Scooter123

Hi Folks,

The original tires on our Santana Arriva are getting old and worn looking. I've been searching around for information on how to buy new tires for our tandem, and have only found a smattering of information. I want to make sure that the replacement tires I buy are strong and reliable.

None of the tires I've looked at so far mention tandems. One web site recommends at least a 25mm tire for our combined weight range, which (including the bike) will be upwards of 160 Kg. I'm concerned that a poor choice of tire might wear out too quickly on our sled, and the last thing I want to worry about is a sudden failure.

Does anyone know of a list of well respected tires for tandem road use? Are there specific brands, sizes, or other characteristics that make some tires a better choice?

One feature I find appealing is a kevlar belt, but only a few tires have them. The ones I've seen are 23mm. I'd also like to find one that has a colored stripe to match our bike, but that hardly shows up on the radar compared to strength and durability.

Thanks.

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Scooter

ElRey

One of the most agreed-upon tires on this forum seems to be the Continental Gatorskin. The 28mm size commbines a good contact patch with nice handling and they wear well.

merlinextraligh

another option is specialized armadillos. We have good luck with those in a 25mm. (340lb team weight)

DrPete 

We just switched to the Conti Grand Prix 4-Season (an upscale kevlar version of the Ultra Gatorskin) and we've been loving it. Definitely an upgrade from the Panaracer Paselas that came with our Burley Tosa.

DrPete

gregm

There's something I kinda like about the Pasela. Nice, traditional tire.

However, I usually choose Avocet FasGrip Duro (28).

I know many people like the Contis, but I didn't like how the sidewalls frayed.

I also seem to end up driving something substantial through my tires (nail, screw, construction staple, nice hunk of glass) before wearing the tread down.

-Greg

zonatandem

Been using the Maxxis tires, both the Detonator and the Re-Fuse models.
Detonator: M-grooved thread pattern, dual compound, aramid bead (foldable non-wire), 260 grams, recommended for wet/dry riding. Also available with wire bead and up to 28mm wide.
Re-Fuse: diamond knurl pattern, single compound, Kevlar belt and Silkworm cap ply, aramid (foldable) bead, 270 grams.
Both tire models take 120 lbs of pressure and are listed as 'training tires.' Available in several color stripes: grey, red, blue.
A very easy to mount tire (with arimid bead compared to steel wire bead). Our last Detonator got us 1600 miles on rear of tandem (it did sustain a good size glass cut . . . probably had another 400 miles left on the thread but replaced it to just be on the safe side).
These tires wear/handle well.
Have used most of the other brands of tires too during our over 3 decades of tandeming; but all tire brands have their pros/cons/adherents.
Pedal on!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

galen_52657

Tread on a road tire is just for looks. People are accustomed to seeing tread on their tires (from autos) but a slick bike tire gives the most traction wet or dry.

Now if you are venturing off-road or doing gravel roads, a treaded/larger tire is advisable.

We are a heavier team (370 lbs +/-) and have had good luck with the Conti Ultra 2000



Which are always on sale someplace....

zonatandem

Galen:
That's a good sale price on the Conti.
Used most models of the Conti road tires on our tandem the first couple years they were introduced in the US and normally carried one of their 'folders' when on a tour. Had only one bad experience: Front tire blew when we were in the lineup to start in a tandem rally in the Midwest. Kaboooom! Looked around and sorta wondered who's tire had blown . . . Yippeeeees!
Have also tested some tires for companies (which will here remain nameless) on our tandems and some were truly not usable on tandems.
Folding tires have come a long ways and agree, thread patterns on road tires are just that: "patterns."
Pedal on!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

K&M

We have used the Conti Ultra Gatorskin 28s and liked them. They are tough and last a long time. We have gone through several sets of them and have had no sidewall wear problems. More recently we have been using Michelin Pro Race 25s. They have a more supple feel and wear longer than I would have expected them to. Now that it's the rainy season here in CA, I think we'll be switching back to the Gatorskins for a few months.

Goldrush

You might want to read this:

https://www.precisiontandems.com/arttiresbymark.htm

We rode Avocet FastGrips 700x28 for many years. I loved the ride, but sometimes had problems getting them in the winter (we live in Florida) , so we went to Gatorskins.

The Gatorskins wear a bit longer. On the rear the Avocets went around 1200-1500 miles, while we got 2000 miles on a Gatorskin. We are a 320 pound team.

Mike
2002 Co-Mo Supremo

JayB

Would be interested to know how you felt when you got back on the Gatorskin 28s after the Michelin Pro Race 25s. And did you find the Pro Race tires as puncture free as the Contis?

K&M

I've put the gatorskins on, but it's been raining so much we haven't gotten out. Hopefully this weekend ....

We have only had one flat on the tandem and that was last week on the Michelin 25s. Can't blame the tires, though. They were worn down to the point that it was time to change them anyway. Something poked through and caused a very slow leak ... but all tires seem to be prone to that once they start to get thin.

Trsnrtr

Conti Ultra Gatorskin 28 on the back and a 25 on the front. Best tandem tires for sport riding that I've used in 22 years of tandem riding.

gregm

What are some other current brands & models have you tried in comparison?

-Greg

K&M

The sun is out and we took a ride on the Gatorskin 28s this morning. They definitely feel harder and less supple than the Michelin Pro Race 25s and I wouldn't want to corner as hard on them, but with the roads full of debris from the storms it was a good feeling having all that hard, tough rubber under us.

Trsnrtr

Probably a good deal of the stock stuff found in cycling catalogs. Not light stuff, but tires, like the Ultra Gatorskins and Specialized Armadillos. Over the years, tires can change a lot. Some years ago, I used to run Armadillos and loved them., but lately, I prefer the Ultra Gatorskins. I've also used the Conti Grand Prix tires but didn't find them durable enough for us.

You mentioned the Avocet Fasgrip tires and I've used them, too. I had some I liked that felt fast and were durable but a second set suffered severe cutting. I had a similar problem with Specialized tires; one set would be great and the next set would be lacking. The Contis currently seem more consistent to me. The biggest problem that I had with Contis years ago was sidewall cuts/bulges if ridden much over rough roads. However, I haven't noticed it so bad the last few years.

tandem rider

We used Paselas for a few years and had few flats but it became difficult to mount the tire so that it rolled smooth. It would have a high spot and hop at speed. We then tried Specialized Armadillos and had a side wall break down, we replaced the tire at a sag stop on a ride before it blew. Our last four tires have been Conti Gatorskins and we have liked them.

Tandem Rider