In the category of Best Tyres

Bad batch? Where did you get them from? I've not had the same problem yet with a pair bought about 6 months ago, and fitted just after Xmas. I switched an old pair onto my fast geared bike to replace some aged Rubino Pros, and at the same pressures, was instantly reminded how much more lively the ride quality is.

is lively a good or bad word in this context? - makes them sound a little unpredictable.

I find Vredsteins a light and lively ride too, not too brilliant in the wet though.

I bought mine from Bob Jackson's, and a bloke over the road took a shine to mine and bought a pair from Wiggle. His deteriorated more rapidly than mine, and he swapped to gatorskins. He won't roll anything else now. (no, he's not dead. He just loves gatorskins)

I am on the second winter using Schwalbe Durano plus, 25 mm on one bike, 23 on the other,
I have tried everything else, and nothing comes close. Three punctures in all that time (and lots of miles, and lots of "minor roads" and glass covered urban routes too) all the punctures were caused by the rim tape rotting (when new I put that jantex stuff on and it has rotted)
Fast, grippy and puncture proof (uses the marathon plus stuff inside a slick tyre)
They still look like new, just a couple of tiny nicks.
Marginally heavier than a race tyre, but so much more reliable.

The only thing with gatorskins is once you get one flat from them, they come thick and fast. It seems that the tyre just gives up the ghost at a particular point in it's life!
I got the third flat in as many weeks last night on the way home from work - bike shop tomorrow for a new tyre.

I'll have a look at those Schwalbe duranos. Good tip.

The only thing with gatorskins is once you get one flat from them, they come thick and fast. It seems that the tyre just gives up the ghost at a particular point in it's life!
I got the third flat in as many weeks last night on the way home from work - bike shop tomorrow for a new tyre.

v similar to my experience of Pro Race3's

Lively in the good way GL reiterated. I've never had grip issues running them at anywhere between 90 and 110psi (@ 63 to 71kg). I don't find them *that *different to Pro3Races, apart from being about 25g heavier, and cutting up less (and possibly being grippier in a straight line, based on wheelspin incidents and rubbing them with my thumb).

That's below the rated minimum no (115psi on mine?).

I definitely don't recommend pumping them much higher than 120psi, they start getting a bit too lively in my experience.

I like them a lot at 120.

Ignore all that bullshit they print on the tyres. Your rim is rated, probably up to ~130psi. The rest is down to tyre width, rider weight, and conditions.

No option for Electra Strat-O-Balloons?

Pfft!

Ignore all that bullshit they print on the tyres. Your rim is rated, probably up to ~130psi. The rest is down to tyre width, rider weight, and conditions.

Both my bikes have Open Pros so up to 138psi. I tried the max and didn't like it (not enough grip, I had stopping issues), the lower end seems to suit me.

Lower end's relative though. When I was 63kg, I could get away with running 85/90psi in particularly shit conditions on 23mm tyres. You just have to ride light, and pick a decent line.

what tyre is the best in the budget/non skidder catergory.

speedium 2's
blizzard sports
rubino pro?

suggestions around the £20 a pair catergory.

what tyre is the best in the budget/non skidder catergory.

speedium 2's
blizzard sports
rubino pro?

suggestions around the £20 a pair catergory.

Michelin Krylion Sport.
http://www.shinybikes.com/product.php?productid=17116

Vittoria Rubino Pro 3
http://www.shinybikes.com/bikes/vittoria-rubino-pro-3-folding-tyre.html

oops £20 a pair.

So more likely some lithiums, or some Zaffiro's

haven't read any of this but shouldn't the conti HARDSHELLs be included?

Again, Durano's at 140psi.. Have been able to see the blue underlayer for about a month and a bit, still all good..

Specialised Armadillo - bulletproof so far, but slow and heavy
Michelin Pro Race and Pro Race 3 - great but not used in depths of winter (Nov-Jan) but no comparison between these and the above in terms of feel

I really like the Vittoria Randonneur it has lasted me about 3ish months and i live in bristol very hilly and i also ride breakless

Breakless in Bristol?

Someone should make a film about that.

slave labourers down that part of the world

Hardshells

^nutcase

Breakless in Brisetol?

Frenchified that for you.

continental ultra sport's ?!?!?