What is a good 650c tire to get for my road bike?

[kaian]

So I ended up finding some conti gp4000 tires for a good price on ebay. I just tried them yesterday and they are like BUTTA! What great tires! They corner well, are fast, and are soooo smooth. I can't believe I was torturing myself with those Bontragers for so long. I love these tires!

I think I am 2 MPH faster with these things and my bike feels lighter!

[melissam]

Kaian,

Good to hear that you're enjoying the GP 4000's. I'll keep them in mind when it's time to replace my tires. I had a set of GP's (not 3000's or 4000's) and didn't care for them. They felt much heavier than the stock Bontragers.

I have a set of Schwalbe Stelvios on my bike and have been absolutely thrilled with them. To me they feel light & responsive and they haven't required the use of my Road Morph frame pump while on a ride. (I type that last phrase with much trepidation -- I really hope I haven't jinxed myself.)

Just in case someone else comes looking, it sounds like TE folks have had good experiences with the following 650C tires (in no particular order):

Continental Grand Prix 3000
Continental Grand Prix 4000
Kenda Kaliente
Michelin Axial Pro
Michelin Pro Race
Panaracer Stradius Sport
Schwalbe Stelvio

-- Melissa

[Aggie_Ama]

When I had 650's I rode Gator Skins. Texas roads are just horrible for debris, I just hate changing a flat on a country road with no shoulder, big ol' trucks driving by and a drop off to a ditch. In a year of riding Gator Skins I only had one flat on the road and it was because I hit a HUGE rock dead on.

NOw they definitely aren't racing tires, but I loved those things.

[Triskeliongirl]

I use the schwalbe stelvio on all my bikes and just love them.