Choosing Tyres for Commuting

For commuting distances of less than 10 miles, the most important factors are getting tyres with a good tread and good puncture resistance.

Grip and Tread

Contrary to popular belief, cycling tyres (unlike car tyres) do not benefit from having a tread. Aqua planning does not occur on a bike; the best grip will come from a smooth tyre which gives the maximum contact with the surface. Soft rubber compounds generally have better grip but wear away faster. This is why a tyre for a turbo trainer is very hard. Some tyres will have a hard compound in the middle and a softer material on the edge for better cornering.

Puncture Resistance

Puncture resistance has been improved on various tyres in recent years. A good commuting tyre will have an extra velcan layer which will help prevent many punctures. The thicker this layer the better puncture resistance you will have. Some of the best puncture resistant tyres can be found here. For anti puncture performance, I use the Armadillo tyres . To prevent punctures it is also important to:

1. Put the tyre on properly - without pinching the inner tube.
2. keep the tyre inflated at the proper psi
3. Remove sharp objects which may get stuck in the tyre.

Tyre width

Thin tyres are not necessary for commuting. I use a 25″ on the back and 23″ on the front. For racing I will a 23 and 20″ combination. The main advantage of thinner tyres is that you can pump them up to a higher pressure. But, the rolling resistance from an 18″ tyres is less than you might expect. If you have a hybrid or mountain bike for commuting, you might use 28″ tyres or bigger, generally, these will be slower but offer greater balance, useful for icey mornings.

Value for Money

For commuting, there is little to be gained by cutting corners and buying cheap tyres. Generally you get what you pay for. An expensive tyre may cost more, but will pay you back in terms of greater resistance to punctures and longer lasting performances.

• Another good tyre for all year round cycling is the Continental Dura Skin

• Best Puncture resistant tyres
• Selected City Commuting tyres