The Vittoria Rubino is also available in 34
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Excellent value tire.
I’m not the guy who looks for years and years out of tires (and also as mentioned by another have a number of bikes so hard to track usage), but I’ve had no splitting issues - have replaced when tread looked worn. Had to have been north of 1k miles.
There’s Rene Herse - Bon Jons (35mm) are quite nice). While the XL are tubeless compatible, I prefer running them with latex tubes. Or Challenge Strada Bianchi (36mm). Gravel King Slick in a 35mm are also a decent choice with a tube.
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Another vote for GP5000s in STR format. Love them for the comfort, grip, and (arguably) puncture resistance. Had a go at the ASTRs but found them that much “deader” than the STRs and never went back. Not the easiest to install, but also not the most challenging, by far. Certainly, not a tyre you could mount with your thumbs, but I’ve had great luck with Schwalbe’s levers (that come with sliders on one end too, which are handy for holding the tyre bead seated in place, as you seat the rest of the bead towards it.
As an aside, I also leave them on for light gravel and dirt roads, and never had issues with them; (very) occasionally a little skittish, but love the ability to slide around a little now and then.
Thanks for the recommendations so far. Anyone tried the Hutchinson Blackbird or Blackbird Race tires?
I started using Enve Road 35mm tan, yesterday. They are pretty light for a 35mm tyre, weighed them at 318 and 320grams. Supposedly the full black version is even lighter, sub 300. Ride quality on pavement is good. During my first ride, the transition from riding straight up to leaning into a corner was noticeably different from what I’m used to (GP5K STR 30mm) and a weird feeling. I run them tubeless, on a 26mm IW rim.
Hi Raf
Are you able to elaborate on what you mean by noticeably different?
It’s as if the tyre wants to assist you leaning into the corner, whereas the Conti wants to resist that same movement (or at least is more neutral). There was a brief moment where I didn’t feel confident with that behaviour, but I got used to it pretty quickly.
I’ve been using the GP5000 in 35mm and I have no problems with it. Also, great durability, managed to eek out 4600 kms on the back on rubbish UK roads and I’m heavy.
René Herse - worth every penny IMHO
My wife is using her crux (4) as a road bike for the Marmotte soon and has just ordered some Michelin Pro 5’s in 35mm, yes they’re tubeless but will run with tubes in and were quite cheap compared to anything else. Also as mentioned above, the Strada Bianca in 33 or 36mm look nice, very supple, and about half price on Sportpursuit at the mo.
If it’s the UK roads you’re worried about then GP5000 all-season are a great choice. I’ve got them on my gravel / ultra bike and can’t fault them.
Obv not as fast as regular GP5000 but the puncture protection is really good, and they can handle UK some of the bits we call gravel in this country.