I made a jump back to road rubber recently. With a road trip in a few weeks I decided not to destroy a set of TKC's and go for something that would work better on the road.

My initial choice was Conti Escapes, but when presented with a set of Anakee 2's for �140 I though why not?

Firstly, for those of you who like to fit your own rubber, the Anakees are a <swearing> Pig. they are very stiff indeed and required lots of swearing to get them fitted. The bead is much stiffer and tighter than the TKC's.

Once fitted (along with a new carrier bearing) I took them out for a spin. I didn't actually notice any difference between the Anakee's and the TKC's (other than the TKC's were properly shot), or rather the Anakee's and new TKC's.

I found no greater grip, or confidence with the Anakees, but the do hold well and lossing the chicken strips isn't any great drama, even with only 50 or so miles on the tyres. The Anakee's do heat up much more than the TKC's and it's very noticable.

I've found them very well planted, on dry roads (can't go out in the wet as I destroyed my carrier bearing seal and am waiting for a new one) and under very hard breaking they don't fall into a skid like the TKC's can.

The bike feels much more twitchy, or rather it's much more responsive to minor steering adjustments which make looking around a little more hazardous than the TKC's.

OK, comparing TKC's with Anakee 2's isn't really fair, but that is the only comparison I can make - it's been a long time since I had road bias rubber.

I'm looking to see if there is any real improvement with regards to range (MPG), but it isn't a major concern. The real reason for change was so that I didn't kill off the TKC's with lots of road mileage, and the Anakees came it at a really good price.

<edit> One big problem with the Anakee 2's is what I call "gate trail", that is the contents of the field that tractors spread out onto the road at gates. The Anakees don't like the clumps of mud - but then they aren't really made for riding through mud at speed. The TKC's could deal with this hazard very well, the same goes for gravel.

I suspect the Anakee 2's aren't going to become a long term partner as I mostly ride back roads and gate trail is common place, but for the street they suit my short term needs.

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