time to shop...

[aicabsolut]

I'd also say Conti GP4000's. They won't have the longest life, but for a good racing tire, they are quite durable. I prefer the grip of Michelin Pro Race tires, but they (especially the newer Pro3's) are kinda soft and subject to getting small cuts and glass stuck in them. I still find them to be durable enough for training for me, but if I was regularly riding through a ton of crap on the roads, then I would opt for something like the Conti's for training and Michelins for racing.

[madscot13]

I'd also say Conti GP4000's. They won't have the longest life, but for a good racing tire, they are quite durable. I prefer the grip of Michelin Pro Race tires, but they (especially the newer Pro3's) are kinda soft and subject to getting small cuts and glass stuck in them. I still find them to be durable enough for training for me, but if I was regularly riding through a ton of crap on the roads, then I would opt for something like the Conti's for training and Michelins for racing.

I do love DC streets.

Did I ever tell you about the Fifty states ride? All fifty state street names in the District, all four quadrants, tons of glass, potholes, iron slabs covering those potholes, and, yes, heckling.

[TxDoc]

Hi,
you can try the Vredestein tricomp - I use them on all clincher wheels and they do great.

[ginny]

thanks everyone! During my reading yesterday, I happened upon good reviews for the Vittoria open all weather clincher - any opinions here? I will also look at those continental GP 4000s

[aicabsolut]

I do love DC streets.

Did I ever tell you about the Fifty states ride? All fifty state street names in the District, all four quadrants, tons of glass, potholes, iron slabs covering those potholes, and, yes, heckling.

haha a former teammate did that ride last year. took him a long time.

[madscot13]

haha a former teammate did that ride last year. took him a long time.

I had completed my first century the week before and I thought piece of cake. most miserable ride EVER. Nothing should take as long as that ride. Somehow I imagine the perfect scenario is a pair of sprinters who can pound it through the green lights and where one person knows the route perfectly.

besides all that my friend's bike started acting up, she got it fixed, but took a dive over her bike while going over an overpass.

[ny biker]

I did the 50 States ride the first year they held it. It was a super hot day in June and I thought I was going to die. Every time we had to wait at a red light, the heat coming off the cars and off the pavement was like a blast furnace.

I got a flat tire during that ride when I hit a pothole near Eastern Market. That was back when I was still using the stock tires that came on my bike.

[ginny]

I'll be in DC in July - anyone want to take me on the 50 states ride while I'm there? ... it should be NICE and cool in July

[tzvia]

While I love the Vredestein Tricomps-they feel light and fast, and have an almost sew-up feel to them-not as jarring as others I have used- they cut really easy. I was inspecting mine last week (about 1000 miles on 'em), and found something stuck in the front tire. It was a pointy rock. On looking closer, I found multiple cuts in the rubber. So I looked at the rear and found a cut over 1/2" long that went almost all the way through. I don't know how it held together like that. I was bummed as I tossed them away and put on Corsa CX's. They ride like crap compared to the Tricomps. Not that they are bad, they just don't have the give, the smoothness and the feel. Gonna ride them till they wear out or get cut up, then buy Tricomps again. Cuts or no cuts, they feel better and I am going to have to get used to replacing them often.

[madscot13]

I'll be in DC in July - anyone want to take me on the 50 states ride while I'm there? ... it should be NICE and cool in July

how bout I mail you the 4 page cue sheet and say that I am there in spirit?

[papaver]

I have now the Schwalbe Ultremo's and they are absolutely great! Very good grip, fast... and i did the female Tour of Flanders on Sunday with them (cobble stones et all) and no problems at all!

http://www.schwalbetires.com/ultremo_r