What Road Tires Do You Suggest?

[TigerMom]

I personally worry about avoiding flats more than anything. I like the Continental Gatorskins for that.

Currently I'm still using the tires that came the bike that I bought in September 2010. They're Bontrager Race Lites and I've been very happy with them.

Once I wear out the tires I currently have, which are 700x23, I plan to switch to 700x25, since everything I read about tires indicates that wider tires are more comfortable and also a bit faster. If 700x28 fits on your bike, it would be even better.

I can understand the more comfort part, but I don't understand how a 700x25 cc can make you faster than a 700x23 cc since there is more friction contact with the road .

I have All Condition Armadillo tires (which do come in blue/black) with the slightly more expensive, lighter tubes. These tires are supposed to last around 2500-3000miles, but my friends' tires popped a tube at 2400 miles. The Armadillo tires are heavier than the tires that I originally had, but I don't want to worry much about flats/changing tubes.
____________________________________

2012 Specialized Amira Elite, upgraded carbon handle bars, Jett saddle 143mm switched to 145mm 2012 Selle Italia Max SLR Gel Flow saddle

2011 Specialized Ariel Sport,suspension post,Serfas Rx Women's Microfiber saddle

[ny biker]

I can understand the more comfort part, but I don't understand how a 700x25 cc can make you faster than a 700x23 cc since there is more friction contact with the road .

Well my eyes glaze over when I try to read about tires, but there are a number of articles out there about it. Here are two:

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/...rethren_209268

http://velonews.competitor.com/2012/...-faster_209888

[indysteel]

I have had good luck with Vittoria Rubino Pro tires. I have only used black on black though, so I can't speak to your other question.

[marni]

3 cross country rides and a lot of miles in between on Bontrager race liotes with kevlar and never a flat. I don't plan to change tire brands anytime soon. 3 sets of tires in 40,000 miles over 5 years is enough proof for me. Nor were they entirely worn out, I just routinely put a new set of tires on before a cross country ride. I also check my tires after every ride for nicks cuts and stuff stuck into them. I am a great believer in the "an ounce of prevention= a pound of cure" approach.

[Crankin]

I loved the Conti 4000s, also. DH went and bought some other ones for my Kuota, though... so far, so good. I have had hardly any flats in 11 years, most of them being last year on my tour, when the roads in NY state were just full of glass.
I have the Gatorskins on my Guru. I hope I never get a flat, as I've heard they are awful to take off.

[Owlie]

I hear good things about the Continental GP 4000 and Gatorskins--I'm planning on getting either of those when my current set wear out. I prefer the ride of 25s to 23s. As for speed, I'll make me faster to a greater extent than my tires will.

Never done anything other than solid black tires, so I can't answer your other questions.

[murielalex]

On the advice of my lbs, I have Gatorskins. Can't say I know any different, since these are the only tires I've used, but I've put about 600 miles on my bike so far, and I've had zero problems.