Best Road Bike Tires: Reviews & Buying Guide
It’s not as simple as it appears to find the best road bike tires. It is mostly determined by your selections, which begin with the desired performance and safety. Another factor to consider is the tire’s durability, which is self-evident because no one wants to replace their tires too frequently if they don’t have to.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Let’s see if it’s possible to have it all and what the most crucial considerations are. Here are five excellent options to assist you in selecting the best tires for road bikes.
Best Road Bike Tires Comparison Table
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Best Overall
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Best Overall |
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Best Budget
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Best Budget |
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Best Lightweight
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Best Lightweight |
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Best Durable
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Best Durable |
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Best for Speed
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Best for Speed |
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Best Road Bike Tires Reviews
Without further ado, here are the best road bike tires of this year.
- Continental Grand Prix 5000 Bike Tire – Best Overall
- SCHWALBE Durano Black Wire Bead Tire – Best Budget
- Continental Contact Speed Bike Tire – Best Lightweight
- WTB ThickSlick Comp Tire – Best Durabale
- Vittoria Corsa Speed Bicycle Tire – Best for Speed
This article will go over the features and advantages of the best road bike tires, which will almost certainly pay for themselves if purchased.
We’ll also go through the pros and cons of each bike tire so you can pick the one right for you.
Now that we’ve cleared things out let’s get into the in-depth reviews of the best tires for road bikes.
1. Continental Grand Prix 5000 Bike Tire – Best Overall
Yes, this is the same Continental that makes car tires. The Grand Prix 5000 is a step up from the immensely popular Grand Prix 4000 (now in the S II iteration). This isn’t just another tire with a few more features; it’s a truly revolutionary model.
To begin with, the Black Chili tread compound is solely made in Germany. This one-of-a-kind chemical improves rolling resistance while also improving balance. Because of the enhanced Vectran breaker, this one provides 20% more puncture protection than the Grand Prix 4000 S II.
The active comfort feature in these tires reduces vibrations and smooths the ride. What we have experienced is that you can ride your bike on almost any road with these tires, and you won’t have to worry about bumps.
These, like all higher-end Continental bike tires, are extremely long-lasting. They don’t show excessive wear easily unless they’ve been abused.
The Grand Prix 5000, according to Continental, is neither the quickest nor the most comfortable bike tire available. Rather, the focus is on creating a set of tough tires that can withstand punctures. Consider it this way: what good is a set of quick tires if you have to replace them every couple of months?
Pros
- Very durable
- Excellent puncture protection
- All-around road tire
- Absorb vibration
Cons
- Might be slightly more difficult to install
2. SCHWALBE Durano Black Wire Bead Tire – Best Budget
Do you frequently run across disclaimers stating that the tires are not suitable for wet roads when shopping for road bike tires? Is it possible that the producers merely said that to cover their asses?
The truth is that making or finding tires that perform effectively in all seasons and road conditions, including heavy rain, is tough except for the fact that Schwalbe created this model with improved wet-road grip in mind.
With one caveat – or rather, a recommendation – the Schwalbe Durano bike tires are suitable all year. To get a smoother ride and better resistance to flats, underinflate these tires slightly (but not too much). Of course, it’s also a technique to extend the life of your tires; I really like it.
The Durano includes a Race Guard protection belt, a 5mm layer that protects the tire while also improving riding comfort. It’s suitable for racing even when the weather conditions aren’t ideal, as the name says.
Last but not least, for those on a budget, these may be the best road bike tires. There’s no need to spend hundreds of dollars on tires when you can get something that’s almost as good and performs just as well for a lot less. These tires aren’t the most durable, but with a little care, they’ll give you a lot of bang for your buck.
Pros
- Suitable for wet road
- Affordable
- Year-round use
- Race Guard protection belt
Cons
- Not the most durable tires out there
3. Continental Contact Speed Bike Tire – Best Lightweight
City cyclists, single-speed cyclists, and exercise bikers will benefit from the Continental Contact Speed tires. They’re ideal for a smooth city commute, and they’re especially good on asphalt. Furthermore, they are suited for e-bikes.
They’re lighter and more flexible than any other Continental road bike tire on the market. This also makes them a great alternative for children and teenagers. We found this model very simple to set up, which is important if you only have basic tools.
Even though these tires are designed for city riding, they nonetheless include puncture protection. They have exceptional protection in this area, as do all Continental bike tires, having passed various German testing. They’re made of a Kevlar-reinforced nylon fabric that’s cut-resistant as well.
Overall, this is a fantastic city-riding road bike tire that provides outstanding value for money. The main disadvantage is that they might not be as suitable for more rough and bumpy roads. For that, you might need to upgrade to a higher-end Continental road bike tire.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Flexible
- Great value for money
- Excellent grip
- Easy to install
- Cut-resistant
Cons
- May not be as suitable for more challenging roads
4. WTB ThickSlick Comp Tire – Best Durabale
The WTB ThickSlick road bike tires are designed for riders who appreciate year-round safety. They’re thick and slick, as the name implies, and they can adapt to every road condition, from wet roads to anything else you might experience on the road.
The manufacturer recognizes that metropolitan environments can be more hazardous at times and that your tires should be prepared for everything. As a result, this type has excellent puncture resistance, making it impossible for glass, pins, nails, or anything else to damage your tire.
Most commercial road bike tires have half as much Rubber as this model. First, this increases the tire’s durability, which could save you money in the long term. Second, regardless of the road conditions, this ensures a smooth ride. Overall, these may be the best road bike tires for riders who must ride on difficult terrain.
There is only one disadvantage to WTB ThickSlick road bike tires, and that disadvantage is their weight. They’re heavier than most other road bike tires due to the double rubber layer. This can be difficult in some situations, such as for riders who lack the strength to ride a heavy bike. Heavier tires, on the other hand, have advantages, such as increased stability.
Pros
- Double rubber layer
- Excellent puncture protection
- Very durable
- Accommodates Smooth ride
- Stable
Cons
- Heavier than most models
5. Vittoria Corsa Speed G2.0 Bicycle Tire – Best for Speed
The Vittoria Corsa Speed G2.0 is the world’s quickest bike tire. It’s easy to see why it’s the No. 1 option of many professional riders, especially for time trials, after winning all-time trials at the 2018 Tour de France and Giro d’Italia.
The tire is one of the lightest and thinnest race tires on the market, weighing only 200g. It is, in fact, the bare minimum weight required to avoid flat tires and other unpleasant surprises. Everything is set up to allow you to reach your optimum speed without jeopardizing your safety or stability.
The Graphene 2.0 compound is applied to the tire for the best rolling resistance, allowing you to increase your speed. Furthermore, it features a great wet weather grip, allowing you to compete in races regardless of the weather conditions.
You can’t go wrong with Vittoria Corsa as long as you’re willing to pay for them. If you’re a competitive cyclist, however, you might not need to look any farther.
Pros
- Very fast
- Professional-grade
- Lightweight and flexible
- Minimum rolling resistance
Cons
- Not as suitable for beginners
Buying Guide for the Best Road Bike Tires
Choosing the best road bike tires might be difficult with so many possibilities. Everything is dependent on what is most important to you: whether you want fast, high-performance tires or something more robust and resistant. With that in mind, consider the following five critical aspects when making a selection.
Size & Width
Because everything depends on your bike, there are no uniform rules for the size and breadth of road bike tires. Look to see whether it’s written on your bike. You should be able to find this information on the wheel’s edge most of the time. Even better, you might be able to locate that information on your current tires.
The most common sizes for road bikes are 700 x 23mm and 700 x 25mm, with the first number indicating the diameter and the second number indicating the width. The diameter is very significant since it must match the wheel size, or it will not fit your bike. However, you might be able to play around with the width (within reason).
Choose a narrower tire, such as 20 to 23mm, if you want lightweight tires that allow you to ride faster. However, keep in mind that they may not be the most pleasant mode of transportation. Wider tires (25 to 28 mm) that are better ideal for extended trips are recommended if you want something more solid and lasting.
Pressure Capacity
The pressure capacity is determined by the tire size as well as the cyclist’s weight. If you look closely at the tire’s outside wall, you should be able to see the maximum rated pressure.
The maximum pressure for most road bikes is roughly 120 PSI. The most crucial thing to remember is that narrow tires require more pressure to maintain stability. Additionally, lighter riders should seek tires with a lower maximum pressure capacity.
Tread Patterns
One of the most important requirements for road safety is tread pattern, which is measured in treads per inch (TPI). Choosing which one will work best for you, though, might be challenging. They can be anywhere from 60 to 320 TPI, but 120 TPI is a decent place to start.
Lower TPI tires are usually lighter and more flexible. By adapting to the road’s surface, they provide a smooth ride. They are, in essence, designed for speed and performance. The main disadvantage is that they don’t last as long, so you may need to replace them sooner than intended.
Higher TPI tires, on the other hand, are suitable for frequent riders who need a tire that will not fail them.
Weight
Like tread patterns, tire weight is a trade-off between performance and durability. Lighter tires are faster and smoother, but they are less durable since they can be punctured more easily.
Light tires are great, but you must be prepared to replace them more regularly, as you can see. Thicker tires are a fantastic option if you don’t want to change your tires as often as feasible. They don’t have as much flash as the light versions, but they’re more sturdy, safe, and resistant.
Puncture Resistance
Puncture-resistant bike tires are a distinct subcategory that is growing in popularity among cyclists. They usually have an extra layer to protect against punctures, and the price reflects the material’s quality.
Puncture protection belts are generally made of kevlar or polyester. The material’s strength, TPI rating, and tread pattern are also factors to consider.
Of course, their costs are usually a little higher, but you’ll certainly save money and stress in the long run. Furthermore, many puncture-resistant bike tires come with warranties, which might be useful if something goes wrong.
Conclusion
The best road bike tires are a personal choice affected by your skill level as well as the weather conditions in your area. As you can see, each of the models listed above is exceptional, not least because they are produced by well-known brands.
The Continental Grand Prix 5000 would be our all-around model of choice. These road bike tires adapt to all types of roads and allow you to ride in comfort regardless of the weather. They’re quite durable, and once installed, you won’t have to bother about tires for a long time.
