What is your tire preference on the road?

[ANAO]

I just picked up a set of HED Belgiums, which I think means I should be on 23's. Or tubeless. Or something.

I'm used to riding Conti Gator Hardshells, but I'd like something a little softer. Something I can race on in a pinch. But also something I don't have to worry about flats - I ride in NYC often as not and the roads there are just horrendous.

Tan gumwalls get extra points!

[Black Dog]

My main preference is inflated. Beyond that I have transitioned from conti gp4000 over to Michelin pro 4 endurance and Schwable one's. The Michelin's are more robust and the Schwable are the perfect blend of everything...my Goldilocks tires!

[djg21]

I use conti 4000s 25c tires with my HED Belgiums, with latex tubes. I've had good luck in terms of durability, and I often ride dirt and gravel roads.

[Ralph]

I still prefer 700X23's for the smooth roads I ride on. Looks for sales usually....Michelin Lithions or Pro Race. Or combination of two.

[jwess1234]

Conti 4000S IIs - best overall feel, good durability for a lightweight tire

Michelin Pro4s - slightly lower road feel than the Contis, but seem to have better durability (i.e., fewer cuts and they wear less quickly)

You'd be happy with either tire. I personally prefer the Contis but am running both on different wheels currently.

[ANAO]

Anybody have thoughts on Veloflex masters in terms of durability?

[mktng]

Ive been running Grand Bois Cerf Blue 700x25 for the past .. err .. 800km.

LOVE THEM

I ride them 85psi rear and 80psi front.
I weight around 190lbs.
Mounted to TB14 23mm wide rims.

They are super quick, comfortable and quite durable tires !

Before these, I was running Conti 4 Seasons. Those feel like riding on rocks now.

[exapkib]

I love the Veloflex--came to them from GP4000s, and while they do wear faster, the change in ride quality is noticeable. The Masters are much more narrow than similarly labeled Contis, but so much more flexible that they actually feel softer at the same PSI. Now, I buy both when they go on sale and switch between them depending on my mood.

Anybody have thoughts on Veloflex masters in terms of durability?

[sandyrs]

Anybody have thoughts on Veloflex masters in terms of durability?

Kinda susceptible to sidewall cuts but I ride them almost daily during the summer. Not recommended when there's salt on the roads.

[LouDeeter]

I'm running 700x25 Bontrager R4 on Belgium 23 rims right now. They measure 27mm at 100 psi. I also really like the ride of Gran Bois but sidewalls have not been the most durable in my time riding them. I like Veloflex, Vittoria Open CX, and Gatorskins as well, although the Gatorskins are the least flexible in my experience. I had begun riding 700x28, but have gradually gone back to 700x25 for most of my bikes, 700x26 & 28 for the Gran Bois.

[mktng]

I also really like the ride of Gran Bois but sidewalls have not been the most durable in my time riding them.

I held off getting a set because of reviews i've seen.
But I got a set off a good friend of mine for a screaming deal.
Haven't had any issues. *now I know on my ride home i'll get a flat now*

However...

I do inspect the tire casing after each ride, or when im off the bike during a longer ride.

Little bit of work compared to more "durable" tires like the Conti offerings.. but the rewards on the bike are much nicer ! :P

[crashnburn]

Still using 700x23s but would like to try 700x25s for a bit more grip on wet roads though..

Does it make a big difference?

[soulspinner]

Pro 4 or gp4000. Right now what you can buy Pro4s for tips it...YMMV

[ptourkin]

I have HED Belgiums and my sweet spot is also Schwalbe One 25s. They feel very nice for clinchers and are good for a few thousand miles. I wasn't sufficiently impressed with Veloflex to warrant the lack of durability.

[zap]

Anybody have thoughts on Veloflex masters in terms of durability?

Nice soft ride but I had no luck with durability.

Conti 4K2 is my preferred clincher tire. 23c (actually 24 on Bora's) is more than wide enough on our smooth roads in Merryland/VA and south. Further north, I think 25 would be sufficient-certainly was good enough on our tandem when we rode on less than smooth roads & gravel roads up that way.

[LouDeeter]

My experience with Veloflex is fine for durability, but the tan sidewalls tend to get very dirty and are hard to clean. It's like a dirty Rapha jersey with only 5 rides!!

[coffeecake]

Continental GP4000s II in 25c.

In my experience, these tires are fairly resilient, last around 5000 km, and feel "just fine" as far as road feel.

I train on a pretty tight schedule so I am willing to sacrifice a bit of comfort in exchange for a tire that lasts a while and doesn't puncture often. I don't want to spend too much time changing flats. Not worth it.

[Jeff N.]

I've lately given Vittoria Rubino Pro 700x23 a try. Nice, lively ride, longevity to be determined. Pro 4's (non-endurance) wear out way too quickly for my liking. Contis aren't available in enough colors. -Jeff N.

[SeanScott]

The "fastest" tires I have run lately are the Pro 4 and schwalbe one.
The Pro 4s really impress me with a ride quality and good durability.

The ironic thing is that when I run my bike built for dirt with Kenda 28c knobby tires my strava times are basically the same. It is kind of funny how certain parts can have a perceived fast feel.

[bikinchris]

Conti Grand Prix 4 Season tires have the grip and most of the flat resistance of the Gatorskins, but are lighter, more like the GP4000.

[sandyrs]

I've lately given Vittoria Rubino Pro 700x23 a try. Nice, lively ride, longevity to be determined. Pro 4's (non-endurance) wear out way too quickly for my liking. Contis aren't available in enough colors. -Jeff N.

If you only use black or tan sidewall tires this stops being a problem :)

[ik2280]

I've been running Open Pave 27s on Open Pro rims recently. Maybe 24 Paves on wider rims would be better for you? Great tires, though - tough enough, but supple, good on dirt, definitely nice enough to race.

[Seramount]

Beyond that I have transitioned from conti gp4000 over to Michelin pro 4 endurance and Schwable one's. The Michelin's are more robust and the Schwable are the perfect blend of everything...my Goldilocks tires!

good to hear this...

been a long-time user of Conti 4Ks, tried some Rubino Pro Slicks that didn't wow me, and just purchased some Schwalbe ONEs...

anxious to see how they perform.

[joe.e]

pro 4 endurance are my favorite, hands down.

[ANAO]

Pro4 SC are on sale for $30 a pop over at competitive with free shipping, so those are now in the mail.

Thanks for the tips y'all.

[thermalattorney]

Go tubeless. Unexpected potholes are a reality in NYC and with tubeless you get to say goodbye to pinch flats *and* run lower PSI. The resulting cushier ride is something I appreciate every second of my time in the saddle.

To me that's worth the marginally larger time investment and cost. Besides, you've already spent the bulk of the cost by getting a tubeless-ready wheelset.

I'm lucky to have a frame that fits Hutchinson's Sector 28mm tire and definitely recommend it. On my commuter bikes I stick to clinchers for cost reasons and have had luck with both Michelin Lithion 2 25mm and Vittoria Rubino Pro Slick 25mm.