What is a good 650c tire to get for my road bike?

[kaian]

I have a Trek 1500 WSD and I've been thinking about replacing the tires that are currently on it. Right now I have Bontrager Race Lites (650 X 25). They still have some life in them, but have small gouges in them, so I thought I might do better with something newer and lighter.

It is hard to find 650 tires and it looks like my only option is to switch to 650 x 23. I am not racing - I will mostly be doing medium to long distance rides (50 to 100 miles). What would be a good tire to go with? The two I am considering are the Hutchinson Fusion Air Light and the Michelin Pro Race 2. They are both "racing" tires, but I seriously have not seen any long distance tires in 650. I need tires that will last long for long distance rides and that will feel light, but sturdy on the road. I also don't want to spend more than $35 a tire.

Any suggestions?

[KnottedYet]

have you tried Rivendell's website? I'm not up to speed on the various sizes of tires, only on the kind my bikes take. But I know Rivendell has a lot of touring tires and 650s.

www.rivbike.com

I think LisaSH has 650s, you might ask her what she uses?

[kaian]

I looked at their site and didn't see much. They have some 650B tires, but I didn't see 650C. Thanks though.

[SadieKate]

http://www.biketiresdirect.com/

use the tire finder down the page

[kaian]

Thanks. I looked at that site, too.

Let me clarify - its not that I can't find tires - I was wondering which tires were decent. Does anyone have any first-hand experience with 650c tires that they like a lot? I want to get a good, solid pair and was just looking for recommendations. Thanks!

[Eden]

I have 650 Kenda Kaliente's on my winter bike and they've been very good performers. I don't think I had any flats with them even though the roads were pretty bad and they are still good light tires.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

have you tried Rivendell's website?

I think LisaSH has 650s, you might ask her what she uses?

No, we have 700 x 28mm tires on our Rivendells.

[GLC1968]

I ride a Terry Isis that has 650's. My Isis is a 2005 and it came with Panaracer Stradius Sport tires and I like them well enough. I don't race, but I ride club rides and long distance (centuries) and they've been fine. I went to look them up to check price, but it appears they don't make them in 650's anymore. The only Panaracer in a 650 is the Stadius Extreme which I'm guessing is pricey.

Terry now sells the Isis with a Schwalbe Stelvio tire and I've heard really good things about this tire. I'll probably switch to these when mine wear out.

[Kathi]

When I got my Serotta I put Michlin Pro Race tires on it. I really like how nice and smooth they ride.

For years I used the Continental GP 3000's, now the Continental 4000's.
http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle/ti%20grand%20prix%204000.shtml

Both tires come in 650c x 23.

Because I liked the Conti GP 3000's so much I'm thinking of trying the Conti 4000's when it's time to replace the Michlin's.

[Running Mommy]

I swear by continental Grand Prix 4000's. I started using them before IMAZ last year. Since then I have had ONE flat. And it was a total side wall blow out, so I must have really hit something!
They can be hard to find, but I love them! And yeah, they are 650 x 23.

[wavedancer]

I have Michelin Axial Pro 650-23c on my Cannondale. They have held up well. I replaced one after it got a slice, although I rode it for several hundred miles after the flat without any problems.

[kaian]

So I ended up finding some conti gp4000 tires for a good price on ebay. I just tried them yesterday and they are like BUTTA! What great tires! They corner well, are fast, and are soooo smooth. I can't believe I was torturing myself with those Bontragers for so long. I love these tires!

I think I am 2 MPH faster with these things and my bike feels lighter!

[melissam]

Kaian,

Good to hear that you're enjoying the GP 4000's. I'll keep them in mind when it's time to replace my tires. I had a set of GP's (not 3000's or 4000's) and didn't care for them. They felt much heavier than the stock Bontragers.

I have a set of Schwalbe Stelvios on my bike and have been absolutely thrilled with them. To me they feel light & responsive and they haven't required the use of my Road Morph frame pump while on a ride. (I type that last phrase with much trepidation -- I really hope I haven't jinxed myself.)

Just in case someone else comes looking, it sounds like TE folks have had good experiences with the following 650C tires (in no particular order):

Continental Grand Prix 3000
Continental Grand Prix 4000
Kenda Kaliente
Michelin Axial Pro
Michelin Pro Race
Panaracer Stradius Sport
Schwalbe Stelvio

-- Melissa

[Aggie_Ama]

When I had 650's I rode Gator Skins. Texas roads are just horrible for debris, I just hate changing a flat on a country road with no shoulder, big ol' trucks driving by and a drop off to a ditch. In a year of riding Gator Skins I only had one flat on the road and it was because I hit a HUGE rock dead on.

NOw they definitely aren't racing tires, but I loved those things. :)

[Triskeliongirl]

I use the schwalbe stelvio on all my bikes and just love them.