Commuting - 27" commuting tires

Since I finally got a bike, I'm one step closer to riding to work.

First on my possibly lengthy list of things to work on with this baby are the tires.

Right now i'm riding on 27x1 1/4's that are in dire need of replacement.

I've seen a lot of roady tires in the $20 range online in this size, but don't really know what makes a
good bulletproof commuter tire, any advice?

also, regarding commuting, how much luck have people had with sealants or those liners that go between the tire and tube?

I'm commuting on IRC Road Winner Duro II tires. Kevlar belted, come in 1 1/8" and 1 1/4" widths. Been running a pair of the 1 1/8" on one of my weekend roadies with probably 500+ mi on them now with no flats. I've got a whopping grand total of 12.5mi on the new pair of 1 1/4" on my commuter. Nashbar sells 'em for about 12.99 each.

I don't know about the durability, but I am pleased with the suppleness of the Continental Ultra Sport tires I have on my touring bike. At the relative low end of the Continental line, I was expecting something closer to what I would get with X-Mart tires... These definitely should provide a nice ride and grip. They have relatively light sidewalls with heavier tread portion.

Since they are advertised as good for high mileage training, I would think they would be good for commuting as well.

As far as sealant... I got an old bike from a thrift store, and the tires were inflated. When I tried to take the tires off, I had a hard time with one of them and I discovered that the sealant had sealed the valve... This only happened on one of the two, but they were both inflated well, and who knows how long it had been since they were inflated. :D

I hate flats, and I have thorn proof tubes on my comfort bike, and with 1,000 miles on the tires and tubes have not had a flat yet... Of course, I only had one flat with the stock tires and tubes in the 1,000 miles before that, and it was from riding at 350 pounds on underinflated tires.

My recently christened fast summer commuter single speed has some fairly old but not very worn Schwinn 1 1/4 tires. I like them.

I've got a $12 Cheng Shin 1 1/8" tire on the front with flat strip in it. I've had one flat and that was from running over a tack.

I used to run a $10 Cheng Shin 1 1/4" tire plus a flat strip, on the rear. However, after tearing several rear tires, I put a $30 Armadillo 1 1/4" on the back, (no flat strip needed). Since making the switch, I haven't had a flat.

Right now i'm riding on 27x1 1/4's that are in dire need of replacement.
?
Pricey, but Continental Gatorskins come in this size. I don't use them as I prefer a narrow tire for my 27" wheel, but I use 700x25c gatorskins on my other bike and have no complaints and rarely a flat (once went >9k miles with no flats)

Since I finally got a bike, I'm one step closer to riding to work.

First on my possibly lengthy list of things to work on with this baby are the tires.

Right now i'm riding on 27x1 1/4's that are in dire need of replacement.

I've seen a lot of roady tires in the $20 range online in this size, but don't really know what makes a
good bulletproof commuter tire, any advice?
I just replaced the estimated 20 year old 27x1 3/8 Schwinn tires that were on my Schwinn World Tourist. replaced them with new Bontrager 27 x 1 1/4 tires that cost $10 each at the very good LBS (Bickels) in Burlington IA. The $20 was $5 more than I paid for the complete bike at a garage sale. The bike rides fine on the new tires.

I use Panaracer Pasela Tourgaurds and I'm satisfied with em. They are among the better tires available in 27 inch sizes. They are plenty puncture resistant but probably not the best rolling tires in the world..but satisfactory for commuting.

I'm rolling on Vittoria Zaffiro tires in the 27 x 1/4" size. I love them - wide, comfy, slick. Much better than the Panaracer Pasela TGs that I used to have, which rode harshly and had vulnerable sidewalls. Not only that, they're cheaper! Highly recommended.

I'm rolling on Vittoria Zaffiro tires in the 27 x 1/4" size. I love them - wide, comfy, slick. Much better than the Panaracer Pasela TGs that I used to have, which rode harshly and had vulnerable sidewalls. Not only that, they're cheaper! Highly recommended.


On my 27 inch commuter, I'm also running Continental touring tires, of some sort. They were $20 each at my LBS, and have been faithful tires for almost 3 years. When those wear out I was going to get some Panaracer Pasela's, which I've found to be absolutely bomb proof on my other bike. But on grolby's advice, maybe I'll try the Zaffiro's next.

Schwalbe Marathons are mighty fine tires........I run them on both of my bikes. 700s and 27s

I used to make some Kendas struggle through about 1,200 miles with my flat kit always on hand. My cashflow was tight and they were cheap. I'd buy better quality if you have the cash. If you have to save money, buy the cheaper tire for the front, it gets less wear.

im on the specialized ac armadillos. since i've bought them, i havent had to replace my tubes. and that was sometime last september. for $30 each, its worth it in my mind

Since I finally got a bike, I'm one step closer to riding to work.

First on my possibly lengthy list of things to work on with this baby are the tires.

Right now i'm riding on 27x1 1/4's that are in dire need of replacement.

I've seen a lot of roady tires in the $20 range online in this size, but don't really know what makes a
good bulletproof commuter tire, any advice?

also, regarding commuting, how much luck have people had with sealants or those liners that go between the tire and tube?
Either get the same tires (30 bux a pair) or go 700c at a couple hundred

Schwalbe Marathons are mighty fine tires........I run them on both of my bikes. 700s and 27s

Hear Hear. I was suprised and delighted to find that Schwable makes 27" tires. Since I've started riding on them I've completly forgotten what it was like to constantly worry about flats.

Is there such a thing as a 27 x 1 3/8 non-knobby tire? I'm currently using some cheap Nashbar 27 x 1 1/4 tires, but I'd like to put a little more rubber on the road. The only 27 x 1 3/8 tires I cand find online are a little too off-road for street use.

I'm rolling on Vittoria Zaffiro tires in the 27 x 1/4" size. I love them - wide, comfy, slick. Much better than the Panaracer Pasela TGs that I used to have, which rode harshly and had vulnerable sidewalls. Not only that, they're cheaper! Highly recommended.

i just ordered some of those from nashbar the other day, but got the 1/8 version. what is your flat count, if any?

I'm curious to know how the Zaffiros & Roadwinners hold up as well. I like Schwalbe Marathons myself, but if the Roadwinners or Zaffiros are durable and not too flat prone (on city streets) I'd definitely give the cheaper tires a try - at least when I'm putting together bikes for friends on the cheap. If any of you city riders have put some miles on them I'd be curious to hear your thoughts.