Road tires for cold temps
 

Assuming dry conditions, what road tires fare best in cold temps (eg <32degF)?
In general, what characteristics of tires are preferable?

I've got Conti GP 4000's (less prone to cuts, but stiffer) and Michi ProRace2's (more prone to cuts, but grippier and more supple). Would it make sense to use a more supple tire (P2). Or, if these handling characteristics are not much different at 20 deg than 90 deg, and road crap more of an issue, use tire less prone to cutting (4000).

Of course could go w/ Conti Gator skin, but would miss handling of the 4000/P2's. If roads are that bad, would ride my cross bike.

Tires start to feel pretty dead below zero. My road bike tires (Axial carbon comps, I think) felt like cheap stiff rubber the one time I had my road bike out last winter at about -12C. I know nokian formulates (supposedly) the rubber in the tires to work better a low temperature, but with all those rows of studs hammering the pavement I can't tell what the rubber feels like at all.

Interesting question though. Most people just focus on surviving winter riding, it's cool that someone is pondering performance.

How about Conti GP 4 Season?
http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?p...jor=1&minor=27

are winter tires a must? what will happen if you ride the tires youve been riding during the other 3 seasons?

(new to winter riding)

Am thinking would like a tire that will allow me to ride road safley instead of switching to cyclocross set up

IMO when it's cold out I want a tire that is tough to flat on. Speed and handling take a backseat to that at least for me. Changing a tire in below freezing temps isn't a lot of fun. No one I ride with is going hard when it's that cold anyway and everyone is on heavier flat resistant tires for the most part. Gatorskins are probably the minimum for me with Vittoria Randonee's being preferable.

+1
I never like changing a tire but changing a tire in the dark when its 10F is not any fun at all. Go with good puncture protection like the Gatorskins or better Marathon Plus.
Craig

My roadbike hangs in the garage when temps get well below freezing. Give me all the tire you can when it starts getting that cold. I prefer a wider mountain bike tire for these temps.

It's not as cold here as in Minnesota or Ohio.
In slick conditions can use cross tires.
Agreed, changing tire in cold temps sucks.

For cold but dry conditions options:
-Conti
---GP 4000; best performance; also new Vectran belt
---Ultra Gator Skin; Duraskin sidewall;
---4 Season; between the 2 above; also has Duraskin sidewall

---GP 4000; best performance
The all new Vectran breaker belt, developed and patented by Continental, surpasses even the famous puncture resistance of the former leader in this category, the GP3000. The extremely strong Vectran fabrics are more flexible and lighter than all other puncture protection materials. Vectran offers more resistance to cuts than Aramid, is five times as strong as steel and features less weight than a nylon double breaker. It also maintains strength in the wet.
http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticy...x%204000.shtml


---Ultra Gator Skin
The ultimate wire bead training & racing tyre where puncture protection is priority. Using the latest technology against flats the GatorSkin range uses an aramid breaker and Duraskin® sidewall ProTection. The Duraskin® sidewall reinforcement forms an external protective sheild over the entire casing to prevent cuts, puntures and abrasions. The slick natural rubber tread is designed to perform well in wet/wintery conditions.
Intended for high mileage winter training for serious cyclists.
http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticy...atorskin.shtml


---GP 4 Season
The Grand Prix 4 Season is a top level racing clincher with exceptional winter and wet condition performance
and further improved sidewall durability. The ultimate combination of speed, light-weight and wet weather performance, with excellent puncture and sidewall protection due to an ultra fine polyamide casing, added Duraskin® sidewall reinforcement and black MaxGripSilica tread compound with specifically optimized for wet weather grip, low temperatures and extended tread life.
This tyre is based on the race-proven tread design of the venerable Grand Prix 3000 and so includes 5 carcass plies below the tread (3 for casing plus 2 anti-puncture layers) to give a total of 430 tpi plus Duraskin® sidewall reinforcement beneath the tread.
http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticy...20season.shtml

So what's more important, the Vectran belt in the 4000, or the Duraskin sidewall (Gators/4Season)?
So far I have fond the 4000's to be cut resistant, just not terribly durable (square off more quickly than MichiProRace2)

I have a tendancy to use wider tires as well in the winter in general, in fact I often clatter around on studs. But at least a few times during the winter I like to get out on the road bike. There are just so many additional sources of resistance slowing me down in cold weather that getting out on a bike that is (almost) fast is much-needed for me when the roads are dry.

I've got my eye on a Schwalbe Marathon Cross for my trike. I may just leave the regular Marathons on the front wheels, but the slick Primo Comet I have in the rear has got to go when there's a chance of ice.

GP 4 seasons for cheap
 

I just ordered the Conti - GP 4 seasons for cheap with free shipping and no tax from ProBikeKit
After recieving them though, I think I should have gotten the 25 mm as opposed to the 23's - We'll see

Why do you say that you'd prefer the 25's? What kind of conditions will you be riding in?