Advice on Gumwall tires for a complete beginner

[highwaysixty1]

Hello,

Sorry, I realise I'm almost certainly repeating a previous post, but I had a quick search and am still a little confused.

I've just bought my first vintage road bike, a Peugeot Vitesses 12. Overall it's in great condition though the gum wall on the tires is pretty old and has started splitting as i've been riding it. So I've decided to get it a new set of tires.

The current tires have the following written on the side:

Schwalbe Skin 25
28 x 1 5/8 x 1 1/16
25 - 622
700 x 25c

So I'm looking for a replacement set of Gumwall tires. Had a look on various websites but I'm struggling to find a Gumwall tire with exactly the same specifications as these.

I was also thinking that these tires are very slick. I mainly use the bike for riding to and from work, mostly on the road but occasionally taking the odd cheeky shortcut across less smooth pavement. Generally I ride in good weather but it'd be nice to not have to worry to much about getting home if it starts raining while I'm at work. I was looking at 'City Tires' on the Schwalbe website, would these be suitable for my bike or should I stick with Road Tires?

Any recommendations would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[BobToo]

The Michelin Dynamic Classic http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mich ... -prod61961 is probably the best bet for a tyre that looks the part. I've not done a lot of miles on mine but they seem decent enough. I would probably go for the 28C rather than staying at 25C.

 

[wassertreter]

Or Vittoria Corsa SC Open. Bit more expensive though, being a race tyre.

 

[Jonny69]

I've been commuting on Michelin Dynamics for a few years and I think they're brilliant. Not too expensive, look good and retro with a gumwall that 'ages' correctly, conventional rubber tread which doesn't pick up too much debris and doesn't puncture too easily, slight tread instead of full slick - which makes it a bit more steady when commuting in damp conditions around drain covers, rough surface at side of road, shallow kerbs, pot holes etc.

 

[dirttorpedo]

Re:

What about the Panaracer Pasela? Its gumwall. Has a touring tread. Were manufactured BITD. Well regarded. Reasonable price.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/ca/e ... -prod53957

 

[bugloss]

Re:

I wouldn't get the Vittorias although they are a lovely tyre to ride and look good too, they won't last very long. I use them on my audax bike and get about 2000km's on the rear before it needs changing.

Ok if you've got the cash though and they do grip good and proper.

Here it is sporting the Vittorias at Logny-Bogny, Belgium

 

[highwaysixty1]

Re:

Thanks for the advice guys!

So the consensus seems to be either the Michelin Dynamics or the Panaracer Pasela? The price of the Michelin definitely appeals, though people on Chain Reaction seems to be saying they don't last long, despite Jonny69's glowing review.

@BobToo can you explain what the difference between 28C and 25C tyres? Sorry, as I said I'm an absolute novice here.

Has anyone had any experience with Schwalbe Delta or Road Cruisers? They seem to come up on eBay a lot for a good price.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Schwalbe-Delt ... 33962713d3

Or are these totally wrong for what I need?

 

[mjray]

Re:

I've used Delta Cruisers on a retro road bike, a modern hybrid and a retro roadster. Feels good, has reasonable puncture resistance and not too expensive. I've not used the others being suggested.

 

[BobToo]

Re: Re:

@BobToo can you explain what the difference between 28C and 25C tyres? Sorry, as I said I'm an absolute novice here.

That number is the width of the tyre in mm, so the 28C is slightly fatter than the 25C (they also get taller as they get wider). You could even go slightly wider if you wanted but I think 28 is a good width. The extra 3mm isn't much but it'll make a bit of a difference on your commute.

I saw the dodgy reviews on CRC but I would be more inclined to listen to Jonny69, I'm not certain all these reviews are even for the same tyre.

 

[wassertreter]

Re: Re:

I wouldn't get the Vittorias although they are a lovely tyre to ride and look good too, they won't last very long. I use them on my audax bike and get about 2000km's on the rear before it needs changing.

Sweet setup!
Do you think the load of the Audax is causing the wear? I have about 2000km on mine, and only the very fine herringbone tread is gone in the centre, but lots of rubber left. Front looking pretty much new. Smooth roads around here, though.
Anyway they seem to be gone from the Vitto 2015 catalogue, for shame.