Tyre reviews

Give a review of the tyres you have good experience of, so others may gain from your knowledge.

Suggested points for review, and template below:

Any Tyre You Choose

Grip ?/10

Handling ?/10

Wear ?/10

Puncture Protection ?/10

Comfort ?/10

Weight (or perceived rolling weight) ?/10

Speed (rolling resistance) ?/10

Appearance (or Looks, if it comes in colours) ?/10

Price ?/10

Skidability ?/10

Overall rating / opinion ?/10

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Simply copy the template into the NOTEPAD software on your PC, or equivalent on your Mac or Linux setup. When having completed your review, copy and paste from there back to this thread. The html won't bite you if done that way.

From the first post of this thread. If you guys don't mind, maybe you could just use this format and edit your post(s)? It makes the reviews easier to read quickly, and if the reader wants to know more, then they can read further. What do you fellas think? Useful?

Schwalbe Durano Plus 25mm

Grip 8/10 - ain't lost a wheel yet

Handling 8/10

Wear 9/10 - excellent

Puncture Protection 9/10 - none yet

Comfort 9/10 - feels pretty comfy

Weight (or perceived rolling weight) 4/10 - very heavy tyre

Speed (rolling resistance) 8/10 - when pumped they fly

Appearance (or Looks, if it comes in colours) 9/10 - big schwalbe logos but looks tidy

Price 8/10 - not cheap but cheaper than some

Skidability 8/10 - been on the back for a month and wearing very well, no squaring really

Overall rating / opinion 9/10

most solid tyre i have used in a while.

i really like it actually, not got one on the front but the rear has taken a lot of abuse.

it now tops the lists of tyres i would use on the fixed.

they wear really well, life is much better than expected.

a little heavy but who really cares when there are no punctures to be seen.

Anyone had any experience with Challenge Tyres? Quite like the classic look of the Strada

http://www.challengetech.it/products/road/strada-005/en

Continental Super Sport Plus

Grip 7.5/10

Handling 8/10

Wear 9/10

Puncture Protection 9/10

Comfort 7/10

Weight (or perceived rolling weight) 7/10

Speed (rolling resistance) 7/10

Appearance (or Looks, if it comes in colours) 9/10

Price 10/10

Skidability ?/10

Overall rating / opinion 8/10

A very good tyre. But only coming alive in the 121-124psi range. I like it. Not as cushioning as the Halo Courier Berlin, and not as grippy, but it corners better, and when slightly over-inflated, rides very smoothly. Recommended.

From the first post of this thread. If you guys don't mind, maybe you could just use this format and edit your post(s)? It makes the reviews easier to read quickly, and if the reader wants to know more, then they can read further. What do you fellas think? Useful?

I think that's a bit silly to be honest. 11 scores out of 10 ? Not even cycling+ are that silly

ive got a vitoria zaffiro on the back wheel, very quick, slick, awful in wet. but good in dry. no punctures so far.

Tyre

Can you remember what it is: 0/10

Did it get you home? 10/10

Are you green? 0/10

Did you tyre steal your partner? 2/10

Would Never Mind the Buzzcocks use your tyre? 6/10

..ghet back to the caffeine and alcohol beelzebub!

Tyre: xx

Can I smoke it? 4/10

Did you smoke it? 6/10

I think that's a bit silly to be honest. 11 scores out of 10 ? Not even cycling+ are that silly

Is it not possible to illustrate 100% of 13, 57, or any odd number? I don't understand the objection, nor the logic. If you don't agree with the suggested format, fine. Its only a suggestion.

From the first post of this thread. If you guys don't mind, maybe you could just use this format and edit your post(s)? It makes the reviews easier to read quickly, and if the reader wants to know more, then they can read further. What do you fellas think? Useful?

Done.

I think that's a bit silly to be honest. 11 scores out of 10 ? Not even cycling+ are that silly

But C+ tend to compare like tyres. We're talking about flimsy lightweights, skidders, commuters. In fact if people keep buying studded tyres, I may add reviews of some of te ones I've ran.

Personnally I'd add 'profile'. Some tyres look great, but mount up to give a rubbish profile. (somewhat pernal tast maybe).

Also need to factor in actual size as many manufacturers blatantly misquote sizes. One that really proves the point is my 37c Travel Contacts. They measure 31.5 wide and 30 high (yes depends on rim width a bit).
To me that is way outside of any acceptable margin and doesn't allow comparison with a proper 37c tyre.
I will try and think up a few more categories and make the tyre review akin to completing a consensus form.

Also need to factor in actual size as many manufacturers blatantly misquote sizes. One that really proves the point is my 37c Travel Contacts. They measure 31.5 wide and 30 high (yes depends on rim width a bit).
To me that is way outside of any acceptable margin and doesn't allow comparison with a proper 37c tyre.
I will try and think up a few more categories and make the tyre review akin to completing a consensus form.

I was a bit confused when I could'nt get a pair of ritchey 32mm CX tyres in the same place I used to have 37mm travel contacts.

Schwalbe Ultremo R1

Very very fast, very light, and rides smooth. Give a nice round profile, and grips corners well. I have a 25mm on the back and a 23mm on the front. I estimate that they will last less time that the contents of a couple water bottles. Still, you buys race tyres, you gets race tyres.

Grip 8/10

Handling 9/10 (the profile is very round, and there is no transition in material/pattern. So they lean predictably)

Wear 2/10

Puncture Protection 5/10 (I've never had one, but I'm pretty good at looking after my weenie tyres)

Comfort 8/10 (Running a 25mm on the back to aviod high PSI on my carbon clinchers)

Weight (or perceived rolling weight) 10/10 (188g)

Speed (rolling resistance) 10/10 (Very soft and smooth at correct PSI)

Appearance (or Looks, if it comes in colours) 8/10 (comes in mad colours)

Price 6/10 (often on offer, but schwalbe are pricey)

Skidability 0/10 (never, ever, do this)

Overall rating / opinion 8/10 (for race tyres)

I concur with this review. I bought these for my track bike, with the view of only ever using it at HH. Then after selling my daily hack it became my only ride. Skidding on R1's is indeed ridiculous, as it means these tyres then have the puncture protection of a balloon. Great tyres though if you use them on the right bike in the right way!

Tyre: xx

Can I smoke it? 4/10

Did you smoke it? 6/10

it was a bit harsh, and difficult to get the wire bead to ignite, but was worth it in the end

7/10

it was a bit of hash, and difficult to get the cling film to ignite, but was worth it in the end

7/10

.

I concur with this review. I bought these for my track bike, with the view of only ever using it at HH. Then after selling my daily hack it became my only ride. Skidding on R1's is indeed ridiculous, as it means these tyres then have the puncture protection of a balloon. Great tyres though if you use them on the right bike in the right way!

Took them out on wet roads, on a night ride, on Friday. Hit a few corners far too fast, yet did'nt die. Which was nice.

Tyre

Can you remember what it is: 7/10 - some old Panaracer skinny 25c (but look 23c) from the late 80's.

Did it get you home? 8/10 - got me to my destination, just, front rode perfectly fine, even on a 40mph descend, end up buying a near rear tyre due to blowout on Highway 37 near San Francisco (pinch puncture in 5 places, inner tube was leaking before it happened), rode on the rear rim for the last 30 miles, replaced with modern Panaracer.

Are you green? 0/10 - Napa County have shitload of thorn, pulled 7 in front, and 9 in rear, so no, I'm not quite green about it.

Did you tyre steal your partner? 0/10 - N/A don't have a partner, it stolen 20 minutes of my life on the bridge in Sear Point though.

Would Never Mind the Buzzcocks use your tyre? 9/10 - they probably liked the gumwall and the 'here we go' look of the tyres.

Update.

I recently inflated my Continental Super Sport Plus to nearly 130psi, and the ride again has been improved markedly. Of course its pretty hard, but the behavioural characteristics are what I am referring to*****, and the reduced roll resistance.

So whereas I had said that up to 121-124psi was a big improvement, I can now say that even up to 126psi (margin for error) is better again. It is now a very very nice tyre. And in good conditions, it is better allround than the Halo Courier Berlin. Though the Courier Berlin is what shall take me through the winter slush, not a tyre as smooth as the Conti.

*****better road holding, cornering, absorption/deflection on sharp potholes, ride speed.....

I'm using Schwalbe blizzard sports on my Planet X, so far not had any problems with them great traction and fairly puncture proof, not had a puncture yet (touch wood). Available in LBS back home for £8 on CRC for £9.99 only slight niggle is the rear appears to be wearing quite fast not so great for the 'fixie skidders' among us!
Grip 8/10

Handling 9/10 Handle predictably even on the muddy roads of Dartmoor

Wear 3/10 Rear tyre is showing visible wear after 3 months

Puncture Protection 7/10 Not had a puncture yet

Comfort 5/10 Can give quite a harsh ride if beyond 100psi

Weight (or perceived rolling weight) 3/10 (250g) Heavy but 23mm tyre standards

Speed (rolling resistance) 6/10 If pumped above 100psi can be audible when going quick (25mph+)

Appearance (or Looks, if it comes in colours) 10/10 Black is the new black

Price 10/10 A steal at £8 a tyre

Skidability 5/10 locked up rear tyre coming into a light corner on a wet day, seems to wear fast under heavy braking

Overall rating / opinion 8/10 Ace budget tyre

Gabe, either you have had a lucky experience with your tyres, regarding lack of punctures, or you got one from a good batch. I've never heard of that tyre doing so well for someone, though its possible that Schwalbe have improved the tyre over time. I used them once myself, and changed them very quickly, as they punctured practically everyday.

Sure they didnt change the Lugano ones though. I would put it off the "slightly puncture resistant" list after the three flats i had in the last three days. The last one being me this morning at brixton cycle literally blowing up that shit by pressure it at 100PSI(new innter tube, rim and tyre were okay, glass removed it was just a bit damaged by the glass with a small hole than less than 1/4 inch). Either BC tricks people with fake pump or I have one of this bad puncture week. Scrap that, will switch to Berlin courier at back and maxxis at front on one and a set of marathon pluses for the town bike. shit just got real !

How are Vittoria Rubinos rated? I saw the pro version is covered in here but any info on the normal ones. I found a half worn one on the street with lots of life left so bagged it.

OK follow up review of the Scwalbe Ultremo ZX's, bought these following good reviews in one of the bike mags. Anyway as is often the case don't believe the hype, I am not impressed with these tyres at all.

Since fitting these intially on 29th June to my best bike I've gone through 4 tyres, (and I own 4 bikes so we're not talking epic mileage here either)

2 have exploded completely and the others have worn so much they can be punctured with a sharp look, maybe I should start a tyres puntured by a glance thread :) The first explosion may have been my error as I had puncure the day before (a continuing theme with these tyres) so maybe pinched but when it went it sounded like a gunshot and it ripped a 4 inch slash down the sidewall rendering tyre useless. The second explosion was last night. After having lots of punctures I'd installed some tyre liners (thereby negating any weight savings) and had gone nearly a week without one but was at friends last night, been there about 2 hours and we heard as massive bang. We thought it was something electrical in the house, looked around, nothing, all lights on, checked round house, all power on OK, put it down to South London wildlife shooting each other and resumed watching telly and drinking. Went to go home later and realised it was my back tyre, fuuuuuuu. Blown a 10p sized hole in tyre ruining it.

Handling 9/10 really nice tyre to ride, you need to do a 50 miles or so to scuff up the tyres before they become proper grippy, if you ride them in the wet straight off they are very smooth and feel sketchy but once roughed up are really grippy and I found them fine in the wet.

Wear 2/10 I know its daft to expect a sub 200 gram tyre (quoted at 180 grams but a bit more I think) to last for ages but even bearing that in mind these tyres are shit. I'd come from Michelin Pro Race 3's which I loved to ride but thought they cut up too easy and did'nt last long, but these are worse. They definately don't cut up as bad as the Michelins and I did'nt puncture for the first few weeks but you quickly get to the point they puncture very regulary.

Puncture Protection 2/10 As above OK initally but after that not good at all, maybe OK for country riding but riding through glass strewn London destoys them. I was getting punctures from glass and even little flints of gravel. I had 3 in a day on more than 1 occassion just pottering round town, bloody hassle!

Also need high pressures to avoid pinch flats, they need more psi than any tyre I've ever used. I pinch-flatted one at 90psi!! I'm about 85kg and they needed to be run at minimum 120psi (they rated up to 145). Some portable hand pumps struggle to get to this pressure so that needs bearing in mind, so multiple punctures in a day is like doing a full upper body workout and after all that effort you just want to go home and lie down. If using these I'd advise CO2 canisters or a very good mini track pump.

Comfort 6/10 seem fine but on bad roads due to high pressures are not especially comfortable but I was using 23's so not expecting much in that regard.

Weight 9/10 very light, lightest I've used in fact but obviously this is achieved at the expense of any longevity. Honestly though with all the faff with punctures this is a false economy, get some thicker tyres. For the extra weight of a mars bar you will spend a lot less time at the side of the road red faced from all the pumping and swearing like a teacher. I think a few passers by must have thought I had tourettes on more than one occassion. And I doubt you'd notice a little extra weight anyway. Lesson learnt.

Speed 9\10 on a par with the Michelins these really do fly. Fast and hold speed well, maybe good for racing if you have a scuffed set to use each race, but if you race more than once on them you will puncture and the whole pack will fly past you.

Appearance 7/10 look better on modern bikes, especally the modern carbon ones, don't look so good on classic steel bikes like I have.

Price 3/10 I got a pair of these from Merlin for 52 quid which after my experience is very poor value but the list price for these in Evans is something like 42 quid EACH, the Germans may not be famed for their sense of humour but that is bloody jokes-ville.

Skidability 1/10 well I been running on a singlespeed and these are not for fixie skidding, they would not last 5 minutes.

Overall rating / opinion 4/10 and I think thats a bit generous. Very nice tyre to ride but all you will remember is fast wear and all the punctures. If you are rich, weigh 60kg and live in a glass and thorn free utopia they may be OK but otherwise avoid like the plague.

Am now debating what to go for next, definately something thicker.

Excellent review bluefleet.