Can anyone recommend me a good fast rolling gravel tire with some knobs on the edges for extra cornering traction.
Something in the Gravel King SK, Challenge Gravel Grinder category. I would like to stick around 32mm, if possible. Just trying to make sure I’m not missing any options.
What has been your experience regarding durability and cornering on the Turbo Cottons?
I have been riding Conti GP4000s for 4 years on my Roubaix and love them. However, I just bought as S-Works Tarmac that comes with Turbo Cottons. They have been great so far (5 rides), but I want to buy backups. Since the time of your post, the Conti GP5000s have taken off. And looking at the #s and reviews it seems that the 5000s and Cottons are neck-and-neck. A fellow cycling racer loves the Turbos you use, but performance (rolling resistance) doesn’t seem to be as good so I’m trying to decide between the Cottons and 5000s. Thoughts on the Cottons and otherwise would be appreciated.
The cottons ride so nicely. It’s hard to describe, but they feel really supple, but incredibly grippy. I’ve found them to be very durable, despite what the reviews say. Indeed, they outlast my S-Works tubeless significantly. They corner incredibly well, but I find the tubeless do corner a little better so are my tyre of choice for crits.
They are remarkably easy to change. I’ve never had to use a tyre lever with the cottons.
Downside is the sidewall doesn’t look great after it’s been wet so I generally tend to have them as a dry weather tyre.
The rolling resistance is so small as to not make any difference in the big scheme of things. Assuming your S-works comes with Roval wheels that are tubeless ready, if I were in your shoes I’d consider going tubeless. I’ve found the ride quality of the tubeless is a step up even from the cottons.
Thanks so much for your feedback/input!
Yes, I do have Rovals on both my Roubaix (CLX 40s) and my Tarmac (CLX 50s). I have no experience with tubeless and have first RR (ever!) coming up in a few weeks (Sea Otter) so I’m not ready to learn/experiment yet. Also, I love descending so I’d really need to make sure I learn how to install/maintain them properly before taking such a risk.
Now that the Conti 5000s have come out in TLs, have you thought about trying them?
I agree with not trying anything new just before a race!!
The 26mm s-Works tubeless are unavailable in UK at the moment and thought about the conti’s. I stuck with what I know and went for the 28mm S-Works turbos.
I just won a set of Pirelli PZero Velos. They seem to get pretty decent reviews, so I am anxious to try them out. Now if my new bike would ever arrive…
Xc Mountain Bike:
Last year I used the Aspens which I liked.
This year I’m running the Schwalbe racing ray upfront and the new racing Ralph. I like the Schwalbe’s better
I have the Conti5000TL’s on my Roval CLX50s and they work a treat and were pretty “easy” to fit.
I bought a pair of the Conti 5k clinchers as back up to my turbo cottons for my RR this weekend. Several members of my racing club just placed a bulk order for the 5k TLs. I’ll probably try them this summer after my upcoming races.
Just raced this weekend with the conti 5k clinchers with latex tubes. Loved them! And although I can’t say if I would or I wouldn’t have done the same with the GP4ks2’s, I did have a 6 min bike leg PB
I have Challenge Paris Roubaix on my road bike (currently on the turbo), but the back one has just developed a bulge, so will have to be binned. I’ll stick the Conti Gransport cheapo ones back on, but I’m looking for a pair of 28mm ish road tyres that I can ride all year and on the turbo. While the Paris Roubaix were nice and supple, I wasn’t impressed with the wet grip or the durability, so I’m gonna get something different this time. I guess GP4000s or Rubino Pro are the favourite.
I’ve got Vittoria Corsa Speed + on my TT bike and I really like them, but they were a nightmare to get onto the Roval rear rim, so I’m a bit wary of Vittorias for an everyday bike?
Has anyone tried the Vittoria Corsa G2.0 tubeless tires?
I’m a huge fan of the original Corsa G+ rubber, but always switched to Schwalbe Pros to race, because the Vittoria’s were not available in tubeless…until now.
I know there have been a lot of early adopters of the new Conti 5000s, wondering if the same might be true of the Vittorias. If not, I may be the first - thanks!
Light Gravel (ex BWR): Panaracer GravelKing slicks 32c (tan of course). These are exceptional. Fast rolling for those road sections, surprising amount of traction off-road, wide profile really helps on sand. Replaced Hutchison Sector 28c from prior years.
Medium Gravel 3 (ex. Rock Cobbler, Crusher Tushar): Maxxis Rambler 40c. Surprisingly fast rolling and light. Replaced Clement MSO 36c.
Rough Gravel/Long (ex. Lost and Found, Dirty Kanza): WTB Riddler 45c. Extra width for really long or rough races is nice. Still decent rolling resistance.
Cyclocross: FMB SSC Slalom Pro tubulars. Supple, fast, grippy- what else do you want in a tire???
I won a pair of Pirelli PZero Velo’s so put them on my fixed gear. A few rides in typical early spring conditions and so far so good. Not a whole lot of difference with the GP4000’s that were on there before
I’ve been running the Pirelli mtb tyres, the rear specific and the mixed terrain on the front. Very impressed. Air retention set up tubeless is superb, grip is fantastic and so far, zero flats. I have several customers riding them who all share the same thoughts, our trails are extremely rocky and notoriously tough on tyres, so far none of us have had a flat which is very impressive.
Looking for suggestions on new tire combo.
I have an Argon 18 Nitrogen with HED 6’s.
I should note, I havent been able to find whether a 28mm would clear this frame but it looks like there’s sufficient of clearance.
Just wondering if anybody had a recommendation for a trainer tyre for UK?
Whatever is cheap and available? I put Vittoria Zaffiro Pro Home Full Tyre Trainer - Red : Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors on my wife’s bike for indoor trainer usage.
I wanted to bump this back up as I am in the market for some new tires and I think there may be a few updates and different options now?
I’m running 3.4 ARs right now with 32c Pirelli Cinturato Velo tubeless (I know Enve doesn’t recommend these) I love the compliance of the 32 and the versatility of the tire, but I feel like I may have some easy speed gains from as switch (something a little narrower/more aero with the wheel and lighter with less rolling resistance - these weight 350g I believe)
Looking for something I can ride 3-5 days a week for training but not be giving up unnecessary watts. Tread life isn’t a big concern but I don’t want something super fragile that gravel or rough roads become deal breakers. I’m thinking I’ll likely go with a 28 or a 30 this time around.
Thoughts on:
Schwalbe offerings? Pro One?
New Vittoria 2.0s, either the Corsa or Rubino?
I know GP5K aren’t recommended for hookless, any others I should consider?
Glad to read this, as i am considering upgrading my S-Works Turbos to Cottons when Spring hits. I am looking to go 26" on Rapide CL wheels (which arent tubeless). I have been comparing the Cottons to GP5000’s but i am a die hard fan of the tan walls. Plus the 0.5 loss in RR compared to the GP5000s is hardly comparable to me.
If you have any other feedback on them, would be great to hear it. They’re in my sigma sports basket waiting to be purchased 