good general purpose all weather tyres ?

[paul2129]

I'm very new to this, I bought a Ribble racer in around 2002, it was around £650, designed (as I was later told at the cycling club) as what they'd call a winter training bike, it's heavy compared to their lightweight machines, but I gather built 'reasonably' sturdy. I've decided to see if I can do a little bit of touring on it, or at least use it for my short commuting and general running about around town, putting a few miles in, and getting fit. Whilst I'm not sure of the exact rim/tyres that are currently fitted, I know that the rims are Mavic Open Pro, and the tyres are a michelin slick. Is it a good idea to fit a better all-purpose tyre with some grip on it ? - I'm not into cycle racing, so does it make sence to go for a wider tyre to help distribute the weight I may carry and improve the quality of the ride ?

Do you need the exact dimentions of current rim and tyre for you to comment or are there well known 'safe bet' tyres that you experienced cyclists can suggest which are made in popular sizes ?

many thanks

Paul

[thirdcrank]

For road riding, tread pattern is really just decoration - you get the grip from the rubber itself.

Your wheels are almost certainly 700C and the tyres will have another smaller number as well, probably between 23 and 28 on a bike of that type. The higher this number, the fatter the tyre. Thin tyre = higher pressure, less rubber on the road = faster but less comfortable and perhaps a bit more liable to skid. Fatter tyre = lower pressure, more rubber on the road = slower but more comfortable and perhaps less liable to skid.

Unless you use a good pump with an accurate gauge you may well be running your tyres at lowish pressure anyway.

The other main thing is that a lot of modern tyres include some sort of puncture protection which a lot of people think is worth the bit of extra weight.

Check carefully your current tyre sizes before replacement. You must stick to the big number, as I've said almost certainly 700, but there is a bit of latitude with the other. Look how much clearance you have around the tyres. This can be critical if a "racing" bike used for training etc is fitted with mudguards which reduce the clearances. If in any doubt, ask in a decent shop.

[Chuck Glider]

Thirdcrank's answer was excellent and the only bit I can add is that Mavic's website indicates for the Open Pro rim recommended tyre widths between 19 and 28mm. If the frame clearance permits, 25, 26 or 28mm would be a good choice for your purposes. Personally, I'd suggest a touring/city tyre from Continental, Panaracer, Schwalbe, or Vredestein. (Panaracer does some 26mm tyres - which is a much less common size than 25 and 28). Note that the 700 size is also known as 622. So a 700x28c tyre is the same as a 28-622.

it's all ETRTO to me.... (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tire-sizing.html)

[Big T]

A lot of people riding winter bikes use Continental Gatorkins in 23 or 25mm size. You may struugle with clearance for 28mm. They roll quite well and are reasonably puncture resistant. I use them and have also used Schwalbe Blizzard Pro and Continental GP 4 Seasons. I've also heard that Michelin Krylion Carbon are good but have not used them myself.

[EdinburghFixed]

To add to the excellent posts above, don't worry about trying to buy "a better all-purpose tyre with some grip", unless you plan on riding off-road. Slick tyres give the maximum possible grip in all weather conditions on tarmac (except on ice, but then, that isn't tarmac..!) If by all-purpose you meant you might ride on grass or mud regularly, then by all means you need to get something with tread to be comfortable.

However, there is merit (IMO) in going wider to allow you to run at reduced pressure (my 35mm Kojaks are noticeably more skittish at 90psi than at 60psi). So if you can fit a 28mm tyre, it will be significantly better than a narrow 23.

28mm Gatorskins would be my default recommendation, but only because they are the only tyre in this class I have much experience of. Depending on which version of the Ribble frame you have, it will either fit 28's with mudguards or it wont (sloped or level top tube, I can't remember which way around).

[Ontherivet77]

I would recommend Michelin Kyrlion Carbon as they have been good for me.

[Ugly]

I've been using Gatorskins, 23mm on gears and 25 on fixed, for the last few winters, nice and lively, good road holding in dry and wet and very few flats.

[pq]

Not much to add to the above, but don't buy anything bigger than about 23mm unless you're sure it'll fit still allowing clearance for mudguards. Buying from a shop rather than mail order will help you make a judgement on that.

If you don't have enough clearance to go bigger than 23mm, don't worry - that's fine if you stick to tarmac and don't carry too much gear.

Conti gatorskins or GP4000s are both good in my expeience - and there are no doubt other that would fit the bill.

[NUKe]

Another Gatorskin fan

[cycleruk]

Definitely watch out for the clearance issue with the Ribble.
Some are limited to 23mm and some are supposed to go up to 28mm. (with mudguards)

[iandriver]

I have a 2007 Ribble winter, which is ally frame and an Alpina carbon fork. This runs 25mm gator skins fine with mudguards in the autumn winter. To get 28 mm on, you'd need to remove the mudguards, which kind of defeats the object of this type of bike. (it seems to roll, but get a small stone stuck to the tyre in the wet and it clatters into the mud guards with too little clearence, this was with 28mm spech armadillos)

Don't know the 2002 spec, ribble do change it quite often, particually the forks. Unlikely 23 to 25mm is going to be a step too far.

[reohn2]

Just to add my 2d worth,I'd check that whatever tyre you're using you have 10mm minimum clearance between tyre and m'guard.That will determine you're maximum tyre size ie; 23,25,28,32mm etc.
As for tyres,I've found Conti Gatorskins to be a good all round road tyre almost equal are Panaracer RibMo's,if you ride the odd surfaced track then I'd go for Schwalbe Marathons though these only start at 25mm.
Hope this helps.

[paul2129]

Crikey, thanks very much for all the replies, you're very kind to take the time to give the advice it's sounding like the Gatorskins are going to be the sensible choice and that th 25 size would most likely fit. I'll certainly buy them from a shop so they can have a look at the bike and pass comment of the fitment. I 'Think' that what I have is a 23mm and I do have the mudguards fitted...... I thought that there was plenty clearance but I'll let the bike shop be the judge of that

Should I notice a difference running on the 25's and be slightly better for carrying the weight about ?

Many thanks for the help, you guys have been great !


Paul

[glueman]

In truth you'll notice no difference between 23 and 25mm tyres. If it will fit 28 go for it but otherwise fit what gives you best clearance and make sure you have plenty of air in to avoid pinch flats with a saddlebag. I prefer a wider tyre but lots of people tour quite happily on 23mm rubber.
The main thing is to get out there and enjoy it.