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Bicycles Tyres – Summary of my experience

The topic of tyres and tyre choice comes up frequently in the Australian Cycling Forums and it occurred to me that a summary page would be a good way to share my experiences, hence this post.  I have decided to sort the tyres by brand rather than by bike. Hopefully this makes it easy to see how they have performed.

Continental

Model & Size Fitted to Usage Total Km Puncture Rate (number of punctures – km per puncture Comments
Continental Grand Prix 4-Season V Surly Long Haul Trucker Front 2,483 km as at August 5, 2010   June 25, 2010 – Back on the bike for Audax rides
Continental Grand Prix 4-Season V Surly Long Haul Trucker Rear 2,483 km as at August 5, 2010   June 25, 2010 – Back on the bike for Audax rides.
           
Grand Prix 4000 “Black Chilli” Look 555 Front and then rear 7,929 km (retired) 3 @ 1,560 km This tyre was rotated from the front to the rear. The kilometres reflect total life.
           
Grand Prix 4000S “Black Chilli” Look 555 Rear 4,318 km (retired) 2 @ 2,231 km The bike is ridden on city and country roads and in predominately in dry weather
  Giant CRX 1 Front 4,734 km as at August 5, 2010   This tyre was rotated from the Look 555 (front) to the CRX 1. The CRX is being used as a winter commuter
  Look 555 Front 2,551 km as at August 5, 2010 1 @ 1,383 km New fitment to the Look 555;
First puncture
was the result of hitting a pot hole at approximately 30 km/h; a pinch flat.
  Look 555 Rear 2,551 km as at August 5, 2010 3 @ 719 km New fitment to the Look 555;
First puncture
was the result of hitting a pot hole at approximately 30 km/h; a pinch flat;
Second puncture – glass;
Third puncture – Cause unknown
           
Travel Contacts Sir Lancelot, Surly Long Haul Trucker Front and Rear 4,272 km (retired) 5 @ 712.4 km Used for city commuting (wet and dry) and road touring (wet and dry). No longer in use.
           
Ultra GatorSkin 700c x 25 Chase, Giant CRX 1 Front and Rear 4,454 km (rear) (retired) 12 @ 378.75 km Tire wall failed on the rear; Poor puncture performance with the bike being ridden in wet and dry conditions on city roads and paths. Cost per kilometre = 0.01 cents

Duro

Model & Size Fitted to Usage Total Km Puncture Rate (number of punctures – km per puncture Comments
Stinger 700c x 28 Chase, Giant CRX 1 Rear 1,076 km (retired) 3 @ 359km Cheap tyre from the LBS. Purchased as an emergency tyre.

Kenda

Model & Size Fitted to Usage Total Km Puncture Rate (number of punctures – km per puncture Comments
Blue Grove Stick-E Julia, Giant XTC 2 Front In use – 674 km as at March 26, 2010    
Nevegal Stick-E Julia, Giant XTC 2 Rear In use – 674 km as at March 26, 2010    

Maxxis

Model & Size Fitted to Usage Total Km Puncture Rate (number of punctures – km per puncture Comments
Detonator 700c x 28 Chase, Giant CRX 1 Front and Rear 2,673 km 10 @ 267 km
  • OEM tires on Chase;
  • Poor wear rate

Michelin

Model & Size Fitted to Usage Total Km Puncture Rate (number of punctures – km per puncture Comments
Lithion 700c x 23 Giant CRX 1 Rear 270 km as at August 5, 2010 The CRX is being used as a winter commuter.

Schwalbe

Model & Size Fitted to Usage Total Km Puncture Rate (number of punctures – km per puncture Comments
Marathon Cross HS 334 40-622 700 x 38C Surly Long Haul Trucker Front and Rear Not in use – 1,642 km as at August 5, 2010 1 @ 1,468 km Touring duties. Currently removed as the bike is setup for Audax riding;
1 puncture in the rear tyre caused by Caltrop.

Vittoria

Model & Size Fitted to Usage Total Km Puncture Rate (number of punctures – km per puncture Comments
Randonneur 700c x 28   Rear Not in use 1,646 km as at March 26, 2010>   Tyres currently not fitted to any bike. Where used on the rear of my Giant CRX 1.

Related posts:

  1. Continental Grand Prix 4000 S "Black Chilli" Owner Review
  2. Continental Ultra GatorSkin – 700c x 25mm Owner Review
  3. Continental Contacts puncture and wear experience review
  4. Vittoria Zaffiro Owner Review
  5. Continental Grand Prix 4000 Black Chilli Owner Review

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One Comment

  1. [...] and corner well both in dry and wet conditions and they also wear quite well.  I got just over 4,000 km out of my first set and I am now on my second set which I fitted in March 2010. They also seem to do well on the puncture front too. Keeping in mind [...]

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