Commuting - Another fast 32c tire thread

Does anyone have experience riding 700x32 Vittoria Randonneur Hyper, 700x32 Schwalbe Marathon Supremes, or 700x30 Schwalbe Marathon Racers versus 700x32 Vittoria Randonneurs?

I've been running 700x32 Vittoria Randonneurs and 700x28 Continental UltraGatorskins on my road touring bike the past 2 1/2 years. In the summer I put the Gatorskins on to go faster. Fall through spring I use the Randonneurs, mainly for the reflective sidewalls when the days are shorter. I ride suburban & country roads and rail trails. I weigh 180lbs and usually don't carry more than 10lbs on the bike. On the local rail trail I ride the Randonneurs at 85psi are perfect, but the Gatorskins at 100psi can be a little squirrely in places. I haven't a had a flat on either tire yet (hope I didn't just jinx myself).

Basically I am looking for a slick or mostly slick 700x32 tire as reliable as the Randonneurs, with reflective sidewalls, but somewhat lighter that I can run up to 90psi. Small sipes are OK, but I don't care for more of a tread pattern than than what's on the Randonneurs.

Rode 2800 miles on 700 x 35 Schwalbe Marathon Racers. Had ten flats in the first 2600 miles.
They have a soft ride that used up my energy.

I now prefer 700 x 28's for all riding.

Schwalbe Marathon Supremes all the way.
I have a few thousand (2-3k; I don't track it with a cyclocomputer) on my winter commuter (26x2.0) and about 1000 miles on our tandem (f:700x32; r:700x35). One flat on my winter commuter so far on crappy Chicago streets. They are smooth rolling, yet grippy even in rainy and wet conditions. They have white sidewalls.
Only drawback is that they are expensive. Expect to pay over $100 for a pair
Duppie

If you don't mind trying another 28 mm tire, the Continental GP 4 Seasons should be grippier than Gatorskins and just as durable.

Grand Bois tires are another option, but they are rather expensive. They are about the lightest 30-32 mm tires available, and rolling resistance is supposed to be low. I just wish they were available in all black rather than just skinwalls.

http://www.vintagebicyclepress.com/Tires.html

randonneurs are garden hoses masquerading as bicycle tires.

try the panaracer T-Serv for messenger 32s or the bontrager HC 32s for some high pressure, big volume, fast tires.

Casing hysteresis in the T-Serv is low and makes for a very fast rolling tire.

I run 32cs on my FCR. Stock tires were kedas, and now I run all Specialized Infinities or Bontrager Race Lites depending on how much road/path I will be doing or depending on the if there is any water on the roads.

randonneurs are garden hoses masquerading as bicycle tires.

Truth!

I ride Rando-Crossers on my singlespeed just because I like to beat it up on some crushed stone or packed dirt trails once in a while, but on the road those things are total slugs. Low psi, heavy, hard sidewalls, etc. Flat resistant as hell, but I wouldn't want to do anything more than 100k on them again.

Does anyone have experience riding 700x32 Vittoria Randonneur Hyper, 700x32 Schwalbe Marathon Supremes, or 700x30 Schwalbe Marathon Racers versus 700x32 Vittoria Randonneurs?

I have the Hypers in 700x32. They seem really nice to me; they don't feel at all slow or unwieldy. They "feel" faster than the 700x32 (though really x28) Avocets they replaced, and the Hypers are much more comfortable as well.

I only have a couple hundred miles on them, but so far I really like them - no flats yet. I'll definitely buy them again if they don't turn out to be flat-prone.

My Buzz came with the Randonneur Cross tires that CliftonGK1 mentions... those tires are dogs.

I've had good luck over the last 3-4000 miles with 700x32 Panaracer Urban Max tires. They don't have white sidewalls but they handle the (glass-strewn) roads and (thorn-strewn) bike paths down here in Tucson. They are rated up to 90 psi but most times I run them at 100 or so without issues (I'm about 165 lbs and used to carry around 20 lbs of crap on my commutes).

Can't say how fast/slow they are compared to others. I switched to these from the stock Kenda 25s and don't remember any significant change in speed.

Tread is minimal. $20 each. YMMV

A gatorskin is faster than a Marathon Supreme is slightly faster than the Randonneur.

No experience with the others.

How 'bout the Schwalbe Kojak in a slighter wider 35? I use the 26" version (26x1.35") and it seems to roll very well at 80-85 psi. They'll go to 95 psi if you feel the need to do that. 330g with folding bead.

I don't overthink this kind of thing too much. Just get a 32mm with some kind of flat-belt (usually kevlar), inflate it to proper psi, and ride.

You are the one needed to make it fast! Unless you race, worrying about saving a few seconds is absurd.

Unless you race, worrying about saving a few seconds is absurd.


Yea, there's always that one guy who needs to click on these threads and criticize the people for having a preference.

At least now we can stop wondering who that guy is going to be this time.

I don't overthink this kind of thing too much. Just get a 32mm with some kind of flat-belt (usually kevlar), inflate it to proper psi, and ride.

You are the one needed to make it fast! Unless you race, worrying about saving a few seconds is absurd.

Certainly no one can actually prefer the feel of a faster tire. That would be absurd! :crash:

I've had good luck over the last 3-4000 miles with 700x32 Panaracer Urban Max tires. They don't have white sidewalls but they handle the (glass-strewn) roads and (thorn-strewn) bike paths down here in Tucson. They are rated up to 90 psi but most times I run them at 100 or so without issues (I'm about 165 lbs and used to carry around 20 lbs of crap on my commutes).

Can't say how fast/slow they are compared to others. I switched to these from the stock Kenda 25s and don't remember any significant change in speed.

Tread is minimal. $20 each. YMMVGreat tires for the money. 2k on mine so far.

At least now we can stop wondering who that guy is going to be this time.


Sure, I'm him. ;) I ride Vittoria 37's...but only because I found some cheap....would've used just about any belted tire close to that size. Not as fast as 23's obviously, but fine.

Since all we're talking about is 32's, I think attempts to find the "fastest" one are pretty pointless, that's all. And I see this questions all the time. How about just overinflate it to 80 psi? Drop to 28's instead?

They are *almost mutually exclusive (except slight differences in tread thickness, bead weight, etc)....like trying to find a rain jacket that "breathes well"

Anyone have a great hill-climbing beach cruiser? Which is the fastest?

I should also add that I wear cotton almost exclusively, even in the cold...so my opinion isn't worth much.

I don't know, I have kind of shifted from "stuff I have read" to "stuff I have actually tried and found to work".....so I am getting grumpy or something.

I don't overthink this kind of thing too much. Just get a 32mm with some kind of flat-belt (usually kevlar), inflate it to proper psi, and ride.

You are the one needed to make it fast! Unless you race, worrying about saving a few seconds is absurd.

Those few seconds are the difference between making the green light or not. That could mean a difference of minutes in a commute. That is assuming one stops at stop lights.

The 700 X 30 Schwalbe Marathon Racers are excellent all-around tires on my Lemond road bike.

Those few seconds are the difference between making the green light or not. That could mean a difference of minutes in a commute


The next time I'm driving on the beltway I'll tell the officer that one ;).

No seriously, I get it. I realize there are differences in tire quality, ride, price, weight, etc. I'm getting old and grouchy.

Thanks to everyone who took the time to reply.


I should also add that I wear cotton almost exclusively, even in the cold

Seriously, I hope you never get hypothermia.

Threads like this are pointless only if no one ever gains anything from them.

Personally I find that faster = more fun, and as I mentioned in my original post: on rail trails I find 32s are great but 28s can be squirrely sometimes. In addition I find myself spending a lot of time watching out for K-Rap in the road when I'm riding 28s, on 32s I just enjoy the ride.

Seriously, I hope you never get hypothermia.

Nah, I work in DC (which doesn't get too cold) outside most of the time as well. I think people also waste a lot of time and money on the layering/clothing thing as well. I would venture a guess that many (or most) folks commuting are only going to be on their bike for 1-2 hours - certainly nothing with extreme exposure. Instead of worrying about my clothing materials, I just ride a lot to get a feel for how much clothing I need, and I try to eliminate sweat (which is what makes cotton a hazard to insulation).

I like the ride of 32's also. They are a great compromise between comfort and speed IMO.

The 700 X 30 Schwalbe Marathon Racers are excellent all-around tires on my Lemond road bike.

Aha, so they DO make 700x30 tires!!! I never see them, when I'm looking for them (any brand), so I assume they're an endangered species. (?) ;) Actually, I just found this thread, looking for info on the Panaracer Urban Max, and I see 2 positives and no negatives, so I'm happy. :) I've been using those 700x28 Ultra Gator Skins, and like them a lot, but I really kinda wanted a little more cushion. The 700x32 should be just about right, I think. The big issue for me has been clearance under the brake calipers, my bikes seem to hit a wall at 28c, but a newish-to-me bike will take the 32c, so I'm kinda psyched. :)

Have the Gatorskins, Marathon Supremes, etc ever been tested rigorously? I've been looking for rolling resistance tests for tires like these, but have been totally unable to find anything.

Of those you've posted, I have only ridden the Marathon Supremes, and they were nice. Pretty fast rolling, good grip, good road feel.

That said, I've also used the Conti GP 4 Season in a 25 and I love them. I'd imagine the 28's would be excellent!

Running 35 T-Servs right now. Love em'.

Last tires were Randos. Never buying them again. Aside from riding like poo the rear developed a nasty sidewall split after like 6 months.

I use 700x32 Panaracer Pasela Tourguards. Good tires, good price. Only one flat all year.

Riv Panasonic Jack Brown , are light, supple , probably fast, under someone that wants to put the work
into the pedaling.

they did make me think A Cyclo-cross Bike* is good enough as a road bike.. if not actually racing..

* ['90, Steel, Pinarello made]

There are even more expensive handmade tires sold..

I wish I would have known the Randos were so slow before getting them. I just put on 23mm Gatorskins from my other bike to feel the speed again. Obviously, dropping from 32mm to 23mm make a difference but the Randos are just plain heavy...

The T-Servs seem to be the ticket with the high PSI and much lower weight then the Randos.

I wish I would have known the Randos were so slow before getting them. I just put on 23mm Gatorskins from my other bike to feel the speed again. Obviously, dropping from 32mm to 23mm make a difference but the Randos are just plain heavy...

The T-Servs seem to be the ticket with the high PSI and much lower weight then the Randos.

Another vote for Panaracer T-Servs....32's or even 35's........also Panaracer Urban Max.......similar tire, much cheaper. I think I have gone through about 5-6 of these tires. Light, fast, puncture resistant, and good on many different surfaces and conditions.

Didn't care for the Rando's..........harsher, slower, and sidewalls cracked in about 1 1/2 - 2 years.

Well, since this thread is over two years old, I have tried some other tires. I'm currently running Vittoria Randonneur Hypers on my touring bike and they roll very nice. They are relatively light (350g) for a 32 mm tire, but are noticeably heavier than 25-28 mm folding tires. On my main commuter bikes, I use 25 mm Vittoria Rubinos and Continental Gatorskins but the roads are pretty good on my route. Plus, my route is very hilly so weight is more important to me than width. The Rubinos are some of the nicest rolling tires I have used and reasonably durable.

Does anyone have experience riding 700x32 Vittoria Randonneur Hyper, 700x32 Schwalbe Marathon Supremes, or 700x30 Schwalbe Marathon Racers versus 700x32 Vittoria Randonneurs?

I've been running 700x32 Vittoria Randonneurs and 700x28 Continental UltraGatorskins on my road touring bike the past 2 1/2 years. In the summer I put the Gatorskins on to go faster. Fall through spring I use the Randonneurs, mainly for the reflective sidewalls when the days are shorter. I ride suburban & country roads and rail trails. I weigh 180lbs and usually don't carry more than 10lbs on the bike. On the local rail trail I ride the Randonneurs at 85psi are perfect, but the Gatorskins at 100psi can be a little squirrely in places. I haven't a had a flat on either tire yet (hope I didn't just jinx myself).

Basically I am looking for a slick or mostly slick 700x32 tire as reliable as the Randonneurs, with reflective sidewalls, but somewhat lighter that I can run up to 90psi. Small sipes are OK, but I don't care for more of a tread pattern than than what's on the Randonneurs.

Only have experience with 700x32 Vittoria Randonneur Hyper reflex vs GP 4000S. I put the Hypers on because they gave me a more comfortable ride than the continentals and I didn't really notice the speed difference on smooth asphalt. I did notice a big speed difference on unevenly paved roads, where I had to slow down with the continentals but could just motor through with the hypers. So far I've been very content with them and only have had 1 flat in about 3000 km (small sharktooth shaped stone puncture) on a rainy day. Great summer tyre imo, and I bought a second pair on discount for 15 Euro

Everyone sees that this is a zombie thread, right?

That said, I recently switched from 700x28 Conti GP 4 Seasons to 700x35 Schwalbe Marathon Supremes. My average speed has been down about 1-2 mph, and there are conditions in which the Marathon Supremes feel very heavy -- which makes some sense since they are twice the weight of the GP 4 seasons before you even factor in the bigger tube. That said, I'm pretty happy with the Marathon Supremes. They roll extremely well once you have 'em spun up. They have excellent grip, even on wet roads. They have a reflective strip on the sidewall. And, of course, they provide a lot more cushion than the skinnier GP 4 Seasons.

The only factors yet to be determined (for me) are puncture protection and durability. The GP 4 Seasons had fantastic puncture protection for the conditions I ride in (well paved bike lanes with lots of road debris), and went over 2000 miles before they wore out. I've only got ~250 miles on the Marathon Supremes, but they've been problem free. I previously used 700x50 Marathon Supremes for 1500 miles, after which they looked like new and had only punctured once, and that from a wood screw buried into the tread.

I noticed a lot of people hating on the Vittoria Randonneur. Wondering if anyone has some experience with the Randonneur Pro? Seems like it's lighter and has a much higher TPI (120 vs. 30).

I should also add that I wear cotton almost exclusively, even in the cold...so my opinion isn't worth much.

I don't know, I have kind of shifted from "stuff I have read" to "stuff I have actually tried and found to work".....so I am getting grumpy or something.

Me thinks you simply add a bit of (good) perspective :thumb: I know the thread is two years old, but it is still relevant. Funny that most of these threads, whether two months old or two years appear to be relevant (except for the price of things).

A little late for the OP, but for those that are reading I love the Schwalbe Marathon Supremes on my Vaya (700x40). I think they will be the last tire I'll ever buy (that's what some of the older people I know say when they buy a new car at about 70 years of age:lol:)! Just kidding, but they do appear to have no wear after about 2,000 miles - and nary a flat. Fast once you get them up to speed and very smooth and comfortable riding.

I havent tried all the tires listed. I have Panaracer Pasela tourguard in 32mm and T-serve in 28mm. I like both and wouldnt call them fast tires but not so slow either. I find the 28mm Tserve to work well for my general riding, feel it is a good compromise of thickness and durability. The 2 tire models are very similar but Tserve feels a little sportier to me but hard to compare since diff widths.
I have 38mm Schwab Marathon Plus on a hybrid bike and i call those slow.