Help wanted, which one to choose from these road tires

[SteelNipple]

Hi, 15 years of daily cycling, but I have only ever used really cheap tires and now getting into road biking I've been thinking of buying some slightly better ones for "training" on a 80s road bike. The roads here can be in somewhat bad condition, but I have no idea how puncture-resistant any of these tires would be in practice.
I have read some threads here about road tires and looked at reviews and comparisons, but can't decide and I would like to know if someone here has any experience with more than one of these tires.

The tires I'm considering are
Veloflex Corsa Evo
Vittoria Rubino Pro
Panaracer Race C Evo
Panaracer GravelKing Slick
Schwalbe Pro One
Thanks.

 

[Dicky71]

The higher the TPI, the better the puncture protection. I only have experience of the Vittori
a tyres, I have used them a few times and think they are good value for money. I have convinced myself that they have good road holding qualities. You can sometimes pick them up as a deal package. There is a possible downside to them, they seem to crack along the circumference but I don't think i've encountered a puncture because of this. I don't know if this is caused by the graphene.
At least you have to take out a second mortgage to try them .

 

[sjcprojects]

I’ve used Vittoria Rubino Pros exclusively on one of my bikes for years and I’ve got nothing bad to say about them - they are fairly light (lighter than many more expensive tyres) but I’ve not found them to be prone to puncturing. I think you’d definitely notice the difference compared to cheaper ones, though as I say they are actually very good value compared to others.

 

[grantoury]

I have the Gravel King in 28mm, nice tyre. Puncture resistant and supple too. Fast enough.

 

[bikeworkshop]

I've sold 4 of the 5 models there.
Rubino value for money
Gravel kings nicest feel to me

Gatorskins are popular for puncture resistance and a supple feel

You can't really objectively rank tyres, as the riders have different reaction to the feel and grip.

Price tends to determine quality.
Puncture resistance is opposed to ride quality (at the same price)

Some of our customers would come to blows over tyre brand choice
Some of the staff probably would too.

 

[SteelNipple]

Has anyone used those Veloflex Corsa Evos? Are cotton tires/open tubulars close to real tubulars. How would they fare against surface cracks and small rocks? Only available in 23c but they would be the cheapest of the bunch.

 

[bikeworkshop]

Has anyone used those Veloflex Corsa Evos? Are cotton tires/open tubulars close to real tubulars. How would they fare against surface cracks and small rocks? Only available in 23c but they would be the cheapest of the bunch.

23s aren't going to be good on rough ground - however fancy the tyre.

 

[SteelNipple]

bikeworkshop at the same price would you pick Rubinos or GravelKings?

 

[bikeworkshop]

Gravelkings feel nice
I have them on my most- used bike.
2nd pair in fact

Rubinos would be better for a tough urbanenvironment, where ride quality takes a backseat to avoiding flats.
They are generally cheaper - we probably sell more if these, but most of our tyre-buying is for commuting.

 

[SteelNipple]

I know but I have 2 good sets of 13/14mm width Mavic clinchers I would like to get use out of. Been running 25mm schwalbe lugano 2s on one set but narrower tires at those rim widths would be more optimal?