Tyres, tyres, everywhere

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katie1 · #1 Post by **katie1** » Sun Dec 18, 2016 2:11 pm

and not a clue as to which ones to choose. Ok, it didn't rhyme but you know the dilemma.

So, I have Michelin PR4s on the bike which urgently need replacing. I could put the same on but thought these alternatives might be worth a go. Has anyone got experience with these on a Falco?

Dunlop Roadsmart III

Bridgestone T30

Metzeler Roadtec 01

Whatever happens, I will be doing around 700 miles a week in all weather so am looking at cold/wet grip, longevity and ability to brake at 40mph on the white lines while filtering on the M25!

Not too fussed about how good they are in the warm and dry 'cos these will probably have been replaced twice before that weather arrives!

D-Rider · #2 Post by **D-Rider** » Sun Dec 18, 2016 3:09 pm

Pirelli Angels for great wear and great performance in the colder wetter days.

I've 2 sets of wheels - one with Angels for this time of year the other with Pirelli Corsas for great grip in the warm weather. Each do a great job for what I use them for.
If I had to choose one set only for the whole year, it'd be the Angels.

flatlander · #3 Post by **flatlander** » Sun Dec 18, 2016 4:16 pm

Obviously ever in has their own preferences but I found tge roads mart 2 better than tge 3 and gave away tge Pirellu Corsa as being horrible for the commute I was doing a roads M way and lanes on anything other than tge best days
Not tried meter or angel found Bridgestone let go a bit earlier than riadsmart when getting towards the end of the tyre life
Not tried Michelin on tge falco

fatboy · #4 Post by **fatboy** » Sun Dec 18, 2016 6:20 pm

The Michelins are really good all rounders, if you are happy with the way they perform then it would not be a bad move to replace like with like.
I have heard good comments re the Angel's,not heard good about the other choices.
A lot comes down to opinion, what I like about how a tyre behaves may what you hate ect.
I'm lucky, the guy who runs my local bike shop is ace,he tells me which tyres suit me and my riding rather than trying to sell me the most expensive or old stock he needs to shift.
If I took my ride in for new hoops, he would recommend PR4's.
I'm on PR3's, have no complaints and they seem to be lasting forever.
I dont do the same mileage as you but I dont ride with fuel economy or tyre life as a main concern

HisNibbs · #5 Post by **HisNibbs** » Sun Dec 18, 2016 8:39 pm

The pr4s you have are a very good tyre, especially in the wet and last too. You'l be hard pressed to find better.

#6 Post by **mangocrazy** » Sun Dec 18, 2016 8:39 pm

You'll get as many different choices as there are responders, I suspect. If you've been happy with PR4s annd you like the way they behave, I'd be very tempted to buy another set. I've not tried any Michelins for about 10 years, so can't really comment. I've used Dunlop Roadsmarts and Sportsmarts since about 2008 and have been very happy with them, but your likes and dislikes on tyres may not be the same as mine.

Also I don't do cold winter commutes any more, so it would be unwise of me to try and influence your decision. But to be honest, I don't think there are any bad tyres on the market. Tyre technology has advanced so far and fast in the last 10-15 years that bad tyres simply wouldn't sell.

katie1 · #7 Post by **katie1** » Sun Dec 18, 2016 9:18 pm

Thanks all, other views always welcome.

The PR4s are pretty good in most ways but feel very uncomfortable when riding the white lines. As I can be filtering for long periods (6 junctions is the worse so far) it's a big part of the ride. Thought it was just me (or the road) but had a couple of people mention it online so thought it would be worth trying something different.

Had the Angel GTs on my Benelli but found them very slidey in the cold/wet and never had any confidence in them.

Kinda tempted by the Bridgestones 'cos I used to really like the 020s last time I had a Falco but it's always good to see what others have tried. Will let you know what ends up on there!

Dalemac · #8 Post by **Dalemac** » Sun Dec 18, 2016 10:07 pm

I've had Avon Storm 2 Ultra's on mine.

They have definitely changed the rubber in the current set. They used to be great in the wet, could ride almost how liked. This set have had too many slides (though it can be fun in a narcissistic way) but one day might end up in tears.

I've heard good things about the T30 evo's, these will probably be what I choose next time.

#9 Post by **mangocrazy** » Sun Dec 18, 2016 10:48 pm

Just a thought, Katie. If you've only used PR4s when they were coming to the end of their life and probably a bit squared off, I'd cut them a bit of slack. Most tyres tend to exhibit a fall off in performance when they get near end of life, and misbehaving on white lines is one symptom that tells you it's time to change tyres. I think most tyres would degrade in a similar manner as they reached end of life to be honest.

fatboy · #10 Post by **fatboy** » Mon Dec 19, 2016 7:43 pm

That is a good point well made Graham ! Just listen to a post race interview to hear how riders change style to compensate for worn rubber.
Trye choice is as fickle as 'white with no sugar'

Or black with 3 sugars

Or white with 5 sugars

flatlander · #11 Post by **flatlander** » Mon Dec 19, 2016 10:47 pm

And you definitely don't want a worn rubber

Dalemac · #12 Post by **Dalemac** » Mon Dec 19, 2016 11:18 pm

flatlander wrote:And you definitely don't want a worn rubber

Which is strange, as they are usually more sticky.

katie1 · #13 Post by **katie1** » Tue Dec 20, 2016 10:49 am

Now we're back on the right track:)

Aladinsaneuk · #14 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Wed Dec 21, 2016 7:09 am

For that mileage - Congo road attack - I use them

Or the maxxis equivalent - I bought a cheap set when I was needing tyres urgently - they performed well

Gio · #15 Post by **Gio** » Wed Dec 21, 2016 8:35 am

I haven't a clue what to use, mines got 020's on and the rest I've never heard of. I'd have thought a hard middle and soft side tyres would be best for straight line commuting, seeing as you are on boring roads mostly, not sure whats available in that area though.