Fifty Plus (50+) - The Tires DO make a difference!!!!

The Tires DO make a difference!!!!

I went swimming for an hour this am, then a 3 hour ride.

I just changed my Specialized Armadillos out for new Conti 4000's (120 psi).

Whew-woo!

YES!

I hope they don't get flatted from the goatheads, but in the interim they sure are fun!

I know you have problem with the goatheads- but I always felt sorry for you riding the Armadillos. I use the Michelin PR2's and after a cheap Kenda tyre they are fantastic.

So Ride the Rockies is on again if you can get a bit more training in then? Those new tyres will make you fly up the hills.

Continental is a consistently good tire for a broad range of conditions. I have successfully used 400's and Gator-skin. They last a long time, pretty good with flats and do not slow you down too much.

Don't know Armadillos but GatorSkins are not my favorite for ride quality & road feel.
Love my Vittorias.
Never tried Michelins.

Whoaa!! I can't imagine riding in the Rockies on Armadillos! They would be heavy and slow going uphill, and positively scary going downhill.

I've found that riding further from the edge of the road helps prevent goathead flats - the wind tends to blow them onto the edges of the roadways. And stay off of MUP's for the same reason.

Time to resolve this issue once and for all.

1. Do tires make that much difference?

2. Is PSI that big a deal?

3. Do they work better if tyres are of colour?

I'd like to know.

Time to resolve this issue once and for all.

1. Do tires make that much difference?

Yes

2. Is PSI that big a deal?

Yes

3. Do they work better if tyres are of colour?

Course they Do


I'd like to know

Make sure you carry a tire boot. The 4000's tend to slice easily. To do ride nice tho.

Didn't Will Dehne just ride the FaAST on Conti GP4000's? I think his Bontrager Hard Case tires didn't hold up as well as he'd hoped, as I recall.

Time to resolve this issue once and for all.

1. Do tires make that much difference?

2. Is PSI that big a deal?

3. Do they work better if tyres are of colour?

I'd like to know.

They only work better if tyres are spelled tires.

Otherwise, they are absolutely no good.

Don't know Armadillos but GatorSkins are not my favorite for ride quality & road feel.

If you don't like the ride quality and road feel of Gatorskins, you'd absolutely HATE Armadillos.

If it wasn't for their puncture resistance, nobody would ride Armadillos.

Whoaa!! I can't imagine riding in the Rockies on Armadillos! They would be heavy and slow going uphill, and positively scary going downhill.

I've found that riding further from the edge of the road helps prevent goathead flats - the wind tends to blow them onto the edges of the roadways. And stay off of MUP's for the same reason.

Well, I have been ?successfully? riding the Colorado Rockies on Armadillos for many years, as have others I know - including going downhill.

Still alive. (I think)

Well, I have been ?successfully? riding the Colorado Rockies on Armadillos for many years, as have others I know - including going downhill.

Still alive. (I think)

I'm sure you, and many others have ridden them without incident. But, they're far, far from being a "performance" tire, and have some distinct disadvantages for mountain riding...including weight, and lack of "stickiness".

Compared to high-end tires (e.g., Michelin Pro Race 2's or 3's), riding Armadillos uphill would be a drag (literallly), and riding them downhill would be scary because I just wouldn't trust them to hook up.

It's the same reason why guys who race cars and motorcycles don't show up at the start line with "50,000 mile" tires.

When the speedo gets north of 45 mph or so, and there's some tight switchbacks coming up, I want a tire I can trust - and the Armadillo is not that tire (at least, not for my...YMMV).

I (or no one that I know of) have never claimed that the Armamdillos were a "Performance Tire" - far from that, I was aware of a significant compromise between the time it took to fix goathead flats and the time gained with a more Performance tire.

Personally, I don't ride on the road any more than I have to. I have done my own research and determined (for me) that

1. More minor accidents occur on MUPS, BUT

2. Folks get killed and critically injured when bicycles mix with cars.

So, I will just have to carry a couple of extra tubes and a patch kit.

Especially since our MUPS around here are SO nice, and have so few folks on them. I did 30 miles today and hardly saw anyone.

YMMV

[QUOTE=DnvrFox;6832598]The Tires DO make a difference!!!!


I just changed my Specialized Armadillos out for new Conti 4000's (120 psi).

I am running Specialized armadillos 700x28c and have no issue with them, what was the problem you had, or did you have a different size, type?

[QUOTE=DnvrFox;6832598]The Tires DO make a difference!!!!


I just changed my Specialized Armadillos out for new Conti 4000's (120 psi).

I am running Specialized armadillos 700x28c and have no issue with them, what was the problem you had, or did you have a different size, type?

Read the comments by others in this thread.

They are SLOW, almost impossible to mount, but mostly SLOW.

When I first went to the Armadillos, I immediately noticed the difference. I changed from Conti 2000 Ultra's, which were a fast tire.

I ride the Gator Skins, 85-100 psi and have had good luck with them. 15-23 mph for a disabled 50 year old isn't bad. Only dislike, hard to take off/on rims. Hardly ever a flat also.

2. Folks get killed and critically injured when bicycles mix with cars.

Extremely rare, about as dangerous as being a pedestrian.

If we're talking about a road bike on road tires, I don't think anybody who has actually ridden both good quality tires (even just good quality training tires) and more puncture-resistant tires (like with kevlar or thicker/tougher casing of some kind) would say there's no difference. There is. But it depends what you're doing with the bike. Certainly, I prefer nice racing tires for the speed and ride, but on the other hand, when I go on my daily ride on a combination of scenic bikepaths, city streets, parks, etc., I prefer to just ride and not have to pay too much attention to my tires. I went to cheaper, more resistant tires after cutting a couple of higher-end training tires. I can't afford to keep buying new ones, so cheaper, tougher and a bit slower it is.

So, the question is who makes a good fast but, flat resistent tire?

So, the question is who makes a good fast but, flat resistent tire?

Good, fast, flat-resistant.

Is this one of those choose any two type questions?
;)

They only work better if tyres are spelled tires.

Otherwise, they are absolutely no good.
I'm pretty sure the Brits get away with using tyres because they mount them on ryms.

So, the question is who makes a good fast but, flat resistent tire?
In my opinion...there is no such thing.

I have always used Gatorskins at 120-120 psi. Great mileage. I averaged about 10 flats a year in 6000 miles. Maybe I would have 20 on other tires. Just changed to Conti GP4000 s's. Too early to tell, but they seem nice, too. No flats in about 800 miles.

Well, DUH!

Just kidding!@
Like you, Denver, I was convinced to go to Armadillos by some of friends who said it didn't make any difference in speed. I switched to 4000's long before the 'dillos were worn out. Night and Day difference.

I'd never go back!

TysonB

Well, I found that my Pasella TG tires used on two of my bikes over the years were quite fast. At least they didn't feel draggy.

Finest and fastest tires for the money? As in really inexpensive? Conti Sport 1000's which are now Ultra Sports. These things FLY and have a decently cush ride as a bonus. MEC up here sells 'em for $15 each. $13 for the old Sport 1000's. Only issue is that they are thin and flat if you look at them sideways. Still, the ride is worth it.

Finest tires I've EVER ridden were some Vittoria mid price option on my old Cramerotti bike. They rolled like a skater glides on a freshly Zambonied rink and soaked up bumps like I was on a full suspension bike. AMAZING tires. The model has been long supersceeded though. No idea which is the equivalent. A real pity that. I'd gladly pay the $40 a tire for them if I knew I'd get the same performance.... that is I would if I wanted a 23 mm tire... which I don't anymore.

Well, I found that my Pasella TG tires used on two of my bikes over the years were quite fast. At least they didn't feel draggy.

Finest and fastest tires for the money? As in really inexpensive? Conti Sport 1000's which are now Ultra Sports. These things FLY and have a decently cush ride as a bonus. MEC up here sells 'em for $15 each. $13 for the old Sport 1000's. Only issue is that they are thin and flat if you look at them sideways. Still, the ride is worth it.

Finest tires I've EVER ridden were some Vittoria mid price option on my old Cramerotti bike. They rolled like a skater glides on a freshly Zambonied rink and soaked up bumps like I was on a full suspension bike. AMAZING tires. The model has been long supersceeded though. No idea which is the equivalent. A real pity that. I'd gladly pay the $40 a tire for them if I knew I'd get the same performance.... that is I would if I wanted a 23 mm tire... which I don't anymore.


Vittoria EVO CX are an outstanding ride and can be had for the $40 per tire limit if you look hard. PBK had them for around 37 per with free shipping to the US. Tires are almost like saddles, when you find the one you like you stick with it, until they stop making that model.

I liked my Specialized All Condition Pro tires, but am now riding on Vittoria Rubino Pros, which seem to be just as good and cost about $10 less.

I liked my Specialized All Condition Pro tires, but am now riding on Vittoria Rubino Pros, which seem to be just as good and cost about $10 less.

specialized all condition pro's suck @#s. slow as hell, when you can hear the tire like your driving a 4x4 pickup with mud tires it's pretty bad. i just put them on my specailized allez elite and if i would of know how much they suck i would of saved my $$$!!!

Totally agree, Denvr. I used Armadillos for a few months...they felt like two salamis strapped to my wheels...heavy and "dead"...but they were very flat resistent. Tried Gatorskins...OK. I've been on GP4000's (yellow and blue!!) 25's past two seasons. They are very resilient, relatively "light" feeling, and flat resistent (one goathead flat in the last 3000miles. I ride a lot of county road chip&seal: I find the 4000's a great combination of "feel", durability and flat resistance.

**For winter riding on my go-anywhere bike, I switch to Pasela 32's.

I posted in June that I had just started using Conti GP 4000s's. Now, I have about 3400 miles on them and still have a bit left (they have little wear indicators). I have had 5 flats in that time (one front, 4 rear), one was my fault. I have a new pair ready to mount. I like the ride vs durability. Many of our roads are very rough and stickers are a problem.

Continental Grand Prix Four Seasons.

A nearly perfect blend of lightness and puncture resistance IMO.

Also, very good on mixed surfaces, in the rain and cold.




So, the question is who makes a good fast but, flat resistent tire?

GP4000 23mm up front 25mm rear 100-105 PSI..... I'm also a big fan of Gommitalia K's... I never inflate any tire (clicher) above 105 PSI. I'm 175lbs .

Interesting tire comparison test here- http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/general/home/gp4000s_testwinner_en.html Read the complete test results

On my third set of GP 4000s, love 'em and no major cut problems. The only real damage was from a drywall screw this summer that went into the tire and even penetrated my rim. I still ran the tire, (patched inside) for another 800 miles before I decided that wasn't a good idea.

I now have a 33H rim instead of a 32H AC Sprint 350.:)

I'm surprised to find so few users on Kenda Kaliente Iron Cloak tires. about $27, under 200 grams, stickey rubber on the sides of the harder center and a kevlar belt for anti flat. Possibly there is a stigmata from some of the cheap OEM Kenda's but all of my friends that I have coaxed on to them have been very pleasently surprised. Fast, anti flat and cheap (inexpensive)..........yes there is such a thing.

I'm almost afraid to post what I'm riding because they are damned expensive. But OK, Maxxis Courchevals. Light, sticky, kevlar, sexy, and they come in orange. I was riding Conti attack/force and I can tell the difference, especially in the corners.

Time to resolve this issue once and for all.

1. Do tires make that much difference?

2. Is PSI that big a deal?

3. Do they work better if tyres are of colour?

I'd like to know.

1. Yes
2. Yes, but more for comfort than speed.
3. Oh, come on. If anything, colored treads are worse in just about every respect.

SP

I've had excellent resuts with Conti Gatorskins (usually on the rear) and Conti Four Seasons (front mostly, but sometimes on the rear). I ride a lot of centuries and double centuries, but since I'm not "racing" the slightly heavier tire with more puncture resistance is my choice.

Pressure wise, I use 110 front, 120 rear and I'm 165 lbs.

Rick / OCRR

So, I will just have to carry a couple of extra tubes and a patch kit.

YMMV

A patch kit would not have helped when I had a goathead attack! I had about 40 punctures in each tire, in the time it took to drive one tire revolution. Horrible. I think they attacked under direction of Central Command.

Conti GP4000s are the best I've found. I just don't get flats with them and they ride really well.

Don't think the make and type of tyre matter too much- providing it suits your riding and does not wear out too quickly. We do not have severe problems in this are with the goatheads that many of you are plagued with. Worst we have is a farmer cutting a Blackthorn hedge adjacent to the road and you ride on it before the cars do.

So type of tyre? There is a reason for some tyres costing lots more than others. They are better for some riders and "Bling" has something to do with it. I ride on Michelin Pro Race 2's in 23 and I like them. I am a lightweight at 145 lbs and I have tried the 25's and do not like them. In fact I do not need a wider tyre either. Life on the tyres seems to be exceptional and after 2,000 miles on the front tyre on Boreas- I still have the mould pattern showing. The rear has lost those marks but there is still no sign of a flat area on the tread. Puncture resistance is good and on the TCR and Boreas over about 5,000 miles- I have only had two punctures. Both in the wet and both were Blackthorns.

The tyres that came on the OCR3 were Kenda Kontenders in 26. That was not a good tyre for me. It had too much drag and it was not the pressure that caused it. Puncture resistance is not that good either. Have had flints and thorns go straight through the tyre with immediate Loss of pressure.

Now one tyre I would not go for again is the type supplied on Boreas when I got it. Vittoria tyres and within 200 miles- The rear tyre was showing a flat area- Canvass at 500 and there never was a great deal of grip. Then there are the Lithions that came with the TCR- They ought to call them Lethal uns in the wet. Not too bad in the dry but they do not like the wet.

So I have found a tyre I like. No longer made but I know the LBS has a good stock of them. Just hope They still have them in 2010- when I might need a new pair.

I ride Gatorskins and Armadillos on some of my bikes for flat resistance and long life but my best bikes get the Gommitalia Calypso K (or the Targa K if I can get them on sale), or the Vredestein Fortezza. Both tires have a great feel, handle well at speed & on curves. They are good in wet or dry conditions. The Gommitalia tires get cut up easily and because of that, only last 1,500-2,000 miles but they come in a neat can that is useful around the shop. The Fortezza feels similar, is a bit heavier, but doesn't get cut up as much and wears slower. I get 3,000 to 4,000 miles on them. If I shop around, I get both these tires for around $40.

I moved to Stayton, OR last year and noticed the roads seem cleaner around here. When I get our house built & start riding again, maybe I can get more miles out of the Gommi's. Don

If you don't like the ride quality and road feel of Gatorskins, you'd absolutely HATE Armadillos.

If it wasn't for their puncture resistance, nobody would ride Armadillos.

:cry::cry::cry:

Too bad I didn't read this thread before replacing my apparently defective stock tires on the Roubaix with 23mm Armadillos a few weeks ago. They feel like I'm riding on rocks. Why I asked for 23 is beyond me (stock tires were 23/25). They don't have a lot of miles on them so I'm planning to change them before they do so I can sell them as almost-new. It's VERY difficult (practically impossible) for me to change a tire (I'm working on that) so I wanted the most bullet-proof puncture-resistant tire in the shop.

So, the question is who makes a good fast but, flat resistent tire?

Nobody.

A good set of supple 23mm or 25mm tires will ride much smoother than the Armadillos. You don't have to go with 28s to get a smooth ride. Unless you ride on rough roads with glass, nails or thorns, get a regular tire instead of something made to be flat resistant at the cost of excess weight and a rough ride.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus. Much more puncture resistance than Armadillos, and much lower rolling resistance.

Paul

So, the question is who makes a good fast but, flat resistent tire?

I'm beginning to think that's another of those questions that should only be asked on the Politics and Religion board. People seem to have a lot of strongly held but conflicting opinions.

I'm surprised to find so few users on Kenda Kaliente Iron Cloak tires. about $27, under 200 grams, stickey rubber on the sides of the harder center and a kevlar belt for anti flat. Possibly there is a stigmata from some of the cheap OEM Kenda's but all of my friends that I have coaxed on to them have been very pleasently surprised. Fast, anti flat and cheap (inexpensive)..........yes there is such a thing.
I like them so far but mine only have about 600 miles on them so I can't say how well they wear.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus. Much more puncture resistance than Armadillos, and much lower rolling resistance.

Paul

Now this is a tyre that is greatly used amongst tandem riders. The casing seems to be firmer than most but with the extra weight of a Tandem team- this is evened out. And it has a certain amount of puncture resistace built into them aswell.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus. Much more puncture resistance than Armadillos, and much lower rolling resistance.
VERY heavy and stiff. OK for commuting in very poor road conditions maybe. I put them on my touring bike and regret it.