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So. My roadie has Conti Ultra Sports on it and thus far I'm averaging a puncture every other ride; the last one was caused be a stone wedged into the tyre, for feck's sake. :eek: I know there are some pretty bomb-proof tyres out there, but I don't want something heavy and sluggish and all, just less likely to let me down (no pun intended) than what is on there at present. Any ideas?
Here are some reviews for the Continental Ultra Gatorskin. I haven't got enough miles on mine yet to give a review.
Gatorskins are what Chris and I use and they hold up well. We also finally got sick of tandem flats (after many) and put some Mr. Tuffy liners inside the Gatorskins on that bike. That helped a LOT.
I was having the same problem with the same model of tires (although mine were getting a bit older than yours are). I got some new tires from Scotty Brown's based on a recommendation from the women who works there (can't remember her name but she's great) when I specifically said I was looking for a puncture resistant tyre. They are heavier than my old ones if you look at the specifications, but I can't say I've really noticed sluggishness. I can't remember what they were (I'll check over the weekend) and get back to you but I haven't had a puncture since I got them
Gatorskins keep me puncture free :)
C
Armadillos (by Specialized) are good, too. :)
Vittoria Randonneurs are nice, double walled, not sluggish that I've noticed. Not as tough as Gatorskins, probably. Are you riding through some harsh conditions?
What's the tire all you chickies in Goathead Country use?
Did the problem start after your visit to SF? If so, maybe you're just cursed now :p.
Even I've had good luck with Gatorskins :).
Why yes, it did. :p
ETA: Actually, my problem with punctures started during my visit to SF really, so it must definitely be a curse. It's a bit embarrassing just how long it takes for me to figure out I've got a flat on the roadie - not quite like the feeling of dropping anchor that you get on the mtb's big fat knobbies. :o
I have these on all my bikes. Excellent tires. Have ridden over glass, etc. with no problems.Quote:
Originally Posted by Dianyla
I like both Gatorskins and Armadillos. I also use kelvar belted tire liners (spin skins) which are a pain to install at first, but worth the effort.
I've ridden conti sportts and never really had a problem and this was when I lived in the SF Bay Area. Michelin has a good light weight tire and also specialized tires foldable are okay too.
Armadillos are way too heavy - yes they are bomb proof but for me that is just too much rotating weight. I would only ride those if I was around a bunch of thorns, goatheads, and such a lot, but I am not.
I know you know what you are doing but did you pump up your tires before each ride to 110 or so? Road tires tend to lose air a lot quicker sitting around than mountain bike tires so you need to pump every time you ride and that should help with some of the problem.
I had some Vittoria Rubino Kevlar belted tires for a while. They were wire-beaded, so they were a pain to get off/on, but I also didn't have to change tubes very often, either.
This year, I started using Vittoria Rubino Pros and get them for roughly $22 a piece from www.probikekit.com. Knock on wood, but I've had no punctures or flats after 4200 miles on them (well, two sets of them). I don't ride on particularly nice roads either. I haven't found them hard to get on or off. Then again, I have Veloplugs on my wheels and I heat the tires up first in my dryer before mounting them. For the money and durability, I think they ride nicely.
I had Conti Ultra Gatorskins on my commuter (700 x 25s).
I liked them for a while, but started getting flats routinely.
Don't know if they wear out quickly or what (I have maybe 800 miles on them). Usually I like to rotate them every so often (front to back) since they are not front/rear specific. Don't know if it does any good but it generally makes me feel better! :rolleyes:
That said, I just swapped them out for Bontrager Race Lite Hardcases. I believe they are re-badged Vittorias, but I'm not sure. Any Trek dealer should have them. They claim a "triple puncture protection" and so far, they have held up (only about 100 miles on them thus far).
The Bonti's, I have to admit, seem to roll very nicely to me. Very plush feel to them, yet they take the abuse my commute dishes out.
Goathead Country here: I use Kevlar Tires with slimed tubes. Sorry I don't remember the brand but just ask for Kevlar tires - they'll know. 700x23 front, 700x25 back
I checked and my tyres and Schwalbe stelvio plus
Did you get a ride in today before the Nor Wester came up - wasn't it just the most gorgous morning
Nah - I was up in Welly this weekend. Had a lovely time, but it seems like I missed a cracker weekend weather-wise back home.
Absolutlely - my favourite bit of road involves cattle stops that would be pinch-flat mania if there wasn't enough air in the tyres. That's not the problem though! The problem seems to be that the rubber is too soft and picks up all kinds of tiny stones and bits of glass that are far too small to feel as you are riding (I do check 'em over before I go out, too). Little blighters then do their thing, working their way through the tyre as you roll along and eventually puncturing the poor, defenceless tube. :( Do agree with you in that I don't really want the weight trade-off of something quite as dedicated as the armadillos and such. I'm heading out on a shop ride on Thursday, so I'll go in early and see what they've got in stock. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by spokewench
Have you considered using Slime tire liners? It will keep your tire puncture proof without adding weight that could slow you down.
I use Kevlar-lined tires and I ride REALLY rough gravel roads frequently, no problem. 700x28.