Anti-Puncture Tyres At-a-glance

I've just finished reading through this thread and wondered why no-one has mentioned the Panaracer Pasela Tourguard.

I've just taken delivery of two 28mm versions for my recently acquired Dawes Tourer, the Raleigh Record Sprint is still dead.

So I wondered why it's not being considered?

Heh, did manage to fit the Marathons on my trackbike.. but I think that one of these days I'll have to remove the rear and check out of theres any damage to the paint on the seat tube and the stays.... it's SO tight! 1-1½ mm of clearance ;) (actually it's hitting a sticker on the seat tube a bit... so I think I'll need to get the black rattle-can ready, and perhaps find one more link for the chain ;)

a) Marathons 700x25 are a bit hard to get mounted on DeepV's
b) They are heavier than regular 23's, and it's very noticeable
c) They are more comfy than the 23's they replaced.. not by much though.
d) They grip seems fine on wet roads.. and skid/skip-stops are just fine.. feels safe enough.
e) One do get the feeling that they'll not flat anytime soon :)

Cool, I'll have a link when it is working again!

The Cheapskate in me is tempted by either a Vittoria Randonneur or Hutchinson Quartz, anyone had experience of either of these?

Had Randonneurs on for about 1000 miles; not a sniff of a puncture and casing is narrower than 28c stated more like25-26c but 28c tall due to the amount of rubber and protection on them.

Skid and slide really predictably but obviously not the fastest tyre going though in this weather that isn't really a consideration.

MASH-SF don't ride anything else ;)

Had Randonneurs on for about 1000 miles; not a sniff of a puncture and casing is narrower than 28c stated more like 25-26c but 28c tall due to the amount of rubber and protection on them.

Skid and slide really predictably but obviously not the fastest tyre going though in this weather that isn't really a consideration.

^ what he said, and been running mine for 2 whole months, must be the longest i have had a rear tyre, and still loads of life in it.

Have totally the same feeling with the Marathons... skid/slide is very predictable.. fun to ride even though it's slow... as a bonus it doesn't seem to throw up as much water as the Fortezza TriComp I had on my front before.. no wet shoes today :)
Hope it's rideable/skidstopable in the dry as well..

I bought a new wheelset with Schwalbe Ultremos (23s) on a while back. Still waiting to set the new bike up but am wandering wether to keep the Ultremos on or opt for something that will be better in the wet. Has anyone riden the Ultremos before? What is the grip like in dry conditions and wet? What are they like skidding? If your feedback doesn't fill me with confidence I will keep them for the summer and get a set of gators or randonneurs...whatever will fit in the clearance. Anyone suggest a good combo for grip on front and skidding on rear, both with good puncture resistance. Haven't really messed about with tyres and stuck with Rubinos (I was getting them really cheap) but that has dried up and I won't pay full whack for them. Cheers

The Ultremos are no good at all, and I'll buy them off you for £10 for the pair.

:))

^ seriously though...are they shite in the rain or best kept for the summer months?

^ Massively grippy and awful for skids. They are light sticky racing tyres designed to go fast.

I'm running one of the Maxxis Refuse from Scott not Scot on front and Randonneur on the rear.

^ seriously though...are they shite in the rain or best kept for the summer months?
Joey, they are the absolute top of the range tyres, and for that reason, I would think the grip would be excellent, in dry or rainy conditions.

http://www.schwalbetires.com/ultremo_r

http://www.cogsnob.com/2008/10/schwalbe-ultremo-road-tire.html

^ Thought they seemed really grippy but didn't know how they would skid. Will either sell or keep for the summer then.

I have felt really uneasy lately with the lack of grip I have on the front in the rain. What is a really good grippy tyre for the front that also skids well with good durability and puncture resistance. Sorry for the questions but yous seem to know best and could save me buying crap. Nice one!

^ Thought they seemed really grippy but didn't know how they would skid. Will either sell or keep for the summer then.

I have felt really uneasy lately with the lack of grip I have on the front in the rain. What is a really good grippy tyre for the front that also skids well with good durability and puncture resistance. Sorry for the questions but yous seem to know best and could save me buying crap. Nice one!

Best skidding and best grip are properties you won't find in a single tyre; mix and match front and back lots of people do.

get Maxxis ReFUSE. Black only for now, but in other colours in other countries. I've communicated with the importers, and its a possibility that the other colours might be available over here also - maybe next year.
Sadly, its Hippyland (fair dinkum) that has all the colours, other countries also of course, but this almost guarantees a comment from old monster-calves himself.

I'm surprised. Oz doesn't get much that isn't available elsewhere.
mumbles about cherry ripes, proper iced coffee and caramello ice cream

Have had Bontrager Hard Cases for the last 6 months with one puncture (around 3500 miles), but being a bit of a tart fancied something a bit lighter, faster and more colourful. Was looking at Ultremos or Michelin Krylions - anyone here compared these to the Bontragers or Armadillos?

Michelin Kylions are said to not be up to the standard of many of the other tyres on the first page of this post.

They cut up easily too, and are not as puncture resistant as your last 6 months has made you accustomed to. Ultremos would be far better, but possibly wear a bit quicker.

my pro race 3's were great for a couple of months (and still handle like a dream) but have been totally rubbish for the last 3 weeks (now averaging a puncture or 2 a day)

so time to get some new tyres

where in london is cheapest for armadillos, maxxis, or rubbinos? and which are best in terms of grip (skiddability is not so important)?

armadillos - condor.

marathon plus - bicycle magic whitechapel
marathon plus - bicycle workshop the cut

Maxxis ReFUSE from Scott not Scot, but he may be out of stock. PM him.

my pro race 3's were great for a couple of months (and still handle like a dream) but have been totally rubbish for the last 3 weeks (now averaging a puncture or 2 a day)

so time to get some new tyres

Dancing James, do you think it might be that the salt on the roads is helping degrade the tyre, and causing more punctures?

Thats what I think might be happening to me, as my own tyres are picking up more pieces of flint than usual. Resulting in more cuts, abrasions, and finally, tyre intrusions.

change them dont look back.

Robinson Crusoe you have 2 hours.... go now.

it will be my post work mission to buy tyres and put them on immediately

also specialized lightweight tubes are shite, 2 have split on the seams - so not really punctures but adding to my time off the bike changing tubes

Dancing James, do you think it might be that the salt on the roads is helping degrade the tyre, and causing more punctures?

Thats what I think might be happening to me, as my own tyres are picking up more pieces of flint than usual. Resulting in more cuts, abrasions, and finally, tyre intrusions.

this is an interesting point

the tyres were brilliant for the first couple of months, though they also have a tendency to get cuts which are filling up with glass etc

my plan is to get some winter tyres for now but get new pro race's for summer, though this time I will let them down once a week and superglue any cuts back together.

don't see the continental 4 seasons up there. Expensive, but mine have lasted a couple of winters and look hardly worn. The only puncture I can remember getting on them was a 2 inch rusty nail. Definitely not a racing tyre because they feel a lot slower than vittorios and Conti 4000 GP I've used. I've had punctures on gatorskins before, so the 4 seasons must be quite a bit more resistant.