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.
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.
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.
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.
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Cervelo P2C (tri bike)
Bianchi Eros (commuter/touring road bike)
1983 Motobecane mixte (commuter/errand bike)
Cannondale F5 mountain bike
Conti Gator Skins for me. Before that I had Kenda Kalientes. No complaints about either one. Gator Skins are pretty indestructible.
"Sharing the road means getting along, not getting ahead" - 1994 Washington State Driver's Guide
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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.
Check out my running blog: www.turtlepacing.blogspot.com
Cervelo P2C (tri bike)
Bianchi Eros (commuter/touring road bike)
1983 Motobecane mixte (commuter/errand bike)
Cannondale F5 mountain bike
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.
Last edited by buddha_bellies; 11-30-2008 at 09:44 AM. Reason: more to say
I got these since my bike takes 650B tires.