Tires for Winter??

[Janusz]

Hello,

I want to buy a road bike, but I'm not sure what kind of tires I need yet.

I'll be riding year-round, including in winter, and I'm wondering whether I should go for 28mm tires or 30mm or 32mm. Comfort isn't my top priority; it's more about "safety," meaning I don't slide around corners.

I only ride on roads, and it's mostly good, but I'm still torn about the wet conditions.



Best, Janusz

Thanks for the answers in advance.

 

[hessenfloh]

Hi Janusz,

There are lots of threads about this here, I asked Copilot to make a suggestion and I guess it pretty much boils down to what I read here:

Here's a roundup of the best 28mm winter tires for road bikes, based on insights from cycling communities and expert reviews :

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Top-Rated 28mm Winter Tires​

Tire Model	Key Features	Community Feedback
Continental GP5000 AS TR	All-season version of the popular GP5000. Tubeless-ready, improved wet grip, and puncture resistance.	Highly praised for winter use. Riders note better grip and durability, though slightly heavier.
Continental Grand Prix 4 Season	Designed for year-round durability. Excellent puncture protection and wet-weather grip.	A long-time favorite for winter commuting. Many users stick with these year-round.
Vittoria Corsa N.ext	Tubeless option with good grip and comfort. Available in 28mm.	Some riders prefer it over GP5000 due to easier installation and solid winter performance.
Vittoria Rubino Pro Control	Reinforced casing for winter conditions. Good balance of performance and protection.	Considered a reliable budget-friendly winter tire.
Pirelli Cinturato Velo	Tubeless-ready, excellent grip and durability. Slightly wider than labeled.	Great for winter, though sizing runs large—28mm may measure closer to 30mm.

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Community Tips​

• Go wider if possible: Many riders switch to 32mm in winter for added grip and comfort, especially if your bike has clearance.
• Tubeless vs. Tubed: Tubeless setups reduce punctures but can be harder to install. TPU tubes are a lightweight alternative for tubed setups.
• Ease of installation matters: Some users avoid Continental tires due to tight fits, opting for easier-to-mount alternatives like Vittoria.

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Expert Advice​

• Winter tires should prioritize puncture resistance, wet grip, and durability over speed.
• Look for textured tread patterns and reinforced sidewalls to handle debris-strewn roads and cold conditions.
• Lower tire pressures (within safe limits) improve grip and comfort in winter.

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[Hans Werner]

The wider the tyre, the less air pressure is required. This means that the tyre can flex more and thus build up more grip. Therefore, it is better to use wider tyres in winter and in wet conditions.