Tire Recommendations?

[castafly]

Any recommendations for a quality clincher tire (700 x 23) that offers a good combination of longevity and quality ride? It's been a while since I've shopped for tires, so I'm not up on what the new models offer. My last tires were Conti GP3000's - I like them and could get them again, but I'm curious what other options there are out there. I'm just a bike rider, not a racer. Thanks!

[The Spider]

Veloflex, supple & fast, reasonable durable, Italian. Everyone that I know that has tried them reports "wow"!

[1centaur]

Have not tried them yet, but supposed to be better than 3000s in ride quality and durability, plus they come in wacky colors.

[SoCalSteve]

I have a set on all 4 of my bikes. I've been very happy with them.

I use 700 x 25....but I'm a big guy. I find no less speed, but much more comfort.

Just one mans opinion.

Steve

[Don]

I've been using the newer Michelin Pro Race 2 and routinely get at least 2,500 miles of wear. Compared to the older Pro Race, Veloflex and Vittoria, far fewer flats and many more miles.

Don

[Sandy]

I have a set on all 4 of my bikes. I've been very happy with them.

I use 700 x 25....but I'm a big guy. I find no less speed, but much more comfort.

Just one mans opinion.

Steve

I have never tried any Michelin tires. I have a pair of Pro Race 700x23 that I will try in the cooler/colder months. I am most interested in the 700x25 Pro Race 2. 700x25 seem to make more sense to me than 700x23. What psi do you use?


Airhead Sandy

[Don]

I ride 700x23's with 100 psi in the rear and 95 psi in front. My weight runs just under 155 lbs. I've had no pinch flats at these levels. Since the roads we ride are in generally good condition (no frost heaves here) but not "glass smooth," I find I get more comfort and little loss regarding rolling resistance.

Don

[Spicoli]

I have never tried any Michelin tires. I have a pair of Pro Race 700x23 that I will try in the cooler/colder months. I am most interested in the 700x25 Pro Race 2. 700x25 seem to make more sense to me than 700x23. What psi do you use?


Airhead Sandy
Hey Sandy you may want to flip that. I dont know about the Pro 2's But the proraces, to me where pretty sketchy in the winter up north. Its probably the nicest riding clincher I have ever used (especially in 25) and it is fairly tough, but not to sticky in the cold and crappy stuff. Save-em for spring IMO so you can really enjoy them, great ride even for sukky clinchers :D

take it or leave it :beer: Jeff Oh yeah 100-110 is buttery.

[rnhood]

Continental Force/Attack tires. I like'm.

[Ray]

Axial Pro, Pro Race, Pro Race 2, I seem to like 'em all about equally. Keep in mind that Michelin runs fatter than most tires. Their 23s are about the width of most 25s (actually about 24-24.5). Their 25s are roughly as fat as a Roly Poly but lighter and a bit more supple feeling to me. I seem to get at least 2-3,000 out of 'em if I don't cut them first. I run them anywhere from 100-115, depending on bike and wheels.

-Ray

[eddief]

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.bicycles.marketplace/browse_frm/thread/94c408c65882aea0/8814a912a70817c8?hl=en#8814a912a70817c8

The last time I bought, he sent the tires and then I sent the check.

[froze]

Specialize Mundo; has really good flat protection, combined with long wear and a smooth ride while still being a light tire.

[djg]

http://groups.google.com/group/rec.bicycles.marketplace/browse_frm/thread/94c408c65882aea0/8814a912a70817c8?hl=en#8814a912a70817c8

The last time I bought, he sent the tires and then I sent the check.

Just bought some veloflex tubbies from him--very good prices and, as you say, he sends the tires and then you send the check.

[Ahneida Ride]

I urge you to avoid Conti's, :no: They have weak sidewalls !

[Elefantino]

On a lark, picked up some Detonators. Now, admittedly, this is not a good name for a tire. But after about 800 miles, I've yet to see much wear. Very good road feel, too. They are not as chi-chi as other names, and they do scream "DETONATOR" on the sidewall, but so what.

Come to think of it, I like the exclusivity.

Buy Michelins. :rolleyes:

[Doc Austin]

Michelin.

[92degrees]

On my bike this year I've had Conti GP3000s (wore out at around 2Kmi), Michelin ProRace2s (emergency purchase to replace the Contis), and now Vredestein Fortezzas.

I thought the Contis were a nice ride, sort of plush and grippy. Never had a flat. I did get some sidewall abrasions where the threads started to show. I've read similar experiences from others. Liked the tires and would have bought them again.

LBS was out of Contis and I needed replacements before going away for a few weeks. Bought the ProRace2s in a weird color for my bike. Tires were OK. Felt slower, no other complaints, no flats. Did not seem as grippy as the Contis.

Recently bought the Fortezzas when Performance was offering discounts and there were coupons and free shipping. The cost me $21ea so I thought I'd try them. The ride well, and seem "lively" and quick. Haven't had them long enough to comment on wear or flats. Bike rides nicest on these, so far, IMO.

[Dekonick]

I've had bad experiences with the pro race tires. I flat alot with them - they just get cut up easily. Comfy, but I hate flats.

Specialized Armodillo's - I've never had a flat with these. They suck as far as grip goes and I still have a little road rash from my last experience with 'em.

Got some conti 2000's (got em cheap) and they are ok - wear quickly tho.

Fortenza's are waiting to get put on after the armodilló's I am running die or if the pro race's end up shot.

Armordillo's for commuting

Pro race for fun until they die (cant wait...)

then gonna try Fortenza's

:)

[beaker]

Serfas tires, YES, Serfas Seca (any model). These tires are FAST, rated to 130 and have a built in anti flat belt. And they are like $20! Seriously, I love Michelins to death but the Serfas tires hold up so much longer and I think are darn close in speed and cornering. Excellent in the wet too! Oh and they go on Campy wheels with no tools and no effort, a nice bonus.

[ClutchCargo]

Veloflex, supple & fast, reasonable durable, Italian. Everyone that I know that has tried them reports "wow"!

terrific! When I first put them on the bike I kept thinking I had under-inflated them. But they are just very comfortable tires. But don't expect multi-season wear out of them. They state in the box that you should expect about 1800 miles out of them. And with that quality ride, expect those irritating glass shards and pebbles to work their way through the tire once in a while.

For really durable tires with a reasonable ride, try the Specialized turbos.

ride on!

[The Spider]

For MTB tubeless tires (Hutchinson and most new generation tires) you actually seal any puncture with Loctite 4850....so....after a LONG ride or once a week or whenever....I get the bottle and seal up any cracks/splits/chunks/divvets in the road tires too!

The Veloflex seem to be pretty resilient...my previous experience with Michelin ProRace was lots of cuts and cracks, I have some Micheline ProRace 2 coming over for the training bike (and some Deda Tre as well) so I've got my Loctite ready for them!

[froze]

Loctite 4850 works but so does superglue.

[Jeff N.]

Recently, I've been riding Mondo S-works tires, by Specialized, and am very impressed. They'll take 130psi max, which makes for a very lively ride. The Michelin Pro-2's are hard to beat as well! Jeff N.

[Ozz]

I used to get sidewall cuts on the old Conti Grand Prix's, but did not have that problem with the GP3000's. The GP3000 is a nice tire.

I switched to the Michelin ProRace2's this year (cuz the blue matched my bike better than the Conti blue :p ). The are very nice riding tires. I think they ride a bit more comfy than the Contis, and seem to have better grip in corners. However, I am hardly pushing either tires limit when I ride.

I have picked up some debris the past two weeks on my Michelins's (a staple and a sharp rock) where I got flats. That is kind of discouraging, but I think flats come in streaks. I'll get a bunch of flats in a month or so, and then nothing for a year or so....I'm pretty sure it's not the tires, just dumb luck and the condition of the roads.

I am tempted to try the new GP4000's when I get my Legend on the road.

BTW - 180lbs, 32 spoke DT rr1.1/240s and Campy Eurus wheels, 110-115 psi.