Schwalbe shows the way
Id dn’t get a single puncture during this test so I’d have to score all the tyres equally on that front. I didn’t fall off my bike either, so grip levels on all the tyres are adequate, for me at least. Despite grouping them under ‘endurance’, I think they actually t into three categories.
e GP5000S and Schwalbe Ones offer the best performance, with very little given away to their summer siblings. I would happily t either to my summer bike. e Schwalbe has more volume for a given size and holds air better, while the Continental felt slightly quicker. Bonus points to the GP5000 for the re ective sidewalls.
e next category contains the Vittoria Rubino and Goodyear Vector, which both balanced protection and durability with decent performance in a more traditional-feeling winter/endurance tyre. e Vector edges this contest for me, with a more lively ride and easier tubeless set-up, whereas my particular rim and Rubino Pro combination struggled to hold air. I’m sure that the Rubino’s relatively affordable price and low weight could balance this out for some people though.
e nal pairing is between the two heavyweights: the Hutchinson
Challenger and
Pirelli’s Cinturato Velo. e Challenger is an impressive tyre with huge durability, incredible air retention and comprehensive-looking puncture protection – for many applications it would be the perfect tyre. It’s also inexpensive, which coupled with the claimed mileage, makes it great value.
However, the superior ride quality, greater volume and equally straightforward tubeless set-up of the Cinturato Velo means that for my winter riding I’d choose the Pirelli if pushed.
As for an overall winner, it’s the Schwalbe Ones that will be going back on my bike whenever I need a durable tyre whatever the season, closely followed by the Cinturato; both are excellent tyres.
“I didn’t get a single puncture during this test”