Larger section "race" tires

[Lewis Moon]

Last weekend the chip sealed pavement on the race course was so bad I thought my waterbottles were going to fly. I had (mistakenly, as it turned out) pumped my 700x23 tires to the normal 100/110 and wished I'd have let some air out. More volume would be good. What companies, other than the usual Vittoria and Veloflex options, offer large(r) section tires with supple casings/lighter weights?

[fiamme red]

Grand Bois, or even lighter, Grand Bois Extra Léger.

[Lewis Moon]

Grand Bois, or even lighter, Grand Bois Extra Léger.

Wow...I didn't think they were that light. What is the rubber like on those?

[EDS]

Last weekend the chip sealed pavement on the race course was so bad I thought my waterbottles were going to fly. I had (mistakenly, as it turned out) pumped my 700x23 tires to the normal 100/110 and wished I'd have let some air out. More volume would be good. What companies, other than the usual Vittoria and Veloflex options, offer large(r) section tires with supple casings/lighter weights?

Clincher or tubular? If the former, Schwalbe's top end clincher the Ultremo ZX, is available in both 700x25 and 700x28.

[cp43]

I think Michelin does a 25mm of the ProRace, at least, they did for the 3s, not sure about the 4s.

Chris

[KidWok]

+1 Schwalbe Ultremo's in 28.

Tai

[vqdriver]

i've been on the ultremo 28 for a couple years now and have no complaints. older version tho, the R.1
i just lost one to a sidewall tear but don't blame the tire for that one.

[fiamme red]

Wow...I didn't think they were that light. What is the rubber like on those?I haven't used them (too expensive for me), but the reviews seem to be very positive. Here's Jan Heine's review (of course, he's biased because he sells them): http://janheine.wordpress.com/2012/12/08/grand-bois-extra-leger-tires/.

[torquer]

Pro Race 4s are definitely available in 25 mm size.
Challenge Paris-Roubaix comes in a big 27 mm size, if you've got the clearance, and don't mind wrestling them onto the rim, as many of us have experienced.

[rice rocket]

I haven't used them (too expensive for me), but the reviews seems to be very positive. Here's Jan Heine's review (of course, he's biased because he sells them): http://janheine.wordpress.com/2012/12/08/grand-bois-extra-leger-tires/.

I ran the 30mm Gran Bois Cypres, my favorite tires ever. I don't agree with Jan Heine on many things, but he's importing some spectacular tires.

[Lewis Moon]

Pro Race 4s are definitely available in 25 mm size.
Challenge Paris-Roubaix comes in a big 27 mm size, if you've got the clearance, and don't mind wrestling them onto the rim, as many of us have experienced.
I've heard those were prone to flatting...at least more than "normal".

[fiamme red]

I think Michelin does a 25mm of the ProRace, at least, they did for the 3s, not sure about the 4s.I loved the Michelin ProRace 2 tires in 700x25; they were more like 27 mm, and rode really well. I have no experience with ProRace 3 or 4.

[nooneline]

I'm pretty crazy about Specialized S-Works Turbo. 24mm, deliciously supple. Go great with wide rims.

[donevwil]

I'll quadruple the Grand Bois recommendation. I run the Cypres (true 32mm) and my wife runs the 26mm Cerf. Both are awesome in every way. Price is not that much higher than other good folding clinchers (Conti, etc).

[David Kirk]

I use the Conti 28's as everyday tires and feel I give up nothing on 23's and have the benefit of a larger tire.

FWIW - the conti 28's don't seem to get any wider when you swap from the conti 25's.......they only get taller and not wider. They don't in any way feel balloon like.

Nice tire.

dave

[FlashUNC]

I use the Conti 28's as everyday tires and feel I give up nothing on 23's and have the benefit of a larger tire.

FWIW - the conti 28's don't seem to get any wider when you swap from the conti 25's.......they only get taller and not wider. They don't in any way feel balloon like.

Nice tire.

dave

+1. Big fan of my GP 4 Seasons in 28. They run a tad on the narrow side (mounted to Hed Belgium's they end up around 26.5 to 27mm or so) but they're great tires so far.

[Lionel]

For 25mm, very hard to beat the veloflex Corsa 25.

[Lewis Moon]

OK, I was just looking at the Panaracer site, because the Xlight Grand Bois references their "best tubular" for the casing and, lo and bebold, it's only 100TPI. Compare that to the Veloflex/Vittorias at around 320 TPI.

What gives?

[fiamme red]

OK, I was just looking at the Panaracer site, because the Xlight Grand Bois references their "best tubular" for the casing and, lo and bebold, it's only 100TPI. Compare that to the Veloflex/Vittorias at around 320 TPI.

What gives?http://janheine.wordpress.com/2013/08/01/a-full-line-of-extra-leger-tires/#comment-12102

[summilux]

I've been running the Grand Bois EL 26 (Blue Cerf) recently. With a latex inner, this tire gives a very close approximation to the ride of a Veloflex Arenberg tubular. Fast, comfortable and good cornering. As a diehard Veloflex tubular guy, I am simply amazed at this clincher.

[Ralph]

If I was a racer, looking for a race tire, then that's what I would look for. Almost by definition, race tires are not good for other types of riding. They are designed to roll fast, stick in turns, have traction on some of the sideall, and give good handling. So usually they don't last long (relatively speaking) with their soft sticky rubber (like auto race tires), and the supple casing may puncture easier than all around tires. Michelin PR 4's come in several versions, and are excellent race specific tires. Others are also. But what you need for racing may not suit you for all around riding. Some think Continental make really good around around race tires. I don't see how you can beat PR 4's in one of the race versions for racing. About the closest clincher to a tubular I have ridden. And sure, life is only a couple thousand miles for the raciest versions. Other mfg's may also make race specific clinchers that are similar. And also by definition....pure race tires don't make good training or club riding tires.

[OldCrank]

I like the feel of the Pro4s but their very light line (Pro4 Comp) only comes in 23.

The Service Course and Endurance come in 25 - I've been having much better luck on our glass-lined streets with the latter. The soft rubber on the SC 'absorbs' tiny glass shards, and if you don't catch them, they migrate thru to the tube days/weeks later.

Really nice ride, good in wet conditions. And a snap to change. Give `em a shot.
I've even found myself on gravel with them, no problems.

[CircuitHero]

How has no one mentioned the Gp4000s in 25 yet? Smooth ride and not puncture prone.

[Pars]

+1. Big fan of my GP 4 Seasons in 28. They run a tad on the narrow side (mounted to Hed Belgium's they end up around 26.5 to 27mm or so) but they're great tires so far.

+2. Mine run 26mm on some Ambrosio Elites or Mavic MA40s.

[CircuitHero]

+2. Mine run 26mm on some Ambrosio Elites or Mavic MA40s.

Really? My 25 GP4seasons run 27.8 on TB14s at 105psi.

[palincss]

Last weekend the chip sealed pavement on the race course was so bad I thought my waterbottles were going to fly. I had (mistakenly, as it turned out) pumped my 700x23 tires to the normal 100/110 and wished I'd have let some air out. More volume would be good. What companies, other than the usual Vittoria and Veloflex options, offer large(r) section tires with supple casings/lighter weights?

Michelin has a 25mm version of its Pro Race Service Course racing tire.

[palincss]

I think Michelin does a 25mm of the ProRace, at least, they did for the 3s, not sure about the 4s.

Chris

They do indeed have a 25mm version of the Pro Race 4. I have a couple on order right now.

[buldogge]

Ultremo ZX 28s for sure...just rode them today on a DT415/465 wheelset on my Legend Ti...beautiful smooth ride!

Tire Maniacs or Ribble are my usual source for these.

BTW...If you want a 25mm , like Michelins, and have patience, PBK has the Pro 4s for $30 right now!

-Mark in St. Louis

[beeatnik]

BTW...If you want a 25mm , like Michelins, and have patience, PBK has the Pro 4s for $30 right now!

-Mark in St. Louis

A lot of patience.

I almost ordered a pair but after reading the thread about month(s) long shipping from Sweden decided to pass. No one else in the UK seems to have the 25 so that says something.

[buldogge]

100%...

I have no need for them ATM (and have never tried them)...but at $30, I wouldn't mind.

-Mark

A lot of patience.

I almost ordered a pair but after reading the thread about month(s) long shipping from Sweden decided to pass. No one else in the UK seems to have the 25 so that says something.

[beeatnik]

100%...

I have no need for them ATM (and have never tried them)...but at $30, I wouldn't mind.

-Mark

Yep, same here. Would love to try them and am really intrigued by a Pro4 that measures 27mm. I'm sure the ride would be butter. But, if I order a set, I know I'll run over 10 nails in the next week and be in desperate need of nice rubber.

[teleguy57]

Ultremo ZX 28s for sure...just rode them today on a DT415/465 wheelset on my Legend Ti...beautiful smooth ride -Mark in St. Louis

I have a set of Ultremo ZX 28s on my TB-14s on my CX bike while my new frame is being built, and did the Wed night world championships on them this evening. Nice combo, but I'm still liking my Veloflex Roubaixs on Nemesis and Vittoria Pave 24s on Nucleons better (yeah, I know, almost an unfair comparison:))

I was hoping to get more cush out of the ZXs; will play with tire pressure a bit more to see if I can get there.

BTW, the 28s measure out at a hair under 30mm on the TB-14s so there's plenty of width.

[sjbraun]

A great riding tire. No more flat prone than any other tire ridden on Tucson's thorn strewn roads. Measure out at 27.5 mm on Velocity A23s.

[buldogge]

In the end I couldn't pass them up...$25.08/each with HELLO15US code.

They'll just be spares anyway, unless I swap out some GP4000s, Ultremo ZXs, or Master/Corsa 25s.

-Mark

Yep, same here. Would love to try them and am really intrigued by a Pro4 that measures 27mm. I'm sure the ride would be butter. But, if I order a set, I know I'll run over 10 nails in the next week and be in desperate need of nice rubber.

[shovelhd]

Make sure that the wider tires will fit in your frame.

[danielpack22@ma]

I ran the 30mm Gran Bois Cypres, my favorite tires ever. I don't agree with Jan Heine on many things, but he's importing some spectacular tires.

The Cypres (32) are great tires and the Extra Leger are noticeably better. I haven't tried the 29mm versions yet, but I have some on order.

[fiamme red]

http://janheine.wordpress.com/2014/02/22/introducing-the-full-line-of-compass-tires/

The new tires are available in six sizes, named after some of our favorite mountain passes in the Cascade Range:

Cayuse Pass 700C x 26 mm
Chinook Pass 700C x 28 mm
Stampede Pass 700C x 32 mm
Barlow Pass 700C x 38 mm
Loup Loup Pass 650B x 38 mm
Babyshoe Pass 650B x 42 mm

[flydhest]

I am curious if all the posts that bring up wide(r) tires that ride well are Being pushed by folks who race. Now, not everyone wants to race, I get that, but it is different than just riding, or even rising fast in a pack. the OP's question seemed like a good one. can folks who are recommending tires make clear if they have actually raced (not randonneured, not toured, not hammered with the fast shop ride) the tires?

that said, I am taking notes on all of them, because I am shifting to wider tires for all riding, but racing season is just starting.

[firerescuefin]

I am curious if all the posts that bring up wide(r) tires that ride well are Being pushed by folks who race. Now, not everyone wants to race, I get that, but it is different than just riding, or even rising fast in a pack. the OP's question seemed like a good one. can folks who are recommending tires make clear if they have actually raced (not randonneured, not toured, not hammered with the fast shop ride) the tires?

that said, I am taking notes on all of them, because I am shifting to wider tires for all riding, but racing season is just starting.

Ca n tell you that 25s are gaining quite a following in the pro tour....if you consider that racing

[flydhest]

agree, but some of the (very good) recs here were for much wider than 25. I have 32s on my commuter, and 28 s on the bike I keep at my inlaw's so am always thinking about wider, but the OP was about racing and some of the responses seemed like first-hand responses about racing and some were less clearly so.