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Just ordered some aero rims from Nextie, I've got some tune hubs to lase them to, but no tyres.... Don't have a clue about what's good in the road world anymore....
Rims have a 19mm internal / 26mm external and obviously I want to optimize the aero side so should I go for 25mm or 28mm tyres.
I'm doing a fairly long charity ride (hopefully later this year) so want something fast and durable....
25mm GP5000 up front for the reduced aero drag profile from rim to sidewalls, perhaps a bigger size on the rear for comfort.
Vittoria Open Pave, https://www.wiggle.co.uk/vittoria-pave-cg-open-clincher-road-tyre?g=0
27's if they'll fit the frame. Lovely tyres.
Are they tubeless? You can run lower pressures with a higher volume tyre so improved comfort and grip for no loss in rolling resistance. Go for the narrower tyre if you’re spending more of the time at higher average speeds e.g. 20mph+. GP5000s get lots of favourable reviews, but they can be very tight on some rims. There are lighter, faster tyres but you’re losing durability and puncture resistance.
Not sure if they are tubeless compatible - brand new design for nextie so cheaper at the moment but little info on the website. (£360 posted for the pair). I'll email and ask...
They'll be used on my allroad/gravel bike as I can't be arsed forking out for a full new bike at the mo (so spent close to a £1000 on a set of wheels 😂), and are replacing a set of cheap no brand chinese/novatech wheels.
GP5000 or Schwalbe Pro One.
I would go 25 or 28 for more comfort. You wouldn't notice the aero difference in a blind test.
I’ve tried pretty much all the latest tyres, current faves are Challenge Strada 27mm in tan wall. Look awesome and ride great.
Probably a couple of watts slower than GP 5000 but much much easier to get on and off the rim.
Also got the new Schwalbe Pro Ones, but disappointed in those, just not as comfortable as Vitoria Corsa or the Strada, only a 25mm tyre, but just thought running tubeless at 70psi they would be pretty comfortable.
The GP 5000, mine cut up fairly quickly and were a pig to get on my Reynolds 60mm rims.
https://www.challengetires.com/shop/products/strada-5/59306
In terms of optimising aero gains, 25mm will be best aerodynamically. Doesn’t mean it will be the fastest though. Some 28s will be just as fast, all depends on the rim and tyre combo.
Specialised Turbo in a 26mm also worth a look at. I used to have these as my go to crit racing tyre, expensive but worth it. The vittoria Corsa G+ Just not quite as good as the spec in the wet. Good but not great.
https://road.cc/content/review/255874-specialized-turbo-cotton-tyre
The new Pirelli again worth checking out. None of these tyres are really better or worse than each other, all depends on what you like the look of and what your roads are like. I’m a bit of a sucker for tan wall and always been a fan of Challenge tyres.
I'm running Hope RD40's on a Trek Domane SLR disc. From new for two years I ran Schwalbe Pro One in 30mm.
After squaring off the rear I switched to GP5000's in 32mm recently. The GP's feel faster but harsh, not anywhere as supple as the Schwalbe's.
New Schwalbe's come up narrow - 30mm measure 28mm on wifes Parcours Gripeur wheels.
(Both tubeless, 90kg rider at 70psi)
Challenge Strada or Elite XP in open tubular with latex tubes. Golden.
The longer the ride, the more you'll appreciate a wider tyre. At some point, the reduced <span style="font-size: 0.8rem;">fatigue will overcome any perceived aero loss. I'd go with 28mm and I like the GP5000s.</span>
As above, 28mm will be more comfy and likely just as fast or faster.
I'd be very reluctant to go back to 25mm now.
Liking 28mm here also, wider rim than OP though
Pro Ones Addix tubeless tan wall, only 500km on the clock so far but initial impressions are good
I'm no expert on the subject but from what I've read and understand, any aerodynamic gains will be lost by using a tyre too large for the rim. You're really looking for a tyre that sits flush with the rim in terms of width. On 26mm rim, that might be a 25 or a 28 depending on the tyre. Although from my experience I think most size up large.
That's if the aero gains are your priority of course. The difference is going to be marginal, especially on the rear, where I guess you could get away with sizing up for comfort and not lose too much speed, if you wanted to compromise in the middle.
On a longer ride you might even find yourself faster on something more comfortable. I.e bigger. But that's all personal. From a scientific point of view I think you're looking towards 25s.
Gp4000, Pro one, something like that.
None of the above. 28mm Vittoria Corsa control g2.0 with tubes. Fast, supple, excellent grip and decent lifespan. I noticed no difference between 30mm tubeless and 28mm tubed in terms of aerodynamic resistance in comparison over 1000 miles on each.
So I've had a reply back from Nextie, they are tubeless compatible, and they recommend a tyre no wider than 32mm.
I've gone with 28mm Vittoria Corsa control's but I'll use tubolito tubes rather than tubeless. Went with those tyres as I could get the best deal on them over the other recommendations above.....
Also bought some tune qr's to match the hubs.
You went with tubolito but the heavier “winter” Vitoria tyre?
Isn’t that £20 per inner tube, presume you have 3 at least?
Tubeless Challenge Strava is a larger outlay for day 1 but you’d be better off in the long run. Just my opinion.
I've got a Pinarello with very tight clearance. Last year I bought a Conti GP4000 28 which snagged the front brake so I changed it for a pair of GP4000 25s which were fine, if a little snug. A couple of days ago I changed them for GP5000 25s which are as narrow as 23s, a good bit less tall and were a bugger to get on the rims. I've since read that other people have found the same. Someone said they've just re-named the sizes!
Whether they ride as smoothly, I'm about to find out this afternoon. Must say I'm a bit disappointed at the moment.
Vittoria Corsa - either the control G+ or the standard G+ depending on where you ride. Beautiful tyres, light fast and supple. Had them in both the Tubeless and tubed version and little between the two, just run the tubeless 10psi softer. Seem reasonably durable, about 4000km per set.
Used to use GP4000s which were great. Since they changed to the GP5000’s they seem to be made out of cheese and just had puncture after puncture after split sidewall. They’re also a complete bastard to get on and off all of my rims.
Never tried schwalbe road, other than g-ones on the commuter. Once you’ve tried 320TPi cotton, you never go back!
@w00dster yeah I asked for durable and fast 😁 and the controls are a massive 10g heavier than the 2.0!! Lol
Regards tubolito over tubeless I didn't get the email back from Nextie confirming they are tubeless compatible until after I'd ordered them (yes got three😁) I carry one as a spare on my gravel and a Revoloop with the fat bike. Not had any issue on the one time I used them and found it good enough not to swap back to tubeless on that wheel. Also works out lighter at 43g a wheel than tubeless - valves and valve extenders would weigh about the same, then theirs the selant on top - not that I'm a weight weenie putting them on a steel bike.... I can always go tubeless in the future At some point.
It’s not just the weight, it’s likely a slower tyre, any time you add a puncture resistance band to a tyre you’re going to get increased rolling resistance. Just seems strange you asked for an aero tyre for your wheel profile and you’ve ended up with a bigger more puncture resistant tyre. When people ask similar questions they usually want the fastest tyre, you’ve probably selected the slowest out of what was recommended.
Absolutely understand it’s personal preferences. I’m sure they’ll be very good tyres and durable.
But next time, I’d recommend giving the challenge tyres a go. You may be surprised.
I have neck and back injuries that mean I’m always looking for comfortable options, but as an ex racer I also want fast with a good level of grip in all conditions. Racing crit races, in a bunch of 60 riders 30mph and 5cms away from the next rider, you want to have confidence in your tyres. I’ve tested pretty much all of the tyres in the “race” category over the years. Challenge are not the fastest but in my opinion they out perform most other tyres in comfort, grip and speed isn’t too far off. Plus they look soooo much better than a lot of other tyres.
I paid £160 for the tyres and sealant. Quite a big outlay. I’ve had no flats so far on mine and no sealant leaking or spraying up my back, no idea on the mileage but I’m about 120 miles a week outdoor riding at the moment and 200 miles a week during the summer. Had my tyres since last Spring, I have a new set to go on my summer bike today, only bought these as I have a new bike for them to go on.
Tubolito are pretty good, I used to carry one as a spare, they have a bit of a bad rep for being weak at the valve, but mine was fine. It didn’t last long though but that was just a standard thorn that would have caused a flat on any inner tube.
I’m a bit of a weight weenie and 20 gram saving for £80 is worth every penny....each gram saved adds up. I’ve even got silly lightweight thru axles that saved me about 40 grams and a seat post clamp that saved about 15 grams....all adds up!
But tubeless for me is about the lower psi and lack of need to remove the tyre. My injuries mean I’m not fully able to use my left arm, so I have to take the hit on the added weight of tubeless. Roadside repairs with tubeless so far has meant sticking in an anchovie, which even I managed to do!
Whatever tyres you go for they have to be Tan wall on a road bike!
GP5000TL are turd, ridiculously tight on a huge amount of rims to the point where several manufacturers say don't use them due to the risk of rim damage. The side walls are made of cheese, I wrecked 2 to the point where they were only fit for the bin in very quick succession on roads where I hadn't had a puncture for about 5 years!
Vittoria Corsa or Rubino Pro's are excellent, not noticeably slower than the GP5000's but actually last and are dead easy to mount, and 28's FTW they just ace.
Whatever tyres you go for they have to be Tan wall on a road bike!
Only on the right bike
Agree Steve. My old race bike was an Emonda SLR, looked a dogs dinner with tan side walls....here it is with Vittoria Corsa Graphene, that’s my wet weather setup for crits hence the alu brake track. For dry days I had a set of all black tubulars on 50mm full carbon rims, looked much better just no photos.
Here is one of my bikes with tan wall, again Vittoria Corsa Graphene G2. But these are also a pig on those rims. But I thought this bike looks better with tan as opposed to all black....
They'll be going on this....(only pic I could find)
Tan walls are ordered....
Also these turned up today - marginally heavier than a rear hope on its own.
Nice bike, love the skinny steel look with deep section wheels. Better pics needed though.
Lawn could do with mowing too.
Not had any problems with my Conti GP5000 TL 32mm - lovely tyre on and light off road.
Fast summer bike has the standard GP5000 25mm - as thats what fits under my rim brakes.
I've tried other tyres from Schwalbe, Vittoria, Specialized, Michelin in the past but never found anything better for all round performance, durability than the Contis
This is the only other photo I have - taken on a wide angle so the wheels look oval and miss sized, also non drive side and not in my back garden so doesn't get stw points...😂
New bike came recently with Vittoria Rubino 2 G+ TL and tbh it was the only thing I wasn't sold on after the first couple of rides. Not that you want lots of feedback on road but they felt quite wooden/dead. I'd come from the old bike on Spez cotton turbos. Was musing with spending on GP5000's as they were recommended and I've had the older versions before. But having spent a lot already on the new bike decided to try tubeless. Only one ride so far on pretty awful tarmac and definitely felt more supple. Can't say if that's removing the thick butyl inners or running slightly lower pressures. Probably both.
Have been doing something similar to you lately it seems.
Rims I got are 29mm outer / 20mm inner and the manufacturer says they're optimised for 25s from an aero point of view. I ride GP4000 25s at the mo and as my bike's a good 5 years old the max width I can fit is 28mm. Have got no issues with my current tyre from either a performance or comfort angle so I have gone for a set of 25mm GP5000's for the new wheels - will be setting them up tubeless.
Added bonus was that while I was researching around aero wheels I discovered that the tread on the Continentals seem to top the table on being the most aero. All about 'trips' that help the airflow to attach to the rim from what I can remember, the aero guy said that tyre choice is very important and can almost half the benefit from your fancy rims in the worst cases. He basically said full slicks are the worst.
With tan wall Corsas
https://flic.kr/p/2kMffhw
With black wall Corsa control
https://flic.kr/p/2kMiZyo
Waiting on some new wheels to arrive to fit new tan wall Corsas to.
Just fitted my Challenge Strada 27mm to my Emonda....Not sure about them with this frame....going to have to like them as they’re tubeless and I’m not swapping them back.
Same bike with different wheels and tyres......prob does look better in black, but those wheels are 200 grams heavier!
Quick update - wheels and tyres are on.