AllanC Posted September 11, 2011 Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 I know there isn't much difference between our summer and winter seasons but I feel it's getting close to that time where I need a more winter type tyre. I've been running on my GP4000S over the summer and have been a fair weather cyclist thus far . But I've decided to try and brave as much winter cycling as the weather permits and could do with some advice / recommendations on a good quality winter tyre? Thanks Allan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Committee Alan McLean Posted September 11, 2011 Committee Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 I use Gatorskins and 4000s year round. No difference in winter until I need a pair of these: http://www.flickr.com/photos/24303373@N ... 3120143257 (That's Garscube hill, just to the east of Gleddoch, looking south/uphill.) Regards Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Committee Alan McLean Posted September 11, 2011 Committee Report Share Posted September 11, 2011 Close-up http://www.flickr.com/photos/24303373@N ... 120143257/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest EPCC Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 Gators are a pain to get on and if you are not careful you can get pinch puncturs Another option but more expensive are pave great types made by vittoria and 24mm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin H Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 I have found the skins to be a great tyre, but you MUST make sure they are inflated to the full pressure. As for being a pain to get on I think it just depends on your tyre/rim combination. I can get mine on with my hands only (maybe Billy just needs to man up ) Another good winter tyre is the Bontrager (can't remember the name) and I only changed to the skins as the shop I was in didn't have the bontys. Not the best rolling tyres but bombproof. Colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions ginty001 Posted September 12, 2011 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 Allan, I use Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase in the winter, they're brill, great grip and had my first puncture in 2 and a half winters this year.... Ian.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllanC Posted September 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 Thanks for the pointers Gents. Silly question time ; will a change to a tyre like this require any changes to my brake calipers, i.e. will they be the same size / profile as my current 700x23? Allan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferenezejohn Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 Alan I managed to puncture twice with the Gators yesterday on my X bike 25mm. To be fair that is the first time I have punctured with them, as for getting them on I manage with my hands, have ordered a couple of folding ones so they should be even easier to put on. John. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin H Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 Ian, that's the bonty tyres I was thinking about. As for brake clearance, some adjustment may be needed if you go for wider tyres than you normally use. Some tyres claiming to be 23's may have slightly fatter side walls as well. Youll just need to get them and try. If your tyres flat you will always get it in/out. Just a pain if you fix a flat put the wheel in, pump it up and discover you have pinched it Colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions ginty001 Posted September 12, 2011 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 I've only ever used the 700x23 version.... Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ferenezejohn Posted September 12, 2011 Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 Re-pinching tyres, there is an excellent DVD free with this Months Cycling plus magazine (October by the way) which covers basic maintenance, including punctures. John. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2023 Subscriptions Ramsay Posted September 12, 2011 2023 Subscriptions Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 Allan, I don't normally change tyres during the winter and just run Michelin Pro3 or Michelin Krylon Carbon. In saying that, I did get a set of Continental GP 4-season tyres last spring and for various reasons ended up running them most of the summer (don't ask...). They seem to be really good and certainly a bit grippier on wet and mucky roads. I also got the 25mm, which is a bit more comfy! Only minor complaint was that the back tyre did wear reasonably quickly. (I may actually put them back on this winter, when they would be best, although they don't fit with my race blade mudguards, so would be for dry days only! ). Cheers, R Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllanC Posted September 12, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 12, 2011 Ramsay, That's good to know as I am looking at replacing my Crud Roadracer mudguards also, and was looking at 2 options; SKS Race Blades or the SKS Chromoplastic type. I normally run 23mm tyres. Do you think your mudguard issue was because of the 25mm tyre? Allan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironman Posted September 13, 2011 Report Share Posted September 13, 2011 I use Continental GP 4-season tyres 23mm on my work bike all year round and I can count the punctures in one hand for the year and I am doing around 7000 to 8000 miles in and out to work. The only time you tend to get punctures is when they wear thin near the end of there life so its time to change them. Campbell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul C Posted September 13, 2011 Report Share Posted September 13, 2011 Since summer and winter are the same in Scotland I use the same tyres all year round - 23 mm Gatorskins. No punctures at all this year (2,500 miles). Don't let them wear down too much as that is when the punctures start to occur. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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