Favorite tires

[Becky]

I'm a big fan of Vittoria Diamantes in both the 23 and the 25. Easy enough to put on, very supple and plenty of grip. I have a set of Conty Ultra Races (25) on another bike and, while they're good, I'm not sure I'd buy them again.

IME, Continentals in general are a wicked pain in the butt to change/install.

[Bike Chick]

I'm a big fan of Vittoria Diamantes in both the 23 and the 25. Easy enough to put on, very supple and plenty of grip. I have a set of Conty Ultra Races (25) on another bike and, while they're good, I'm not sure I'd buy them again.

IME, Continentals in general are a wicked pain in the butt to change/install.

DH and I both have Vittoria Diamantes and have been very pleased with them.

[Thorn]

For me, GP4000s ride a little nicer than the Gatorskins (which ride a little harsh for me). As I understand it (and I could be wrong), the GP4000s have the same kevlar band as the Gatorskins, but, unlike the Gatorskin, it does not extend up into the sidewall of the tire. Thus, if you kick up a lot of sharp stuff, the Gatorskin would be more flat protective. I've had good luck with the GP4000s.

Anothter tire I've ridden a bit is the Panaracer Duro. Getting it on the rims the first time is a real beast, but after that not so bad. They are a tough road tire and they ride somewhere in between the Gatorskin and the GP4000. I was running the Duros and DH the Gatorskins in Tucson in spring (where there is more glass and goatheads on the pavement than anywhere else). DH put glass through new Gatorskins; my Duros got cuts, but none of them did more than just nick the tread.

[redrhodie]

I really loved the speed of my Challenge Race tires, but I flatted almost weekly with them. Not worth the effort! Years ago, I used to ride Schwalbe Blizzards. They were cheap, but never flatted. I put them on my commuter at the beginning of winter after the Challenge tires had flatted so much, but they were an exhausting, slow ride. I ended up putting Micheline Pros on both my bikes. They're durable and fast, and come in nice colors.

[kermit]

I love the Conti grand prix 4000s but hate the price. Especially since I've been doing a lot of trainer riding, they wear out fast. I appreciate this thread because I am also looking for a new tire.

[ny biker]

I'm happy with the Gatorskins. Tough to get on the wheel but no tougher than the Vittoria Open Corsos that I used to have. I've used the Kool Stop lever which solved the problem, and I recently got a VAR tire lever because it's smaller. But I have gotten very few flats with these tires so the special tool is mostly just a precaution.

[Bike Goddess]

I use Vredesteins from Performance on both my Jamis and my Scott bike. (the ones on the Jamis are Vredestein Fortezza SE Road Tire, the ones on the Scott are grey on the top which makes them very easy to see what's on them) I rarely get flats. I always check them after a ride or if by some chance I happen to encounter glass on the road. One sticker we call "goat heads get in your tires without you knowing it and will cause flats regardless of the brand.

I have tried other brands, including the Conti and found they were too hard to get off the rims. Even the guys riding with me had trouble and they are strong willed and have stronger hands than I do. I want tires I can change by myself as I often ride alone.

The Vredestein Fortezzas are on sale right now for $29.99 which is far less than the Contis. I can get about 4-5000 miles on these tires. If you look up Performance bikes and get to the tire you will find reviews by others as well.

Also, depending on how much pressure you have in your tires affects flats. I now run on about 100lbs each wheel.

[Norse]

I love the Conti grand prix 4000s but hate the price. Especially since I've been doing a lot of trainer riding, they wear out fast. I appreciate this thread because I am also looking for a new tire.

+1 on the Conti GP 4000s. I first bought them after tiring of rear-wheel flats. I am on my 2nd set now - replaced because the 1st set finally wore thin, but they never had a flat. I also feel much more confident in the rain, going over gravel.... in the Conti's than I ever did with the stock Bontragers that came with the bike.

Kermit - for the trainer, I bought a cheap 2nd-hand wheel that had the same derailleur on it as my regular wheel, put one of the crappy old Bontrager slicks on, and just swap out wheels - rather than ruining my Conti's or dealing with changing tires - when I use the trainer.

[kermit]

Thanks, I have actually resolved the trainer issue, between the weather clearing up and also having a second bike for the trainer. I am looking at vittoria rubino pro 3's (good reviews) and they come in red. hhhmmmmm???????

[maillotpois]

I ended up putting Micheline Pros on both my bikes. They're durable and fast, and come in nice colors.

Another vote for the Michelin Pros. We have been using the Pro Race 3s (and before that, 2s) for years. They last a long time and I really didn't have any issues with flats.

My new bike has 2 way wheels so I am running tubeless Hutchinsons right now and like them so far.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I'm a Continental Grand Prix Four Seasons fan. 700 x 25, because we have some horrendous rocky farm country back roads around here that I go down. No 23's for me on roads like that. I am amazed at the scary stuff those tires just laugh at.

[CycleTherapy]

Vredestein Tri-Comp....

[redrhodie]

Another vote for the Michelin Pros. We have been using the Pro Race 3s (and before that, 2s) for years. They last a long time and I really didn't have any issues with flats.

In my haste to get through an intersection quickly, I ran right over a broken beer bottle last night. Held my breath, and didn't flat! Thankfully, they're pretty new. I rode my last pair down to a hare's breadth. They flat when you do that.