Best road bike tyres 2025 — get more comfortable and faster with fewer punctures

When it comes to road tyres, Continental GP5000 has long enjoyed unparalleled popularity, and deservedly so. When it comes to the overall best tubeless tyre from our selections, the GP5000 S TR is a tyre with race-day speed and everyday durability. It brings some welcome upgrades to the already excellent GP 5000 TL, such as being a claimed 20% faster and 50 grams lighter per tyre, plus improved sidewall protection and compatibility with hookless rims.

Although still stubborn to fit on some rims, out on the road Continental's Black Chilli rubber compound has found a wonderful balance between grip and speed while not wearing out as quickly as many similar tyres. The TRs impressed us both in the wet and the dry with predictable cornering. They really are an all-around tubeless-ready package.

If you're still sticking to tubes and clinchers, the Continental Grand Prix 5000 Clincher is a good option and also featured in this guide further down. 

When it comes to clocking in thousands of miles, the Hutchinson Challenger TLR tyres have come out as top contenders in the category of durable training tubeless road tyres. Designed for all-season riding, these tyres boast ultra-longevity, exceptional puncture resistance, and a comfortable grip. With a claimed lifespan of up to 10,000km and high puncture resistance, they are particularly well suited for winter riding and endurance cycling. Installation is a breeze, and their compatibility with both hookless rims and traditional setups makes them versatile. Riders can expect a smooth and enjoyable ride with impressive grip in wet and dry conditions. While not the lightest option on the market, the fact you're unlikely to puncture and don't have to get another set anytime soon makes these an excellent investment for distance cyclists. 

Puncture-proof tyres have a habit of being heavy, cumbersome and exhibiting a "dead" road-feel. Not the Ridearmors though, despite impressing with their puncture resistance throughout the review period, it's their grip and road manners which earn them a spot on this list.

For years the Continental Gatorskins have been our go-to all-season tyre but without a tubeless-ready option, this is our new favourite when wanting to avoid swearing at the side of a road.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus tyres are essentially heavy-duty, ultra-reliable commuter/touring tyres that inspire unprecedented confidence without feeling sluggish or barge-like, as the 970g weight for a pair would imply. If swerving punctures is your main criterion in a commuting tyre (and let's face it, who wants to fix a flat on the roadside on a wet January morning?) the Marathon Plus is the tyre to go for.

Much of this is attributable to the Smart Guard system. This is essentially a clever sub-section of supple rubber designed to force sharps out, rather than drawing them in as deep-treaded tyres can. These roll along nicely and are still the first choice for many of our staff.

Unlike the name suggests, the GravelKing isn't actually a 'gravel' tyre as such, but it does excel in any kind of on-road/bad-road scenario. It's light, rolls along very well regardless of the terrain and is available in a large range of widths.  

Puncture protection is pretty solid, despite lacking the ProTite protection of the slightly more expensive 'Plus' version. The ZSG (Zero Slip Grip) natural compound offers low rolling resistance and low wear characteristics. A 35mm version weighs in at 309g per tyre, which isn't half bad. Our reviewer said that these tyres "will handle practically anything you can throw at them on road."

Our final verdict sums up these tyres well: "The ideal tyre for rough roads – very fast, very light and yet robust."

It's no wonder that they made it into road.cc Recommends!

The Pirelli P Zero Race 4S tyres impress with their grip in mixed conditions while feeling quick to ride. This non-tubeless version gives a summer tyre-like feel all year round and there is now a tubeless version available too. 

This latest version feature a new nylon puncture protection belt under the 120tpi (threads per inch) casing, which adds some extra resilience without adding much weight. It's also more flexible than most, which provides the Pirellis with an impressive ride-feel. The SmartEVO compound is a real highlight, offering grip levels rarely experienced in clincher tyres for year-round cornering confidence.

Pirelli's P Zero Race 4S is about as good as it gets for a fit-and-forget, year-round clincher road tyre, especially if you're after one with a light, grippy summer tyre-like ride quality.

The Continental Grand Prix 5000 is a hugely popular road tyre, and rightly so. It uses the BlackChilli compound, a Vectran Breaker puncture protection layer and three layers of 110tpi casing for a tyre that pretty much does everything well.

Take these out in the dry and traction is great, but more impressive is the wet weather grip. As far as rolling speed is concerned, they feel proper fast and this is backed up by strong results in independent testing. Bicycle Rolling Resistance's results show the GP5000 non-tubeless is not only significantly faster than the old GP4000S II, but nearly as quick as the Grand Prix TT all-out race tyre.

The cool thing about the GP5000 is that you get close to proper race tyre performance with training tyre longevity. If you aren't bothered about tubeless compatibility, this is one of the fastest, grippiest tyres you can fit. 

The Specialized S-Works Turbo 2BR 2Bliss Ready tyre is a standout option for those seeking impressive grip, particularly in wet conditions. These tyres provide you with confidence and stability when tackling corners at higher speeds. Setting up the tyre tubeless is a breeze, and despite a slightly higher weight compared to competitors, the overall performance and durability make these a top choice for both race days and everyday rides. 

Our reviewer George concluded: "They're grippy in corners, fast on the straight, and despite ceding a little weight to their rivals, they're no slouch when the road goes upwards too. I tried to find something I didn't like about these, but I genuinely struggled."