Road bike tire recommendations

[carolync]

I'm in the need for a new tire for my Ruby. I still have the original tires (Specialized Pro all condition) with 2000+ miles on them.

Was headed out for a ride and noticed I had a flat, front tire had a big slash, I guess I got home from my ride just in time.

Any recommendations on a good all purpose tire. I am more of a leisurely rider rather than any racer, if that makes any difference.

Should I replace my rear tire at the same time?

Thanks!
Carolyn

[indysteel]

I've always had good luck with Vittoria Rubino Pros. I used to get pretty good deals on them at probikekit.com, but I haven't purchased any for a while. The "right" tire depends, in part, on what kind of roads your ride. If they're in bad shape and/or you encounter debris and the like on a regular basis, you might want to go with a more puncture resistent tire.

[tulip]

I like Serfas Seca. I've also had very good experiences with Hutchinson.

I had a blowout on a new Michelin Pro Race, but alot of folks like them. Mine may have been defective, but since then I've just gone with what I know works.

[nscrbug]

I've had good luck with Vittoria Diamante Pro and Michelin Krylion, so those are my 2 "go to" tires.

[azfiddle]

We have so many thorns in Arizona that I use Continental Gatorskins. I think Armadillos are equally protective.

[Roadtrip]

I use Gatorskins on my Ruby as well... 700x25 as opposed to the 700x23 that came on it. I tried to put 28s on the bike, but ended up not having enough clearance.

Good Luck and let us know what you decided on.

Shannon

[carolync]

Thanks all! I like the idea of gatorskins. A friend of mine has the michelins and he like them. Occasionally I ride a short distance on a gravel trail, so that may be the way to go. I have a groupon for a LBS, but I do want to go in with some knowledge!

[OakLeaf]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Conti GP4000 yet. The other tire thread going on right now, that was 80% of everyone's choice. :p

I'm on my third front and fourth rear and just love them. They've got a nice round profile that gives my bike great handling (as opposed to the Michelins with their built-in flat spot - Michelins came on my bike and the difference was amazing when I changed them). I rarely flat (touch wood). I get about 2200+ miles out of a front and 3500+ rear, and I usually replace them before they're all the way down to the wear indicators. Plus they come in purty colors (in 23c, the 25c tires are black only).

[Crankin]

I've been using the Conti 4000s for years. Although the glass on the roads in NY on my tour got to the rear one, generally, they are great. I am more concerned with the ease of getting them off. I also had the Shwalbe Stelvios for a while and I liked them, too.
And my friend with the Gatorskins had a flat on the tour, too.

[pumpkinpony]

I've been using Bontrager Hard Case tires with good luck, and mainly because Trek frequently has them on sale for $25/tire. I don't always get the color I want though. :-)

[Desert Tortoise]

In reading reviews about road tires, some people commented the Gatorskins were slippery on wet surfaces. The exact model (ultra and something else I think) was not always mentioned but does that sound right?

Besides resistance to road debris, any other thoughts on feel and handling of the Diamante or Gatorskins? Thanks!


(Oak, thanks for mentioning handling on the GP4000. First one I've seen mention anything like that.:))

[nscrbug]

In reading reviews about road tires, some people commented the Gatorskins were slippery on wet surfaces. The exact model (ultra and something else I think) was not always mentioned but does that sound right?

Besides resistance to road debris, any other thoughts on feel and handling of the Diamante or Gatorskins? Thanks!


(Oak, thanks for mentioning handling on the GP4000. First one I've seen mention anything like that.:))

I love, love, love the feel of the Diamante (not a fan of Contis, so I won't comment on those). I often get caught in the rain and so end up riding on wet pavement...and that is where the Diamante really shines...very grippy! I should also note that I always run a tire liner in my tires, which really saved my butt on more than a few occasions. If you're not concerned with the extra weight, I would highly recommend tire liners if you ride in debris-prone areas.

[Desert Tortoise]

Thanks Nscrbug, I've been looking at the Diamante and was wondering about it. I avoid riding in the rain but sometimes after our monsoons the big puddles can linger for a long time.

The other problem after rains are the huge patches of sand. Usually they are big enough to see and go around or occasionally so thick I have to dismount and walk the bike, but often times they spread wide in a thin layer. But this really happens during the monsoon season which last at the most 2 months. And occasionally during the winter months. That said, grip and traction sure make a difference in that short time.

[carolync]

I didn't see the other tire thread, and I even did a search before posting! :)

Are the Conti GP4000 like the Bontrager's hard case? I have those on my Trek FX, and I find them an absolute bear to change. I like how durable they are for sure.

[Crankin]

No, the Contis are not "hard" tires. I get them off very easily with one tire lever.

[jdubble]

In reading reviews about road tires, some people commented the Gatorskins were slippery on wet surfaces. The exact model (ultra and something else I think) was not always mentioned but does that sound right?

Besides resistance to road debris, any other thoughts on feel and handling of the Diamante or Gatorskins? Thanks!


(Oak, thanks for mentioning handling on the GP4000. First one I've seen mention anything like that.:))

I ride Gatorskins all winter here in Portland where it's nothing but wet, and I've never noticed them being slippery. I also love the conti GP4000s. Those are my rest of the year tires.

[tzvia]

I just replaced my worn Vittoria Open Corsa CXs that I found too hard and uncomfortable, with Hutchinson Fusion2s and find them much more better. They feel light and responsive, handle the sand patches with aplomb, and ride much better than I thought they would based on appearance. They have less air volume then the Corsas, and don't look like 23c- they look thinner.

I'm glad I did not get the Fusion 3s though, the reviews I have read mentioned a weak bead and people are complaining of the bead failing and the sidewalls blowing ouit. The Fusion 2 does not seem to have that issue. I like them, but I think they are discontinued.

Another tire I like is the Vredstein Tricomp. They didn't last as long as the Corsas, but had a much better ride- smoother and not as jarring.

[Desert Tortoise]

Thanks, Jbubble. Winter in Portland, now there's a traction test.

Tzvia I hadn't thought of Hutchinson Fusion2, thanks. My first set of tires were Hutchinson and I hated them but am now realizing they may have been a very cheap model and that's why they didn't last.

dt

[carolync]

I ended up getting a Specialized armadillo. I had a groupon for the Specialized store, so I didn't have many options. Really hard to get on the wheel, I sure hope they live up to their reputation of being puncture resistant!

They have a customer who has over 10,000 miles on these tires.

I may try the Conti GP4000 next.

I'll report back if I notice anything spectacular -- good or bad when I take it for the first spin.

[Seajay]

In reading reviews about road tires, some people commented the Gatorskins were slippery on wet surfaces.

I wonder if its due to the slightly stiffer sidewalls? Generally Conti are popular here in rain.
Lots of folks run way too much air pressure too...that will make a tire mis-behave in all kinds of ways....in addition to being slow and uncomfortable.

[Mama Coosa]

I wonder if its due to the slightly stiffer sidewalls? Generally Conti are popular here in rain.
Lots of folks run way too much air pressure too...that will make a tire mis-behave in all kinds of ways....in addition to being slow and uncomfortable.

I'm always baffled at the high pressures some people run thinking it's making them faster. Just because the tire says it can handle 120psi doesn't mean you should run 120psi.

[Dogmama]

Love Conti 4-seasons. I also use Michelin Butyl tubes. They aren't sexy race tubes but they seem to resist punctures better. Had been getting slime tires for years but lately (last few years) the valves are garbage & the tube fails.

[Desert Tortoise]

Is there a difference between the Continental GP4000 S foldable tire and the Continental GP4000 S clincher?

Thanks!
dt

[OakLeaf]

I think all tubulars are foldable?? Anyway I'm pretty sure we're all talking about clinchers. I don't think the 4000 comes in a wire bead version (I just this minute found out it does come in a tubie!), but I could be wrong about that.

FTR, what I run is the 4000, not the 4000S. I'm not really sure of the differences, but I think the "S" is racier, it's 10 g lighter (ooooh! :rolleyes:).

[Desert Tortoise]

Ok, dumb question: tubular means it takes a tube?

I thought I saw on Continental's website that 'S' stands for black in German. Of course now that I went back to the website to confirm that, I can't find it.

So what exactly does "clincher" mean?

Thanks,
dt

[OakLeaf]

Clinchers are tires that are open on the side facing the rim. They use a separate tube to hold air, and they have a bead that holds the tire under a "lip" on the rim.

Tubular tires are round and closed all the way around the integrated tube. They are made of textile with tread material on the outward-facing side. On the inside, they are sewn closed (which is why tubulars are sometimes called "sew-ups") and glued to the rim, which has a closed concave outer surface.

Because the glue takes some time to cure, if you have a flat, you pretty much need to have a spare wheel ready, which is why hardly anyone uses tubies outside of racing. The advantage is that they're as close to perfectly round as possible - which gives them great handling characteristics - and they can take a much higher pressure than clinchers.

[CyborgQueen]

Ok, dumb question: tubular means it takes a tube?

I thought I saw on Continental's website that 'S' stands for black in German. Of course now that I went back to the website to confirm that, I can't find it.

So what exactly does "clincher" mean?

Thanks,
dt

The S is the Black Chili compound. I think for really nitpick cyclists these matters.


I've had some of my friends ride on really cheap $19 tires, and it lasted over 5k miles for them, while for others it lasts 1k. OTOH - I've had cyclist friends that have $60 tires (per tire...that's $120 total), and they get flat after flat after flat...

Tubes are expensive....and if you have a gash. you have to buy a brand new tubes tires. They have no inner tubes, clinchers do. Don't even bother with them unless if you're a serious cyclist/racer.

[Desert Tortoise]

Thanks for your help, Oak! I didn't know that about tubular tires. So that's why when people talk about tubular tires they either make a scrunchy face or get dreamy eyed.

Cyborg, ok the chili stuff.


Thanks!

dt

[nscrbug]

Yeah, tubulars are what you find on a lot of super expensive carbon wheelsets. You blow one of those and you're likely to be SOL. Unless you're a pro-racer with a team car following you, I'd stick with clinchers. :D