Yet Another Cycling Forum

General Category => The Knowledge => Topic started by: jdsnape on 19 April, 2022, 03:30:11 pm

Title: Tyres for audax
Post by: jdsnape on 19 April, 2022, 03:30:11 pm
Apologies if this has been done ad nauseum! I had a search back through the forum but the things I found were from about ten years ago and I think the market might have changed a bit.

I'm getting a new bike built, and am trying to decide what tubed tyres to go for. Up until now I've always run Gatorskins (and before that hardshells), because I've figured any slow down is made up for by not having to spend 20 minutes fixing a puncture....

However, I read a passing comment in an article about tyres saying that the gatorskin formula was quite old now, and that there may be better alternatives available. I've also got a bit faster at fixing the few punctures I have had so am probably less set on them being quite so bombproof. I'm looking at mostly road riding, although the roads round here get very muddy through the autumn because of the sugar beet harvesting.

Is there anything that's come out in the last few years that I should be considering?
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: freeflow on 19 April, 2022, 06:52:35 pm
The 32c GP5000 I've been using have been very speedy and not noticeable p magnets.  They are available as clincher or tubeless.  The Panracer Gravel Kings ( a nice light tyre)  have proved to be the opposite.  If you can find them I might now be looking at the Grand Prix Road Urban.  As ever, a perusal of https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/ (https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/) provides much food for thought.
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: Lightning Phil on 19 April, 2022, 07:22:55 pm
The Schwalbe pro one tubed seemed to be discounted these days. Not as popular as tubeless versions.  The old 2014 Schwalbe One tubed is a fast one and is still for sale in a few places in 30mm
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: ElyDave on 19 April, 2022, 07:37:51 pm
I've consistently been happy with Conti GP 4-Seasons, 28mm due to clearance issues.
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: Feanor on 19 April, 2022, 07:51:22 pm
I have similar things to consider: the Swedish 1200 has a gravel section, apparently.
I need to select my tyres to suit a route that's mostly a 1200 on-road with a shortish gravel section.
I will be on a road bike with typical road bike clearances.

I will keep an eye on this.

My winter commuter has GP 4-Seasons, and that is my current thought.
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: rafletcher on 19 April, 2022, 07:56:00 pm
Hutchinson Sector 32 or Fusion 5 11 storm All Seasons 28.
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: ElyDave on 19 April, 2022, 08:11:42 pm
I have similar things to consider: the Swedish 1200 has a gravel section, apparently.
I need to select my tyres to suit a route that's mostly a 1200 on-road with a shortish gravel section.
I will be on a road bike with typical road bike clearances.

I will keep an eye on this.

My winter commuter has GP 4-Seasons, and that is my current thought.

I've ridden the gp4-seasons on gravelly farm tracks a fen paths with no issues over a few km in a longer ride
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: FifeingEejit on 19 April, 2022, 10:02:07 pm
I've consistently been happy with Conti GP 4-Seasons, 28mm due to clearance issues.

I was too, but I've been using 25mm MSC Road Performance Plus and Michelin Pro D Endurance (IIRC) on my rim braked bikes due to cheapness and so far (touches a tree sourced surface) they've been pretty much as good for not getting punctures, though that is in normal riding conditions and not deliberately riding over tacks or something)

I find the 4-Season 28mm on 18mm rims come in at 30mm wide on the calipers.
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: FifeingEejit on 19 April, 2022, 10:03:02 pm
I have similar things to consider: the Swedish 1200 has a gravel section, apparently.
I need to select my tyres to suit a route that's mostly a 1200 on-road with a shortish gravel section.
I will be on a road bike with typical road bike clearances.

I will keep an eye on this.

My winter commuter has GP 4-Seasons, and that is my current thought.

It's a Swedish gravel road, I bet by mid-summer it's in better condition than any Scottish sealed surface road.
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: markcjagar on 19 April, 2022, 10:16:43 pm
The 32c GP5000 I've been using have been very speedy and not noticeable p magnets.  They are available as clincher or tubeless.

I've been using them for a couple of years now, 25000km, solid & fast tyres
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: telstarbox on 19 April, 2022, 10:28:26 pm
I've never had a road puncture on Marathon Plus 28mm in 5 years of audaxing and commuting, including a lot of broken glass on the roads!
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: PeterM on 19 April, 2022, 11:15:05 pm
Hutchinson Sector 32 or Fusion 5 11 storm All Seasons 28.

The Fusion 5 in tubeless form works very well on my winter bike.  Grips and rolls well.
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: Deano on 19 April, 2022, 11:18:10 pm
Vittoria Open Pave in 25 mm.
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: sojournermike on 20 April, 2022, 12:23:09 am
Vittoria Open Pave in 25 mm.

Not Corsa Speed? ;)
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: Hot Flatus on 20 April, 2022, 07:52:56 am
Hutchinson Sector 32 or Fusion 5 11 storm All Seasons 28.

The Fusion 5 in tubeless form works very well on my winter bike.  Grips and rolls well.

Sectors are indestructible but very slippy.

Fusions seem a good compromise between resilience, grip, and suppleness for winter riding. Be sure to buy the 'all season' version.

Schwalbe One are great, but cut up easily and wear fast. If you can find them heavily discounted they are a good buy.
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: Defblade on 20 April, 2022, 01:26:18 pm
Another vote for GP5000s. I added slime to the tubes once hedge-cutting season started, and have removed several thorns since without any problems.
I'm also running 32mm. I've taken them along a variety of gravel and sand with no problems; I found their limit on a very woodland path once it started going upwards at about 10% over mud/leaf-litter filled karst, but until that point they behaved well (as did my road bike!).
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: jdsnape on 20 April, 2022, 02:05:42 pm
Thanks for all the thoughts. I have to admit I've not considered tubeless, but that's mainly because I don't know anything about it!

I'm probably leaning towards the GP5000 or 4-seasons, but I will need to dive down the bikerollingresistance site rabbit hole one evening...
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: Genosse Brymbo on 21 April, 2022, 10:46:38 am
I'll put in another vote for Michelin Pro Endurance (they appear to change the name every couple of years - FifeingEejit says "Pro D" upthread but his IIRC is understandable given Michelin's constant slight name changes).
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: quixoticgeek on 22 April, 2022, 10:32:11 am
The 32c GP5000 I've been using have been very speedy and not noticeable p magnets.  They are available as clincher or tubeless.

I've been using them for a couple of years now, 25000km, solid & fast tyres

Another vote for 32c GP5K. I've done some light offroad on them just fine. In all but sand and wet mud they are fine.

J
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: jdsnape on 22 April, 2022, 10:56:48 am
The main issue seems to be that 32C GP5000 seem to be unobtainium at the moment!
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: mrcharly-YHT on 22 April, 2022, 11:08:35 am
I think that the issue is manufacturers retiring tyres.

Krylions were brilliant. MikeH used them on his round the world record attempt. Gone.
Voyager Hypers were fantastic for the wider-tyre adherents. Gone.

 >:(
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: JonBuoy on 22 April, 2022, 11:28:10 am
The main issue seems to be that 32C GP5000 seem to be unobtainium at the moment!

I bought a pair of 28mm GP5000 from Bike24 a month ago.  Delivery took a while but I wasn't in a desperate rush and they were cheaper than any UK supplier that I could find.  They appear to have the 32mm GP5000 in stock.
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: toontra on 22 April, 2022, 01:49:22 pm
I'll put in another vote for Michelin Pro Endurance (they appear to change the name every couple of years - FifeingEejit says "Pro D" upthread but his IIRC is understandable given Michelin's constant slight name changes).

That's what I use.  Grippy and fast (among the lowest rolling resistance apparently) and fairly P resistant.
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: mr ben on 10 May, 2022, 09:07:33 am
The main issue seems to be that 32C GP5000 seem to be unobtainium at the moment!

I bought a pair of 28mm GP5000 from Bike24 a month ago.  Delivery took a while but I wasn't in a desperate rush and they were cheaper than any UK supplier that I could find.  They appear to have the 32mm GP5000 in stock.

I'm in need of some new rubber and following this useful thread have been looking for GP 5000s, but they are indeed hen's teeth.  Bike24 have the tubeless ready version https://www.bike24.com/p2530146.html at £ :o...I know nothing about tubeless, will these fit on a normal (non-tubeless) rim?

Or should I settle for 28 mm...
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: Karla on 10 May, 2022, 09:46:37 am
Tubeless tyres will fit on a tubed rim.  You're fine.
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: trundle on 10 May, 2022, 12:18:05 pm
GP4's are lovely for 28mm and smaller. But I'm a big fan of Marathon Supreme for 32mm and larger (I run 35mm). They are incredibly supple, not quite as fast as GP4's, but much quicker than touring tyres. Fantastic grip on any combination of wet, dry, cold, warm. I've had no punctures on crap chiltern lanes and a fair chunk of byway and canal paths. I'm not particularly quick at Audax (under 11 hours if I'm lucky) - but compliant tyres mean I can still function as a human the next day with no aches or pains.
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: chrisbainbridge on 10 May, 2022, 02:02:46 pm
Expensive but I got a pair from wiggle last week.
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: Feanor on 10 May, 2022, 08:24:35 pm
Just physically tried what would fit in my Look 566 frame.

GP5000 28 is a close but workable fit.
GP4seasons 28 is a much bigger tyre: not so much width, it might have fitted widthy-ways, but it's much taller, and fouled the BB shell way before the wheel was anything like forward enough to reach the dropouts.
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: McWheels on 05 June, 2022, 08:58:13 pm
Pirelli Cinturato TLR. Can get it quite wide and the balance between rolling resistance and protection is pretty good. Certainly better than Marathon greens.
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: lissotriton on 05 June, 2022, 09:27:06 pm
Anyone tried the Jack Brown tyres from Planet X? Made by Panaracer, and quite cheap anyway.
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: canny colin on 05 June, 2022, 11:31:03 pm
I have three of them on the trike . I think of them as a less costly pasela pt . Go on to the rim easily . Come off the rim when required with out a fight , & roll well . Better grip than the previous gatorskins  . I got the first batch for  £12.99 each so really good value . I did blow the side wall out on one , but I am fairly certain I hit a bit of barb wire . At least I could ride home on two wheels . Very hard to judge protection from visitation , but carcass looks the same as aforementioned pt , which I find is good till the tread gets thin .   
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: Lightning Phil on 07 June, 2022, 05:15:33 pm
The Conti Ultra Sport III roll well (on a par with Grand Prix) and dirt cheap
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: Ashaman42 on 16 June, 2022, 10:40:28 pm
I can't find the standard GP5000 in 32mm but I can get the GP5000S TR in 32mm. The former is max pressure 102psi and ply/tpi 3/330. The latter 73psi & 2/220.

How much difference is that all likely to make? Wrt rolling well and puncture resistance? And, given that I'm looking at >£150 for a pair am I better off going for something like the GP 4 seasons (or something else entirely)?

For reference I'm on a Trek Crossrip (a vaguely cyclocross road bike, disc brakes, full mudguards [sks longboards I think]), I weigh about 70kg, and am aiming for LEL.

Been on the current GP5000 for a good while (they might have enough life left but I don't want to get to a few days out and have to scramble for a replacement) and they seem good but I was previously commuting on marathon pluses so anything will roll well after that.
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: Frank9755 on 17 June, 2022, 06:19:38 am
I can't find the standard GP5000 in 32mm but I can get the GP5000S TR in 32mm. The former is max pressure 102psi and ply/tpi 3/330. The latter 73psi & 2/220.

How much difference is that all likely to make? Wrt rolling well and puncture resistance? And, given that I'm looking at >£150 for a pair am I better off going for something like the GP 4 seasons (or something else entirely)?

For reference I'm on a Trek Crossrip (a vaguely cyclocross road bike, disc brakes, full mudguards [sks longboards I think]), I weigh about 70kg, and am aiming for LEL.

Been on the current GP5000 for a good while (they might have enough life left but I don't want to get to a few days out and have to scramble for a replacement) and they seem good but I was previously commuting on marathon pluses so anything will roll well after that.

As it happens, I fitted a pair of 32mm GP5000 TR yesterday.  I'm also the same weight as you.  However I am using them tubeless.  A tyre pressure website told me I should have them at 53psi, based on weight and rim width, which is what I will go with.  If I was using tubes I'd want a bit more air but 70 would feel like enough. 

Whether they will be faster at 53 vs 70psi vs 100 depends on the surface.  If it's completely smooth then 100psi faster.  For typical UK road I suspect the reverse. 
 
With tubes / without sealant, they are not going to be terribly puncture resistant at any pressure - they are racing tyres.
Title: Re: Tyres for audax
Post by: Can’t swim won’t tri on 17 June, 2022, 09:51:11 am
I can't find the standard GP5000 in 32mm but I can get the GP5000S TR in 32mm. The former is max pressure 102psi and ply/tpi 3/330. The latter 73psi & 2/220.

How much difference is that all likely to make? Wrt rolling well and puncture resistance? And, given that I'm looking at >£150 for a pair am I better off going for something like the GP 4 seasons (or something else entirely)?

For reference I'm on a Trek Crossrip (a vaguely cyclocross road bike, disc brakes, full mudguards [sks longboards I think]), I weigh about 70kg, and am aiming for LEL.

Been on the current GP5000 for a good while (they might have enough life left but I don't want to get to a few days out and have to scramble for a replacement) and they seem good but I was previously commuting on marathon pluses so anything will roll well after that.


The gp5000 in 30mm is in stock in a few places if you can live with a 2mm difference. I think I bought the last 32mm in the galaxy last week - it arrived in a very battered box.

I’m going conti hard shell on the rear/gp5000 front.  I’ve been averaging a rear puncture every 500k on lightweight tyres (bontrager r3 and gp5000) the most recent of which was a half cm slash that’s cut the cords and I think killed the tyre - it went with a bang! In contrast I put 4,500k on a conti hard shell on my other bike with no punctures, and my son is on 2,500k on his with no punctures.

I know logically that the fast racing tyres should save enough time to justify the punctures, but since the fairy tends to visit when it’s dark and raining, I’ll sacrifice a few minutes of pace to avoid the discomfort and unpredictability.