BTwin Resist 9 Road Bike Tyre

BTwin's Resist 9 Road Bike Tyre is a rugged bargain basement 700x25c complete with puncture-preventing belts, 60tpi casings and deep, water-channelling tread. You can get its wire bead sibling for less, but it's not a bad spec for a measly 13 quid (and you get 20% off if you buy a pair), although I recently reviewed a similarly priced but faster-rolling 120tpi LifeLine model for £14 which might be the better buy.

At first glance, the tread pattern of the Resist 9 looks quite aggressive, especially by contemporary tastes, and similar to that found on Vittoria's Randonneur series. Given that bicycles don't aquaplane, slick (but not bald) treads offer the most convincing grip, especially when it's raining dogs and you're blasting through the bends. However, manufacturers recognise that patterns are psychologically reassuring. Either way, bowling along at a steady 20-23mph, these BTwins have never missed a beat and corner very convincingly, in the wet or dry. More about that in a minute, let's look closer at the spec first.

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Their nylon casings feature a puncture-repelling belt – it's not Kevlar but pretty serviceable nonetheless, and it runs from shoulder to shoulder, affording better protection from sharps than the basic centre-strips. To date, even paired with budget butyl inner tubes, and on roads littered with glass, flints and other nasties, nothing has induced the dreaded hiss in 200 miles.

Predictably, the tread pattern quickly accumulated that familiar seasonal mulch which ultimately turns the tyre into a slick, while providing a convenient bed for grit and shards of glass. Save for the odd, superficial scratch, nothing has burrowed into the casings, which flush clean in a mile or so along wet roads, and they remain in rude health.

Which is just as well, since coaxing those folding beads aboard my traditional Mavic hoops proved something of a struggle, the bead tending to slither off before I could get the final 30 per cent on. My workshop tyre wand steamrollered them home in 35 seconds flat, but otherwise, we're talking three decent composite levers and strong thumbs.

Acceleration could never be described as sluggish, and rolling resistance is fairly minimal, but those 60tpi casings lack the supple comfort of those with higher tpi (threads per inch). That's not to say the ride was harsh, and with an operating range between 90 and 110psi, there's scope for fine-tuning.

Purchase, comfort and control seem optimal between 95 and 100psi. Greasy manhole covers and similar ironwork induced occasional, momentary loss of bite but feedback is pretty good and they've never turned bandit. I dropped ours to 90 on a particularly clear night when a frosty carpet was forming around every corner. Doing so bolstered contact and confidence. They've proved particularly handy on the fixer in these slippery contexts, where slowing down by holding off against the cranks trumps even progressive use of the front brake.

> Check out our guide to the best winter tyres here

In more moderate conditions, 32mph is as far as I've felt comfortable pushing them along 1 in 7s. Their blend of responsiveness and reliability is equally welcome through town, whether sprinting away from the lights, or weaving around opening car doors or distracted pedestrians.

While winter/club bikes would be my default recipients, their robust though sprightly personas translate well to lightweight/weekend touring. Personally, I would love to see a wider 28 or 32mm section added to the family for some additional comfort in these contexts, but the 25mm seems just fine for generic road duties.

Verdict

Reliable budget option for winter and general road riding