6 Best Road Bike Tires 2021
If you are searching for a nice replacement for your road bike tires you just found the best. This guide will show you what are the best road bike tires and how to identify bike tires with great features and of the highest of quality.
Take a look at our in-depth analysis of some of the best tires and our chart which will show you what the market has to offer.
Top 6 Road Bike Tires Overview Chart
| Picture | Name | Size | Price | Rating (1-5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 1. Panaracer RiBMo PT Tire with Wire Bead, 700 x 25C | 26" | $$$ | 4.8 |
 | 2. Continental Grand Prix 4 Season | 28" | $$$ | 4.8 |
 | 3. Continental Gator Hardshell Urban Bicycle Tire with Duraskin | 27" | $$$ | 4.7 |
 | 4. Continental Gator Hardshell Road Tire - BLACK, 700 x 23 | 27" | $$$ | 4.7 |
 | 5. Continental Gatorskin Bicycle Tire (700x23, Folding, Black) | 27" | $$ | 4.5 |
 | 6. Vittoria Rubino Pro III Fold Tire (Black, 700 x 25) 25-622 Euro size | 29" | $$ | 4.4 |
Wire Bead Tires vs. Folding Tires
The main difference between these two type of tires is their base design. One allows the tire to fold and it’s easier for transport, for example under the seat as a reserve tire in case you get a flat tire. The other type can’t be folded because of the wires that are inside in the tires.
- Wire Bead Tires. The inner base of the tires is made of steel wires that go along the tire. Because of these steel wires they are heavier and because of this the wire bead tires have less threads than the folding tires. If more threads were to be added on the wire bead tires they will become heavier beyond any use.
Regarding the lasting life of this type, durability is not an issue. They have been used since the dawn of cycling and to this day they are still widely accepted for casual and competitive cycling.
- Folding Tires. The way these tires are constructed allows them to be folded and transported a lot easily. You can even have one below your saddle in case of emergency. Instead of steel wires they’re made from thin kevlar. Being lighter allows the manufacturers to put more threads on them, by that providing better grip and longer life of the tires. They’re regarded as the premium choice and can cost more, commonly used on competitive level.
You can find both types easily on the market as they’re both widely used. Pick the type that you find better, depending on your preferences.
Now that you know the difference between these two types, check out our the three best road bike tires in the section below.
3 Best Road Bike Tires Reviews
1. Panaracer RiBMo PT Tire
These tires will be on your wheels and function properly until you replace them. They will last longer than you expect them to and will perform excellent throughout their whole life.
They are excellent for commuting and for people who like to experience the thrill of more challenging road cycling. They virtually never go flat and will take you to your destination without any problems.
The wire bead maybe makes them a bit heavier than they would be if they were folding, however, for the price you pay you’ll have to settle with this tire as it’s as good as it gets.
The design allows them to transfer the force on the road effectively and efficiently. The grip is good and you won’t control over the bike even when turning.
Overall they are a real dream come true of every road cyclist. A perfect upgrade or replacement for your old tires. You will feel the difference, we assure you!
2. Continental Grand Prix 4 Season
Continental’s Grand Prix folding tires feature the brand’s well-known Vectran™ Breaker, which is made of LCP (a liquid crystalline polymer) that is both lightweight flexible. This material will offer you excellent cut protection, and the DuraSkin® sidewall layer will protect the casing in just about any scenario. Are you racing, working as a messenger, or a cross country cyclist? In either scenario, these tires are built to handle the road beneath you.
If you live in an area with a varied climate and distinct seasons (rain, snow, hot, cold, etc.), these are the right road tires for your bike.
3. Continental Gator Hardshell Urban Tire
A worthy contender and a well-deserved 3rd place, the Continental Gator Hardshell Duraskin Premium Wire Bead Tire can certainly be ranked among the best road bike tires.
It has a nice smooth design that provides nice grip and transfers the force effectively. Because of the composition of the tire, 3 layers 3 materials, this tire can give great results for a pretty darn long time.
The Continental Gator is a good choice to make, however it can’t compete with what the Panaracer RiBMo has to offer.
