GOODYEAR EAGLE ALL SEASON TYRES

362g (each) 700x30 (622-30) Folding Tubeless (as tested) £60 each

Tubeless set-ups have so much to offer, so it’s no surprise that Goodyear have entered the market on their return to bicycle tyre manufacture. The Eagle All Season looked very much road, rather than gravel or rough stuff where tubeless really can make a lot of difference. On the other hand, our test models were toward the chunkier end of the range, so suggested some mixed serviceprowess. On the road, and cycle track. They’ve performed very well.

Pros: lively, sure, good pressure range.

Cons: not easy to fit, in my experience.

Tyre tires bicyle cycle goodyear eagle all seson tubeless

Spec 3.75/5

The Eagle All Season has a smooth centre with side “siping.” Initially this put me in mind of Schwalbe’s Marathon Supreme touring tyres, and the similarities did not end there, although the latter tubed tryes. The tread design is intended to give excellent grip in the wet without inhibiting rolling. The compound is Goodyear’s Dynamic:Silica4, although they’ve understandably been cagey about specifics.

Part of Goodyear’s Tubeless Complete system, which I take to mean as compatible with tubeless conversion kits on non-tubeless specific compatible rims. If you are in doubt about the suitability of your rims, seek professional advice.

R:Armor puncture protection provides a strong carapace from bead to bead. Goodyear describe it as a “lightweight nylon race fabric.” They come in a lot lighter than their Goodyear County Premium and Transit Speed compatriots. Mind you, they’re really aimed at adventure and commuting cyclists, as opposed to these speedier tyres for road-orientated mile-munchers.

There’s no reflective strip, but the logos add a little brightness.

They are available as 700×25, 700×28, 700×30, 700×32 versions, ranging from the distinctly racy to the weightier road tourer.

Fitting 3/5

A good tight fit is reassuring, especially on tubeless set-ups. Even so, Hercules’ big brother was called upon to get them onto my H Plus Son rims – and the long-handled wand-type tyre lever. Things got easier with use, but they’re still a long way from finger fitting on those rims.

On Mavic 319 and Ryde Sputniks they’ve been similarly snug. I can generally seat most tyres with fingers and thumbs only, but the Eagles are too tough for mine.

tyre tires bicycle cycle goodyear all seaon tubleless eagle

Of course, that’s not a problem with tubeless systems, unless you find yourself mid-ride with an emergency requiring a switch to tubeless – unlikely, but something I’ve seen a few times

It should be pointed out that all rims had been adapted with tubeless conversion kits; in this case Joe’s No Flats Universal Kit and Schwalbe’s Tubeless Easy Conversion Kit.

Though not strictly necessary, fitting these with a tube is hard work – too easy to pinch puncture. Having bust one Pedros lever, I managed to get things seated and inflated with the wand tyre lever, but it’s not a happy prospect when out and about in the rain. Certainly, the Goodyear’s County Premium and Schwalbe’s G-One All Round needed much less effort to mount on the same rims.

Handling/Rolling 4.25/5

Aimed at the road cyclist, primarily, you’d expect decent rolling. You get it, although at the max 80psi it was a fairly harsh ride over anything but the smoothest asphalt, compared, say, to Schwalbe’s tubed Marathon Supreme. In fact, at 38mph on a typical minor road descent, things were a little bouncy. Reducing pressure to 70-75psi was more comfortable, especially at higher speeds. Bearing in mind that I’m not a real speedster, there was little obvious impact on rolling. It became my default. However, I can’t imagine time-triallists on the 700x25 version would chose comfort over speed.

Cornering is assured and there have been no nasty moments on ironwork. This bodes well for winter when running lower pressures can make a real difference to safety. Similarly, braking on wet roads has been comfortable.

Although gravel is not in their purlieu, taking these at a moderate 13-14mph over dry compacted farm tracks and gravel has been no problem. Cornering needs a bit of care off-road, but that is only to be expected.

Loaded for touring, they’ve been sure-footed, even at the max 80psi. Similar behaviour when hauling the grocery trailer home augurs well for adaptability for road use.

Puncture Protection 3.5/5

Well, with tubeless it is hard to tell. Plucking a spiny twig of hawthorn from it proved that the sealant had done its job. Mind you, in my experience hawthorn will go through just about anything – even my old fave Marathon Pluses. More favourably, I came through other hedge-cutting unscathed, even when both companions punctured.

Durability 3.5/5

Difficult to comment on at this early stage. However, after some three hundred varied miles, there’s no sign of injury. I’d expect many miles of road use.

Value 3.75/5

Sixty quid is a fair old lay-out for a tyre. The Eagle All Season offers a lot. For an all-round tubeless tyre, I prefer slightly more expensive Schwalbe G-One All Round. It offers a lot of gravel and cross prowess, and is not too far behind on rolling on the road. However, The Eagle – especially the 700x30 we tested – outscores it for purely road use over longer day and Audax-style rides, in my opinion.

Vee Tire Co’s Rolldiac, with a similar profile, offer less puncture resistance, and are heavier when tubes are added, but are very reliable, if ‘slower’ road tyres, at about two-thirds of the cost.

Vittoria’s Voyager Hyper tyre is, again, cheaper. Heavier – even more so when tubes are thrown in – it may offer a bit more in the way of long-weekend touring at lower speeds.

Conclusion

Once fitted, I’ve really enjoyed covering lots of road miles on these sprightly but comfortable tyres. I’m used to touring and utility riding on anything for 700x28 to 700x32. The Eagle All Season have been perfect for those longer day rides – on road – offering sure handling, pacey rolling, both mixed with a good deal of comfort.

Verdict 3.75/5 Lively, tubeless road tyres for longer day rides, but at a price.

Steve Dyster

https://paligap.cc/product/components/tyres/road-tyres/eagle-all-season-tubeless-road-tyre/

PUBLISHED JUNE 2019

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