What tyres for a racer?

[Jonny69]

It's new tyres time for the Jonny69 hack. Problem is I have no idea which ones to get or how much to spend

It's a classic Reynolds 231 frame, 12 speed and (luckily) 700c wheels so I can use modern tyres

Currently it's running some 25mm Hutchinson Excel kevlar tyres but I like the low rolling resistance of a skinny tyre and I think I want to swap to a 23mm wide. First question is I use this bike on the road, will a 23mm tyre be a problem with puncturing etc and should I stick to a 25mm tyre? Second question is I like the idea of a lighter tyre and I'm aiming for the 200g end of the spectrum rather than the 300g end of the spectrum. Again, is this likely to cause durability problems on the road?

I have a few options, ebay seems to be dead cheap compared to the local bike shop:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SCHWALBE-BLIZZARD-SPORT-TYRES-X-2-700x23c_W0QQitemZ320487680542

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pair-Continental-Ultra-Sport-Road-Tyres-700x23c-Black_W0QQitemZ310197800903

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Continental-Ultra-GatorSkin-700x23C-DuraSkin-Tyre-x2_W0QQitemZ300361339695

These look especially yummy:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2x-Schwalbe-Durano-S-Folding-Tyres-700x23c-White_W0QQitemZ370337953263

What makes a training tyre like the link below different?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2x-Schwalbe-Lugano-Training-Tyres-Black-Red-700x23c_W0QQitemZ310192423835

Also very yummy:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2x-MICHELIN-PRO-3-RACE-TYRE-MIC685005-RED-700x23C_W0QQitemZ370336392285

 

[Jonny69]

Cheers for the insight

What are slicks like on the road? There's very little tread on mine anyway and they have gone hard. Does a slick make a lot of difference on a tyre that skinny? I don't really ride it on the edge but I do like to be able to hit the brakes...

 

[Jonny69]

I went for Michelin Pro 3's in the end in bright red. I did Critical Mass last night so got some miles under my belt, changed the chain today and decided that the tyres are next, spokes, brakes and cut down bars soon...

 

[Jonny69]

Amazingly the old tyres weighed in at 175g heavier EACH than the new ones

Total weight of the bike is now a slender 9.4Kg with the lights on it, I make that a shade over 9.25Kg without the lights. Wow