Right now I'm running WTB 32/37 (they have a weird sizing method) "Slickasaurus" (or something like that) tires on my Trek X01 'cross bike that I use for commuitng. They're wearing pretty thin and I'll need to replace them soon. So I wanted to get some opinions on tires for commuting. Obviously for commuting resistance to flats is a huge plus. I also lean towards a fatter tire for comfort. What tire do you like the best for commuting?

I use Michelin Carbons...23 front/25 rear. Best tires I've owned. Smooth, but hold the asphalt when it's wet. Better puncture resistance then the Vittorias and Vredesteins I previously used.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus. Low rolling resistance, gratifyingly thick and heavy. I went form one flat a month on Vredestein Spyders (generally considered a rugged commuting tire) to no flats in well over a year.

Paul

Paul, now it's my turn to second the Schwalbes.

--J

I have been using Specilized Infinity Reflect tires. https://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProd...1k9kwfv.j27003

Pretty tough tire, the tread is a little more aggresive then I wanted, but they seem to do the job pretty well.

I bought some Bontrager Select Inverts (700x38) at the beginning of the winter. They were very cheap, and I've been happy with them: thick tread (they're still in great shape and I haven't had any flats so far), reasonable grip on snow, yet they aren't too sluggish on dry pavement either. Certainly not a high performance tire, but these are a very good value.

Get some specialized infinity 700x32's.

Nothing beats the Armadillos for confidence on the roads. I have two versions:
Winter use: 700x28C Armadillos (100 PSI)
and 700x25C Armadillos All Condition (125 PSI)

Corsaire

Hi,
you need to pick a tire size, or weight, and then choose from within that group. If you don't get sidewall cuts where you live, I'd go with a traditional sidewall, the ride is much nicer. I like to run as light a tire as I can, with the goal of having not more than one flat a year. I usually get a flat in the spring,replace the tires, and then run the rest of the year without incident. I use Rivendell Ruffy Tuffy tires, 27c, about 350 grams. They're not light, but they aren't heavy either. And they are quire reliable where I live.

I use the cheapest and widest street tire I can find that fit my cx bike. I just bought some Nashbar "comfort" tires, 700x38 for $5.95/tire.

I swear by the Regular Schwalbe Marathon 622mm - 47 (700C x 47 or the old designation 28" x 1.75"); not the more expensive Marathon Plus model.

I have used Schwalbe Marathon 622-47's for five years in Germany and another almost three years in the US for daily commuting. Have yet to have a flat requiring a roadside repair while riding to or from work in eight years. The few flats that I have gotten, flatted the tire hours after my arrival at work or home.

I have been commuting over a 100 miles a week for these 8 years on this brand of tire. In addition they seem to wear forever. I get at least 10,000 miles on the front tire and about 4,000 on the rear. I bought them in Germany while there and also from the Canadian distributer last year.

I have a cross bike too but in the summer I put on road/urban tires. I really like Panaracer tires. On the back I use the Tserve 700x32c tires. I know this is strange but if you feel the rubber, it just seems like they stick better than other tires. They also have the kevlar belt but are light. I've haven't had a flat yet on them (about 800 miles so far). They seem to run a but less wide than their specs though.

On the front I use the Avocet cross 2 tires. They are ok but not as nice as the Panaracers- I got them because they have more tread and I like to ride on gravel a little.

Another reco for the Schwalbes, running a set of 700 x 32's on my fixed gear commuter.

Hi quickbeam, I am going to run a Conti GP 3000 700 x 23C @120 in the front - for the summer - and usually a little larger in back. Winter time, or when road has been cold and wet for a while I usually run something with at least a groove in front and some traction in back.

I like the 32mm Continental Ultra Gatorskins

Lowest you want to go is 25, 23 et. al are useless. 23's may actually have a higher rolling resistance depending on the type of roads you are riding on.

I like Rivendell Ruffy Tuffys.

https://www.rivendellbicycles.com/web...bes/10054.html

Now, they come in "speed blend" where the color changes at a certain speed.

I'm currently using 700x28 Specialized Armadillos (the all condition, I think). No flats in 1000 miles, the rear is showing some wear but still has some miles left in it (I'm about 225 lbs, plus always have a pair of panniers with clothing/laptop etc on the rack).

I run Continental Ultra 2000s 700x23 on my commuter. Never get flats. Very comfortable. 23s are fine for centuries too. I don't think brand matters, and I wouldn't go any wider. Why add the rolling resistance?

???

I guess that's why all the bike racers use 23s and thinner... for the higher rolling resistance. LOL!
What type of road would cause a 23 to have a higher rolling resistance than a 25?

A bumpy one, Helmet head. Smaller tires get lower rolling resistance by increasing pressure (larger radius tires have to deform less to roll and thus do have inherently lower RR, see Bicycling Science.)

The higher pressure is not only uncomfortable, but the tire does not deform for bumps and thus energy is lost acelerating the bike - and you - over the bump.

A lower pressure tire just absorbs the bump.

Take a good look at the Specialized Nimbus EX, it has a bit less flat protection than the Armadillos but gives a nicer ride. I ran Armadillos last year but decided to change up.

700 X 35s on my fendered Trek 520, even get compliments on them from non bikers.

This plus what I-Like-To-Bike has said.

Well, yeah, but I manage to avoid all the steets with cobblestones on my commute...


Seriously, what kind of bumpy roads are we talking about?

I believe that the whole large tyres thing is simpy for comfort, and there's nothing wrong with that. I commute on 23s, and my roads are fairly smooth. Sure, they don't soak up bumpts like 35s, but I think that 23s are fine for commuting on fairly good roads.