Tires

[betagirl]

So I need to procure some new tires. I do a lot of urban riding, which equates to a lot of crap in the road such as glass. I've gotten 3 flats in a week, after being relatively successful commuting to school without incident for a month or so. My rear tires are beat up, and I'm sure that's contributing to my woes. Grant it I've gotten pretty dang good at changing a rear tire, but still. I was curious if you had any good road tires that you recommend? I'm not against spending a bit more if it'll save me some grief.

Thanks!

BTW, these are the tires I'm looking at:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=5420

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=5420

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=5420

[salsabike]

Continental Gatorskins, I like. Specialized Armadillos also, but I know several people who put in lots of commuter miles who like Gatorskins especially.

[betagirl]

Thanks salsa. This the one you're talking about?

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=5420

[Aint Doody]

I used to ride the Armadillos. They're tough, but hard to get on & off when you do have a flat. I like the Hutchisons.

And I know we've had comments pro & con on slime tubes, but after getting goatheads and having the slime tubes seal up the hole, I wouldn't go without them. I've had the slime squirting out and then slowly seal up the hole. I think they're amazing.

[salsabike]

Yup, betagirl, those are the ones. Re slime tube--we had high hopes and it didn't work for us at all, even though many others have tested them with great success. Don't know why they didn't work for us.

[AuntieK]

I've been really impressed with my Granfondo tires. I bought them because they were lighter weight, but I swear they're made of steel because I've run over my fair share of glass and never had a flat (I've had them on for about 4 months now).

[bcipam]

Continental Gatorskins, I like. Specialized Armadillos also, but I know several people who put in lots of commuter miles who like Gatorskins especially.

I went from Continental 3000's to Gatorskins several years ago after getting flat after flat and now I seldom get one. I also went from 23's to 25's which gives me a more comfortable ride. Tried Armidillos. Definitely a puncture roof tire but man oh man - hard to get on and off!

[tprevost]

I've got the armadillos on my bike but can't comment on how difficult it might be to get them on and off as.... I haven't gotten a flat! YEAH!!! Supposedly they are heavier and don't roll as well as some others (non-kevlar) but I've been really happy w/them.

Tracy

[betagirl]

Turns out I have a continental ultra gatorskin for my front tire of my Trek. The rear is a "duraskin+K" continental. Should have put the gator on the back My Lemond has a Specialized Mondo on the back. The specialized tire is a b*tch to get back on, so that might be a factor of the brand. I have to use my tire levers to get the last bit on, which I know can pinch the dang tube. But I can't just stretch it over like I can the continentals.

The Lemond needs both tires replaced to 23's because 25's are too wide to take the tires off without deflating them a bit. Don't ask other than the bike came with 25's. I've just been lazy about replacing them.

Thanks for the tips so far.

[Fuji Girl]

Hey, welcome back!

I use Vredestein Fortezzas, but for your kind of riding and bad luck, I would go with the Conti Gatorskins. And hang on to that Topeak Road Morph.