28mm Clincher Tire Recommendations

[oldfatslow]

I'm looking for some new rubber and it's been a while since I bought some tires.

I'd welcome recommendations on 28mm or wider road clinchers.

What say you?

[malcolm]

roly poly or ruffy tuffy

[rex]

Clement Strada LGG.

[phcollard]

Michelin Pro Optimum. Box says 25mm but they are close to 27mm. Most comfortable tire and tough enough for me.

[zetroc]

Rolly Poly.

[fourflys]

+1 on the Clements... I have a pair I've ridden in both SoCal and Alaska (lots of gravel/bad roads) and they have performed flawlessly...

[spartanKid]

Schwalbe Duranos

[EricEstlund]

What surfaces are your riding?

The Michelin Lithion 2 is mid priced, pretty darn light, and a true 28 (despite being called a 25).

[binouye]

Schwalbe Ultremos if your roads are OK. RolyPolys are fine -- not as supple/fast, but have more tread and thus more durable.

[Buzz]

Continental 4 Season

[buldogge]

100% Schwalbe Ultremo ZX 28s (assuming normal decent pavement)

-Mark in St. Louis

[JAGI410]

Another plug for the Clement Stradas, a great riding tire.

[rccardr]

I've had good luck with Vittoria Rando 28's. Tough, relatively supple, good all 'round 28 in my opinion. Had a pair on my '85 Centurion for over 18 months and no flats.

[Dave Wages]

+1 on the Schwalbe Ultremo ZX's, very nice ride and I have been surprised at how durable they've been for as light as they are. For less $$'s I also really like Vittoria Rubino Pro III's, they don't break the bank but they last a long time and ride pretty darn nice.

Cheers,
Dave

[John M]

Schwalbe Durano if you want something that will have extreme durability and a reasonable ride

[dmurphey]

Panaracer T serve 700 x28 is hard to beat, chaep, long lasting, light, and tough..

[jbrainin]

Do *not* get Continental 28's: they measure more like 26.

[bcm119]

Michelin 25mm (really 27-28), either Pro Race 4 if you value ride quality most, Endurance if you need a little more durability.

Clement Strada LGG (in the 120 tpi version) are a pretty nice compromise of ride quality and durability.

I haven't tried Ultremo ZX but hear good things.

[Vientomas]

Panaracer T serve 700 x28 is hard to beat, chaep, long lasting, light, and tough..

Agreed. I am using the "Protex" in a 28c. I like the Panaracer's much better than the Schwalbe Durano's I was riding. To me, the Panaracer's seem a bit more lively than Durano's, and have been just as durable.

[dave thompson]

+3 for the Schwalbe Ultremo ZX. Very nice tires, feel wonderful, ride extremely well and so far (1 1/2 seasons) quite durable.

[KidWok]

Panaracer T serve 700 x28 is hard to beat, chaep, long lasting, light, and tough..

I'm using Schwalbe Ultremo 28's on the front and Panaracer T Serv on the rear...best of both worlds if you're not concerned about matching tires. The T Serv is indeed long lasting but has a pretty firm casing and hard compound that doesn't grip well in wet conditions.

Tai

[oldfatslow]

I ride mostly in and around Austin, TX where the roads vary from smooth asphalt to lousy chip and seal.

[Auk]

Ultremo ZX's. Great tires

[oldpotatoe]

I'm looking for some new rubber and it's been a while since I bought some tires.

I'd welcome recommendations on 28mm or wider road clinchers.

What say you?

What kinda riding, surfaces, dry, wet, etc.?

There are a bazillion bike tires out there, many/most in 28c.

[SpeedyChix]

Another plug for Schwalbe Ultremo ZX 28s here. Chip seal and loads of gravel. Nice ride all around.

[etu]

grand bois cerf
extra leger version - if you really want to splurge (rave reviews from some, but no personal experience, although my pair is in the mail!)

[FlashUNC]

Anything but Challenge Parigi-Roubaixs....

[Auk]

Another plug for Schwalbe Ultremo ZX 28s here. Chip seal and loads of gravel. Nice ride all around.

Which brings up a reminder. These things will take a TON of abuse. When I first mounted them, I thought that they'd be cut up pretty quick on the loose and jagged-edge limestone rocks on the edges of the travel portion of most gravel roads. Couldn't be more wrong. No cuts, no nicks, just good miles.

[Dromen]

Do *not* get Continental 28's: they measure more like 26.

I agree that most Contis run slim, but my conti 4 seasons 23 run 26.5 in 23mm rims. I heard somewhere these 23s are manufactured large to run more like 24s in 'standard narrow' rims. I was assuming the rest of the 4 seasons sizes would run wide eg. 25s would be 26or27 and 28s would be 29or30.

Yes?
No?

[Germany_chris]

Conti GP 4000's :confused:

[CircuitHero]

I agree that most Contis run slim, but my conti 4 seasons 23 run 26.5 in 23mm rims. I heard somewhere these 23s are manufactured large to run more like 24s in 'standard narrow' rims. I was assuming the rest of the 4 seasons sizes would run wide eg. 25s would be 26or27 and 28s would be 29or30.

Yes?
No?

My 25mm 4seasons measure 27.8 on 23mm rims.

[tuscanyswe]

Anything but Challenge Parigi-Roubaixs....

+1

But have you tried the new reinforced strada bianca ? Bit wider than the p-r with an added puncture belt.

I have a pair i just havent gotten around to testing yet.

[gomango]

+1

But have you tried the new reinforced strada bianca ? Bit wider than the p-r with an added puncture belt.

I have a pair i just havent gotten around to testing yet.

I rode Eroicas and Strada Biancas on packed gravel and cruddy country roads.

Fantastic tires.

They roll very fast for wide tires, plus handle lower pressures off road.

Not one flat this summer.

Yep, I am a fan.

[jbrainin]

My 25mm 4seasons measure 27.8 on 23mm rims.

My 28mm 4 seasons measure 26 on both 19 and 23 mm rims. Michelin Pro 4 Race 25's measure 28. Go figure.

[thirdgenbird]

My 28mm 4 seasons measure 26 on both 19 and 23 mm rims. Michelin Pro 4 Race 25's measure 28. Go figure.

It is just like pants. Millimeters and inches are dependent on both model and brand. We just as well use arbitrary sizes like shoes (us), women's pants, and bras.

[CircuitHero]

Conti's 28mms just end up being taller from what I've seen. But, we'll see when the new 28mm 4000sII's come out.

[Davist]

I've been using the Conti 4 season 28s, they're wider than my previous 25s but agree with circuit hero they're mostly taller (on narrow rim). Without calipers, they're over an inch by a little. (not sure if my tape measure to eye is calibrated correctly). I like them, very durable and good rolling. I'm about 190lbs and run 75-80 in the front and 80-90 in the back with great results.

[GregL]

Agreed. I am using the "Protex" in a 28c. I like the Panaracer's much better than the Schwalbe Durano's I was riding. To me, the Panaracer's seem a bit more lively than Durano's, and have been just as durable.Another endorsement for the Panaracer T-Serv Protex. We use them (in size 700x28) as everyday training tires on our tandem. They hold up to a 300+ lb., agressive tandem team with no issues. They wear well and handle all the varied conditions of upstate NY roads. Under a single bike and rider, they should be very robust.

- Greg

[jthurow]

I put a set of the Vittoria Rubino Pros on my commuter a while ago and was really impressed. They're light and the sidewalls are supple but strong enough that I haven't had any issues.

[tuscanyswe]

I rode Eroicas and Strada Biancas on packed gravel and cruddy country roads.

Fantastic tires.

They roll very fast for wide tires, plus handle lower pressures off road.

Not one flat this summer.

Yep, I am a fan.


Sounds great, i will find out in a week or so.
They are quite abit heavier than the P-R but guess i can live with that compared to fixing flats over n over.

[Lewis Moon]

I put a set of the Vittoria Rubino Pros on my commuter a while ago and was really impressed. They're light and the sidewalls are supple but strong enough that I haven't had any issues.

I ride these too. They run more like 26 on 19 rims, but they are cheep(ish) relatively light and hold up pretty well.

[gomango]

Sounds great, i will find out in a week or so.
They are quite abit heavier than the P-R but guess i can live with that compared to fixing flats over n over.

I think I was the only rider in the free world to have a happy experience with PRs. :)

Still ride them on my John Holland.

Still like them, but readily acknowledge there may have been sorcery involved.

[indyrider]

+2 on the Rubino Pro III's....

[Shoeman]

Michelin Pro Race Endurance 25's bigger than most 28's!!!!!

[tigoat]

My Cont 4000S black chili 25 mm tires measured around 27 mm on ENVE 29XC rims for my CX bike on the road. Can't wait to get some 4000S II in 28 mm when they are available. I am also running some Schwalbe U ZX 28s, which measured around 29 mm. These racing Schwalbe racing tires roll very nice but there were some quality issues out of the box for some of them so I am not impressed in that regard.

[edward12]

I'm haing pretty good luck with the Schwalbe Marathon Supreme tires. They measure a true 28mm on my OPen Pro rims. Sturdy, yet supple enough for a comfortable ride.

[tuscanyswe]

Was pleasently suprised yesterday when i found out my alpha q cs25 fork did accept a 30mm strada bianca, could perhaps do a 32 even (in the same type sizing atleast) Wont be able to do it with fenders but not that far off.

Tomorrow is test ride for these tires and the new "autumn" bike provided by Dude, thank you again!
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3818/10366666074_bd8a76cab1_b.jpg

[FlashUNC]

+1

But have you tried the new reinforced strada bianca ? Bit wider than the p-r with an added puncture belt.

I have a pair i just havent gotten around to testing yet.

I think the Parigi's rode great, they were just the most difficult tire, by far, I've ever mounted.

Not worth the ride quality, and while I didn't experience the fragile reputation first hand, I figure it was a simple matter of time.

No more challenge tires for me.

[tuscanyswe]

I think the Parigi's rode great, they were just the most difficult tire, by far, I've ever mounted.

Not worth the ride quality, and while I didn't experience the fragile reputation first hand, I figure it was a simple matter of time.

No more challenge tires for me.

Ive also had some bad experiences but also some good so these strada biancas are the last chance for challenge for me too. Yesh the p-r were hard to mount.. These too but not nearly on the same level thankfully. The puncture protection is supposedly alot better on these. Time will tell.

[weehastogopee]

Anything but Challenge Parigi-Roubaixs....

How come? I've always wanted to try them out...

I really like Panaracer Pasela Tour Guards though.
I like how there is the gumwall version available and they are just really solid tires in my opinion for not too much money!

I've had a 25c version that I've used for the past 2 years with no problems...even took it on a tour from SoCal to Vancouver and never got a flat with it. (was on the front wheel)

I bought a 28c version midtour to replace a crappy rear tire and it worked very well also!

[tuscanyswe]

Never had a tire that would flat as easily as the P-R, not had a tire that came even close tbh.

But if you want to try p-r´s theres a good chance you may want to try the strada biancas instead. Heavier with an added puncture belt and a tad wider at 30mm

[weehastogopee]

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind!
Just looked it up and they even come in the gumwall variety :D

[palincss]

How come? I've always wanted to try them out...


The Parigi-Roubaix have a real Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde personality. The ride is magical. You can ride over severely alligatored, cracked pavement and it'll feel nice and smooth. And fast, too. You really have to experience it to believe it.

BUT: they flat very easily (I averaged 1 flat every 300 miles, compared to 1 flat ever 1500-2000 miles on other lightweight performance tires); and when new they are unbelievably difficult to install. More difficult than any other tires I've ever used, even requiring the use of tire levers to get the first side of the bead on (usually when things are tight it's the last foot or so of the second side that's a challenge; here, even the first side makes you swear).

However, once they've been on a wheel for a while they do become a whole lot easier to remove and replace, so much so that after a few hundred miles I can remove the tire without using tools.

So I've taken to first installing a new tire on an old wheel without a tube, using tools to lever the tire onto the rim and ties (I think I used a toe strap) to keep the already-mounted sections on the rim as I worked my way around mounting the whole thing. (Until I figured out the toe strap thing I'd go around and around and as I mounted more the section I got on earlier would just come off.)

So, once mounted without tube -- no sense destroying a tube for nothing -- I let the tire sit for a week or so, than dismounted one side and installed a tube. This time, it was possible to get the tire back on without levers, although of course the final foot or so was hard. Then inflate the tube and leave the tire on the wheel for a week inflated up to full pressure.

After a week, it was much easier to move the tire and tube from the junk wheel over to a real wheel for use.

[gomango]

Never had a tire that would flat as easily as the P-R, not had a tire that came even close tbh.

But if you want to try p-r´s theres a good chance you may want to try the strada biancas instead. Heavier with an added puncture belt and a tad wider at 30mm

Good tip.

I have 800 miles on my Eroicas, the fore runner to the Strada Biancas.

One flat so far, which was this morning when I hit a pothole by our house.

I have also ridden Strada Biancas on another bicycle throughout the summer.

I have just about 1,000 miles on that set and they are still going strong.

The ride is fantastic on hard packed gravel, fire roads and country roads here in Minnesota.