My 5-year-old Wolfpack (real close to Conti GPs) are now nearing the indicator mark and have a few cracks in the carcass, so I need to replace them. In the intervening five years, top-end tyres have increased in price significantly, certainly more than my talent and free cash!
Since I’m now not going top-end, some mid-range tyres are needed, which makes things a bit harder (can’t just default to GP5000s!), I’m in need of inspiration/real world options. I’m still on rim brakes, so 25mm/26mm/27mm are best (although I guess I did have 28mm before and just got them in). I don’t want to run tubeless on this bike since I’d pretty sure the recommended pressure is going to be above the tubless specs, and finally, I’d prefer tan walls to look dope with deep carbon rims!
Personally, I always ride fast tires - gp5000s. Life is too short not to and they are puncture resistant enough for me. Actually, since going tubeless I haven’t had a flat that I’ve noticed (7 years) I always seem to find deals rather than paying full retail - ebay or direct from europe (check BikeInn).
On a budget, I’d drop down to the Grand Prix as it still has the same fast black chili compound.
My experience with Schwalbe one’s is they perish and crack on the sidewalls and puncture protection isnt the greatest. I’ve always gone back to Vittoria Rubino pros, Corsa controls are good aswell just alittle less robus as there thinner and wear faster. Im pretty sure only if the wheels are hookless you have to worry about exceeding a certain tyre pressures other than that no not much stopping you from experimenting with pressures I’m down to 40-50psi on 25c clinchers.