Today was my first ride on the Vredestein Fortezza tires that I got from biketiresdirect.com.

If you'd asked me what I thought of the tires at 10 miles into the ride, I would have given an ecstatic two thumbs up. (And I probably would have wiped out while giving the thumbs up.) The tires are lighter than the Conti Grand Prix tires they replaced, they are very sticky, and when I was climbing hills today, the bike just felt like it wanted to move forward.

Unfortunately, I flatted shortly after mile 10. After I got home and pumped up the tire with my trusty floor pump, I noticed a cut in the tire tread. The cut is probably 2-3 mm long.

Is the tire fatally wounded? I hate to toss it after just one ride. Which was only 11.85 miles. <sob> No, I'm really not a cheapskate. It's just that I hate to throw something away that hasn't gotten a lot of use.

With this type of tire damage, how likely is it that I'll get another flat? If I leave it alone, is that just asking for trouble?

Is there a way to repair this type of damage? Booting is a temporary fix, right? How about some type of goo that would seal the cut?

Should I just order another tire and put one of the Conti's on in the meantime?

Thanks for any ideas.

-- Melissa