Tire recommendations for a beginner

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I actually had 2 flats tonight but they were tube failures at the stem, not due to the tires.

Be sure you don't over tighten the big nuts on the stem where it comes out of the rim....that can pull the stem up too tightly into the rim hole and cut or pull the rubber where the tube joins the stem. Just finger tighten them only enough to keep them from rattling...or take them off altogether, they are not really necessary.

[indysteel]

I like my Vittoria Rubino Pros. I get them at Probikekit.com for about $22. They cost closer to $45 at the LBS. I've never (knock on wood) flatted with them.

[AnnieBikes]

I wholeheartedly agree with the women who recommended Continental Ultra Gatorskins. I put them (700/23) on my bicycle before my Southern Tier ride last year (3293 miles) and then went on to ride a total of 6000 miles by the end of 2007. I did not have ONE single flat. (ok, I had two from the valve being ripped out of the tube by a defective pump!!) I have not had a single flat from a "thing" on the road, and believe me, there is alot of stuff on the road on a cross country ride. I was careful when riding, but you cannot avoid everything!

I am STILL riding on those tires and now have 1000 more miles on them in 2008, for a total of over 7000. The ONLY reason I am changing them out is that I am getting ready to ride the Underground Railroad and want to start with new tires on this 2000 mile ride. As soon as that ride is over, I am going to put the old tires back on. I cannot speak more highly of them, as they remain in great shape. They are about $35 apiece, but what I have saved in new tubes more than makes up for the higher up-front price. Give them a try. They were tight to get on the first time, but since I did not have to change the tires, it was not an issue for me.

Follow me on the Underground Railroad Route beginning May 10th!!!

http://www.grahamcam.com/annesbicyclejournal