When it comes to finding the best road bike tyres for your bike, there are some questions you should ask yourself first, because the right tyres for me mightn't be the best ones for you.
Some of these questions relate to compatibility, because there's no point buying a tyre that won't actually work with your wheels or your bike. The others are centred on preference... ie, what do you want from your tyres.
Tyre testing was how I began my career as a bike journo, so in addition to the years of riding experience on and off-road, I have over three years of testing tyres under my belt professionally. I have a crate of hoarded tyres saved 'for best' under my desk and I am forever swapping them in search of the best setup. My judgment is of course informed by our recent tyre rolling resistance testing, but lab results can only tell you so much and are no direct substitute for real world riding. I also tend to commute on my road bike too, so these tyres get to see not only lovely pristine tarmac, but the worst of the UK's cycling infrastructure, with glass, potholes, moss, and random surprise gravel.
In order to make this guide as useful as possible I have taken our real-world experiences with the tyres and combined them with Cyclingnews' efficiency rig testing. Cyclingnews independently performed the lab testing at the Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub facility using its drivetrain efficiency rig with a simulated tarmac surface. All wattage loss figures used in this guide were measured at 9 m/s (32.4 kph) and represents the difference vs our top-rated tyre, the Continental GP5000 S TR.
If you want to see the full results including wattage losses at 9 m/s and 11 m/s, tubes vs tubeless, and the effect of tyre pressure on rolling resistance, our which road bikes tyres are the fastest test feature is available to Cyclingnews Premium members.
The guide also uses data from bicyclerollingresistance.com, the 'grip' and 'puncture protection' stats are taken from publically available data from this site, and used with permission. For reference, grip is the static wet grip, and both rolling resistance and grip are for a 28c variant unless otherwise stated. For puncture protection and grip, the higher the number the better.
Best all round road bike tyre
✅ You want speed: In our lab testing, the GP5000 tyres are faster than many competitors, including the pro-favourite Vittoria Corsa Pro, making them ideal for performance-oriented road bikes.
✅ You want longevity: They offer excellent lifespan and feature clear wear indicators, so you know when to replace them.
❌ You don't want difficult fitting: These tyres can be notoriously hard to mount on certain rims, so be prepared for a potential fight when fitting.
There's a reason the GP5000 has become the gold standard for road bike tyes, much like its predecessor the GP4000. Whenever I get a set specced on a test bike it's always a plus point, partially because it does wonders for the handling, but also because it means I don't have to fit them myself - they are notoriously tricky with some rims, so get some of the best tyre levers you can to make sure you don't have a bad time.
My experiences with them are backed up by the BRR data. They are faster than the Vittoria Corsa Pro, the other model that's ubiquitous amongst the pro peloton, but there is a slight penalty in grip and puncture protection as a trade-off.
While their puncture protection is a few points less, I've found their overall lifespan to be excellent, plus they come with easy-to-see wear indicators so you know when they've reached the end of their life. The sidewall protection is also going to be better than that of a cotton-cased tyre.
In short, if you've got a performance-oriented road bike and want to get the best out of it then these are the tyres I'd recommend you opt for. They are expensive, but in the context of top-end tyres, they are similar to the competition.
If you want to know more about how they ride be sure to check out our Continental Grand Prix 5000 S TR review.
Best budget road bike tyre
✅ You want a smooth, confidence-inspiring ride: The round profile and uniform tread deliver progressive grip with no sudden loss of traction when cornering.
✅ You want great value for money: Performance rivals premium tyres, but the price is around a third of top-tier options.
❌ You don’t want tyre fitting frustration: These tyres can be difficult to seat on various rims and may unseat after a puncture.
❌ You need modern compatibility: They're not hookless-rim compatible and are only available in narrower widths, limiting options for riders favouring wider, modern setups.
I really love these tyres. I first came across them by accident on a Vitus test bike and they've been a favourite ever since. The uniform tread, combined with a really lovely round profile gives them a super progressive ride quality; there's no sudden change in grip as you go onto the shoulders.
They're fast, too, and grippy, and pretty sturdy. The stats are up there with far more premium tyres, but you can pick these up for around 1/3 the price of top-tier rubber, so if you value a bargain then look no further.
There are drawbacks, though. I found them a real pain to seat on several different rims, and when I flatted they tended to unseat. They are also not compatible with hookless rims, and only come in narrower widths; none of this modern 32c nonsense!
If they fit your size requirements, though, you're onto a winner. I'd suggest taking a CO2 inflator with you though, as well as a mini pump, as that'll more easily reach the pressures needed to re-seat them in the event of a flat.
You can read my full Michelin Power Cup review.
Best road bike tyre for speed
✅ You want ultimate speed: These tyres have incredibly low rolling resistance, making them ideal for time trials and competitive events.
✅ You want proven performance: They've been used successfully in top-level time trials, giving them strong race credibility.
❌ You want daily durability: The lack of a puncture protection belt makes them unsuitable for general road riding.
❌ You want easy maintenance: They're expensive and require careful setup—cheap tubes or too much sealant will compromise performance.
I really wouldn't advise fitting these to your bike for general road riding, but if you have an event where wringing out every last watt is key, then these are impossible to look over. Perfect for that 10-mile TT, or maybe even a crit on a dedicated, well-maintained track.
The incredibly low rolling resistance is thanks to Vittoria making the central smooth portion of the tread wider, eschewing the shoulder sipes (or 'grooves' to you and I) on all but the extreme edges. What's more, the usual puncture protection belt has been removed to make the tyres even more supple.
These have been proven in top flight time trials, so they have a real race-winning pedigree, but that doesn't come cheap - again, keep them for your race wheels or you may have to catch a train home.
On a similar note, spending all this money on such a fast tyre and either using cheap inner tubes or overfilling them with sealant would be a waste of money and power, so take the time to set them up properly.
Best road bike tyre for puncture protection
✅ You want top-tier puncture protection: The Pirelli Cinturato Velo is rated as the best for puncture resistance by Bicycle Rolling Resistance, even outperforming the benchmark Gator Hardshell.
✅ You want versatile durability: Marketed as a pseudo-touring tyre, it's well-suited for commuting, light gravel, and even bikepacking thanks to its long lifespan and added tread grip.
❌ You want a smooth ride feel: The Kevlar-reinforced casing reduces ride suppleness, which may affect comfort on rougher surfaces if you don't have clearance to size up.
Teh Cinturato Velo has technically discontinued by Pirelli and replaced by the Cinturato Road TLR,
For years the Gatorskin Hardshell, and latterly the Gator Hardshell from Continental, has been the King of the puncture-proof world, but the specs on the new Pirelli Cinturato Velo are impossible to ignore. These have the best puncture protection on the market according to Bicycle Rolling Resistance, and not only that, but they are a few watts faster than the Gator Hardshell too.
These are marketed as a pseudo-touring tyre, with increased lifespan, and a tread that has a little more bite for tackling well-behaved gravel. For my money, they are an excellent commuter tyre, like all in this section, but I'd be happy to fit them if you are undertaking some road bike bikepacking and really can't be doing with dealing with punctures.
While puncture-resistant tyres are great, they aren't totally immune, but setting them up tubeless will add yet another layer of protection. Having a Kevlar-reinforced casing is great too, but it does make the ride less supple, so if you have the space, I recommend going up a size to maintain the same ride quality.
Best road bike tyre for winter
✅ You want added grip and confidence: The tyre offers significantly improved grip over the standard GP5000, giving you more confidence when cornering in bad conditions.
✅ You want durability and protection: With better puncture resistance and longer mileage, it’s a practical choice for everyday riders facing debris-strewn roads.
❌ You can’t run wider tyres: While it shines in larger widths, riders' narrow clearances may not get the full benefit of its all-road versatility.
We've got a separate guide to the best winter road bike tyres, which dives into the nuances of different use-cases through the colder months, but the Continental GP5000 AS TR is our pick as the best there, thanks to its all-weather grip. It effectively blends the speed and performance of the brand's other tyres; it's faster and more surefooted than the Grand Prix 4 Season, and it's almost as fast as the standard GP5000 S TR but with durability.
If you live in an area where there's a lot of debris on the roads, the added puncture protection and greater mileage will be a boon there too. In all likelihood, unless you're chasing every last watt or every last gram, these are probably a better bet for the everyday rider, as the improved grip will help you corner with greater confidence, perhaps saving you more time than those few watts.
Like the GP5000 S TR, these are hookless compatible and come in widths from 25c all the way to 35c. Where I think these will really shine is in those larger widths for those of you who want to get the absolute most from your all-road and gravel bikes when riding predominantly on the tarmac.
Read our in-depth review of the GP5000 AS TR here.
Best cotton road bike tyre
✅ You want a supple ride: The Corsa Pro's cotton casing imparts a very smooth ride.
✅ You want a wide choice of widths: The Corsa Pro is available from 24mm to 32mm, so there's something for any bike.
❌ You want reliable sealing: Punctures are prone to seal poorly.
❌ You want confident cornering: The cornering grip felt less secure than the GP5000 S TR.
A popular choice for pro teams, the Corsa Pro's 320TPI cotton casing makes for an incredibly supple ride feel, particularly in widths greater than the standard 28mm.
The stats on rolling resistance are similar to the Conti GP5000 S TR, but the grip is better. Vittoria says that the longitudinal striations are there to help the casing deform for better grip when cornering. The bead has been enhanced for easier tubeless set-up.
I did feel that the cornering grip was less secure than the GP5000 tyres, which a rim with a wider internal size might help alleviate. The wider tyre profile may reduce the lean angle before you're riding on the sidewall, however.
Although lab data suggests that the Corsa Pro has better puncture protection than the Conti tyre, my experience is that the tyre seals less well when it is pierced, possibly due to the more supple casing.
The sidewalls too are a little more fragile, but the main body of the tread is more robust, and taken in the round these are more or less just as good a choice as the Continental option, and for tanwall purists they're superior. My Vittoria Corsa Pro review should help if you're still undecided.
Also consider
✅ You want a smooth-rolling tyre: Our experience suggests the Pro One's real-world performance is better than lab tests indicate.
✅ You want easy tubeless set-up: We seated the tyre with just a mid-sized mini pump.
❌ You want some extra air volume: The Pro One comes up around 1mm narrower than the stated width.
Another excellent all-rounder, the Schwalbe Pro One tyre is the rubber of choice for the Canyon-SRAM-ZondaCrypto team.
They're a little more draggy than the two big-name options from Conti and Vittoria, and a little less grippy, but the flipside is slightly better puncture protection than the GP5000 and an RRP that's noticeably cheaper than both. They're smooth-riding too and real-world roll-down and power measurements suggest there's less rolling resistance than lab tests indicate.
They also set up tubeless very easily and we even managed to seal them to the rim using a mini pump. The weight is competitive, despite a thicker tread than on the previous version. A slight shoulder tread is designed to improve cornering grip.
The tyre is slightly narrower than advertised, although with 30mm and 32mm widths available there's the option to size up if your frame has the room. The low weight means there's not much if a penalty for doing so either.
✅ You want an affordable performance tyre: The Ultrasport is much cheaper than premium tyres from Conti and other brands.
❌ You want tubeless compatibility: The Ultrasport needs to be used with inner tubes.
Continental's second-tier offering has impressive stats, especially when you consider you can pick a pair up for less than half the price of one GP5000 S TR. They're not tubeless-ready, so you'll need to keep riding with inner tubes and there's even a non-folding wire bead version, which it's worth avoiding if you want lower weight.
Now in its third generation, the high TPI count means the Ultrasport III's ride is far closer to race-ready offerings than other budget tyres. I've really enjoyed them, especially in the wet, when they've come fitted to test bikes, where they are a popular choice on more affordable bike specs.
There's a decent rage of sizes available, stretching up to 32mm and even including a 23mm, although only the 28mm offers a tan sidewall variant. All other widths are black only. Weight is competitive though.
✅ You want a lower priced performance tyre: The Eagle usually costs less than other brands' tyres with comparable specs.
❌ You want wet road grip: Other tyres perform better in wet conditions.
Alas, no stats, but still a widely respected entry-level performance tyre from one of the biggest names in motorsport.
Goodyear's tyres have a reputation for easy tubeless set-up and the weight is competitive. They roll well too and puncture protection is decent for a less expensive tyre thanks to Goodyear's R.Shield under-tread belt. Wet weather performance is a little less assured than some pricier alternatives though.
The Goodyear Eagle can be found at a great price, but unlike many at this price point you also get both black and tan wall options for that premium look, and a full range of widths from 25c up to 32c. Thoroughly modern and wallet-friendly.
✅ You want a more affordable Corsa tyre: The N.Ext has similar performance to some of the cotton Corsa tyres, but is significantly cheaper.
❌ You want tan sidewalls: The flip side of the nylon casing is a black-only sidewall option.
Vittoria's mid-range tyre swaps the Corsa Pro's cotton casing for nylon, making for a more durable tyre that's only marginally heavier. Otherwise, it uses the same rubber compound as the cotton tyres. There are tubeless and tubed versions sold.
Our rolling resistance testing showed that it's up there with some cotton Corsas though. It's faster than the Corsa Pro Control, and there's a wide range of widths available.
I really rate these, and have a set on my own bike. You get the same handling feel as the Corsa Pro more or less, though with a slightly less supple ride feel, but with increased puncture protection. Sure, they're a little more draggy, but they're miles cheaper and if you spend any time riding in a city or debris-filled country lanes, they make heaps more sense. Their wet weather grip is also impressive.
You can read more in my Vittoria Corsa N.Ext tyre review.
✅ You want to save some weight: The thinner casing lowers the weight versus Conti's GP5000 S TR by 65g in 28mm width.
❌ You want a faster tyre: Our testing indicated that there was only a marginal difference in rolling resistance betweel the TT TR and S TR.
In the same way as the Vittoria option, the GP5000 TT is a faster, but more fragile version of the GP5000 S TR, designed for time trial use. Conti achieves this by including fewer layers in the casing, although unlike many time trial tyres it keeps the puncture protection belt on the basis that you won't ride your fastest if you flat mid-race. You'll save around 65g over the GP5000 S TR for the 28mm wide tyre.
It's a formula that has seen pros including Tadej Pogacar use the TT TR tyres rather than the S TR in road stages to save a little weight. The tyre is available in just two widths: 25mm and 28mm, but measures wider than advertised on modern performance rims.
If the absolute fragility of the Vittoria puts you off then these are a great shout. The wattage difference is there, but it's so little you won't feel it.
✅ You want a fast tubed tyre: The Michelin Power TT comes out fast in independent tests of rolling resistance.
❌ You want a wider tyre: There are just 23mm and 25mm widths available in the TT tyre.
If you're not into tubeless then you could opt for the Michelin Power Time Trial instead. It's about as fast as a tubed tyre can get, based on testing by bicyclerollingresistance.com and the lack of tubeless functionality means you save a sizeable chunk of cash over the Vittoria and Continental options, especially if you're buying a pair.
It's available in just two, narrow widths though: 23mm and 25mm. Further, it's rated for pressures between 5 and 8 bar, so ride comfort may not be as great as on a wider tyre at lower pressure.
On the other hand, the narrow width should reduce your bike's frontal area and so reduce wind resistance, as should the treadless design. If you're willing to accept the tyre's compromises, it's an affordable way to collect more speed.
✅ You want a lower priced lightweight tubeless tyre: The Pro One TT is usually more affordable than Conti and Vittoria options.
❌ You want puncture protection: The Pro One TT lowers weight by omitting the puncture protection belt.
Schwalbe's time trial tyre lowers weight by leaving out the puncture protection belt. As such, it may be more delicate than the road race Pro One and more prone to punctures.
It's available in 25mm and 28mm widths, so unlike the Michelin TT tyre you can take advantage of the extra width to lower pressure and increase comfort. Also unlike the Michelin, you can run the Pro One TT tubeless, which may be enough to keep you rolling better if you do pick up a puncture.
Not as fast, not as grippy, and just as fragile... so why include it? Well, for the price. The Pro One TT from Schwalbe regularly comes in cheaper than the Conti and Vitoria options, and the wattage difference is so marginal that if you're looking for value in a fast tyre, then this is the place to go.
✅ You want a durable tyre: The Gator Hardshell shrugs off road debris, making it a good option for commuters.
❌ You want a fast-rolling tyre: The Gator is significantly more draggy than more premium tyres.
I ran a set of Gator Hardshell tyres on my commuter for years and happily rode through endless smashed bottles on my way to the office. The new Gator Hardshell is even more robust, and while it isn't quite as solid as the Pirelli in tests, it's still incredible at resisting punctures, thanks to the bead-to-bead puncture protection strip.
With the tyres over a decade old, they're not up with modern trends, so expect to need inner tubes. There are both folding and heavier wire bead variants.
The widths available range from old-style narrow to satisfyingly broad, although the tyre is heavy and fairly rigid, so comfort isn't the best and nor is wet weather grip, although they make up for this in durability.
There's significant rolling resistance, both measured in the lab and felt on the road. We reckoned switching to summer tyres at the end of the winter increased average speeds by between 3 and 5km/h for the same effort.
You can read more in my full Continental Gator Hardshell review.
✅ You want a durable tyre: The One Plus beefs up the carcass for all-weather riding.
❌ You want to run tubeless: The One Plus is another tube-only tyre.
Another heavier, tougher tyre, this is the successor to Schwalbe's old puncture-resistant tyre, the Durano Plus, but brings the name into the 'One' family.
As with the Durano Plus, its's a tyre for tubes only and can't be run tubeless. There are wired options, as well as folding, with the wired tyres featuring reflective sidewalls. The One Plus caters for widths from 23mm up to 32mm, so it's better equipped to take advantage of modern frame clearances. You're looking at 690g per tyre for the 32mm width though.
If you're used to the feel of the Pro One then having a set of these on your commuter will be an easy transition. They also look the most 'normal' of the bunch, with no chunky tread or kevlar exposed on the sidewalls.
✅ You want the longest-lasting tyre: The Marathon literally lasts for ever.
❌ You want performance: The high weight and chunky tread make these tyres great for commuting and touring, less so for recreational riding.
The Marathon, and its various spinoffs, is THE name in touring tyres. The puncture protection is up there with the best, but the main draw is they basically last forever.
The tread lasts so long in fact that Schwalbe has added an 'anti-ageing sidewall' so that the carcass doesn't give out before the tread does. If you're after fit and forget, go for these.
Schwalbe has aimed to increase the tyre's eco friendliness with the latest Green version too, with carbon black harvested from recycled tyres contributing to 80% recycled material content as well as enhanced recyclability and 100% Fairtrade rubber.
There's a wide range of diameters and tyre widths, with 700c options ballooning up to 38mm, although even more than the One Plus, you'll be carrying a chunk of weight around.
✅ You want a lower priced all-rounder: The SuperSport is a little cheaper than the competition.
❌ You want puncture protection: The resistance to punctures is less than many other all-rounder tyres.
Goodyear's Eagle F1 SuperSport manages to offer a slightly lower weight (in tubeless guise) but a marginally higher rolling resistance than the GP5000 S TR and is available both for tubed and tubeless use, although in narrowish 23mm, 25mm and 28mm widths. You do get a choice of black or tan sidewalls though.
It's another really grippy option, and easily the winner of 'longest tyre name' out of any in this guide. It's faster than the GP5000 AS four-season tyre, with wattage figures easily in line with the all-rounders, but with improved grip too.
If your roads are debris-free, then these are a brilliant choice, but the puncture protection is on the low side, which might put you off if you go near glass or anything else sharp. The price is competitive though.
✅ You want a wider tyres: The Mondo is available fashionably wide and foregoes 23mm or 25mm options.
❌ You want fast rolling: It's another tyre that's significantly more laggy than our benchmark GP5000 S TR.
Billed as an endurance tyre, the S-Works Mondo is a little slower, but also cheaper than the Continental option, with grip enough for Soudal-QuickStep over the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix. The all-road bias means there's a little extra weight to contend with too.
There's a low profile file tread along the sides of the smooth central section to provide extra grip when cornering or on trickier surfaces. Specialized adds a couple of puncture protection technologies and uses its 2Bliss tubeless tech to help with tyre seating and pressure maintenance.
Oddly they don't come in a 30c width, but my feeling is a 32c is the sweet spot now, especially for longer rides. The added volume just means even more grip and more comfort.
Specialized has also recently released a few new tyres to its range, including a RapidAir TLR (tubeless ready) 'racing only' tyre and a TLR version of its very well-renowned Turbo Cotton. We've got them in for test at the moment and early signs are positive, but we've not yet covered enough ground to be confident enough to recommend them. Check back in a month or so if you're curious about their performance.
✅ You want extra grip: We rated the Corsa Pro Control's all-weather grip.
❌ You want fast rolling: Lab tests and road use suggested higher than optimal rolling resistance.
Oddly the Vittoria Corsa Pro Control has marginally less grip than the Corsa Pro in the BRR tests, but to my mind, they make a better case for most people by adding in far greater puncture protection. As with other Corsa tyres, they're built on a cotton casing and offer tan sidewalls, but the tread is thicker and has herringbone siping.
They also come in a good range of widths, although they size up narrower than advertised.
They're raced by the pros in the Spring Classics, but despite this, we found the rolling resistance to be significantly higher than many competitor four season tyres. Our quest for debris-strewn roads failed to elicit a puncture though and our on-road expereince suggests that they're grippier than the lab tests suggest.
If you want the super supple ride feel of the Corsa Pro, but a more sturdy option then you won't be disappointed, although the Corsa N.Ext is cheaper and, in our tests, faster.
How to choose the best road bike tyres for you
Here's what to consider when choosing the best road bike tyres for your needs:
- What width do I need? Road bike tyres are getting wider. If your bike frame has the clearance, a 28mm is now the minimum, but you'll get a better ride on a 30mm or greater. Just make sure they'll fit.
- Do I want to run tubeless? If you're running tubeless, you'll need a tubeless tyre. If not, a tube-type clincher is usually lighter and cheaper.
- Do I have hookless rims? If unsure, check tyre compatibility on the wheel maker's site.
- Do I want a folding tyre? You can still find tyres with rigid wire beads, often with a name that's similar to pricier tyres. Wired tyres are cheaper, but also heavier, don't usually roll as well and can't be run tubeless. We'd steer clear.
- How durable does the tyre need to be? If you're riding in wet and wintry conditions, consider a beefed-up winter tyre. For summer use, you can go lighter, while for time trials and short, fast rides, you may be content to fit an ultra-light tyre despite the increased puncture risk.
- What's the rolling resistance? Check out test results; a faster-rolling tyre will feel nicer to ride.
- How much does it cost? At list price, top spec tubeless tyres can be expensive. Tyres are often available with a hefty discounts, so it's worth shopping around.
Everything you need to know about the best road bike tyres
What type of tyres should I get?
The best all-round road tyres are wicked fast, grippy across a wide range of conditions, last a decent number of miles, and can shrug off at least some debris that would puncture a time trial tyre. The majority of top-end road bike tyres nowadays are tubeless, but not all. If you're running tubes, you can still run them in a tubeless tyre, but not the other way around, so do check. Some WorldTour teams are still running tubes, though they opt for latex over butyl, as it's more supple and that makes it faster.
If speed is your absolute goal, and primarily I'm talking about time trials here, then some tyres are created to be even faster than the all-rounders above. The tradeoff in most cases is reduced puncture protection. By reducing or eschewing entirely the puncture protection strip usually found beneath the tyre tread, it makes the whole system more supple, and therefore reduces rolling resistance, but is more puncture-prone. In our experience, it's best to keep these for specific events, rather than using them as general-use tyres.
Given that many of us live in cities, bestrewn as they often are with glass, the odd nail, and other such sharp objects, there are plenty of reasons to want a tyre with better puncture protection. If you're commuting by road bike, or just can't be doing with the faff of fixing a puncture, look for a more robust tyre. The trade-off here is that the tyres are heavier and less supple, meaning they are ultimately a little slower and feel a little more wooden.
If you aren't a winter Zwift addict and instead head into the great outdoors, you may find yourself craving a little more grip. Wet, cold tarmac doesn't grip like it does when it's hot and dry, and there are a slew of tyre options designed to better cope with this. So many, in fact, that we have a separate guide to the best winter road bike tyres. While it may appear that the greater texture on the tyre tread is to physically grip the road surface, this isn't the case. In actuality, the grooves, or 'sipes' to use proper terminology, allow the tread to flex more, which warms it up and helps the rubber grip better.
As tubeless technology has proliferated, tyre manufacturers have had to improve their tolerances to achieve the snug fit necessary. This, as well as a drift to more premium products, means a set of top-end tyres can cost you in the region of £200/$250. If, understandably, this is simply too much for you to warrant spending on what are consumable parts, then fear not, as there are plenty of more wallet-friendly options out there that still offer great performance.
What tyre width should I choose?
Tyres keep getting wider each year. If you're still using rim brakes, then 28c is about as wide as you'll be able to fit unless you have direct mount brakes, but with disc brakes now commonplace, it's not unusual to see 30c or even larger on top-tier, performance road bikes.
My choice is 32c, if available in your chosen tyre and if it'll fit. The weight penalty is minimal, the ride is improved, and the grip is too. What's more, modern wide rims are now being aero optimised around 30c tyres, so the aero penalty isn't much either.
What's more, wider tyres mean lower pressures, which in turn means tubeless works better. If you're on the fence, try wider, and you won't regret it.
Which road bike tyres are most comfortable?
There isn't really one tyre that's more comfy than any others, but it's a matter of tyre width. The wider you go, the lower pressures you can run, and the more cushioned the ride will be. Obviously, taking this to the extreme, anything with enormous balloon tyres will be super comfy, but also very slow. If you want to be more comfortable, try going up a tyre size if you can, and do some research to make sure you aren't pumping them up too hard - this is a really common mistake.
Are tanwall tyres better?
Tanwall tyres (i.e. the sidewalls of the tyre are yellow/brown/tan) are used to indicate that the tyres have a cotton casing. This cotton casing makes for a super supple ride, better grip, and a low weight.
Brands nowadays have caught onto the fact that tanwall=quality, and to some extent it's become the fashion, so many tyres that aren't cotton cased are available with tan sidewalls, where it can often mean a slight weight penalty of a few grams over the all black option.
My choice is to go for tan if they are actually cotton, like the Vittoria Corsa Pro, and black if not, like the GP5000 S TR, but really there is no tangible difference in real-world performance, so go with what your heart desires.
Are all road bike tyres tubeless?
No. Most high-performance options are now, though, as it is becoming the norm in the pro peloton, but many mid- and low-tier tyres are still designed for inner tubes only, so be sure to check before you pour any sealant in.
Are all road bike tyres hookless compatible
No. Hookless rims (i.e. rims with straight internal sidewalls) are an emerging standard that hasn't taken off entirely yet. As such, many tyres, especially those at the mid and entry level, aren't designed for use with hookless rims, which you only tend to find on premium rims (by which I mean carbon ones).
Be sure to check both your rims and tyres before embarking on fitting them up, as an incompatible combination could result in the tyre suddenly coming off the rim while riding.
Specs explained
Widths:
The different size options available for each respective tyre, written in teh format wheel-size x tyre width, ie 700c x 28. 700c is the most common wheel size for road bikes, but 650b also exists on some smaller bikes. Widths are measured in millimeters, and the common options are 25, 28 and 30.
Colours:
Most road tyres are available with a black sidewall, a tan sidewall, or a choice of both. Very occasionally brands get creative and offer colourful wheels, but none of those feature in this guide.
Rolling resistance vs GP5000 S TR:
We went to a lab and tested the rolling resistance of a load of road tyres. The easiest way to quantify the performance of each tyre was to say how it compared to a benchmark. We chose the Continental GP5000 S TR as the benchmark, and the difference is measured in watts.
Weight:
The weight of one tyre, in size 28mm unless stated, as measured by us.
Grip:
Tested by Bicycle Rolling Resistance, this is the average of the centre and edge grip. This is simply a 'score' system based on the friction coefficient, rather than a percentage or a 'score out of X'. But for context, the best score ever recorded by a road tyre, at the time of writing, is 86. And the worst is 55.
Puncture protection:
Tested by Bicycle Rolling Resistance, this is a combined score from three tests, which include a sharp needle, a blunt needle and a tyre thickness measurement. The best result from a road tyre is 116, and the worst is 21.
Hookless compatible:
A simple yes/no, depending on whether the manufacturer states the tyre is compatible with hookless rims or not.
What is rolling resistance?
This is effectively the drag of the tyre, or how much wattage is needed to push it forwards. It varies with pressure, and is a function of the tread pattern, the suppleness of the tyre carcass, and the rubber compound used.
Using latex tubes instead of butyl ones can drastically improve rolling resistance, as can swapping to tubeless.
How do we test?
We take testing seriously at Cyclingnews. We're increasingly applying quantitative testing to products we review. We've taken bikes, wheels and helmets to the Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub's wind tunnel to test their aerodynamic performance. We've also used the rolling resistance rig at the same facility to measure the rolling resistance of the above tyres and found out which road bike tyres are the fastest.
That's backed up by real-world testing, assessing a tyre's ride feel, speed, ease of use and durability over thousands of kilometres to bring you a balanced view of its performance.
You can read more on our How We Test page.
