We know that cycling in winter requires proper gear. Legs covered, a heavy jacket, shoe covers, gloves, and more. But in the colder months, Even the bike requires special "clothing", starting with the tires.
What are the differences between summer and winter tires? How can you best use them? We asked Diego Costa, a life as a top-level mechanic and now Head of Operations in Tudor Pro Cycling Team.
Diego, first of all, can you tell us what the differences are between summer and winter tires?
The main difference is in rolling resistance. With summer tires, you're looking for maximum performance and speed, but you're missing out on grip. The winter ones, on the other hand, have a more structured carcass, therefore slightly slower, but more adherentA difference that can also be seen in the weight.
At Tudor you are sponsored by Schwalbe, which models do you use and how much do they weigh?
During the season we always assemble the Schwalbe Pro One 28 mm, even for time trials. Instead, for the winter we give the riders The Schwalbe One 365 always 28, an all-season tire. They weigh respectively 260 and 360 grams, so as I was saying there is a big difference.
Does the puncture resistance also change?
Exact, in 365 they have the RaceGuard protection, plus a more robust carcass and a different compound. This means you pay a bit in terms of rolling resistance, but for winter training they are more than fine. Then it also depends on the weather conditions and where you live. We have Spanish riders who always use the Pro One, also to always have the same setup. At the same time there are other riders, for example the Dutch, who they use the 365s throughout the year.
And you don't feel this change between training and racing tires?
Very little I would say, because anyway we also play with pressure to ensure they have the same sensations. For example, by keeping the Pro One at a lower inflation.
Speaking of pressures, what are the right ones for the 365 winter model?
Speaking of the tubeless version, which I definitely recommend, we use them from 4 to 5,3 bar. In my opinion, even for amateurs during the winter It is certainly worthwhile to have a slightly more robust and safer tyre, and that's a great model. Even in terms of design, the 360 has the more pronounced grooves of the summer one, an important detail in this season, when the streets often remain wet even in good weather.
Let's go back to your choice during the races. Why did you opt for the 28 mm size?
We explored many combinations, did many tests, and that section, in the whole tire-wheel-bike system, it has proven to be the bestLast year, for example, we used 25 mm at the front and 28 mm at the rear, but this year we've only used the larger section. And we will stay like this for next season too. Except for the races on the stones, where we will use the Pro One but 30 mm.
Do any of your guys ride gravel in the winter? If so, what tires would you recommend?
Yes some riders who live in Northern Europe do it, too to diversify the preparation, but it's something they ask for directly. For gravel, an excellent option is the G-One Overland 365 by 40 mm, for which more or less the same considerations apply as for the One 365 road tyres. They are tyres four seasons, therefore with puncture protection and longer life, the right choice for those who use them at an amateur level without the obsession of competitive results
