Commuter/Hybrid tyre choice (again..)

km991148

Been running on conti ultra gatorskins for a couple of years now on my hybrid, but the latest set are completely worn and looking for replacement. They seem to go after about 1600-2000kms - is this normal?

I put 700X25s on them (bike came with 38s) and they are a really tight fit (i.e. after they are on it takes server overinflates with the track pump and a good dose of shampoo or similar!). Would this contribute to quicker wear?

I think whatever I buy next will 700x28s as Id doubt there would be much difference in rolling resistance - any other tyres to try over the gator skins - vittoria tyres were recommended by a lbs (who only stocked conti by coincidence..)

short circuit

Conti Sport contact ... 3000kms and going strong .. 1 puncture to date .. 700Cx37mm ... not as light as the gatorskins

cmanracer

Schwalbe Marathon Plus. Pretty much puncture proof. I've 700 X 25's and they're pretty much puncture proof. Just as well because they're extremely difficult to get on and off - but I just got my LBS to put them on for me and haven't had to think about them for 18 months. Still have plenty of thread on them too. Some might say they are a bit heavy but I do a 44KM round-trip daily and could not recommend them highly enough

mfdc

cmanracer wrote: »

Schwalbe Marathon Plus. Pretty much puncture proof. I've 700 X 25's and they're pretty much puncture proof. Just as well because they're extremely difficult to get on and off - but I just got my LBS to put them on for me and haven't had to think about them for 18 months. Still have plenty of thread on them too. Some might say they are a bit heavy but I do a 44KM round-trip daily and could not recommend them highly enough

If you're after puncture resistance, I definitely agree with this. Have 700x32 Marathon Plus' on my hybrid commuter. I put them on in August 08 and except for replacing the front (get to that in a min) they're still going. ~12,000km on the rear and it still does the job.

In 2 years of 34km round trip commuting I've had 3 punctures with them. One was a nail which went straight through and out the sidewall, had to replace the tyre after that. The other two were shards of glass the size of my fingernail that took a while to work their way through.

Having said that though, I'm replacing them with regular Marathons in 700x25. While excellent, the Plus' are really heavy and slow to spin up. Gonna put them back on in the winter, but for summer at least I'd like a bit more acceleration away from the lights

Seaswimmer

cmanracer wrote: »

Schwalbe Marathon Plus. Pretty much puncture proof. I've 700 X 25's and they're pretty much puncture proof. Just as well because they're extremely difficult to get on and off - but I just got my LBS to put them on for me and haven't had to think about them for 18 months. Still have plenty of thread on them too. Some might say they are a bit heavy but I do a 44KM round-trip daily and could not recommend them highly enough

put 2 of these on last christmas after using Gatorskins for 4 years and had 2 punctures. 1 wire staple into side of tyre and the other after hitting a sharp object on the road. As pointed out above they are very hard to get on and off especially on the side of a road in the winter in the dark!!. i have since gone back to gatorskins because of the difficulty of fixing the punctures..

short circuit

For people having difficulty in putting the marathon plus on .... take a lesson from a pro ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUFVrl0UT4

Also, Marathon Plus do seen awfully heavy for what they provide ... 800gms if I am right per wheel ... I know they are considered bullet proof ... but still.

I have a pair of specialised boroughs and a pair of marathon racers ... both folding ... around 350gms each tyre waiting to go on when the sport contacts give out ... hoping to get good performance on these .. if so .. job done along with low weight.

Also, I find it really helps if you take a look at the tyres once a week and remove any debris from the rubber .. I have often found pieces of glass which would have slowly worked their way inside. Other than that .... keep them pumped up to the right pressure.

rp

short circuit wrote: »

For people having difficulty in putting the marathon plus on .... take a lesson from a pro ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XUFVrl0UT4

Also, Marathon Plus do seen awfully heavy for what they provide ... 800gms if I am right per wheel ... I know they are considered bullet proof ... but still.
.

Great video, thanks, he makes it look so easy. Toe straps is a good tip.

I've just got a pair of Schwalbe Durano Pluses, at 340g, as a faster running alternative to the Marathons: http://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;navigation=1;menu=1000,4,22,35;product=9983

short circuit

rp wrote: »

Great video, thanks, he makes it look so easy. Toe straps is a good tip.

I've just got a pair of Schwalbe Durano Pluses, at 340g, as a faster running alternative to the Marathons: http://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;navigation=1;menu=1000,4,22,35;product=9983

But they are only available in girlie sizes ... .. What's the use of having a bike which will take 700Cx44 with mud guards and then putting a 2-D tyre on it