Taboo Tire Question

[Dizzy]

I am sure there are a million threads on this..... Oh wait nope not quite that many I did check it first.

The simple question is: What is your favorite tire?

You see I need a new tire since mine just shredded itself last night in the middle of a ride. (cheap tire).

So I am looking for a new one and thought I would ask here. I am asking this here in this forum since I feel tires are a regional thing. A good tire in say Alaska might not be the best for Southern California.

I am on a serious budget so please don't recommend tires over 50$, I just don't have that kind of money.

I would prefer a folding tire so when it is time to retire said tire I can use it as a backup on my long rides far from help.

I ride for fun, I don't race and I don't log huge amounts of miles.

Oh yea the tire needs to be black. OCP, Points.

Any ideas?

[voltman]

Michelin Pro2 Race. It can be found for around $30. The downside is the closest it comes to black is dark gray.

[cjbruin]

Continental Grand Prix 4000. $43.95 at www.biketiresdirect.com. It is available in black.

[Brandy]

Michelin Pro2 Race. It can be found for around $30. The downside is the closest it comes to black is dark gray.

Like your Sho-Air bibs?

[roadfix]

Since I don't race and are not particular about tires I always buy whatever's on sale at either Nashbar or Performance. I don't favor one brand over another. They all ride and feel the same to a recreational rider like myself. I've never made a bad tire purchase.

[voltman]

Like your Sho-Air bibs?

Boo on you! :mad:

:p

[Grumpy Pig]

I've had good luck with Gatorskins. They're a little heavier than 4000s and Michelins.

[merider1]

gatorskins

[Brandy]

Boo on you! :mad:

:p

Yes, but it was funny. :D

[cjbruin]

I thought it was funny and I'm not even sure what it means :)

[voltman]

Yes, but it was funny. :D

I, indeed, laughed.

[voltman]

I thought it was funny and I'm not even sure what it means :)

She called me fat.

[cjbruin]

harsh :)

[prendrefeu]

gatorskins

On the note of Gatorskins vs. other - you (OP) may be able to tell a dramatic difference in ride quality. I've got Gatorskins on one bike and Pro2race on another - the differences in ride quality are fairly dramatic. The Gatorskins have a lot of rolling resistance, comparatively, and are not as agile when cornering.

The best of all worlds is the Schwalbe Ultremo, but they're pricey and hard to find.

If you want all black, consider the Continental GP4000 series. Their black is black, not grey.

For the best deal, ProBikeKit (UK) is your best bet.

Good luck!


(edit: anyone notice that the OP didn't mention in their post whether this is for a road bike or a mountain bike?)

[nesdog]

Funny, I posted a similiar question in the Road forum today about whether I would notice a difference from the Conti Ultrasports to another tire...maybe the GP 4000. Not sure if I got a good answer out of that!

Sheldon

[Indolent58]

On the note of Gatorskins vs. other - you (OP) may be able to tell a dramatic difference in ride quality. I've got Gatorskins on one bike and Pro2race on another - the differences in ride quality are fairly dramatic. The Gatorskins have a lot of rolling resistance, comparatively, and are not as agile when cornering.

The best of all worlds is the Schwalbe Ultremo, but they're pricey and hard to find.

If you want all black, consider the Continental GP4000 series. Their black is black, not grey.

For the best deal, ProBikeKit (UK) is your best bet.

Good luck!


(edit: anyone notice that the OP didn't mention in their post whether this is for a road bike or a mountain bike?)

So you have two identical bikes with different tires? Interesting :rolleyes:

[haimtoeg]

GP4000 - black has the black chili compound which is the latest conti innovation for bike tires. Get them at PBK and you'll be well within your budget.

[yogi13]

Michelin Pro2 Race. It can be found for around $30. The downside is the closest it comes to black is dark gray.

+1

[chimivee]

So you have two identical bikes with different tires? Interesting :rolleyes:
:lol:

[oc_rider]

Have you tried the Performance brand tires? I think that they are re-badged Kenda tires.

As for me I use Conti's GP4000. I love those things!!! But I also race and need the cornering grip.

[socalrider]

I use conti 4000's too and like them a lot.. Good balance of a fast tire and decent puncture protection. If you need better grip, I would highly recommend the Gommitalia Calypso tires.. I like using the Conti 4000's on the rear and Gommitalia on the front.. The Gommitalia tires are as good as the Vittoria cx tires at half the price..

http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=Calypso+Tire+Pair&vendorCode=GOMMI&major=1&minor=27

[voltman]

harsh :)

:lol:

[East Hill]

Oh yea the tire needs to be black. OCP, Points.



Wait a minute.

Let's see a photo of the bike before you pull out the OCPness factor.

How do we know that the correct tyre might not be red, or blue?

East Hill

[Psydotek]

Continental Gatorskins and/or Michelin Krylion Carbons. I have both and love 'em.

Gatorskins on the CX/commuter (and soon on the light tourer), and Krylion Carbons on the road and fixed gear bikes.

[DaveSANYYZ]

Michelin Krylion Carbon on one set of wheels and Vittoria Rubino Pro's on another.

I like the feel of the Vittoria more - seems much "snappier"; but the Krylion do seem to be a little stickier.

[prendrefeu]

So you have two identical bikes with different tires? Interesting :rolleyes:

No, I don't - however I have tried both tires on both bikes. There was a difference in ride quality between the tires REGARDLESS of the bicycle. Admittedly, only two bicycles - but since both tires were tested on both bicycles with roughly equivalent wheelsets (in properties), I am able to give some judgment on the tire's qualities alone.

True, it is not a truly scientific analysis, however I'm not foolishly making comparisons without some reasonably grounded basis of evaluation like many people may assume. My many years of heavy-science education background has not been forgotten.

[§ Λ Μ]

Vittoria stitched tires. Never gave me a flat in over a decade, just eventually wore out.

[Indolent58]

No, I don't - however I have tried both tires on both bikes. There was a difference in ride quality between the tires REGARDLESS of the bicycle. Admittedly, only two bicycles - but since both tires were tested on both bicycles with roughly equivalent wheelsets (in properties), I am able to give some judgment on the tire's qualities alone.

True, it is not a truly scientific analysis, however I'm not foolishly making comparisons without some reasonably grounded basis of evaluation like many people may assume. My many years of heavy-science education background has not been forgotten.

Outrageous. I'm reporting you to the mods for gratuitous use of logic.

[Brian Sorrell]

Since I don't race and are not particular about tires I always buy whatever's on sale at either Nashbar or Performance. I don't favor one brand over another. They all ride and feel the same to a recreational rider like myself. I've never made a bad tire purchase.

What a refreshingly reasonable response. I couldn't agree more*.

*Though on the main commuting rig, I try to get tires with reflective sidewalls.

[Tortise45]

I like Specialized Armadillos....very, very, very rarely do I get a flat. Tried some Continentals a while back and thought they were the worst tires I've ever owned. Had three flats rapidly, with debris just punching straight through. They were also hard to get on and off my Mavic wheels. Just my 2cents worth.

[MarkAJ]

Conti Gator Skins
I usually get 2,200-2,800 miles on a pair with Mavic Open Pro wheels.

[spinerguy]

True, it is not a truly scientific analysis, however I'm not foolishly making comparisons without some reasonably grounded basis of evaluation like many people may assume. My many years of heavy-science education background has not been forgotten.

?? and this is coming from a graphic designer? Just about how many engineering courses does one need to get a designer degree? :D

[djgonzo007]

I really like my current tires Conti GP 4000 but they may be harder to find under $40.

The best budget tires I've ridden are the Vredstein Fortezza SE. The Trek superstore in SD always has them for around $25 a piece and it can handle 120 + psi. You should be able to find them at Performance as well.