your choice for fast, comfortable 28c tires?

[canali]

i am looking for some tires for my newly purchased used serotta rapid tour that are tough, but still have great rolling resistance and are comfortable to boot....would be used for commuting, long rides, centuries etc, fast rides but not racing....to be used mostly on paved roads, but as you know sometimes paved roads lead to broken paved roads and even fireroads.

[stephenmarklay]

Funny I was thinking about this very thing on my commute to work. I will be watching this.

i am looking for some tires for my newly purchased used serotta rapid tour that are tough, but still have great rolling resistance and are comfortable to boot....would be used for commuting, long rides, centuries etc, fast rides but not racing....to be used mostly on paved roads, but as you know sometimes paved roads lead to broken paved roads and even fireroads.

[rugbysecondrow]

I have some 28 schwalbe marathon racers that I like. fast enough, good rolling speed, comfy and inexpensive a wallbike.com

[Don49]

I've used these Performance Forte kevlar belted tires in 28mm on my touring bike with very good results. I've done several 1000 mile tours on them without even a single flat, including the length of Baja on rough roads. Might be worth a try at $20/pair.

http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1089785_-1_1590008_20000_400904

[merckx]

The Grand Bois Cerf 28c tires are fabulous. They are really comfy and fast.

[keevon]

Clement Strada LGG 120 tpi.

The 700x25's are excellent, and I've heard the 28's are just as nice.

[pbbob]

continental gatorskins are nice.

[fourflys]

The Grand Bois Cerf 28c tires are fabulous. They are really comfy and fast.

haven't heard good things on durability on these...

[bikeman0027]

I am a big proponent of Bontrager tires. For your money, these Race Lite Hardcases are perfect: http://bontrager.com/model/00443

I have run them on pavement, dirt, crushed rock, etc. without a flat for almost 3 seasons. I swear by them.

[fourflys]

I am a big proponent of Bontrager tires. For your money, these Race Lite Hardcases are perfect: http://bontrager.com/model/00443

I have run them on pavement, dirt, crushed rock, etc. without a flat for almost 3 seasons. I swear by them.

I saw these on the Trek 520 in the local Trek store and they do look nice... the only ones I saw in the store though looked like a wire bead tire...

[palincss]

I saw these on the Trek 520 in the local Trek store and they do look nice... the only ones I saw in the store though looked like a wire bead tire...

And the problem with wire bead tires is...?

[dave thompson]

I'm running a set of Schwalbe Ultremo ZX HD 700x28 on my Milholland. So far I really like them, after 500 miles. Smooth, feel fast, no cuts and relatively light.

[bike22]

continental gp 4 season 700x28c

[fourflys]

And the problem with wire bead tires is...?

usually a little heavier and sometimes ride a bit stiffer...

[biker72]

I am a big proponent of Bontrager tires. For your money, these Race Lite Hardcases are perfect: http://bontrager.com/model/00443

I have run them on pavement, dirt, crushed rock, etc. without a flat for almost 3 seasons. I swear by them.
I put over 4000 miles on a set of these. Zero flats. Only complaint was the somewhat harsh ride.

[buldogge]

+1...I run these on the road rims on the Meech, and I have a 25F/28R set on the Spectrum sport-tourer...nice tires. In fact, I think I will run some 25s on the new (to me...strangely Dave T's old bike) Calfee Tetra Pro over my usual Conti GP4000s in 25c.

-Mark in St. Louis

I'm running a set of Schwalbe Ultremo ZX HD 700x28 on my Milholland. So far I really like them, after 500 miles. Smooth, feel fast, no cuts and relatively light.

[jr59]

haven't heard good things on durability on these...

The OP asked for comfy and fast!

[Vientomas]

Schwalbe Durano's have been treating me well on a Blue Cxc that sees both pavement and dirt road use.

[Ken Robb]

Rivendell Roly Poly, Ruffy Tuffy.

[Dave Wages]

I've been riding 28c almost exclusively on the road over the last year and a half, and my two favorites are probably the Clement Strada LLG and the Vittoria Rubino Pro's. If I had to choose, the Rubino's ride a bit nicer, and they really do last as well. In another thread I've heard complaints about their wet weather performance, but I can't really comment on that as I've never ridden them extensively in the wet.

I haven't tried the Grand Bois Cerf 28's, but I do have some of their 32's that I'm thinking of running at D2R2. I've ridden them a bit on the road so far, but the 32's are maybe a bit of overkill for me on purely road rides.

My two cents...

Cheers,
Dave

[Mudbug]

Roll-y Pol-y, close enough

[veloduffer]

+1 for the Rivendell Rolly Polly - nice blend of suppleness, volume and durability. I have them on my wife's and my bikes for several years.

[soulspinner]

continental gp 4 season 700x28c

Ive had good luck with Contis in larger than 23mm..............

[weiwentg]

Ive had good luck with Contis in larger than 23mm..............

I've used and liked the Conti Ultra 2000 and 3000s in 28mm, but these are the only 28mm tires I've used so far. They were on my commuter; I feel like 28s are overkill on my main bike (I've just switched to 25s, but I suppose the bike could accommodate 28s).

[majl]

I have some 28 schwalbe marathon racers that I like. fast enough, good rolling speed, comfy and inexpensive a wallbike.com
Where do you source these? Schwalbe's website only shows 30, 35, and 38 widths in folding options. Do they run pretty true to width? I was talking to a guy who does brevets, including PBP, and he was really recommending these tires.

[rugbysecondrow]

at wallbike.com they have some, they are the Marathon not the Marathon Racers, I was mistaken. Good tires though, great winter tires.

http://www.wallbike.com/schwalbe/tires-and-supplies/marathon-s-skin-wire-bead

[jr59]

+1 on Wallbike!

A great place, well sort of. Run by a great guy.
Who happens to be my riding partner every wensday nite!!!

[rugbysecondrow]

+1 on Wallbike!

A great place, well sort of. Run by a great guy.
Who happens to be my riding partner every wensday nite!!!


I like them too. Good prices, great service and they have a strong niche without all the BS.

[that guy]

Gatorskins or Marathons for me.

[BengeBoy]

I have 7 or 8 thousand miles on Continental 4 seasons 28c's. I really like them.

Even though there are a number of 28c's on the market, recognize that their *actual* size varies quite a bit. The Continental's are actually a bit narrower than some of the tires mentioned above.

[dhoff]

challenge Paris Robaix are wonderful to ride and they really seem to last EXCEPT if there is a lot of glass. good roads, gravel, rough roads, all no problem, glass changes everything.

[Peter B]

continental gp 4 season 700x28c

+1

[phcollard]

continental gp 4 season 700x28c

I heard these tires run smaller than 28? They measure something like 25... true?

[Lovetoclimb]

They do come in 28s, probably $50 a tyre, but I have never had a complaint about Contis of any model. Not my preferred racing tubular but for clinchers, hard to beat.

That said I am about to test some Vittoria Pave's on gravel climbs in Colorado so I can say I did it.

[topher]

+1 for riv. roly poly

[Lifelover]

Michelin Dynamics are pretty good and failrly cheap ($20 range). I don't know that I woudl call them fast but they are adequate.

[clavin]

Challenge Paris Roubaix, super comfy and fast too. Lots of dirt roads and some rough ones at that and they still seem to be going strong.

[prometheus20]

Have used these the last couple years on my bike that I take out for dirt roads and possible rainy weather. The main thing is to remember you don't need to inflate 28's nearly as much as 23's. I weigh 180 and inflate the rear tire to 80lbs and the front to 60lbs. This is quite sufficient for rolling resistance and comfy too!

[JLP]

Gp4 seasons here. Comfy, sticky in the rain, and very good durability.

[retrogrouchy]

i am looking for some tires for my newly purchased used serotta rapid tour that are tough, but still have great rolling resistance and are comfortable to boot....would be used for commuting, long rides, centuries etc, fast rides but not racing....to be used mostly on paved roads, but as you know sometimes paved roads lead to broken paved roads and even fireroads.

I think it is impossible for one tire to be perfect for all of those riding conditions. Everything will be a compromise in some way.

That said, if you really want one tire to work under all of those conditions, you're going to have to consider the commuting / unpaved road requirement as your top priority, in my opinion. Leave those two out, and I'd probably say Grand Bois 28s or maybe Rolly Polys (which are both made by Panaracer). With those two requirements, maybe more like Panaracer Paselas? They are not as exciting as the GBs, but would be more appropriate for the tougher requirements you indicate. Question: would you really be regularly commuting, riding centuries, doing fast club rides, and riding off-road with the same bike...?

[retrogrouchy]

haven't heard good things on durability on these (GB 28s)...

Durability, or tread life? They are a high-performance tire, and as such, may only last 1500-2000 miles on the rear, but I've not heard of any significant durability issues. My wife runs the 26s as her everyday tires, and has had extremely good performance from them. She 'loves' them.

[fourflys]

Durability, or tread life?.

I was referencing fragility...

[dawgie]

Another vote for Conti GP 4 Seasons. They are light, durable, flat resistant and handle well. I've got nearly 3,000 miles commuting on my set and the rear tire still has plenty of tread. As far as the width is concerned, it depends on your rims. Mine are mounted on Velocity Dyads and measure almost exactly 28 mm wide, but they would probably be slightly narrower if mounted on Open Pros or other narrower rims.

[skijoring]

http://velonews.competitor.com/2011/08/bikes-and-tech/reviews/review-challenge-parigi-roubaix-clinchers_188346

these are fragile, but comfy and fast.

These are fragile, just to repeat myself. :)

[retrogrouchy]

I was referencing fragility...

How so? Details and data, please.

[fourflys]

How so? Details and data, please.

just take a read through the RBW Owners group and you'll get plenty of day... not saying they aren't great riding tires, just that they tend to get more flats it sounded like to me...

[retrogrouchy]

just take a read through the RBW Owners group and you'll get plenty of day... not saying they aren't great riding tires, just that they tend to get more flats it sounded like to me...

My wife has been riding them (GBs) for years, and I've been riding them too, for a couple years now. Zero flats. None. Nada. Bupkis. The rears last about 1750 miles, +/- 250 on our roads, which are allegedly the worst in the nation. Fronts last about 2-3x that figure.

Also, consider the source you've mentioned. Does the GP cult sell GBs? Or might they sell competing tires (that in actuality are made by the same manufacturer as the GBs)? Hmmm....

[fourflys]

My wife has been riding them (GBs) for years, and I've been riding them too, for a couple years now. Zero flats. None. Nada. Bupkis. The rears last about 1750 miles, +/- 250 on our roads, which are allegedly the worst in the nation. Fronts last about 2-3x that figure.

Also, consider the source you've mentioned. Does the GP cult sell GBs? Or might they sell competing tires (that in actuality are made by the same manufacturer as the GBs)? Hmmm....

glad to hear they're working out for you...

[retrogrouchy]

just take a read through the RBW Owners group and you'll get plenty of day... not saying they aren't great riding tires, just that they tend to get more flats it sounded like to me...

O, grasshopper, there is so much for you yet to learn.... :rolleyes: