I was about to ask a tire question and thought I'd add to this conversation. I'm about to order new tires for my Cannondale Quick 4. It came with 700x32 Kenda Kwik Trax and I have about 950 miles on them now. I've been running tire liners in them since 250 miles. I had 3 flats within that first 250 which prompted the tire liners and haven't had a flat since adding the liners. My front tire still has plenty of tread but the back shows a lot of wear and I'm using it as an excuse to upgrade both tires. I ride strictly pavement in an urban environment, commute to work and few days a week, and ride mainly for fitness.
I've got my eye on 3 tires. I plan on sticking with a 700 x 32.
Continental Super Sport Contact. $34 each for regular. $40 each for reflective.
http://www.amazon.com/Continental-Co...eywords=700x32
Continental Gatorskins. $50 each.
http://www.amazon.com/Continental-Ga...rds=Gatorskins
Schwalbe Marathon Supreme HS. $60 each.
http://www.amazon.com/Schwalbe-Marat...eywords=700x32
I think all will be an upgrade but which do you think offers the best mix of protection/speed(less rolling resistance)? Do you think I should still run liners? Also, do you think it is worth the $6 per tire on the contacts to get reflective sidewalls?
Part of me thinks just get the $34 contacts and be done with it for $68 total but the other part if me thinks I should get the best I can get within reason (around $100). Any thoughts or input about any of this would be greatly appreciated.