Northern California - Advice pls with tires

Suffered two flats on my TNT ride. My tires have about 2000 miles on them and are worn. Looking for fast tires that are pretty durable. Will pay big bucks to keep from getting more flats, especially if they have low rolling resistance. Are fast but durable tires too much to ask for? Which tires are you running? BTW, I am 210 lb, if that makes a difference.

Michelin Krylion Carbons. I'm still not real comfortable with them when it gets damp, but otherwise they fit the bill. I'm also over 200 lbs.

What TnT ride? I'm training for the death ride with them.

JB

Doing the Marin metric on Aug 4. Thanks for the Michelin tip. Can I find the tire at bike stores or online only?

Specialized Mondo Pro. Pretty fast and durable. Low rolling resistance, kevlar belt, etc.

The Michelins are pretty widely available - I know you can pick them up at Performance in Walnut Creek, the California Peddlar in Danville, Livermore Cyclery and I think at REI. Not sure who has the best prices though (I'm still on my first set).

JB

Continental Gatorskin tires are very puncture resistant. The folding version is pretty light and fast. Handling is decent, but not as good as less puncture resistant tires. These tires are widely available in bike shops.

Continental Grand Prix 4-Season is also very good punture-resistant tire, a few friends use them and like them a lot. I just started using Continental Grand Prix 4000 tires and, while supposedly not as punture-resistant as the 4-Seasons, they've held up pretty well over the last few weeks (oh-oh, now I'm doomed).

Depending on the width you want, the Contis I mentioned above are available in many bike shops. If you want 23 mm you'll have no problem, that's what most shops (Performance, etc.) carry. If you want 25's you'll have to hunt around some, I think I bought my 25 mm Conti 4000's at Bicycle Outfitter in Los Altos. If you want 28 mm, I think you'll have to special order them, or buy them online from Universal Cycles (http://www.universalcycles.com/index.php) or someplace like that.

+1 on Continentals.

I am riding the GP Attack/Force and no flats after 800 miles (uh, oh I said it). I hear these ones are being discontinued so I will likely go with the GP 4000 for my next set.

If you really, really, really want puncture resisitance, get the gatorskins.

Conti GP4000's are the only tire I will buy any more. They are light, great flat resistance, and they roll fast. Best all around tire Ive ridden.

Conti GP4000's are the only tire I will buy any more. They are light, great flat resistance, and they roll fast. Best all around tire Ive ridden.

well I've been running Michelin Krylions (formerly Michelin Carbons) since I got my latest bike, really pleased with them, but hey with that recommendation maybe I'll try out the Contis for a little comparison.

I use the Conti GP 4000 on the tandem and road bikes.

I have had good luck so far with Michelin Pro2 Race tires (220g). They roll great, last weekend I was coasting 47mph on Corral Canyon Rd. between Livermore and Tracy; I don't know the grade there, but it's not insanely steep at all. They also make the Pro2 Light (190g) for the true weight weeny.

My stronger suggestion would be to use SpinSkins kevlar tire liners in any tire you choose, these are effective against many things that will puncture any high-performance tire and only 14g for 700x23c tires. I use these on my road bike and Mr. Tuffy liners (plastic, heavier) on my commute bike (also 700x23c tires). Last week I ran over something riding my commute bike that put a 1/2" cut through the tread and casing and I didn't flat! I noticed the vibration of the bulge in the tire, reduced pressure and made it home. After changing the tire I could stick my little finger right through the hole!

On my DF, I use either Continental Ultra Gatorskins, or Specialized Armadillos. I'm not a fast rider, so I don't worry that much about wet handling. I slow way down to turn when it's wet.

I have had good luck so far with Michelin Pro2 Race tires (220g). They roll great....

+1 on the Pro 2's. They just want to keep rolling, and I seem to out-coast just about everyone with them. Plus they handle real well and are smooth.

High puncture resistance and low rolling resistance are somewhat opposed to each other, but the Pro 2's are a good balance - I hardly ever flat them, and I weigh 230lbs.

GP 4000's would be my second choice - almost as good as the Pro 2's. I won't use anything else but these two.

As far as best prices go, I get my Pro 2's from probikekit.com. ~$28/ea, no tax and no shipping. And despite being in the UK, they get to my door in about 5-6 days.

I ended up buying the Michelin Pro Race 2. They were $15 cheaper than the GP4000 and the bike shop guys says they are about equal in rolling resistance and durability. The Mich just rides a little softer/smoother than the GP.