Best Road Bike Tires

Review & Comparison, Last Update December 27, 2023
Are you a daily commuter or an occasional cyclist? No matter what type of rider you are, the right tires on your bike let you ride faster on different types of terrain. This review will help you choose these right tires for your bike. Make up your mind and enjoy riding! ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
PURPOSE
TREAD TYPE
SIZE
TPI
PRESSURE RANGE
RELIABILITY
THREAD TYPE
WEIGHT
WARRANTY
 
PROS
High TPI provides great puncture protection. You can choose different thread types.
CONS
It's difficult enough to install and remove.
OUR VERDICT
If you don't imagine your life without cycling and want to travel long distances with maximum comfort and efficiency, the Continental GatorSkin DuraSkin will be your perfect choice.
detailed parameters
PURPOSE
Road tire for races and training
TREAD TYPE
Slick
SIZE
650x23, 700x23, 700x25, 700x28, 700x32
TPI
180
PRESSURE RANGE
85 - 120 PSI
RELIABILITY
DuraSkin
THREAD TYPE
Kevlar or steel thread (depending on the size)
WEIGHT
From 220g to 420g (depending on the size)
WARRANTY
30 days
PROS
These road touring tires boast high maximum pressure and good elasticity.
CONS
It's quite a sensitive tire. So you can feel the roughness of the road.
OUR VERDICT
An elastic tire from the Vittoria company is the ideal choice for anyone who is looking for a reliable tire for high-speed riding on the tracks. The high grip on the track will please any bike fan.
detailed parameters
PURPOSE
Road tire for races and training
TREAD TYPE
Slick
SIZE
700x23, 700x25, 700x28, 700x32
TPI
150
PRESSURE RANGE
100 - 145 PSI
RELIABILITY
Longlife tread compound, Effective puncture protection
THREAD TYPE
Kevlar thread
WEIGHT
From 205g to 245g (depending on the size)
WARRANTY
30 days
PROS
It has a versatile tread lay-up of high quality. Plus, the tire is very easy to install.
CONS
When riding on a flat terrain, the tire can make some noise.
OUR VERDICT
This all-around tire provides a solid grip on the highway and rough surfaces. That is why the Serfas tire is great for riding in any conditions! Plus, it comes at very attractive price.
detailed parameters
PURPOSE
Road tire for riding on rough surfaces
TREAD TYPE
Inverted tread
SIZE
26x1.5 inch, 26x2 inch, 27.5x1.5 inch, 29x2 inch
TPI
60
PRESSURE RANGE
45 - 60 PSI
RELIABILITY
Flat protection system
THREAD TYPE
Steel thread
WEIGHT
From 500g to 950g (depending on the size)
WARRANTY
30 days
PROS
This tire is resistant to deformation. It is great for riding on different terrains.
CONS
It's rather stiff, thus you should preheat it before installation.
OUR VERDICT
Having bought these Continental tires, you can forget about the problems concerning impassability on loose surfaces or inefficiency on smooth roads.
detailed parameters
PURPOSE
Road tire for riding on rough surfaces
TREAD TYPE
Semi-slick
SIZE
12x2.5", 26x1.75", 27x1.25", 28x1.37", 700x28mm, 700x32mm, 700x37mm, 700x42mm, 700x47mm
TPI
66
PRESSURE RANGE
45-58 PSI
RELIABILITY
Puncture ProTection
THREAD TYPE
Steel thread
WEIGHT
From 510g to 940g (depending on the size)
WARRANTY
30 days
PROS
It is an extra lightweight and tubeless tire that boasts excellent elasticity and grip.
CONS
It is suitable only for riding on flat surfaces.
OUR VERDICT
Hutchinson Fusion 3 is a tubeless tire which is made for high-speed riding. Due to its exceptional speed qualities, this tire allows you to achieve the best riding results.
detailed parameters
PURPOSE
Speed riding
TREAD TYPE
Slick
SIZE
700x23mm
TPI
127
PRESSURE RANGE
80-116 PSI
RELIABILITY
100% Kevlar anti-puncture reinforcement
THREAD TYPE
Kevlar thread
WEIGHT
290g
WARRANTY
30 days
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Continental GatorSkin DuraSkin Tire

The Road Champion

The Continental company is well-known for producing high-quality tires for cars and bicycles. GatorSkin tires are one of the best road tires in the world! Thanks to their slick tread, you will enjoy comfortable long rides on a smooth road. After all, these tires provide excellent grip even in the rain. Yet, it is wrong to consider that GatorSkin tires can be used only for races or long-distant trips, they are also ideal for daily trips on flat and paved roads. So, you are welcome to commute to your work and stay healthy!

Review of Continental GatorSkin DuraSkin Tire

Durable and Reliable!

GatorSkin tires are highly reliable and durable. Plus, they boast great anti-puncture protection since Continental company applied several high-tech solutions. That is to say, the tire is made of the durable carbon compound resistant to wear and tear. At the same time, the manufacturer has also paired the tires with their well-known DuraSkin side system - high 180 TPI are the evidence of high elasticity and the guarantee of extra durability. We should also say that there are two tire types of all sizes. The first type boasts a reinforced thread which makes the tire unfoldable but, at the same time, more convenient to install. As for the second type, it has Kevlar thread that makes the tire foldable and easily transportable.

We would like to note that every size offers two different tire types. The first type uses a reinforced thread which makes the tire unfoldable but, at the same time, more convenient to install. As for the second type, the tire has Kevlar thread in its composition, which makes the tire foldable.

Continental GatorSkin DuraSkin Tire in the use

Interesting Facts

The first tires were made of iron. They were predecessors of rubber tires. So, how actually the rubber tires appeared? John Dunlop had a terrible headache while cycling because there was no spring suspension on his iron bike. Thus, he began experimenting with rubber. And he did it successfully!

Detailed review of Continental GatorSkin DuraSkin Tire

More Products to Consider

Keep in mind that most tires are delivered without inner tubes. That is why a good cyclist should always have some spares.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B00BCU87AW

VIDEO
Continental Gatorskin 25mm road cycling tire review: 6,000 miles
 

Vittoria Rubino Pro III Fold Tire

Durability and Speed! Two-in-one!

Rubino Pro III tires are high-quality tires that can really satisfy demands of the pickiest customers. No doubt, with these tires, you will ride hundreds and thousands of miles without worrying about the tire wearing. The tires are just great for riding on smooth roads. The tread of Rubino Pro III is slick, in other words, it seems almost smooth. For the minimum rolling resistance and high flexibility, the tires have high TPI of 150, which means that every inch of the tire has 1,500 threads. Plus, the Kevlar Endura 3D compound increases the grip, what is especially useful in wet weather. The tread boasts Prism Vector Design that adds to reliability and easy rolling.

Review of Vittoria Rubino Pro III Fold Tire

Usability

We would like to note that Vittoria Rubino Pro III is available in several colors so that you could emphasize your special style. At the same time, a wide range of sizes allows you to mount this tire on different road bikes. For easy storage and transportation, the thread is made of Kevlar. That's why you can fold it and store compactly. Plus, Kevlar thread means that the tire will stay strong even at high temperatures. It is also important that regardless of the tire size, its weight varies just a little, from 205 grams to 245 grams. Due to its low weight, the tire will not influence the overall weight of the bike, thereby, providing more flexibility and efficiency.

Vittoria Rubino Pro III Fold Tire in the use

Interesting Fact

The vulcanized rubber was invented by Charles Goodyear in 1844, and later it was used for the tire production. After a while, John Dunlop invented the pneumatic tire, i.e. air-filled tires for bicycles, but his patent was canceled in favor of another inventor - Robert Thompson. In 1895, André Michelin planned to use such tires for cars, but his idea failed. The first automobile tire was invented in 1911 by Philip Strauss.

Detailed review of Vittoria Rubino Pro III Fold Tire

More Products to Consider

To protect your bike from theft, we suggest you get a reliable bike lock. 

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B007IDU6QA

VIDEO
March 25 2014,,Vittoria Rubino Pro III Tire,,
 

Serfas Drifter Tire with FPS

Versatile Solution for Any Trip

The Serfas company created the most versatile tire ever and called it Drifter. After all, any bike trip involves not only riding on flat roads but on rough trails as well. So, the Drifter boasts an inverter tread showing the same efficiency both on smooth and loose surfaces. Undoubtedly, this makes your cycling experience more comfortable and significantly expands the geography of your travels. But we should warn you that these tires are not for ultra-high speed riding because of their universal tread. In a sum, these are all-round tires for bike fans who often travel long distances and who look for maneuverability and stability.

Review of Serfas Drifter Tire with FPS

A Great Durability on Different Roads

Making these tires super versatile, the manufacturer also took care of their safety! Needless to say, the most common and unpleasant accident that may happen to any cyclist is a possible tire puncture. Serfas Drifter Tires boast a three-layer Flat Protection System. The thread is identical to Kevlar, and thanks to it, you can hardly puncture the tire and the tube inside it. But it would be wrong to state that only F.P.S is the basis of the maximum tire reliability. The outer part of the tire is made of hard and wear-resistant material.

On the whole, Serfas Drifter tires will not only allow you to enjoy riding in the countryside but also will serve you as long as possible.

Serfas Drifter Tire with FPS in the use

Interesting Fact

There is a workshop in a small town in Colombia. The enterprising professionals of this workshop have mastered to make clothes and shoes of thrown-away tires. A special group of people look for soft tires and create almost any garment of our everyday wardrobe.

Detailed review of Serfas Drifter Tire with FPS

More Products to Consider

If you want your riding experience to be both safe and comfortable, you should go ride with a bike helmet on. 

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B003BYUL2E

VIDEO
Serfas Tire Technology featuring FPS
 

Continental Tour Ride Urban Bicycle Tire

A Great Choice for An Urban Bike

Tires from Continental brand are ideal for all-weather trips and tours. Since there are no paved surfaces just everywhere in the city, the Continental company used an innovative approach based on experience and practical solutions for producing these tires. So, let's consider them. First of all, in order to combine the high riding qualities on flat roads with a lot of traffic, the manufacturer equipped the tires with a semi-slick tread. Due to this, the tires have the lowest rolling resistance on a flat surface, yet the aggressive side tread guarantees a good maneuverability on rough surfaces.

Review of Continental Tour Ride Urban Bicycle Tire

Maximum Reliability From a Well-known Brand

When you buy tires, you should consider their reliability first and foremost. Well, what actually influences the long service life? Durability, wear resistance and anti-puncture protection! The Continental Tour Ride Urban has all these! In other words, the manufacturer took care of all issues, thus eliminating most of the possible problems while biking. The tire is made of the durable compound which ensures its long life. Plus, the tire boasts ProTection anti-puncture technology.

Continental Tour Ride Urban Bicycle Tire in the use

Interesting Fact

The aircraft tires are filled with nitrogen or helium since, during the flight, the pressure and temperature drops can damage tires filled with air, they might even explode during the landing. 

Detailed review of Continental Tour Ride Urban Bicycle Tire

More Products to Consider

In order to inflate your tires, you should purchase a bike pump. 

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B0013DZGVG

VIDEO
Continental Urban Bicycle Tires
 

Hutchinson Fusion 3 Tubeless Road Tire

Super Features

Fusion 3 are somehow unique tires because the manufacturer made them tubeless. What does it mean? A tubeless tire is a reliable tire that requires no tube, in other words, you needn't worry about buying additional costly tubes. Besides its usability, the tire is very lightweight, which significantly adds to high-speed riding. Another benefit is that you can inflate such tires to the minimum permitted pressure for extra grip. Moreover, tubeless tires boast minimum rolling resistance, which will undoubtedly influence the maximum speed you can develop on your bike. Perhaps, the only thing to remember is that this type of the tire is very tight, so it might be difficult to remove it.

Review of Hutchinson Fusion 3 Tubeless Road Tire

Created for Speed

As we have mentioned above, the Fusion 3 is very light that, undoubtedly, affects the speed of your bike. But besides this, the tire boasts other interesting solutions which make it the best choice for all speed enthusiasts. In particular, they are the tire tread and TPI. The tread is slick, which means it provides the maximum grip on a smooth track and the minimal rolling resistance. At the same time, the tire elasticity of 127 TPI also increases the speed. Plus, a wide pressure range allowing you to feel comfortable during your rides. To sum up, we can say that the Fusion 3 is one of the essential items that every fan of high-speed riding must have.

Hutchinson Fusion 3 Tubeless Road Tire in the use

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Bike covers can protect your vehicle from bad weather. 

Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B008F9EIB0

 

What is a Road Bike Tire

Bike tires are an essential part of any bicycle. Thanks to good tires, you can achieve the necessary grip and the maximum passability. Owing to various types of tires, you can even adjust your bike for riding on different terrains such as mountain slopes or rough surfaces.

In order to achieve the maximum comfort while riding, equip your bike with one of the bike seats.

What Features to Compare

Best For

The first thing to consider when choosing a reliable tire is the surfaces you are going to ride on. There are a lot of treads patterns for riding on different terrains.

  • Slick tread tires are best suitable for city rides. They are almost smooth with a hardly noticeable tread pattern. 
  • Semi-slick tread tires are designed for riding on either rough surfaces or flat roads. They have a smooth center and aggressive tread on sides to provide minimal resistance and fast acceleration. 
  • The tires with inverted tread have good grip and rolling resistance. You can use such tires if you ride either on smooth asphalt or off-road surfaces.
  • The treads for loose terrain should be higher than 0.3 inches. Such tires are ideal for mud or deep snow. Yet, they are not suitable for riding on smooth asphalt roads.

Tire Characteristics

Pay attention to the tire elasticity which is measured in the TPI, the number of threads per inch. The greater this number is, the more elastic and resistant to punctures the tire is. Another important thing to consider is a pressure range the tire can withstand. Each tire has its optimal range of pressure measured in PSI. As for road tires, they can be inflated up to 140 psi, while mountain bike tires just to 50 psi since the lower pressure enhances the grip. 

Usability

Perhaps, there are a lot of important things influencing tire features such as thread type, implemented technologies, and weight. A steel thread is usually cheaper, but Kevlar thread is more flexible and lighter. Note that manufacturers often use modern technologies, which results in the better tire wear resistance and durability. Finally, we don't suggest you choose heavy tires since they affect the maneuverability.

Sources:

1. Bike Tires: How to Choose, REI COOP. October 3, 2016.

2. Jerry O. How to Choose the Best Road Bike Tires and Rims, Ice Bike.

3. Bike tyres guide, Wiggle.

4. Greg Kopecky Choosing your tire width, Slowtwitch. November 11, 2013.

5. Marc Lindsay How to Choose the Right Tire for Your Road Bike, Active.

6. Bike Tire Basics: How to Fix a Flat, REI. November 11, 2016.

7. Jeff Werner What are the (dis)advantages of tubeless tires on road bicycles? Quora. April 4, 2012.

8. Tubeless tire, Wikipedia. September 9, 2016.

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