Commuter Tires?

[mayanorange]

Not too many posts about what tires hold up best to commuting. I'll probably have the rustbucket back together this weekend (thanks to DebW), so it'll need some new shoes. Currently has 26x1.75 ones similar to the Ritchey Tom Slick (can't remember the brand), could easily handle 1.5 too. Looking for something under $25 each if that's possible, but don't want total crap either. Suggestions?

[Geonz]

Welp, I use Bontrager Hard Case 'cause even though they can be *hard* to put on... they can take incredible assaults adn not flat.

[maddy13]

I have used several different commuter tires, and have settled on the Panaracer T-serv for winter commuting in Portland's rain. They are folding, but have some tread for going over the leaves and muck, and are made for the rain.

[Grog]

I don't know how much the Schwalbe Marathon retail for in the U.S., but I have found them at around $33 Cdn. I was having a flat tire a week with Continental Sport something tires on my commuter (paid $15 each) and haven't had one in two weeks since I've had the Marathons on, but I have heard many glowing reports from long-time users. They also have reflective sidewalls (and a kevlar belt of course). Not the most aggressive thread but that's not something I need.

[Tri Girl]

They're smooth and don't have any grippy tread, but I love my Armadillos. They are skinny tires, but they are bombproof. I've had them on the bike a year and a half and haven't had a flat yet (and I get flats fairly often on my other skinny road bike tires). And trust me, I ride through all kinds of stuff. The gravely stuff on the shoulder, the salt grime stuff in the winter, and even on gravel roads. I think I paid $25-30 each.

[Eden]

Conti Gator Skins for me. Before that I had Kenda Kalientes. No complaints about either one. Gator Skins are pretty indestructible.

[kfergos]

They're smooth and don't have any grippy tread, but I love my Armadillos. They are skinny tires, but they are bombproof. I've had them on the bike a year and a half and haven't had a flat yet (and I get flats fairly often on my other skinny road bike tires). And trust me, I ride through all kinds of stuff. The gravely stuff on the shoulder, the salt grime stuff in the winter, and even on gravel roads. I think I paid $25-30 each.

I have one Armadillo (with reflective stripe) and one Gatorskin. However, I paid about $50 for each of those -- sounds like I'm buying my tires at the wrong place, if you can get them for so much less ! Also be forewarned: Both the Armadillo and the Gatorskin, though tough, are also extremely difficult to take on and off unless you have fingers of steel (or work in a bike shop ). I recommend either tire, and if you're planning on commuting in the dark, I encourage you to consider getting one with the reflective material on the side. I think it's very eye-catching for most drivers seeing you in the dark.

[divingbiker]

I was having a flat tire a week with Continental Sport something tires on my commuter (paid $15 each) and haven't had one in two weeks since I've had the Marathons on, but I have heard many glowing reports from long-time users. They also have reflective sidewalls (and a kevlar belt of course). Not the most aggressive thread but that's not something I need.

Ditto on the Schwalbe Marathons. Don't remember what I used before, but I became an expert at fixing flats. Haven't had one in months since getting the Marathons, and I ride over a lot of glass, potholes, etc on my DC commute.

[buddha_bellies]

Ditto on the Schwalbe Marathons. Don't remember what I used before, but I became an expert at fixing flats. Haven't had one in months since getting the Marathons, and I ride over a lot of glass, potholes, etc on my DC commute.

Which Marathons did you guys use? I am at the Schwalbe website and there're so many types of Marathons.

At the moment, I have the Schwalbe Kojak with 26x1.35 in front and 26x2.0 in the back (so I can load up my pannier with grocery).

In the winter, which is probably when it starts to snow/ slush around late Dec., I will have Panaracer XC Pro 26x2.0. Though I think I want something lighter and faster this winter. Changing from slicks to these tires, you can really feel the differences. They really drag.