The best tubeless endurance tyres will keep you rolling rather than fixing punctures, but won't sap the joy out of riding
Would you like to make your bike slower, heavier and less comfortable? Why yes, yes I would!
As unlikely as this answer seems to anyone who has ever ridden a road bike, it is exactly the question manufacturers have been asking us when they offer us their tubeless ‘endurance’ tyre ranges. Traditionally an endurance or winter tyre has been heavier than the summer or performance equivalent with more rubber and thicker sidewalls that not only add weight but also reduce the tyre’s suppleness and compliance making it less comfortable and slower.
So why should any self-respecting cyclist sign up for such an offer? It certainly isn’t the price, as all of these tyres are over £50 at RRP, some significantly so. Durability is the simple answer. The combination of tubeless technology, sealant, extra rubber and embedded layers of tough material means that these tyres should shrug off the kind of debris that typically litters roads over the winter, prove more resilient to pothole-induced damage and last significantly longer than lightweight performance tyres.
Nobody enjoys mending punctures with wet, chilled hands by the side of a busy A-road as lorries thunder past, so these tyres are designed to keep you rolling along and into the warm cafe fuss-free.
The news gets better though. As tubeless technology and puncture-proofing improve, these tyres are now able to offer the kind of ride feel and experience that is a world away from the winter tyres of old, hence why they are now commonly referred to as endurance tyres instead. They aren’t just for the dank days of type 2 fun but are a great idea for anyone who does big miles on variable quality roads or riders who’d rather be pedaling their bike than wrestling with tyre levers. Whilst they are still a little heavier and a bit slower than the performance alternatives, the margins are pretty small these days and the benefits are certainly enticing. As these tubeless tyres don’t have to use an inner tube, they can be more supple than their tubed endurance equivalents; they don’t have to concern themselves with protecting a delicate inner tube, giving them a more performance-orientated feel than you might imagine.
Endurance tyres are ideal for long rides
The tyres on test range from the spritely Continental GP5000 AS TR to the chunky Hutchinson Challenger, but all of them performed admirably over a couple of thousand kilometres on Derbyshire’s and Yorkshire’s rapidly crumbling roads. Mounting them and getting them to seal was a different story though, with some considerably more frustrating than others in this respect. There were times when the simple charms of an inner tube loomed large, and you could certainly be forgiven for trading the added puncture resistance of a tubeless setup for the mess-free certainty of a tube-type tyre.
However, I have run tubeless tyres on my gravel, summer, winter and mountain bikes for many years now, and despite their occasional frustrations and foibles, I believe they offer a noticeably nicer ride experience than the alternatives and fewer punctures.
For the purposes of the test, each tyre was inflated using an Airshot at 130psi and then ridden at 60psi, which is my usual pressure for 28mm tyres. I used one of our favourite and best-performing sealants, Muc-off No Puncture Hassle, with around 30ml per tyre, and each tyre was mounted onto my trusty Scribe Race-D wheels with an internal width of 17mm. It is worth noting that some manufacturers say that their quoted tyre widths are based on wider rims than mine, and so will naturally come up a little narrow on my wheels.
Best overall
Best overall
Easy to fit, holds air well and plush to ride; there is a lot to like about the One Tubeless tyre from Schwalbe. They come up quite wide though, which is great if you have the clearance, but older frames and rim brakes might cause problems with the larger sizes.
Almost as quick as the standard GP5000S TR, but with extra puncture protection, the AS TR feels rapid and grippy. A little more air volume wouldn't go amiss, and the price is pretty punchy.
How tubeless tyres should be; easy to fit, airtight and nice to ride. Perhaps a few percent behind the very best in terms of ride feel, but very impressive considering their genuine endurance credentials and protective technology.
If you want to breeze across continents or win the battle against potholed roads on the way to work, then the Challenger is the tyre for you. They are a little portly and a bit less frisky than the quickest of the tyres but the ride is fine and they are still the best option fit-and-forget option.
Pleasant to ride and straightforward to fit, the Vector 4Seasons are a decent winter/endurance option, but despite the Tubeless Complete claims, our setup needed very regular air top-ups. The comfort was good though and the puncture protection tech is pretty comprehensive.
A stalwart in Vittoria's range, the Rubino Pro has been around for quite a while. Ride quality is fine, if a little uninspiring but they were hard to mount and were poor at staying inflating initially. A middle-ground option between the racier tyres and the burlier ones.
The One Tubeless uses Schwalbe’s RaceGuard puncture protection. This sits bang in the middle of their protection rating system with a 4/7. There is a double layer of tough Nylon fabric that sits beneath the 67 tpi carcass to prevent anything from puncturing the air chamber in addition to the protection provided by the MicroSkin. Although the MicroSkin’s primary function is air retention to aid tubeless set-up, Schwalbe claims that it also adds a level of cut and puncture resistance across the whole carcass of the tyre.
There is a good range of widths available, from 25mm through to 32mm and a choice of three colours. The test tyres were a fetching bronze colour which looked particularly smart on my green winter bike.
The set-up
Both tyres were simple to fit and popped up onto the rim instantly, holding air straightaway. In fact, I didn’t have to top these up at all for the duration of the test so they get a lot of brownie points for ease of inflation - the constant topping up needed by some tubeless tyres is a big downside.
The ride
The One Tubeless were one of the widest tyres on test. Despite their nominal 28mm width and my relatively narrow 17mm internal width rims, they measured 29.5mm once inflated to 60 psi. They looked noticeably wide on the bike, and as you’d expected, provided a nicely cushioned ride and plenty of confidence - I even let a little air out after a few rides and at 50psi they were even better with seemingly no detriment to speed. They perhaps lacked the ultimate zip of the GP5000s, maybe not surprising given their size, but they rolled along beautifully with the kind of plush feel that you’d expect, providing good isolation from the plentiful road imperfections that are commonplace on my local roads.
These were my joint favourite tyres, and I didn’t want to take them off the bike when it was time to swap them over.
Our expert review:
The tech
An addition to the popular GP5000 range, the AS TR (All-Season Tubeless-Ready) is a beefed-up version of the high-performance GP5000 S TR, suitable for year-round use. The rubber is a little thicker and the familiar tread pattern slightly deeper for better wet-weather grip. There is an extra layer of 110tpi fabric used in the construction too. Puncture protection is in the form of Continental’s Vectran Breaker, a ‘synthetically manufactured high-tech fibre’ that they claim is tougher, lighter and more flexible than the nylon layer used by many tyre brands.
Uniquely in this test, the black GP5000 AS TR has reflective sidewalls for extra visibility when traffic approaches from the side (although this is an option on the Cinturato too). The cream version doesn’t get this. The lack of a 30mm option might be an issue for some.
The set-up
The GP5000 S TR is my usual summer tyre, but I have always found them pretty tight to mount, so I wasn’t looking forward to fitting a burlier version. However, a bit of deft tyre lever work and a blast from the Airshot had them popping and cracking onto the rim fairly easily; with 60psi in them, they matched their sidewall markings and measured the full 28mm. The sealant did its job and the tyres held air overnight, ready to be ridden, but did require top-ups every few days or so.
Continental GP5000 AS TR with reflective sidewalls
The ride
These tyres felt the quickest. There wasn’t any suggestion that the tyres were holding me back on the club run despite their extra protection and I would happily ride these all year round I think. The ride wasn’t quite as supple as the Ones or the Cinturatos perhaps, but they had a sprightliness that the others lacked; it may well be the extra reflective section that stiffened up the sidewalls ever so slightly, but the BlackChili rubber felt great both in terms of grip and speed whilst the Vectran breaker certainly didn’t seem to make the tyres feel turgid or dead.
The Velo is part of Pirelli’s second-tier Cinturato range which is less race-orientated than their P Zero offerings, but should still provide good performance with some additional durability. Armour Tech combines a kevlar under-tread strip with a layer of puncture-resistant material that runs from bead to bead whilst the SmartNET Silica rubber promises wet-weather grip and enhanced mileage. Pirelli has made the sipes on the tyre deeper than usual to help clear water and proved better grip in marginal conditions. There is no 30mm option, although there is a 35mm and there are three colour choices including a commuter-friendly reflective version.
The set-up
The only tyres to go on without tyre levers, so I was a little concerned that this looseness might cause tubeless issues, but they went up and stayed inflated with no drama whatsoever. If all tubeless road tyres were this easy I’m sure that there would be many more converts. They inflated to a comforting 29.5mm with a nice round profile.
The ride
At the heavier end of the spectrum, the Cinturato Velos have plenty of rubber depth and a good width, but on the road this weight was well hidden and they rolled along nicely. The ride was supple, despite the lowly tpi count and copious rubber, helped no doubt by the added volume on offer. I never felt that they were lacking in grip even though they haven’t done a single dry mile during the test period. I think that on a wider rim and with lower pressures they’d be even better.
AIRSHIELD is Hutchinson’s name for their technology that makes the tyre airtight, with no sidewall porosity thanks to an integrated butyl layer. There is also a coating around the bead to prevent air leaks. Hutchinson is so confident in the AIRSHIELD technology that they suggest the tyre can be run without any sealant at all, particularly as the HARDSHIELD puncture protection should prevent most flat tyres. This mixes a polyamide reinforcement beneath the whole tread and a very tough Aramid strip that runs just under the centre of the tyre where it contacts the ground most. Strangely, there is a 30mm option for the tube-type tyre but not in the tubeless range.
The set-up
‘Hmmm, that’s a lot of rubber’ was my first thought when I unboxed these beefy tyres, and I prepared myself for a big battle to get them onto the rim. I couldn’t have been more wrong though, and they went on with just the slightest nudge from a tyre lever. Furthermore, inflation was instant and they didn’t seem to lose a jot of pressure, so AIRSHIELD certainly seemed to work. What was also noticeable was that when I removed the tyres, the sealant was still very fluid and hadn’t stuck to the inner tyre wall at all. In the event of a puncture, this would have left loads of sealant to fill any hole rather than being smeared around the inside of the tyre like normal.
Subjectively, the Challenger was at the slower, harsher end of the performance range when compared with the other tyres on this test. But, and it’s a very big but, it did not lag behind by very much and offers some huge advantages over the other tyres. Ease of tubeless set-up and the effectiveness of AIRSHIELD cannot be underestimated. For many riders, the Challenger would be the best fit-and-forget option available for commuting or touring, especially when coupled with its claimed 10,000km life span. I measured 7mm depth of rubber, so it’s no wonder they can last so long. For such a chunky tyre the ride quality is very good, and in isolation, there is nothing much to complain about - perfect for the daily commute or continent-crushing missions.
Our expert review:
The tech
There are three strings to the Vector 4Seasons’ bow in terms of technology. The main puncture resistance is provided by the combination of an R:Shield strip under the tread and R:Armor bead-to-bead reinforced anti-cut material. Dynamic:Silica4 rubber offers improved wet weather grip and abrasion resistance whilst keeping rolling resistance to a minimum according to Goodyear and the tread cap is wider for a larger contact patch. The final element is the ‘Tubeless Complete’ liner that improves air retention and adds a further line of defence against punctures. Four widths and two colour options should cater to most riders.
The set-up
Installation was straightforward enough with a couple of tyre levers and a quick blast of the Airshot, but, despite the Tubeless Complete claims, both tyres needed regular top-ups before riding. Not the end of the world, but they did not hold air as well as some of the other tyres on test and it would become a bit tedious on a multi-day trip. On the plus side, both weight and width were pretty much bang on, so on wider rims, they would offer even more volume.
The ride
The Vector 4Seasons absorbed the vibrations and imperfections pretty well, making them comfortable and relaxing on longer rides. I didn’t feel that they quite had the zip or performance of the Schwalbes or Continentals, with a slightly more draggy and less responsive feel but they were by no means bad to ride - unless you rode them back-to-back you wouldn’t notice a difference I’m sure. I had no issues with grip, despite some pretty grim weather conditions and some deliberately severe brake tests.
Our expert review:
The tech
Vittoria’s headline tech is the Graphene 3C Compound, which is shorthand for the fact that they use rubber infused with graphene in various formulations so that the centre of the tyre has a low rolling resistance whilst the shoulders are grippier for cornering and the sidewalls provide good stability. 150tpi is one of the higher thread counts on offer here, so it should give a more supple ride, particularly as there aren’t any specific anti-puncture measures in place beyond the rubber compound and the nylon casing.
The set-up
These had me resorting to my tyre pliers at the end of the installation (although my threshold for this is pretty low to be fair), but they did inflate at the first attempt. Disappointingly, though, they took five days of reinflations, sloshing, jiggling and general faff before they would hold air for any length of time. This effectively meant that it was five days before I was confident enough to take them on a decent ride. This may have been bad luck or poor technique, but both tyres behaved similarly. Width wasn’t far off at 27.5mm and weight for both tyres was slightly under that claimed by Vittoria.
The ride
The ride was actually pretty plush for an endurance tyre, with a decent level of vibration absorption and rough-road comfort that was not too dissimilar to the GP5000 AS TR. They didn’t feel as rapid though with a slightly draggy demeanour - not the kind of thing you’d notice riding on your own but it just felt like a bit of extra effort was needed to keep up when riding with others. The Graphene 3C Compound felt fine grip-wise, but the rolling resistance suggests that Vittoria has erred on the side durability rather than speed.
First and foremost, I didn’t get a single puncture during the test, despite some terrible roads and poor weather conditions, so objectively I’d have to judge all the tyres equally from that point of view. Similarly, I didn’t fall off my bike either, so grip levels on all the tyres must be adequate for me at least. I’m very happy about both of those results!
Despite their common moniker of ‘endurance’, I think these six tyres fit into three distinct categories after riding them, meaning that any of them could be considered ‘the best’ depending on your exact criteria and requirements.
The GP5000 AS TR and One TLE offer the best performance, with very little given away to their summer siblings. I would happily fit either of these to my summer bike or ride them all year round. The Schwalbe has more volume for a given size and holds air better whilst the Continental felt slightly quicker but a little less supple. Bonus points to the GP5000 AS TR for the reflective sidewalls, but points off for the frankly eyewatering price.
The next grouping contains the Vittoria Rubino Pro and Goodyear Vector 4Seasons. These both balanced the need for protection and durability with decent performance in a more traditional feeling winter/endurance tyre. The Vector edges this contest for me, with a more lively ride and easier tubeless setup, 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.
The final pairing is between the two heavyweights; the Hutchinson Challenger and Pirelli’s Cinturato Velo. The 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 excellent value. However, the superior ride quality, greater volume and equally straightforward tubeless setup 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 One TLE that will be going back on my bike for my usual two or three-hour winter rides, closely followed by the Cinturato. It’s the tan sidewalls of the test Schwalbes that tip it for me in all honesty, both are excellent tyres.
Endurance tyres can still be fun to ride
Perhaps the real question should be 'Why wouldn't I use an endurance tyre?', the Continental GP5000 AS TR, Schwalbe One and Cinturato Velo tested here all offer excellent speed and comfort along with the added benefit of extra puncture protection and durability. For amateur riders in real-world scenarios, endurance tyres make a huge amount of sense. Given the increasing cost of all tyres, it is only sensible to try and eke out as much life from them as possible by choosing rubber that will last longer and provide better value.
Also, no one enjoys mending punctures mid-ride, but this goes double when the weather is cold and wet so it makes sense to use tyres that have better puncture protection during the winter months.
However, there is something undeniably special about the feel of a fast set of wheels and supple, lightweight performance tyres, which is why most of us make the swap for the summer months. Either way, the endurance options are now better than ever.
It's no secret now that wider tyres are faster than narrow tyres, so it makes sense to choose a wider tyre - 28mm to 32mm for a tubeless road tyre is a good compromise between weight, rolling resistance and comfort. Make sure that there is sufficient space between the tyre and the frame or brake calipers though; around 4mm on either side at least.
All the tyres tested here had a nominal width of 28mm as this is one of the best-selling widths and will fit most bikes whether they have rim or disc brakes. However, the measured widths varied by over 2mm on the same rims, so make sure that the specific tyre you choose fits your frame.
A wider tyre with more air volume can be run at a lower pressure than a narrower tyre, so will go a long way towards mitigating the less supple ride of more robust endurance tyres.
Endurance tyres are perfect for winter training
Despite tubeless tyre fitting sometimes feeling like more of an art than a science, after mounting hundreds of tyres I’d like to think I have a pretty high success rate. Here are my top tips for a painless experience.
1. If you are starting with a new rim and need to fit the tape, make sure it is wrapped very tightly. Keep the tension on as you stick it down and follow the tape manufacturer’s instructions about how much to use.
2. If you are replacing an existing tubeless tyre DON’T clean the rim up too much. A bit of liquid sealant around the edge of the rim will help the tyre pop onto the rim more easily. Do clean up an excess sealant or dried residue though.
3. Don’t forget to check the tyre’s rotation direction before mounting, and ensure that the tyre logo and valve are aligned (if you are that way inclined).
4. Aim to finish mounting the tyre at the valve, and push the valve up into the tyre at the end to make the final stage easier.
5. If the tyre is being stubborn, make sure that the tyre beads are sitting in the rim bed all the way round the wheel to create as much slack as possible.
6. Another tip for difficult tyres is to leave them by a radiator for a while before fitting to make them more supple - a brand new tyre and a cold garage or shed is the hardest combination.
7. After mounting, prise a small gap with a couple of tyre levers to add the sealant, or remove the valve core and add the sealant through the valve. You can skip this step though and add sealant afterwards once good inflation has been achieved if you prefer.
8. Check that the tyre’s beads sit on either side of the valve, not over it, and that the valve is very securely tightened in place for a good seal.
9. Use a tubeless tyre inflator for easier inflation. You can first try it through the valve with the core in place first of all, but if that doesn’t pop the tyre onto the rim then you can remove the valve core and do it that way.
10. Once the tyre has popped into place, if the valve core is in place and the tyre has sealant, add a few more psi to help the sealant find any holes (but don’t exceed rim or tyre limits) and then remove the pump/inflator and spend a few minutes spinning, shaking and generally jiggling the wheel so that the sealant is well spread out through the tyre.
11. If you had to remove the valve core, then add a few more psi and leave the system together with the tyre inflated for a couple of hours to help the tyre settle onto the rim. You should then carefully deflate the tyre with your fingers crossed that it doesn’t pop off the rim, then replace the valve core and inflate with a track pump.
12. Bonus tip - if you are really struggling to get the tyre to pop onto the rim, then start by inflating it with an inner tube. This should stretch the tyre onto the rim and even when you have removed the inner tube, at least one bead will be left in place. This is much better done before any messy sealant has been used though!
A lot of tyre testing is rather subjective, as aspects like grip, feel and rolling resistance are very hard to measure objectively. Even more measurable characteristics like puncture resistance, ease of fitting and air retention might vary on any given day and certainly some tyres and rims work better together than others. However, all the tyres were fitted to the same wheels using the same tools with the same sealant and, notably, it seemed that both tyres in each pair behaved very similarly so the conclusions should be reasonably representative. The tyres were also all fitted to the same bike and ridden on the same roads, so the frame's characteristics were consistent and any differences in feel can fairly be attributed to the tyres.
