Maybe a dumb question (or two)

[sandra]

I can't seem to find the Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase in 700 X 25 (or 700 X 28). Do they not make them in that size?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Sandra, I went from a 32 to a 28, and it made a very big difference. Then I went from the 28 to 25's and liked them even more. ....BUT I use Kevlar belted (anti-flat) tires ALWAYS, because I ride on a lot of sharp gravel/rocky dirt country roads.
Dont worry about the brand name so much- look for a mid or higher quality Kevlar belted 700x25 (Panaracer makes some reasonably priced ones)- it will save you from all flats except maybe bad glass and nails. Gravel will be no problem for Kevlar. Pumping up pressure higher than recommended maximum is a no-no and offers no benefits. I always pump to between 5 and 10 pounds UNDER the max stated on the tire. This offers a comfy ride on rough surfaces and will not result in any pinch flats either.

I almost never get flats and you wouldn't BELIEVE the nasty surfaces I can ride over with my belted 25's.

[sandra]

Great! The only reason I was sticking with the Bontrager Hardcase is because I've had them and been happy with them but this is just the kind of information I was looking for...someone with personal experience.

Many thanks Lisa!

[withm]

I just got over 3800 miles on my Bontrager hard case tires but for some reason they are no longer available. My first set failed at abouot 800 miles - with the tires delaminating. The LBS replaced them for free. This must have been a better batch. I think I can count on 1 hand the number of flats I had in 2800 miles. I always inflated them to 120psi for every ride if more than a day had passed since last inflation. So naturally I wanted the same tires only to find that no one has them anymore, and not available on the Trek website either. I figure that new models must be coming out but really I don't have a clue.

I then set out to get the Specialized Armadillo tires which are essentially the same thing - but again, none of the Specialized dealers had them, nor did the Specialized website have any stock in 25. Sigh.

So now I have just purchased Continental Gatorskin hard case tires and am looking forward to seeing how they hold up. Again they have kevlar and are supposed to be pretty flat resistant.

BTW, I have the Bont. hard case on my other bike in 28s. 1500 miles and still have not - well I don't want to jinx anything, but I have yet to remove a tire from this bike....

I know there are many websites and proponents of not inflating your tires to the max, and following that advice I used to only inflate to 90-100psi, but I got a LOT of flat tires. Once I started filling to 120 the flat tires just stopped coming. Why mess with a good thing?

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

So now I have just purchased Continental Gatorskin hard case tires and am looking forward to seeing how they hold up. Again they have kevlar and are supposed to be pretty flat resistant.

My husband uses the Continental gatorskins and they are holding up well.

i now use the Continental 4 Seasons- they are pretty expensive but i do love them.
I've gone through a couple sets of Panaracer Kevlar tires and they were good too, and much cheaper.

I know there are many websites and proponents of not inflating your tires to the max, and following that advice I used to only inflate to 90-100psi, but I got a LOT of flat tires. Once I started filling to 120 the flat tires just stopped coming. Why mess with a good thing?

We all have different experiences. Husband and I have great results from not over-inflating. We ride some very sharp rocky farm roads.
Sandra- remember that each tire has its own recommended maximum inflation psi stamped right on it. Fatter tires use lower psi, thinner tires use higher inflation psi. Pumping a 38 tire up to 120 psi might blow it right off the rim.