Finding the best winter tires that are reliable and tough is essential for enjoying the harder miles during the gloomy cold months.
Fixing a flat on the side of the road isn’t fun at the best of times, and when it’s 37°F / 3°C and raining sideways, it can be a day ruiner particularly if you’re spending the day riding in the rain.
The roads are generally dirtier in the winter months too, and the shoulders especially are littered with grit, meaning the probability of getting an unwanted puncture is higher than in the summer months.
So to help reduce the number of times we tend to a deflated tire in cold conditions, we’ve rounded up our tried and tested best winter road tires.
Better puncture protection comes at the cost of the speed enjoyed on the best summer tires, but still, it shouldn’t feel like you’re riding through molasses. The best modern winter tyres are able to fend off the sharp objects and road debris without being an unacceptable drag on your ride.
A set of dedicated winter tires can also save you money. The harder wearing compound will last longer than a faster, but less robust, summer option.
To find out what to look for in the best winter tires, head to our buyer’s guide lower down the page.
Best winter tires for road cycling
Why you can trust Cycling Weekly
Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
(Image credit: Future)
Designed to offer high puncture protection without undue rolling resistance, the Pirelli Cinturato Velo TLR tire is a good winter/training option. There’s an aramid breaker under the rubber with a second bead-to-bead protective area to help keep your sidewalls intact, while Pirelli says that its SmartNET Silica rubber compound “ensures grip safety in all weather conditions”.
There are five width options starting at 24c and heading up to 35c, so the Cinturato Velo tire caters for the whole range of clearances offered by modern road bikes and heads up into light gravel territory too.
Tubeless set-up was trouble-free and the riding was without punctures. They felt significantly faster than rival winter tires for road cycling too and coped admirably with a few gravel excursions on the way.
Read more: Pirelli…