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Current one is a few years old and cracking badly.
Are they all much of a muchness? If I have an Elite trainer is best to go with an elite tyre (given they are probably developed in conjunction with each other) Or is there a go to tyre that's head and shoulders above the rest?
Thanks in advance
I dunno. I have only used tacx tyres, lasted 2/3 years (not exactly heavy use) before it went shiney on the surface and started slipping on the trainer so I just replaced it with another the same. I am happy enough if they are lasting me that long.
given they are probably developed in conjunction with each other
I think you're overestimating the 'development' that goes into a stainless steel drum and a basic tyre.
Do you have any old 'normal' tyres knocking around? Use them. Or by a v.cheap 'normal' tyre. Turbos eat tyres, sure, and I get the point of not using you 'good' tyres on them, but no need for specific turbo tyres
I used the Conti one, it was fine. I used the Schwalbe one, it too was fine. They seems to last longer than normal tyres ime. You need to wipe them down with isopropyl alcohol occasional, or they slip against the roller. I wouldn't overthink brand compatibility.
but no need for specific turbo tyres
imho they are quitter and last 100x longer on a turbo compared to a standard tyre.
I think you’re overestimating the ‘development’ that goes into a stainless steel drum and a basic tyre.
Here is what Elite say
Elastogel roller
The red roller (the area where the wheel rests on) is made in Elastogel (30 mm diameter), the exclusive polyurethane compound developed and tested by ELITE.
This improves tyre adherence, decreases the noise coming from the roller/tyre friction by 50% and tyre consumption by 20%.
This tyre is designed for use with turbo trainers only. It uses a special compound and tread design to help reduce heat build-up, noise and vibration.
I understand this could be marketing BS, hence why I am asking for real world opinions. However I do believe that its significantly more than a steel roller and a basic tyre.
As above, any tyre will do. Normal tyres do seem to fall to bits and cover the carpet and wall behind the turbo in a fine splatter of rubber but if you're in the shed or wherever then it's no big deal. I'd only buy a turbo tyre if I was doing way too many hours on the turbo, otherwise I've always got a pile of worn road tyres which can go on the turbo until the threads show through! Certainly wouldn't worry about cracks or cuts on a turbo tyre, what's the worst that could happen if it did go bang?
With normal tyres I get the splatter of rubber (fnar, fnar) behind the turbo so I just went on CRC (other online retailers available) and bought a turbo specific tyre. In red so I wouldn't confuse it with the normal tyres.