I'm never to "tire-d" for TE

[Cassandra_Cain]

Hi Cheri

Practice changing flats, it is really easy

For pure speed and low RR, the Michelins are hard to beat. They do have a bit of a reputation for being a touch squishy, but that's an individual thing. As for flats, well when you get into that category of tire, I don't know that you can exactly avoid it.

Clincher is just a name for a tire that has an inner tube vs. something called a tubular, which has no bead, and is essentially held to the rim by bonding/glue/sewing - they are used for racing at high levels. IOW, you want a clincher, not a tubular

I use kevlar tires for all my training and riding, as I am more concerned about avoiding flats than outright speed/pace. For an event, I would switch over though.

Good luck!

[cherinyc]

Cassandra - I believe you are on the lighter side weight-wise (as am I). Is there a difference in tires with relation to lighter/heavier riders? Which model do you use?

I think I am more concerned w/ speed right now - than flats - though that could be b/c I've never suffered a flat 'knock on wood' and been stuck somewhere. I definitely plan on practicing flat changing, if I can do it on my car, I can do it on my bike. Or atleast follow the directions to the best of my ability?

[Cassandra_Cain]

Cassandra - I believe you are on the lighter side weight-wise (as am I). Is there a difference in tires with relation to lighter/heavier riders? Which model do you use?

I think I am more concerned w/ speed right now - than flats - though that could be b/c I've never suffered a flat 'knock on wood' and been stuck somewhere. I definitely plan on practicing flat changing, if I can do it on my car, I can do it on my bike. Or atleast follow the directions to the best of my ability?

Cheri - I'm 72kg/1.78m FWIW. What changes with different tires to my understanding is the rolling resistance - that's a property of the tire and inherent. Weight is a whole other factor in the speed/power equation.

For 95% of my riding I now use specialized armadillo's....they are not light or plush, but very, very durable and less prone to flats. If I had an event next week though, I'd switch to the michelins and do some riding on them in advance.....this way you get familiar with the tire's performance, while getting a boost to your own thanks to the lower rolling resistance.

LOL - if you can do a flat on a car, you can do anything on a bike, I'm sure of it!

[Susie]

I actually use the GP-4000. I first bought them a year ago for my "old road bike" and absolutely loved them over whatever piece of crap came with the bike (not sure what). When I got my first Ruby (the now destroyed one), I used the Specialized tires that came with the bike. There was a world of difference and I absolutely hated them. My second Ruby has the GP-4000. 3 of my friends have since switched to those tires (including my LBS owner who is a former racer) and love them. I'm kind of surprised your BF had trouble with them. They have great traction and I love the feel on the road, espeially in the rain. Just don't use them on a trainer -- first time I did that the rear tire started smoking and left rubber blobs on the roller.

Susie

[Cassandra_Cain]

Just don't use them on a trainer -- first time I did that the rear tire started smoking and left rubber blobs on the roller.

Susie

Yes! You are absolutely right Susie....trainers are hard on tires. I'm getting my old and worn tires for trainer duty

[spokewench]

I've run all of the above tires, Michelins (can't remember the #); specialized pro comps (i think); continentals - not hte 3,000 number but the level below that which I think is a 2,000 number as I recollect. Sorry, I'm not a real gear head so I never remember all the model numbers. The conti tires are excellent, not as soft rubber as the Michelins that I had so they are not quite as forgiving on the road, the Specialized pro comp works great too (very comparable to the Michelins

The contis are more durable cause they are not as soft. Softer the rubber, the better traction, the faster they wear out. The softer tire will adhere to the road a little better and give a little better ride.

Smaller tire equals less rolling resistance which means that it is easier to pedal. I used to ride 19s in California - the roads were better than they are here where I live. I now run 23s. If you ride a smaller tire, it will make your bike feel stiffer. If you want a more forgiving ride, you should ride a larger tire. It is sort of a personal preference and also a balancing act between do you want comfort or less rolling resistance.

If you have trouble changing a flat, be aware, that tires act different when you are taking them off the wheel. Some are really hard to get off and some are really easy. (this varies from brand to brand) The ease of changing a tire is also affected by the size, generally, it is harder to get a smaller tire off! So if that is an issue, check them out to make sure you can get the dang thing off the rim! Take them home, learn to change your tire at home, change it 2 times in the living room. Then go ride!

Hope I didn't confuse you. If you have questions, give me a holler.