You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Bought a road bike a couple of years ago which i used solely for some charity events and some commuting. I put 23mm gatorskins on it as i was travelling through student town so lots of glass on roads. I dont commute anymore so i thought i might change the tyres to some gp4000s 2 but 25mm. Now i dont ride the road bike a lot so not really in tune with that type of riding (will be riding it a lot more in summer) so my question is will i really notice the diiference between the different compound and tyre size given i am not that tuned in to road biking. The bike does feel harsh on the road but i assume that about all road bikes and not just attributed to my thin hard gatorskins. Is it worth £60 to change the tyres, will it be more comfortable to ride?
I have a very low opinion of Gatorskins, they're harsh, lack grip and I'm not even convinced they're that puncture proof. With that in mind. Yes, I think you'll notice a big difference.
Head to Ribble and have a look at there twin pack deals, something like a Vittoria Open something or some Veloflex Masters will make a world of difference and cost you less than £60.
[url= http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TYVIDIPRLI/vittoria-diamante-pro-folding-tyre ]http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TYVIDIPRLI/vittoria-diamante-pro-folding-tyre[/url]
I got these and some latex tubes.
Yes, I'd say you can feel the difference.
Lunge - i kinda feel the same about the harsh ride feel and lack of grip but just assumed that was road riding for you. Now i think about it i did have a few punctures with them but a lot less than other tyres i guess.
Are the Vittoria tyres comparable with the gp4000s as friends love the gp's?
From peoples opinion even a none roadie like me will feel a difference in tyres so i guess that makes my mind up and its time to change tyres.
I will look in to them and the other suggestions and i promise i wont start a what tyre thread!
How hard are you running the gatorskins, what do you weigh?
I don't think gatorskins are a terrible tyre, the balance is just more towards [s]endurance[/s] durability than grip and feel. If £60 for GP4s feels steep and it is only going to be a summer bike, why not try the plain Grandprix? It's cheaper.
Or maybe just try changing the front tyre only at first, you're marginally more likely to notice an improvement in front end comfort; reducing neck/shoulder fatigue perhaps, and more front end grip in corners would be my choice...
Running the gatorskins at 100psi ish and i weigh just over 13 stone. I like the idea of a front end only change, i might just do that. Thanks.
Are the Vittoria tyres comparable with the gp4000s as friends love the gp's?
Yep totally comparable and have actual puncture prtoection and don't look like they've been attacked by edward scossor hands after a few rides. Unlike any conti tyre i've ever used.
More comfort? Reduce pressure. Google the 15% rule. You may need bigger tyres to get a big difference
Try running the gatorskins a little lower pressure too, say 80psi front 90psi rear?
It won't improve their grip, but might make them more comfy without much change in rolling resistance...
I much prefer the Vittorias to the Conti's, I truth I've yet to find a Conti tyre I like.
Ok i will break with tradition and ignore conti tyres and plump for some vittoria, where best to buy them from?
I just read somewhere that the veloflex masters are only good for a 1000 miles, is that right? I think i would prefer a little more durability than that. The vittoria tyres that i think are similar to gp4000s are pretty much the same price or am i looking at the premium tyres (i think they were open pave model?).