I have been riding around San Francisco on my steel CX bike with 32mm Challenge Grifo XS file tread tires. I really enjoy them, but had a bubble form in the casing last week, so I ditched the rear. I was going to just order a new one unless someone has a better recommendation.
Attributes I’m looking for:
Tough enough for potholes, curb drops, etcFast - relatively (not expecting anyone to do Crr testing on commuter tires)Supple - the Grifo XS gave a really plush rideVersitile - I want to be able to do fire roads and gravel at 40 psi or pump them up to 70 psi and go ride 20 miles on the roadWould look at anything between 28mm and 35mm, but leaning on the wider side of that range
The only other tire on my radar is the Jack Brown(http://www.rivbike.com/product-p/t100.htm). Any experience with either of these or others in would be helpful. Thanks!
As a side note, I put my training wheels (mavic open pro) with 25mm Conti GP 4-seasons and the bike rode like a dream over 45 miles including a climb up Old La Honda. Had me thinking of getting rid of the road bike or maybe converting it to a 1X10.
After years of commuting I have settled on two great tires that I have to be fast enough and pretty indestructible.
Panaracer T-Serv for a little bit of tread and Schwalbe Durano Plus for a slick tire. I used Gatorskins, Hard Cases, Armadillos, etc. and was never happy with them. These two tires have been great for me. (Watch, I’ll go get a flat tomorrow…)
I’ve used Gatorskins (in SF) for years. Very few flats. The only thing - when I did get a flat, it was a freaking nightmare to put it back on and usually ended in me getting help from someone else. Heard that Armadillos are easier to get on/off with a similar level of protection. That’ll probably be my next pick.
Smooth is better than file tread on the road. That cross tread is not ideal for the road, especially if it’s wet.
Jack Browns seem similar to Panasonic Paselas, with the Paselas being cheaper.
Schwalbe tires - the Durano and also various version of the Marathon series - are very touch tires. You say you want relatively fast, so I’m not sure how the Marathons fall in that regard.
I use Vittoria Open Pave on my Open Pros and have been really happy. They are my heavier training tires, and can obviously be raced. Might be too racer-y for what you’re looking for, but I’ve been really pleased.
I think the Marathons are pretty heavy. The Durano line is more performance-oriented than the Marathons, but the Durano Plus adds good flat protection (that has saved my bacon more than once. I’ve found screws, glass, etc embedded into the rubber, but it didn’t puncture the tire).
The Schwalbe Marathon Plus is pretty bomb-proof with a really-thick puncture-proof layer and they seem to last forever. However, they are heavy and rather sluggish to ride, and can be a PITA to fit as they are so stiff.
Schwalbe Marathon RACERs (no tread… I have them in both 30c and 35c). Good tires. Smooth.
Challenge Parigi Roubaix. 27/28c. My favorite commuter tires. Even if it’s not 35c, feels more supple than the Marathon Racers (normally, the wider tires feel more plush; but these are “only” 27c or 28c, and they feel nicer than my Marathon Racers, which are also very good).
The Marathon Racers, however, last longer than the Parigi Roubaix.
The Schwalbe Marathon Plus is pretty bomb-proof with a really-thick puncture-proof layer and they seem to last forever. However, they are heavy and rather sluggish to ride, and can be a PITA to fit as they are so stiff.
Cheers, Rich
x2
They also come in just about every size known, which is nice. I haven’t found their ride super sluggish though, at least for commuting on rough roads.
Bontrager Race Lite Hard Case. They are extremely durable and puncture resistant and in case of a slow leak, you can still ride on the tire even if the pressure’s low (mine were down to 50 and didn’t ‘look’ flat). My last set were on the bike for so long that they got dry rot before they punctured.
