Commuting tyres

[pottolom]

I've just ordered a Revolution Cross from the Edinburgh Bicycle Co-Operative. It comes with Maxxis Raze CX 700x35c tyres.

I'll be using the bike for an 18-mile daily total commute, mainly on cycle paths (which are at times rough, gravelly and potholed) with a bit of road riding. There's a lot of glass on my route and over the past 12 months I've had the occasional puncture whilst riding my Brompton with Schwalbe Marathons.

I'm concerned the Maxxis just aren't going to cut it and are more suited to Cyclocross riding, offering little puncture resistance. Does anybody have any recommendations? I'm after something that's a decent trade off between puncture resistance, rolling resistance and weight.

Also, I've ordered the Revolution Cross to be fit with mudguards, so I'll need something that's going to fit whatever mudguards fit the Maxxis the bike's coming with, if that makes sense! Or is this something I even need to be concerned about?!

[rogerzilla]

If there's no real mud, Marathon Plus is the ultimate commuting tyre. Heavy but they roll well (I did last year's Dunwich Dynamo on them and averaged about 17mph for 113 miles) and are nigh-on impregnable.

[Elizabethsdad]

Marathon plus gets my vote too.

[reohn2]

I can't comment on the tyres fitted to your new bike but if you want zero punctures M+ are the tyre.But they do have their drawbacks in that they ride like planks and are the deadest tyre I've ever experienced.
If you're prepared for the odd puncture then I'd recommend Panaracer Ribmo's,they're tough,comfy,aren't heavy and roll well.We've been using them on the tandem for 4 years with only 3 punctures in that time,we also had the biggest glass slash I've ever seen in a bicycle tyre which was 25mm long across the tread and down to the kevlar belt which left a flap of tread peeled back,but it didn't puncture.
They handle gravel OK but don't like mud(they're slicks)but then neither would M+ .

[BigSed]

Used marathon + for about a year of commuting with no flats. The only downside is the weight, wet weather traction (hard tread compound), and a jarring ride (stiff sidewalls). I guess the negatives are the reason for the excellent puncture protection and it never bothered me during my commute only during longer outings.

[bikes4two]

> I did a LeJog with Marathon plus a couple of years back- no P's!
> I've often read the comment about the M+ giving a hard ride but that's a relative observation and somewhat subjective in comparison to what else you may use
> I still have the same M+ fitted on one of my bikes and they just go on and on and on - I guess they'll wear out eventually but in the meantime still no P's and that's over several thousand miles
> I also use Marathon Supreme - now they are much lighter and do feel different to the M+ on the same bike and have proved equally resilient to Ps and wear, BUT they are much more expensive (unless like me you got a hardly used pair off eBay!)
> Other forum members give one of the ordinary Marathon the thumbs-up but - it's a particular one though - can't recall the HS number as i write!

[NUKe]

If you want something lighter than Marathon plus but with Puncture protection. Some suggestions
Panaracer Passella TG
Swalbe Durano plus
Gator skin hardshell
Victoria Randonuers

[RickH]

Another to consider might be Schwalbe's Land Cruiser - fairly cheap, good puncture resistance (although not as impenetrable as the Marathons & good for mixed terrain. The continuous centre strip rolls well on tarmac and the knobbles on the shoulders grip in lumpier conditions.

Rick.

[Vantage]

Another vote from me for the Landcruisers. Despite the knobbles, I've had the bike at stupid angles while cornering and they've always felt sure footed. I'm not too sure about the puncture resistance of them though as within 2 weeks of fitting them, I had a flat. Although to be fair, it was a damn big thorn.
Before those, I had Vittoria Randonneur 32's and they never once punctured despite being dragged through forest trails and anything short of a drawing pin factory. I only replaced them when I found a big cut in the front tyre and I'm sure they'd probably still be good for another 3 1/2 thousand miles. All of which were fairly nippy and comfortable with the right pressure.
Both models of tyre are half the price of marathons btw

[reohn2]

+1 for Schwalbe LandCruisers they're great for rough stuff, roll well on tarmac and pretty good at fending off punctures too.I s'pose it depends how rough you commute is.

[rogerzilla]

I'm actually rather impressed by the M+ grip, in 26 x 1.35 size anyway. They are much better in the wet than the 26 x 1.1 Stelvios I'm currently using, and light years ahead of the 700c Vredestein Fortezza Quattro tyres I used for commuting one winter; those are terrifying on slimy roundabouts, although they roll brilliantly and never punctured once.

The other problem with M+ is that some sizes are very hard to fit (700 x 25 defeated me completely; it just kept popping off the rim due to the stiffness of the carcass before I got to the last tight bit), but the 26" sizes are easy enough.

[ives31]

I'm currently using M+ for commuting and they do seem to be bullet proof. However, they feel so dead and heavy. Doesn't worry me on a commute, but if I was riding longer distances, I'd definitely fit something lighter.
I've also used Spesh Aramdillos in the past. Again, quite heavy and dead-feeling but not as bad as the M+. Good puncture resitiance too.

The best fast commuting tyres I've used are Gatorskin Hardshell's. Never punctured (1 year+ commuting in London) on them and they feel very light and fast.

[rogerzilla]

ah...Ultra GatorSkins. Used for two weeks, two punctures, had a good look and they were completely studded with glass shards. Never again. They're not nicknamed Ultra HamsterSkins for nowt

[reohn2]

ah...Ultra GatorSkins. Used for two weeks, two punctures, had a good look and they were completely studded with glass shards. Never again. They're not nicknamed Ultra HamsterSkins for nowt

Sorry to disagree again but I have no more problems with Gators than other tyres.
That said I would use them the for the kind of commute the OP has in mind.

I've come to the conclusion,and I'm not pointing any fingers here,but some people seem to puncture far more than others.I've had this conversation with other people and also with my LBS,the consensus seems to be riding technique or watching where you're going with regards to hazzards,some don't whilst others do.
IMHO with tyres such as M+ you simply don't need to worry as they'll most likely ride over anything without puncturing.
With other tyres that's less so,factor into that where you ride,and how careful you are where you ride and puncture risks vary.

[Ant]

Personally I have found slime liners very effective. Had a nail through the tyre which didn't penetrate the liner and glass never seems to either. Have done many thousands of miles using them with no issues. Primarily used continental sport contact, which are fast rolling, minimally treaded but the beauty of slime liners is that you can put them in any tyre you like....