You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
Need some new tyres for my road bike but money is a little short at the moment! What’s the best value tyre for less than £20 per end? Current ones were the original giant tyres in 25mm.
I've been using these for a few years now and they're great.
https://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-prime-race-road-tyre-1
Yeah, I've got the Lifeline Essential Road Tyre & they're fine.
Don't seem any different to the 'proper' tyres they replaced although can't really comment on longevity.
These are £2 more but are brilliant tyres, you may find a discount code to get them to £20 as well.
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Specialized-Turbo-Pro-700c-Road-Bike-Tyre_89050.htm?
Vittoria Zaffiro or the Zaffiro Pro (folding)
I had to replace both sets on two of my road bikes as the 'fancy' Michelin Pro's didn't last long and I was riding more back lanes/tracks, so needed something tougher.
PX/Merlin have deals. Both tyres are great TBH, and not noticeably slower than Michelin Pro Race. I paid £4.99 for the wired Zaffiro and £9.99 for the Pro (folding).
They have a slight amount of tread which is beneficial on crap road surfaces, where I'm encountering a bit of mud and sand (coast). I've yet to get a flat with either bike.
The Rubino is the next one up, but would be £20 or more each.
can’t really comment on longevity.
Mine have seemed to last pretty well. I don't ride the road as much at the moment a couple of years ago I was riding a lot, regular 70/80 mile rides on weekends and commuting during the week, and they'll have covered a good few thousand miles. Only actually remember getting one puncture! I had no issue with buying them again when I got a new bike.
Mine are the race ones not the essential though...
That said, looks like I got a bargain, as the Zaffiro is £12-£15 and the Zaffiro Pro just over £22
Vittoria Rubino Pro folding clinchers on offer at Merlin for £19.50 each -
<ahref="https://www.merlincycles.com/vittoria-rubino-pro-g20-folding-road-tyre-700c-142944.html">
Vittoria Zaffiro
Always used those on my commuter - normally under £10 on PX.
Merlin for the Rubino - bargain.
I'm going to recommend these for the front https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TYPAJBR/jack-brown-race-700c-folding-tyre £3.99 over budget but 230g and made by Panaracer
I run the Jack Brown Mile Muncher at £19.99 at the rear (I'm not particularly svelte) They look the same, same tread pattern but a couple of ounces heavier https://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TYPAJBMM/jack-brown-mile-muncher-700c-folding-tyre
What's the goal here?
wear rate/puncture resistance, ride quality and/or grip?
Anyway I like a cheap road tyre me.
I've got some Prime 'Commuters' on one bike that were silly cheap, some cheapy old stock Schwalbe Durano I got off a stock clearance via ebay on another.
I have a folding Conti GrandPrix on the front of my nice bike currently (just a grandprix, no numbers or extra letters after the name) that was cheaper but isn't bad ...
And then there's the Gatorskins, wire bead ones still come cheap, their reputation for lacking grip tends to preceed them, but hey are tough, they wear well and I always seem to have one spare for when a fancier tyre lets go, the limited grip thing is only really an issue in the winter and is the trade off for higer wear rates.
other things that might score you a cheaper tyre, going for an unfashionable width (23mm might be an option?) wire rather than folding bead?
Of the lot I would probably look at wiggle/CRC Prime tyres to start and pick the highest TPI count that fits your budget, then see if anything comparable is about from other brands.
What width do you want? I may have some that I can send you for a small charity donation. You can direct message me.
Thanks everyone for your feedback! Really useful comments.
Wheelsonfire1 - 25mm preferably? What do you have?
Mine is just for leisure rides and fitness, no racing. Anything that avoids punctures!
In case 32mm would be OK
No idea if they are any good, just got a pair myself as cheap replacements.
I’ve got some I will never use if you aren’t fussy.
For free like.
Jkomo - what are they?
I've just bought Vittoria Zaffiro Pro G2.0 Folding from merlin for £13 each.
Even though they appear to be wire bead, those £10 32mm Grand Sport Races at crc sound a good deal.