what to look for in a road tire

I think I'm going to be needing some new tires soon, the ones currently on my bike have some tiny hairline cracks in them, and I don't want that to be something I'm worrying about when the Bike to the Beach comes in October. I also don't know where they've been or how long they've been on there since I got the bike used... Do you guys have any suggestions on what to look for in a good road tire? I remember a post or two a while back on requests for spring road tire suggestions, but I'm thinking of looking through the closeout catalogs, and want to have some general guidelines in case I find something on sale...

Thanks :)

I highly recommend kevlar tires. A little heavier but VERY flat resistant. I went on a 420 mile road tour this summer with plenty of crappy roads, glass in the road, etc. and never once got a flat. In fact, I can't remember the last time I had a flat with those tires.......... (they were specialized turbo sport w/ kevlar bead)

Good Luck!

Tires should be affordable, handle predictably, get up to speed quickly, inspire confidence, ride comfortably, seldom go flat, and last a long time.

SURPRISE! No tire does all of this. I like Conti Ultra 2000 or Panaracer Paselas on the cheaper end and Michelin ProRace, if you can mount them, for higher performance.

I've been running Schwalbe Stelvio tires on my road bike and Conti Top Touring tires on my touring bikes - and I've been very happy with both. Amazing that these tires come in 406 & 451 sizes as well as the more standard 700 and 650.

--- Denise

Kevlar have been good for us...

Sheldon Brown says tires with hairline cracks don't need to be replaced:

"Cracks in the tread are harmless. Small punctures in the tire such as are typically caused by nails, tacks, thorns or glas slivers are also harmless to the tire, since the tire doesn't need to be air-tight."

That said, I think I'd like the peace of mind before a big ride, too.

I got Conti Ultra 2000's when they were on sale at SuperGo. When they arrived and I discovered they were an ugly brown, I was a little disappointed, but used them anyway. So far I've ridden them about 900 miles over glass and the usual thorny desert debris, and not a single flat. (Hope I didn't just jinx myself!) It was my first time buying road tires, and I was tempted to go with the pricey tires, but my checkbook said no. What do you others think: Can the average, non-racing rider like myself actually feel the difference with the expensive tires, or is it just an extravagance better saved for those that count every second?

Thanks for the suggestions guys! Now all I have to do is start shopping... :D

Jan... when you're a racer it matters, but you're dead on! For us recreational types who look at the plants growing by the road, and the butterflies etc it doesn't matter...my bike came with race tires but after 9 flats in 3 WEEKS I switched to Continental DuraSkins (aka Gatorskins)... they're only about $40 out here and while they roll a little slower supposedly, at my speed who can tell a difference??? I figure any time I lose, I make up for by the time I save not sitting on the side of the road changing a flat!