Tire recommendations for a beginner

[JMM77]

I just bought a new Trek WSD 2.1 a few months ago and I just got my first flat tire this afternoon. The tires are Bontrager Race Lite tires and I've heard mixed reviews on them. I can't say that I'm too impressed either given the fact that I haven't even put on any serious miles on my bike yet. Does anyone out there have a favorite tire that might be in the same or a similar price range but with more durability? Thanks!

[Grog]

Does anyone out there have a favorite tire that might be in the same or a similar price range but with more durability? Thanks!

I'm afraid that, for the most part, flat tires on a road bike (i.e. tires less than 28s) have nothing to do with tire durability. You can have a flat on a brand new tire if you hit a piece of glass the right way...

Some tires are lined with Kevlar. I'm currently riding on a pair of Schwalbe Blizzards (I think) which are about $20 each and they are supposed to be resistant, but I can still very well get a flat tire if I roll on a shard of glass, on a giant staple, or whatnot...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Kevlar lined tires do get way fewer flats than regular tires. Of course ANY tire will flat if a sharp piece of glass hits it in just the right way.

But yes, a beginner would do well to get Kevlar type flat-resistant tires- they will definitely help you get LESS flats.
If you arre actually racing you wouldn't want Kevlar tires as they are just a bit heavier because of the lining. Not hugely heavier, mind you....nothing that would slow you down much in recreational riding at all.

[KnottedYet]

Flats happen.

I like low-pressure sturdy tires cuz they get flats less often. But they still get flats. (I have thinnish Vittoria Randonneurs on both my road bikes, and juicy wider VR's on my city bike)

[RolliePollie]

My Trek 1000 WSD came with very inexpensive Bontrager tires. I got my share of flats with them, but I'm getting just as many flats on my new more expensive tires. Currently I have a Michelin Krylion Carbon on the front and a Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase on the back (it will be replaced with the matching Michelin in a few hundred more miles). I put Tuffy liners in my rear tire because I hate changing rear flats and (knock on wood) it seems to have helped. Everyone tells me the liners make the tire too heavy, but considering I gained 10 pounds this winter, I doubt a few ounces of tire liner are making a difference!

Surprisingly, my original Bontrager tires lasted 1,800 miles on the rear wheel and 3,000 on the front. I ride on extremely rough, uneven chip-seal pavement. And I'm not exactly a lightweight rider. I have no clue why they lasted so long, but I was pretty impressed considering they were probably about $15 tires.

[alpinerabbit]

Liners? what are they?

Is anyone using the pit stop stuff on the road?

[kermit]

I just put some Specialized Armadillo Elites on my bike. I really like them and they are kevlar-like with a reinforcement. They are not light, but for training they are sturdy.

[AnnieBikes]

I wholeheartedly agree with the women who recommended Continental Ultra Gatorskins. I put them (700/23) on my bicycle before my Southern Tier ride last year (3293 miles) and then went on to ride a total of 6000 miles by the end of 2007. I did not have ONE single flat. (ok, I had two from the valve being ripped out of the tube by a defective pump!!) I have not had a single flat from a "thing" on the road, and believe me, there is alot of stuff on the road on a cross country ride. I was careful when riding, but you cannot avoid everything!

I am STILL riding on those tires and now have 1000 more miles on them in 2008, for a total of over 7000. The ONLY reason I am changing them out is that I am getting ready to ride the Underground Railroad and want to start with new tires on this 2000 mile ride. As soon as that ride is over, I am going to put the old tires back on. I cannot speak more highly of them, as they remain in great shape. They are about $35 apiece, but what I have saved in new tubes more than makes up for the higher up-front price. Give them a try. They were tight to get on the first time, but since I did not have to change the tires, it was not an issue for me.

Follow me on the Underground Railroad Route beginning May 10th!!!

http://www.grahamcam.com/annesbicyclejournal