Favorite tires

[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.

[short cut sally]

I swear by the Conti Gatorskins. There is however 2 types of gatorskins..the cheaper ones which are a bear for me to change and the Folding ones. Yes, they are a little more expensive than the non folding, but the aggrevation it saves me is worth it. I too am looking at getting new tires, and was thinking of changing to the Gran Prix 4 seasons by Conti but didn't know what the difference was so thanks to MartianDestiny, I think I will stick to my reliable folding gartorskin tires. The GranPrix were more expensive than the folding so I assumed they actually might have more kevlar and more strength, but guess not. Thanks

[VeloVT]

I have Schwalbe Stelvios on my bike right now. I confess that I bought them for the color, but I like them a whole lot. They aren't flat-prone, and they are very plush and grippy on the road. They are also nice and easy to get on/off the rims.

[MartianDestiny]

I swear by the Conti Gatorskins. There is however 2 types of gatorskins..the cheaper ones which are a bear for me to change and the Folding ones. Yes, they are a little more expensive than the non folding, but the aggrevation it saves me is worth it. I too am looking at getting new tires, and was thinking of changing to the Gran Prix 4 seasons by Conti but didn't know what the difference was so thanks to MartianDestiny, I think I will stick to my reliable folding gartorskin tires. The GranPrix were more expensive than the folding so I assumed they actually might have more kevlar and more strength, but guess not. Thanks

Yea, the 4 Seasons are not folding and the bead is really stiff. Maybe I'll try the folding Grand Prix 4's next time around since it sounds like they go on better.

[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???????

[tab123]

For an all-around tire, I prefer Conti 4 Season to Gatorskins. With the Gatorskins I felt every bump in the road even at lower PSI. A friend once described their ride as "square," which I think is apt. The 4 Season tires have held up well with city riding (read lots of glass and debris on the road).

[nscrbug]

Another vote for Vittoria Diamonte Pro's...I love mine! Prior to these, I was running Vittoria Rubino Pro Slicks (stock tires that came on my bike) and they were pretty awesome, too - as I logged over 5,000 miles on these tires without a single flat!

I tried Conti GP 4000S tires once, and got a sidewall flat on my front with only 30 miles on the tire...was NOT happy about tossing out an expensive brand new tire. That left a bad taste in my mouth, and for that reason...I will likely not roll on Conti tires ever again. JMO.

[SLash]

My all time fave: Continental Grand Prix 4000S Bicycle Tire with Black Chili.
I got these about 2 years ago and love them.

http://www.ridebikeprogear.com/cycli...s.aspx?pid=430

[tzvia]

Of all the tires I've tried, the best 'feeling' 23 on the road for me was the Vredestein Tri-Comp. Great grip great feel, not a rock hard bouncy feel like the Vittoria Open Corsa CXs I am currently using despite running them at a lower PSI. Too bad the Tri-Comps just don't hold up well on our less than stellar roads. I only got about 1000 miles from mine, the front had some 1/2 inch long gashes and the rear center tread had worn down to a slick. That's why I tried the Corsas. They look better after about the same amount of use on the same roads, no cuts so far and still good tread BUT I don't like them. They might as well be hard rubber and not pneumatic if they are going to feel this unforgiving. So I am searching too.

I had tried the Ultra Gatorskin 25s first to commute, then on my Ruby for a road ride, and they feel much better than the Corsas. I think that may be due to the lower pressure you run the 25 at. So I am thinking of doing possibly the Continental GP4000 25s; but I am going to check reviews before spending my hard earned $$. Whatever I get it will be 25c and not 23. I just wish those Vredesteins held up better...

[Becky]

I had tried the Ultra Gatorskin 25s first to commute, then on my Ruby for a road ride, and they feel much better than the Corsas. I think that may be due to the lower pressure you run the 25 at. So I am thinking of doing possibly the Continental GP4000 25s; but I am going to check reviews before spending my hard earned $$. Whatever I get it will be 25c and not 23. I just wish those Vredesteins held up better...

Yes to the 25s! One of my bikes came stock with 25s and I've fallen in love with how comfortable, yet still fast, they are. I'm done buying 23s. I just wish that more manufacturers offered a 25 option.

[Susan126]

Vredestein Fortezza TriComps are the only tires I use! I love them!