Road Cycling - Road tires

Hi, I am looking for a some road tires. That are not likely to get flats. But are good for racing and training. I would like to ride them rain or shine.

I'm using a set of Hutchisons for the first time.

They've done lots of km without puncturing once. I also have to look really hard at them to see any signs of wear.

They feel nice to ride and look OK too.

I'm staying with them from this point. They're the best tyres I've ridden.

I've had pretty good experiences with GP3000s. I run 23s. They're a bit pricey though but if you look around, you might be able to find them for around US$35 each. They usually go for around US$50 each. They're pretty smooth rolling yet offer decent traction in the wet and don't wear excessively fast. I put about 5000 miles on my last pair but they were pretty bald (especially in the rear) when I replaced them (after a puncture split). I'd recommend going 4000 at most. YMMV... literally. Generally, they're pretty durable and puncture resistant as long as you don't let them go as many miles as I did. I'll be replacing my current set of GP3000s much sooner than I did my last.

Hutchisons are reasonable for the money. I have been using these for over 2 years now (not the same set!). They are good in wet conditions, puncture resistance is good and they cost about £15 (approx US$22) here in the UK. Usually, replacemnt is only necessary due to cuts caused by debris in the road (could happen to any tire), athough one failed at the side-wall.

I've had very good results with Conti GP3000s.
I'm stickin' with 'em till something better comes along. :beer:

I haven't tried the Panaracers. I just got a pair of Vred Fortezza Tri-comps and after about 200 miles, I think they're the *****! Max pressure is 145psi, if you want it. They look well made, and have solid feeling sidewalls. The ride is good, and they have a nice, secure feel cornering. Haven't tried them in the rain, so I can coment on that. My other favorite is (discontinued) Michelin Axial Pros, although they aren't good in the rain. I assume the Pro Race's are similar. Some people have trouble with APs tread getting damaged easily.

Tires are a borderline religious topic. Take all advice (mine included) with a grain of salt.

Michelin Axial Pro's or Pro Race's are my favorite for mileage, durability and performance. The performance is where it excels . For a training tire, the Conti Ultra 2000 is decent. It still has ok performance.

My vote was for the 3000's series grand prix but for speed i have found the 700x20 Conti supersonics great.

I've been on GP Four Seasons all winter, and they're great. Not the fastest tire, but they've got a little added flat protection, the same tread pattern as the regular GP3000, aren't insanely heavy and outlast regular GP 3000's. But, with most things, there's a tradeoff. You get great wet weather performance at the cost of a little traction on the dry. If you're racing enough, you might not be interested in them.

Originally posted by roadrage
Michelin Axial Pro's or Pro Race's are my favorite for mileage, durability and performance.

I'll 2nd that, I moved from Axial Pro's last year to the new Pro Race's, amazing tire.

Originally posted by Joe Gardner
I'll 2nd that, I moved from Axial Pro's last year to the new Pro Race's, amazing tire.

I'll 3rd the Michelin Axial Pro's :D

Specialized Armadillo Turbos are my favorite if flat protection is number one. Haven't had a single flat in 3 years. They're heavier than some tires so they probably won't be good for racing but would be perfect for training. I've ridden over glass, rocks potholes and not a single flat. And where else can you find a tire with a cute little armadillo on it?

Does anyone here have any experience with the Specialized Flak Jacket line? That maybe something else to look into if you want a lighter tire.

Matt

The Conti GP 3000 foldables that I got as original equipment on my Lemond 3 years ago started coming apart, with chunks of rubber coming off of the tread, in about 800 miles. I got rid of them. Perhaps they have improved.

I liked the Conti Ultra 2000's, but too many goatheads (puncture vine) aruond here, so I switched to Specialized Armadillos. Not quite as fast, but, hey, fixing flats is not my cup of tea.

Yes, Michilins Good.

Ride Far
Pat

I agree with Tokus on the Turbo Armadillos-if flats are the primary issue. I moved to Bakersfield CA where I went from avg 2 flats a month to 2-5 a week! After a 1 1/2 yrs of trying to find a durable tire I finally tried the Armo's. Now I haven't had a flat in 3 years and well over 12,000 miles and they last about 2600 miles; BUT there is the weight catch at 350grms for 700x26. I tried a using a Mr Tuffy AND a Slime tube (crappy tubes, the slime does not work above 70PSI) inside an older style Conti 3000 and a Mich Axial Carbon but still avg 2 a week (all from sidewall damage); plus the weight for this combo was 230grm for one tire, 90 for the Tuffy and 130 for the Slime...you add that up and that's more than the Armo's!

When my front tire wears out I am thinking about trying the Conti Gatorskin on that wheel since it weighs about 100grms less. But there is a new tire from Conti called the Attack/ Force, but I think their only available in pairs (Colorado Cyclist); and another new tire from Vittoria called the Open Corsa EVO KS that is suppose to be pretty good (Performance). BUT my concern for these other tires is their sidewall strength; this was where most of my flats occured before using the Armo's.

By the way the LBS that turned me on to the Armos have some employees who race in the RAM race and use the Armos in that race because they lost valuable time fixing flats before; and they train on them year round...but they don't use them for shorter races.