Cheap Tyre Review.

I had a $20 Duro 700c x 25mm tyre lying around so whacked it onto the commuter. 30 k's a day for about 9 weeks saw it do approx. 1300k's. I was a bit dubious about a skinny lower pressure tyre (max 100psi) - it seems to be a bit contradictory as you don't get the resilience of a higher pressure tyre, particularly as with panniers & myself on, the bike is probably around 115kg.

First step was to fit it, along with a Mr Tuffy kevlar strip. No problems, the structure is noticably softer and less stiff than more expensive tyres. Ok, inflate to pressure, again, no problem.....detach pump, walk away and ....bang! Pressure has lifted bead off and tube bulged out the side and exploded. Try again - inflate to 80psi, ride around a bit to seat bead & then inflate fully. Works ok.

Off to work, tyre rides ok, although the lower pressure is noticable. Traction is excellent, even in hard cornering - a function of the softer compound. I had no complaints about the tyre during use as it did the job; I only had one flat toward the end of they tyres life, which wasn't very long in the scheme of things. 

Eventually the tyre wore - probably at a 'skid point' - and deformed to the point that I first thought I'd broken a spoke (see attached pic). 1300km's is not very far in the scheme of things, and although the tyre performed well while it was on, its replacement (a Schwalbe Blizzard) gives a stiffer, faster ride and doesn't wear anywhere near as fast.

So, not worth it really - on a bike that you are just taking to the shops, maybe, but any sort of regular riding the tyre just wears too fast, and the idea of a 100psi 25mm tyre seems pointless anyway.