What Road Tires Do You Suggest?

[Jordyne]

Hi All,

I want to buy some new tires. I'm currently riding with very old Bontrager Hard Case Race Lite 700x23. What tires do you suggest? I want cheap but not too cheap. I'm doing 20-30 miles rides now but still very slow.

Also- I'd like to get a white/black tire or even blue/black combo. Any experience with these looking super nasty after getting dirty quickly or is it okay to do? My bike looks pretty beat up and I'm looking for cheap ways to make it nicer looking....thought adding some color in the tires couldn't hurt.

[ny biker]

I personally worry about avoiding flats more than anything. I like the Continental Gatorskins for that.

Currently I'm still using the tires that came the bike that I bought in September 2010. They're Bontrager Race Lites and I've been very happy with them.

Once I wear out the tires I currently have, which are 700x23, I plan to switch to 700x25, since everything I read about tires indicates that wider tires are more comfortable and also a bit faster. If 700x28 fits on your bike, it would be even better.

[TigerMom]

I personally worry about avoiding flats more than anything. I like the Continental Gatorskins for that.

Currently I'm still using the tires that came the bike that I bought in September 2010. They're Bontrager Race Lites and I've been very happy with them.

Once I wear out the tires I currently have, which are 700x23, I plan to switch to 700x25, since everything I read about tires indicates that wider tires are more comfortable and also a bit faster. If 700x28 fits on your bike, it would be even better.

I can understand the more comfort part, but I don't understand how a 700x25 cc can make you faster than a 700x23 cc since there is more friction contact with the road .

I have All Condition Armadillo tires (which do come in blue/black) with the slightly more expensive, lighter tubes. These tires are supposed to last around 2500-3000miles, but my friends' tires popped a tube at 2400 miles. The Armadillo tires are heavier than the tires that I originally had, but I don't want to worry much about flats/changing tubes.
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2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[ny biker]

I can understand the more comfort part, but I don't understand how a 700x25 cc can make you faster than a 700x23 cc since there is more friction contact with the road .

Well my eyes glaze over when I try to read about tires, but there are a number of articles out there about it. Here are two:

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/...rethren_209268

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/...-faster_209888

[indysteel]

I have had good luck with Vittoria Rubino Pro tires. I have only used black on black though, so I can't speak to your other question.

[marni]

3 cross country rides and a lot of miles in between on Bontrager race liotes with kevlar and never a flat. I don't plan to change tire brands anytime soon. 3 sets of tires in 40,000 miles over 5 years is enough proof for me. Nor were they entirely worn out, I just routinely put a new set of tires on before a cross country ride. I also check my tires after every ride for nicks cuts and stuff stuck into them. I am a great believer in the "an ounce of prevention= a pound of cure" approach.

[TrekDianna]

I personally worry about avoiding flats more than anything. I like the Continental Gatorskins for that.

Currently I'm still using the tires that came the bike that I bought in September 2010. They're Bontrager Race Lites and I've been very happy with them.

Once I wear out the tires I currently have, which are 700x23, I plan to switch to 700x25, since everything I read about tires indicates that wider tires are more comfortable and also a bit faster. If 700x28 fits on your bike, it would be even better.

Agreed. I put 28's on my bike before leaving for Cycle Oregon - over 400 miles this last week and not a single flat! There were a couple guys I saw who seemed to be constantly changing flats.

[Dogmama]

I still like my continental 4-season tires. If you want road gripping ability, these have a nice tread. I easily get 2,000 out of them. We've had really sandy/dirty roads since the monsoons and I rarely feel any slippage while going around corners.

[Helene2013]

Well then I think I'll look for those Continental. I also read great things about them.

I wrote to American Classiscs to see what was the max witdth I could put on my wheels and they never wrote back. Bummer.

But LBS told me it was 25mm. I think I should be fine with 25mm anyway. Can't be worst than the 23mm. Add the grip and I'll be good to go. I hope.

[Dogmama]

Initially, continentals are a bear to get on. After they've been on your rim, they loosen up a bit, so removing for a flat isn't an issue. Just a warning. I actually use a tire tool made to mount tires onto rims (not the levers that most people carry). I have arthritis in my hands, though, so grip strength is an issue.

[KerryCrow]

Conti 4 seasons for me...put over 3 k of pretty tough NC,SC roads on them last year. No flats, just started to lose their tread shape.

[goldfinch]

What do people recommend for 650 tires in 23 or 25cm?

[goldfinch]

How about these?

Hey, I should have looked! Thanks.

[Sky King]

ok, I just have to chime in. Just got back from riding 35 miles on my 650B X 2 inch Grand Bois Hetre's - average speed just under 16mph on my all steel touring bike (unloaded), no tailwind, no drafting. I am an average 56 year old bike rider.
HUGE smile on my face. Our roads are all chip seal. I can't imagine riding a 23cm tire, ever. Even the pro's ride at least a 25cm and sometimes a 28cm in road races.
For me, comfort, no pinch flats, no getting bucked off at the slightest bump or pot hole.
I hope you decide on at least a 25cm and hopefully a 28cm.

Feel free to go read the Schwalbe website about speed and tire width and rolling resistance. OH and go have fun

[goldfinch]

ok, I just have to chime in. Just got back from riding 35 miles on my 650B X 2 inch Grand Bois Hetre's - average speed just under 16mph on my all steel touring bike (unloaded), no tailwind, no drafting. I am an average 56 year old bike rider.
HUGE smile on my face. Our roads are all chip seal. I can't imagine riding a 23cm tire, ever. Even the pro's ride at least a 25cm and sometimes a 28cm in road races.
For me, comfort, no pinch flats, no getting bucked off at the slightest bump or pot hole.
I hope you decide on at least a 25cm and hopefully a 28cm.

Feel free to go read the Schwalbe website about speed and tire width and rolling resistance. OH and go have fun

I would like to get 25s for my Madone that also has 650 wheels. But I can't seem to find the Continental GP4000s in that size, only the 23s. Any other good tires to recommend?

(If you are average I am very below average. Which I guess I am for a rider that rides quite a bit.)