Best Commuter Tires?

[carlotta]

I have gatorskins on the bikes with 28s and love them. I rode over all kinds of goatheads in the SW, and they've been good with glass/road debris in Philly.

The main commuter has 32s at the moment, and I listened to the bike shop guy and put Panasonic RibMo's on it--I had never gone above 28s so wasn't sure what my options were, and I was fed up with the stock tires and not willing to wait on marathons. BAD IDEA. This shop is staffed by a couple great mechanics and a bunch of college kids.....I'd had issues with the non-mechanic guys before and I should've gone with my gut and waited on marathons.

The RibMo's are horrendous on anything other than clean pavement, <1" of fairly compact sand/flood debris on the MUP was not good and I've had a few other interesting moments. Thankfully they're also not wearing very well, I've got maybe 3000 miles on them and I've gotten a couple flats lately that are related to tread wear in the middle of the tire, so my springtime treat will be a new set of marathons (after the marathon winters come off...).

[Thorn]

The RibMo's are horrendous on anything other than clean pavement, <1" of fairly compact sand/flood debris on the MUP was not good and I've had a few other interesting moments. .

Interesting. In spring, my commuter had Panaracer's Urban Max. They had replaced a set of Urban max that lasted forever. However, I flatted the front 3 times in a week (on my commute, the streets are paved with glass -- a casino and way too many bars). All on the same tire.

I replaced the Urban Max with a RiBMo and nary a flat in 4K+ miles. People seem to either find the tough Panaracers either bullet proof or quick to flat. I wonder if it is a quality control issue? Except for that one Urban Max, my Panaracers (Urban Max and RiBMo, knock on wood) have been without fault. And, really, glass is an everyday occurrence.

This winter I'm going Schwalbe Marathon Winter. I've heard good things about the Marathon line.

[carlotta]

To clarify, I haven't really have flat issues with the RibMo's. The bigger complaint I have is that they are really squirrely on any amount of sand/dirt/mud that washes onto the MUP and pretty poor handling on fairly packed dirt/gravel that I ride routinely on 28's and sometimes on 23's just fine. Something about the profile of the tire (the ridge down the middle, I think) makes them handle worse on non-pavement (for me) than narrower tires which is a bummer.

The flats I have had are recent and at least one was due to me not noticing a little piece of glass until it worked its way through the tire and into the tube. They haven't worn very well, but neither the bike, myself, or my usual load are anything approaching lightweight, so that may be some of it....

Hopefully we both enjoy the marathon winters in the next few months.....I've never ridden anything other than homemade studs so I'm interested to see how they pan out

[wackyjacky1]

Another suggestion, I put Nashbar Streetwise tires on my bike when I replaced my old tires, and they're great. Cheap, too.

Very easy to install, and they have Kevlar for flat protection. Knock wood, I haven't had a flat with them (and I've ridden through some gnarly road debris).

Sizes seem quite limited now than when I ordered mine, though. Mine are 700x35; they have that plus 26x1.25 and 26x1.5. Don't know if those sizes are of any use to you.

Nashbar Streetwise Tires

[runningcyclist]

On my SS I have Vittoria Rubino Pros, but then my bike is a child's track bike with 650c wheels, cos I'm a titch . I wish Schwalbe made Marathon Plus' for 650c wheels, I'd use them on the SS in a shot. Still, I have them on my 'runaround' bike which has 700c wheels, so I should be fine for the winter.

[WindingRoad]

So does anyone have any experience with the Continental Touring Plus tires? I am looking at the 700 x 32's with the reflex sidewall? Any idea how they stack up to the Schwalbe Marathons?

[WindingRoad]

Bump. Gonna order tires in the next week so I wanted as many ideas as I can get. I'd love to get the Gatorskin Ultra with extra flat protection but apparently they are backordered. Was thinking about regular gatorskins, Carletta seemed to like them AND she is in Philly and I will be again soon too. I like the fact that the gatorskins aren't uber heavy like some of the others I've been contemplating. These ARE for a commuter bike though so I'm not basing my decision on weight.