me off.

So, any tips for a good fast reasonably puncture-proof commuting tyre?

[siwickm]

Rubino Pros, £7.50 a pop and therefore you can get three for the price of one Conti.

They are pretty puncture resistant and if they wear out they are cheap to replace. They are a bit slow, but that is good as when you get on your racing bike you will go faster.

Cheers

Marek....

p.s. they come in yellow and black which is the fastest colour I am told.

[Tamar]

Yellow is also nice'n'cheery to look at when it's pissing with rain.

[Will]

Cheers. I'll check out the Rubino.

[virek]

I use the Continental 4 seasons.

Not cheap, but bullet proof - haven't had a puncture yet - oops where's that piece of wood!!

Last for donkeys...I do about 180 miles a week commuting and I've had a pair for nearly a year

HTH

Matthew

[AodanH]

How about using 28mm tyres ?

I used the same set of swalbe marathons now for two years now and can't remember the last puncture, they are around £15 each though, have good grip but might be a bit slow.

I had Continental Top Touring 2000 before them which were even better and lasted for a good 5,000+ miles, cost £20 though.

[David Lombari]

Last winter I used a pair of Kairfree tyre liners and they seemed to work a treat.

[Tamar]

180 miles a week commuting!

[Jon H]

Specialized Armadillos are mega tough for commuting and winter training. I'm approaching 5000 miles on a pair, and I can only recall having one puncture.

[virek]

Sutton -> Canary Wharf and back.

Ain't so bad once you get used to it. I've got the journey down to about 1h05mins on average...I'll try racing one day ...in Martinique when I get there.

Getting a little wet lately though...saps the enthusiasm when its dark, cold and pi$$ing down

I had Scwalbe's once - never again. Always punctured and split the sidewall - a b'stard when you're 18 miles from home!

[Tony]

I'm surprised that Ultra Gator skins aren't doing the business. I've used them on the rear of my winter hack bike for ages with very few problems.

If you want the maximum degree of puncture proofing - then go for an Armadillo. However, ride quality, cornering grip and speed will all be compromised. No harm when training though. Gator Skins are probably the next best. They are a more reasonable compromise and should be a lot more resistant to punctures and wear than, say, GP3000s.

Given the frequency with which you are puncturing, I would suggest checking carefully that there is nothing still lurking in the treads of your tyres. Running your fingers around the inside of the tyre is not always enough. Tyres with thicker rubber (such as Gator Skins) can hide the bit of flint or glass that caused you to puncture in the first place. This won't necessarily happen immediately either. I would suggest that you carefully check in decent daylight any cuts in your tyres for any foreign object.

[Will]

I've had 2, maybe 3 (can't remember), more punctures since I posted this. They've all been on the rear, and the tyre is only a couple of months old... [img]http://www.chocolatefoot.co.uk/forum/html/emoticons/angry.gif[/img]

And, as if that's not enough to wind me up, I spent about about an hour and a half the other day cleaning off all the tar-like oil that the Bike Park people put all over everyone's chains at the bike show.[img]http://www.chocolatefoot.co.uk/forum/html/emoticons/angry.gif[/img]

I think I'll just give up and get the tube! [img]http://www.chocolatefoot.co.uk/forum/html/emoticons/laugh.gif[/img]

[Paul on the Pearson]

I've been using gator skins for a while puncture free until that last bit of really wet weather. One at half one in the morning coming back from west london the other at Purley cross on the way to the club run last saturday. I always go over them and remove bits of glass, flint with medical tweezers(long thin and pointy) which must help as the rubber seems very soft and things can work their way in.
Are gator skins all there cracked up to be? Good alternatives? What do other people use for commuting, club runs etc. Are tyre liners any good? Or is it just bad luck.
I suppose theres always a bit of flint or glass out there with YOUR name on it as it were.

[Nick]

I used Armadillos all condition for my commute for over a year and never had a deflation. I commute (or used to) a minimum over 120 per week plus weekend rides and club runs.I rate them very highly and as for handling errors I can't say I have had any but then again I've only used these. But I think I pay too much for them at 25.00 each when i replaced them.

[Nick]

I used Armadillos all condition for my commute for over a year and never had a deflation. I commute (or used to) a minimum over 120 per week plus weekend rides and club runs.I rate them very highly and as for handling errors I can't say I have had any but then again I've only used these. But I think I pay too much for them at 25.00 each when i replaced them.