Road Cycling - Road tires

Any suggestions on tires that will not blow out the sidewalls after a corner? I had this happen to me on an 8 day old hutchinson rear tire. I had michelins before and they gat all cut up from road riding. Are continental gatorbacks my answer or do I need to look elseware as in tubulars or ungodly expensive tires? Any suggestion would help. shabadus@hotmail.com:D

If you are looking for road tires, I would recommend "Continental Top Touring 2000" tires. They are relatively expensive but practically indestructible and last longer. By way of analogy, a $20 pair of shoes will look nice for a week and first thing you now, you have blisters and the shoes conk out! On the other hand, a $100 pair can last a decade.

Louis T

I got outstanding service and plenty of miles from my old (now worn out) road tires. They were Continental Ultra 2000. :thumbup:
I recently upgraded to Continental Grand Prix 3000
and am happy with them so far. :beer:

I agree with your comments about Michelins. I had Axial Pros and got rid of them. Averaged a flat a week. :(

I also put new tires on my commuter recently. They are Vittoria Rubino Pro Intrepid Kevlar PRB. No problems so far. :)

Originally posted by RonH
I agree with your comments about Michelins. I had Axial Pros and got rid of them. Averaged a flat a week. :(
Are Axial Pros that bad :confused: I currently have them (700x25). A flat a week is horrible! :mad:

I've ridden quite a bit on Continental GP 3000's and Michelin Axial Pros.

I prefer the Axial Pros mainly due to apparently lower rolling resistance. I get comparable distance out of them and relatively the same number of flats.

If you're getting a flat a week, what does that equate to in flats/mile? I probably have a flat on a tire every 500 - 1000 miles. Invariably it seems the flats I have are due to things that would probably puncture either tire. I ride a lot around roads that have occasional construction traffic. (I can't avoid it)

Somewhere I pick up tiny bits of wire that can cause slow leaks.

Don't let bad road conditions skew your view of good tires. In my experience both of these are great tires.

Oh, yeah, one thing that honked me off was that the GP 3000 come in so many color variations, that my LBS often didn't have a match to the one left on my bike when I replaced one. And I hated having a blue tire and an orange tire for a while on a red, white, and blue bike. The Axial Pro's came in basic gray/black as well as "Bianchi green".

I have just seen too many michelins get cut up before you can where them out. We all know flats suck so I think I will try the contis. Thanks, todd:beer:

I think the michlins are a good tire they just are good for where i live. Hey what is the most used tire on the tour anybody know? I don't
Originally posted by Trekaholic
I've ridden quite a bit on Continental GP 3000's and Michelin Axial Pros.

I prefer the Axial Pros mainly due to apparently lower rolling resistance. I get comparable distance out of them and relatively the same number of flats.

If you're getting a flat a week, what does that equate to in flats/mile? I probably have a flat on a tire every 500 - 1000 miles. Invariably it seems the flats I have are due to things that would probably puncture either tire. I ride a lot around roads that have occasional construction traffic. (I can't avoid it)

Somewhere I pick up tiny bits of wire that can cause slow leaks.

Don't let bad road conditions skew your view of good tires. In my experience both of these are great tires.

Oh, yeah, one thing that honked me off was that the GP 3000 come in so many color variations, that my LBS often didn't have a match to the one left on my bike when I replaced one. And I hated having a blue tire and an orange tire for a while on a red, white, and blue bike. The Axial Pro's came in basic gray/black as well as "Bianchi green".

shabadus
I used to ride 700X23 mich road pros ...great tires if you are racing or doing a time trail. I got tired of flats and changed to contis 700X28 . At 25 bucks a good deal. No flats and good handling at high speed (speed being a very relative term here).
On my 50 mile runs dont really notice any difference over the 23's just that I dont have to get off in 95 degree weather to change a flat.

ride safe......Dudley

Hey Dudley:

Whereabouts do you ride in Houston?

________________________



Everybody:

Anyone had good luck with other tires relative to the Michelin and Conti tires we've been talking about in this thread? I'm interested in knowing if there are any Vredestein's or Vittorias worth trying out. It seems the Axial Pros may be getting phased out by Michelin. I'm not sure which of the other tire grades are equivalent. They've got one called Axial Pro Race and Axial Carbon, if I'm not mistaken. Don't know which is best compared to Axial Pro 700X23.

I want something that holds at least 120 psi.

I love my Continental Ultra 2000's and have never flatted on them (of course I will tonight during my ride).:) I have also had good luck with Performance Forte Kevlar. Don't run quite as smooth as the Continentals but I have never flatted with them either.

I have Specialized Armadillos (700 x 26). Only have 200 miles on them and so far so good. I even jump curbs with them and they're fine.

The most popular tyre on the tour, from what I've been told, are VeloFlex tubulars. Of course, each team has special batches made, and most of them carry other tyre manufacturer's labes. Such is the state of bike racing today.......

I am really having a lot of fun with this thread. I have recieved a lot of replies that would have normally taken forever i have to say this in one cool bunch and thanks.



I think the next great discussion would be 1" / 1 1/8" / 1 1/4" / and the new up and coming 1 1/2" I know inch and a half is for freeride bikes but what do you all think?




:beer:
:beer:
:beer:

:D

Originally posted by shabadus
I am really having a lot of fun with this thread. I have recieved a lot of replies that would have normally taken forever i have to say this in one cool bunch and thanks.

I will be trying vittorias soon..................

I think the next great discussion would be 1" / 1 1/8" / 1 1/4" / and the new up and coming 1 1/2" I know inch and a half is for freeride bikes but what do you all think?




:beer:
:beer:
:beer:

:D

I finally gave up on Conti Ultra 2000s after my third one in a year hit the garbage. Two sidewalls ripped open, and the third suffered a large tear in the tread. Mileage on each was under 1,000 miles.

I've switched to Conti GP 3000, with good results so far, no flats. I no longer recommend Ultra 2000s.

I'm using Hutchinson Carbon Comps on my TCR2 and am at
mile 283 and holding without problems. More later if issues
develop...

Hi,

I don't really have much experience with the michelins, but I can tell you that the super low end Conti Sport 1000, though by no means the lightest, fastest tire are quite strong. The gatorskins are very sturdy as well. I ran a regular grand prix and an older supersport on a 1500 mile bike tour. I had no flats and I have put at least 150 miles on them since I have gotten back. I find the key is that you need to keep on cleaning your tires. When you come to a stop light, spin the wheels in the air and use you're glove to wipe it off. After all, a new set of gloves is usually cheaper than two new tires and as it sounds, you won't need to replace them half as often as tubes or tires. If you have extremely expensive gloves or are just not willing to get them dirty, just make sure to give you're tires a good wipe down when you get home.

My Trek 2300 came stock with Bontrage Race X Lite tires. I thought....'I'll tear these things up in a week.' Not a single flat in 400 miles....including a 40 mile NYC ride! (went to see Lance race).
Last tires I had were Specialized S Works. $40 each. Great tires performance wise, but got a flat every other ride.....a real flat, not a pinch or spoke flat.
Maybe just bad luck....who knows.

I just picked up some Vittoria Rubino Pro's which
are supposed to last a bit longer than the
Open Corsa's.

Marty

I saw Trekaholic mentioned Michelin Axial Carbons in his post, anyone with any riding experience on these... (I'm considering them for use strictly as a training tire). Thanks in advance!

Just went through one of my Conti Grand Prix Four Seasons. Put a lot of miles on it. The front is still in good shape (always rotate your tires.) Good tires. Same tread pattern as the GP3000, but a far more durable tire. Not a racing tire, but that's OK since I'm not racing. Probably replace them with either the same tire or Ultras. Tried Michelins, but a cheap-o tire. Not as supple to ride on, but good to have for spares. In my experience, Contis have gotten a lot better about sidewall issues. GP3000 tires don't last very long, though, but they're a great racing/fast training tire.

Oh, and the roads I'm on have a decent amount of glass on them.

Originally posted by WoodyUpstate
I finally gave up on Conti Ultra 2000s after my third one in a year hit the garbage. Two sidewalls ripped open

Sidewall failure is the same problem that I've always had with the various brown sidewall (natural rubber?) Contis. I don't buy 'em anymore.

Excessive flats w/APs must be a regional problem, based on pavement and debris. I don't get real high mileage from them (1500-2500 miles), but I don't get more flats, either.

Trekaholic:
I have a theory regarding rolling resistance and the GPs. They have a noticeably larger diameter than APs (don't have numbers with me, but noticed it when re-calibrating my cyclo-computer), which translates to a bigger gear-inch. I think that accounts for the majority of the perceived additional rolling resistance. (And if that doesn't account for the difference, than yes, they must have lots more rolling resistance.)

This is with respect to Clinchers and not Sew-ups....

I have 2 road bikes, one for training (1985 DeRosa SLX - 27 lbs.) and a race bike (2001 SOMEC Altec2+ - 17 lbs.) therefore, I use two completely different sets of tires. If you are talking about a race bike, get the Continental 3000, or the Michelin Pro or Axial line. These tires will last less than 800 miles, but you will only be using them for racing. For training, you want something cheap and reliable. I went to Performance and picked up 2 sets of their GT2Kevlar for $7.95 each! So far, I have 2,000 miles on one set and they still have miles left. No problems whatsoever. If you ever do have problems, Performance has a no questions asked policy. I have had excellent luck with these......

Good timing on this thread. I'm considering buying Conti Ultra 2000s, but I had a question. A guy at my LBS said that Contis tend to run skinny relative to other brands, and that I might want to try their 700x25 rather than the 700x23. Has anyone out there heard this or had any experience with this?

Oh, and any commentary about the U2000s relative to the Grand Prix (regular, not the 3000s) is appreciated as well. Thanks everyone!

as a possible way to preserve sidewalls get some
liquid latex (most LBS should have this or be able to
order it. Brand is Jevelot Tire Life. It's used to "glue"
base tape to tubulars after sewing them up. It will keep
natural gumwalls supple and should in theory keep them
from splitting/blowing up.

Marty

Good timing on this thread. I'm considering buying Conti Ultra 2000s, but I had a question. A guy at my LBS said that Contis tend to run skinny relative to other brands, and that I might want to try their 700x25 rather than the 700x23. Has anyone out there heard this or had any experience with this?

Yes: a friend of mine is using some 700x23 Continental (Sprinters?) that look like my 700x20 Specialized Turbos. From my tires' perspective, his would really be a 700x21.

Of course, sprinters are tubulars, wheras the specialized tyres are clinchers. Tubulars tend to be just about exactly the width expected.

...then they are not sprinters...he is using clinchers....

I have a more general question, please forgive me if it's a little obvious to some. How much difference is there between a 700x23 and a 700x25? In theory, I think I understand the differences, but can anyone give me some examples of experiences they've had with the different sizes? Thanks a lot!

for what it's worth.
I've been riding forever, I' tried most brands of tire. I ride conti ultra 2000 with kevlar beads, I ride 700 - 28 c, They do in fact tend to run narrower then other tires of the same size, I flat less then ever since I switched to conti's. I often ride a seriously loaded bike, I get 5000 miles per set of tires. They seem to present less rolling resistance then other tires I've ridden. I don't know what else I can add. What I have said is based on experiance and fact, through trial and error, not opinion. If I were to tour for long distance I would invest in a set on conti. top touring 2000.
Good luck with your tire purchase and post your experiences, they help us all.

Thanks for your thoughts. Sounds good to me.

I'll post how things go with the new tires.