Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - What tires do you use?

What tire do you use, and how do you like them? I'm specifically interested in those that are running 23 or 25, but feel free to put comments about anything you're run that you have strong feelings about.

I've been going back and forth between conti gatorskins and specialized armadillo elites. I've now got a set of roubaix pros.

The Specialized tires are a weird 23/25 size. That's marketing speak for size 25. The armadillo elites have been pretty solid for me. The plain old Speacialized Roubaix Pros are developing a flat tread in the rear at 400 miles (weak!).

I've had mixed sucess with Gatorskins. The treads were great, but I had a sidewall blowout on the rear at 600 miles. They rolled great though, a lot better than the specialized tires. I'm going to try one more set of gatorskins and try keeping the psi around 120. I had been running around 105, so that may explain the sidewall problem.

Anyone have tires out there that roll well and stand up to the pressure we put on them?

I'm willing to pay for good tires that last. If they just don't exist, I may go for cheapies and replace them every 500 miles.

What tire do you use, and how do you like them? I'm specifically interested in those that are running 23 or 25, but feel free to put comments about anything you're run that you have strong feelings about.

I've been going back and forth between conti gatorskins and specialized armadillo elites. I've now got a set of roubaix pros.

The Specialized tires are a weird 23/25 size. That's marketing speak for size 25. The armadillo elites have been pretty solid for me. The plain old Speacialized Roubaix Pros are developing a flat tread in the rear at 400 miles (weak!).

I've had mixed sucess with Gatorskins. The treads were great, but I had a sidewall blowout on the rear at 600 miles. They rolled great though, a lot better than the specialized tires. I'm going to try one more set of gatorskins and try keeping the psi around 120. I had been running around 105, so that may explain the sidewall problem.

Anyone have tires out there that roll well and stand up to the pressure we put on them?

I'm willing to pay for good tires that last. If they just don't exist, I may go for cheapies and replace them every 500 miles.

I'm sorry but my experience with narrow tires is limited to ones that I flatted so I got fed up and went with 32 mm Panaracer Urbanmax tires. I have some Panaracer 28mm tires on my SS and find that narrower tires just don't last, plus the ride is harsh. I have found and increase in average speeds over chipseal, with wider tires and don't notice my overall averages going down enough to make a difference for me. I'm not racing so I don't figure I need skinny tires. I think I have about 1200 miles on my Urbanmax tires at this point.

I'm running Bontrager 28mm Hard Case Lites. I ride on some rough roads and have never had a flat from the tires themselves.

Michelin Pro Race2 700x23.

I was running some 700 x 23C Vittoria Diamante Pro Light tires, but I was getting punctures every 100 miles or so. Changing tires weekly gets old very quick. I am now running 700 x 23C Specialized All Condition Armadillos. Love them. One slow leak puncture in the last 915 miles. Much better.

Bontrager Select 700X35. I get about 2,500 out of the rear and 5,000 out of the front. I had my first flat at 5,500 from some glass. Otherwise, solid performance.

Michelin Krylion (700*23) have been very nice and I have about 350 miles on them so far. Only had one flat on them, but it was from beer bottle thrown right in front of me, so I could not avoid it. Very nice on the corners and holds pretty good on the wet roads. Very much like the Michelin Pro Race2, but with side wall protection.

Continental Ultrasport 630-32 (27"X1 1/4). Snappy performance and great durability.

my favorite tire to date are the Avocet carbon 12 slicks.

On my commuter I run the duro K 32 x 700

On my single speed I run 28 x 700.

"John"

Michelin Pro Race2 700x23.

+1 on the Michelin Pro Race, but if you can get them in 700x25 go for these instead. These run even bigger than 25c, I measured 28mm. Much nicer ride and no flats so far. I have to run 700x23's on my utility road bike due to a low brake bridge and the Pro Race 700x23 has flatted 3 times, each time it was raining. I always get flats when I ride in the rain for some reason.

I've heard great things about the Krylion Carbon and Continental Grand Prix 4000 as well, both of these are available in 700x25, sometimes even at sale prices because apparently this is not as popular a size as the 700x23's.

Michelin Krylion (700*23) have been very nice and I have about 350 miles on them so far. Only had one flat on them, but it was from beer bottle thrown right in front of me, so I could not avoid it. Very nice on the corners and holds pretty good on the wet roads. Very much like the Michelin Pro Race2, but with side wall protection.I rode these (700x23) for about 2,500+ miles. Did very well for me. Rear developed some bald/skid spots (I need to go easier on the brakes :embarassed: ) so I replaced them with:


Michelin Pro Race2 700x23. Find these slightly more comfortable/supple than the Krylions.

Bought both sets of these from biketiresdirect.com (http://www.biketiresdirect.com/). Cannot find better prices anywhere. Shipping was fast.

Michelin Pro Race 2 700X23, I had them on my Alum bike and then when I got the carbon I had the same tire in 700X25 and hated them and changed to the 23's. The 25's to me felt like you were dragging a lead weight behind the bike. The 23's respond better , but did not really affect my average speed any. But the only flat I have had was a beer bottle that I could not get around. I ride rough roads etc so far no problems

Its a little early to declare them a smashing success, but Im very happy with Vittoria Rubinos in 23s. They came stock on the bike, but they are performing admirably considering the punishment Im putting them through. I cannot justify upgrading.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus 700x28 - as of this AM, about 2900 miles issue free miles....100 PSI, I confirm pressure every day.

Gatorskins were usually good for about 600 miles, never had a failure on the tread, always had something get thru the sidewall....

Michelin Pro Race 2 700X23, I had them on my Alum bike and then when I got the carbon I had the same tire in 700X25 and hated them and changed to the 23's. The 25's to me felt like you were dragging a lead weight behind the bike. The 23's respond better , but did not really affect my average speed any. But the only flat I have had was a beer bottle that I could not get around. I ride rough roads etc so far no problems

Yeah, there is a slight SLOW-ness feel to the 700x25's, I felt it too. But as you say, it isn't reflected in any noticable changes in average speed. I think they're just more comfortable, and this makes them kind of unremarkable. I suspect though that they're every bit as fast as the 700x23's. I over-inflate mine a little past the max on the sidewall. The sidewall says max 108 psi, I take mine on up to 115 or so and this makes them harder riding over broken up pavement, a feeling a prefer.

Continental Gatorskins, they last a lot longer than 600 miles for me, no flats so far and they roll so much lighter than the armadillo tires.

I rode these (700x23) for about 2,500+ miles. Did very well for me. Rear developed some bald/skid spots (I need to go easier on the brakes :embarassed: ) so I replaced them with:

Find these slightly more comfortable/supple than the Krylions.

Bought both sets of these from biketiresdirect.com (http://www.biketiresdirect.com/). Cannot find better prices anywhere. Shipping was fast.

Pro Race 2's are the best tire E V E R!!!! 700x23c - I will not use anything else.

probikekit.com has 'em for $28/ea, free shipping and no tax.

Continental Gatorskins, they last a lot longer than 600 miles for me, no flats so far and they roll so much lighter than the armadillo tires.

Another Continental Gatorskin user. I'm very satisfied with them.

Another Continental Gatorskin user. I'm very satisfied with them.

Same here. The rear is wearing fast with only 700 miles on it, but i havent flatted yet. (Knock on wood). The front looks very good. I'll be rotating those this weekend. Might get another 1000 miles. Dollar for dollar, they're wearing at the same rate as the Pilot Powers i just replaced on my Ducati. Between both bikes, i'm spending lots of money on tires. :(

I run michelin pro-2 races (700x23).

Pros:

Plush ride (supple tire)
Roll smooth
Stick well
Long life for a race tire (I typically get 2500+ miles out of them)
Reasonably puncture resistant (I only remember one flat)

Cons:

Cut easy (I superglue the cuts back up)
Expensive

Bontrager 700x25 hardcase lite on the rear and whatever came with the wheel combo on the front. I think I have a 700x23 bontrager race lite on there now. The front doesn't matter much to me since all the weight is on the back wheel.

@ 115 psi the ride can be pretty harsh but thats to be expected. The CF seat post and front fork help out alot.

2000 miles on 1 and 500 on the other tire so far without a flat. (I have 2 sets of wheels)