Hello! It’s Taku! Have you read the blog post I uploaded the other day, featuring my introduction as a new staff member and a look at my new MASH AC-2 build? This time, I’d like to share some tire recommendations from the perspective of a fixed-gear rider, including some items I briefly mentioned in my previous post.
At Circles, we carry a wide range of thicker tires meant for comfortable city and rough-road riding, but as a fixed-gear rider, I tend to prefer thinner tires for their sense of speed and agility. Also, skid tricks—which are unique to fixed-gear riding—feel better and are easier to perform with thinner tires. As someone who rides stoically and shreds those skids, here are the three tires I highly recommend!!
Recommended for those seeking all-around performance
[CONTINENTAL]
Grand Prix 4-Season
PRICE: ¥8,800 (tax included)
SIZE: 700x23c, 700x25c, 700x28c
First up is this tire: the CONTINENTAL / Grand Prix 4-Season. I touched on it briefly in my last blog, but it’s currently my absolute favorite tire, so I’d like to introduce it in a bit more detail.
The “4-Season” name comes from its ability to handle various conditions throughout the year. Thanks to its distinctive tread pattern, it provides excellent grip even on wet surfaces. I’ve used them for over 3,000 km on both the front and rear, and they still have enough durability to keep going.
Can you see that the sidewall has a subtle orange tint? This is due to the use of a material called DuraSkin, which is resistant to tears and improves sidewall durability. Furthermore, the VECTRAN BREAKER puncture protection material is used across the entire tire, so you can even ride on light gravel with confidence!!
Let me add another point I love about it. Tires focused on durability tend to be heavy and ride harshly. But this tire is different. It’s incredibly lightweight, has a relatively mild ride quality compared to other road tires, and even at lower pressures, it doesn't get sluggish in terms of rolling resistance. Of course, it still lets you enjoy that stoic, sporty road-tire feel.
Recommended for those who want speed and also skid
[CONTINENTAL]
Gatorskin DuraSkin Foldable
PRICE: ¥7,150 (tax included)
SIZE: 700x23c, 700x25c, 700x28c, 700x32c
Next is the CONTINENTAL / Gatorskin. As you might already know, the Gatorskin is a staple for fixed-gear riders who skid. Other common tires include the Vittoria Randonneur, Zaffiro, or the WTB Thick Slick. While those tires have their own personalities in terms of how they slide or ride, they often fall short on performance for a rider like me who values a more aggressive pace. This tire successfully combines high performance with the durability required to withstand frequent skidding. This model also features the DuraSkin material I mentioned earlier on the sidewalls.
Recommended for those who just want to go fast
[CONTINENTAL]
Grand Prix 5000
PRICE: ¥9,230 (tax included)
SIZE: 700x23c, 700x25c, 700x28c
Finally, the CONTINENTAL / Grand Prix 5000. I was genuinely shocked the first time I used the GP5000. For me, it shattered every convention I had about tires, and every other staff member here praises them as well. Unlike the two tires mentioned above, this one is built strictly for performance. The grip is great, of course, but what I want to emphasize is the sheer efficiency—the way it accelerates from the mid-range speeds of 25 km/h, and how smooth it is at maintaining higher cruising speeds.
I’ll be upfront about the downsides, too.
Even though the Grand Prix 5000 is amazing, it does have a few weaknesses. One is that the sidewalls are relatively fragile. You can prevent sidewall cuts by keeping a close eye on the road surface and avoiding areas with too much gravel or sharp stones.
Another point, which is generally true for Continental tires, is that they tend to crack sooner. This is, unfortunately, the fate of high-pressure road tires, so it’s somewhat unavoidable. To help prevent this, you can store your bike in a place away from direct sunlight, and if you’re not going to be riding for a long time, letting some air out of the tires can help slow down the cracking process.
Still, I highly recommend CONTINENTAL tires!
If you can accept those tradeoffs, these are the best tires out there. They do cost a bit more, but once you try them, the performance is so addictive that you’ll never look back! If you come by the shop when I’m here, you can even take my bike, which is fitted with the 4-Season tires, for a test ride. I definitely think it’s worth the splurge to give them a try. Let’s enjoy our tire life!!
It’s not just the tires I mentioned here—when it comes to tires, Continental is so great that they are the first brand that comes to mind. Do check them out!!
