What Road Tires Do You Suggest?

[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.

[Hi Ho Silver]

Like some of the folks above, I recommend the Continental GP 4000S. I've got about 1400 miles on my current set. These tires have endured riding on gravel and broken glass without ever flatting. Aside from that, they are sweet riding - smooth, comfy, and they handle curves beautifully (i.e., they feel very secure when the bike is heeled over).

[OakLeaf]

I love my GP4000s as well, but the OP wanted cheap....

They do last a very long time (I typically get 2500 miles out of a rear and nearly 4000 from a front), but even so, I'm not sure they're all that economical a choice. But they do handle beautifully and stick like glue.

FWIW, my blue ones clean up fine, for those who are obsessive enough to wash their tires.

[smittykitty]

We were riding the Specialized tires that came on our Ruby/Roubioux. One bike with white trim, other red trim. Very cool, I guess. I actually thought they were a little showy, but when I get riding, it is the last thing I think about! That's just me though. And yeah, they got a bit dirty, but not bad. Never washed them. It kinda made the bright white fade to be a little less showy!

We were getting tired of the occasional flats. LBS recommended the Armadillos in 25s. Headbang! We each had a set of Bontrager Race Lite Hard Case 25s on our Trek FXs that aren't getting ridden. Only used one season when we upgraded to road bikes. The lbs guys (Specialized store) said the Bontrager's are also very good tires, just use them.

Those lbs boys road race and also said the 25s are not only more comfortable, but a bit faster. I know it doesn't make sense, but I figure they should know!

Don't know if I'm very slightly faster because of the tires (they didn't slow me down any for sure) or if the engine is slightly improving I did feel a bit more stable first time out on a neighborhood hill. Always felt like I needed to hold back a bit before. Now I let her go full speed.

By the way, the original Race Lite 32s that went back on the FXs were way slower than the 25s. My science/engineering background is nonexistent so don't understand why 25s should be faster than 23s and way faster than 32s. Some things we just don't need to understand. Lots of other stuff my poor brain has to worry about!

Oh, and so far no more flats (knock wood). Only one flat between us the last 5 to 6 years with the Race Lites. I picked up a huge roofing nail in the 32s several years ago.