Long Distance Competition/Ultracycling, Randonneuring and Endurance Cycling - What tires do people use...

for double centuries, brevets and other long rides?

I've done a handful of centuries and have learned I prefer 25mm to 23mm all things equal. For touring style rides I love my Schwalbe marathon plus, but those are just too heavy for a riding at a brisk pace (20mph+) all day.

I'm turned off my "race" style tires that wear out after a few months. Any suggestions?
Thanks

-Sean

for double centuries, brevets and other long rides?

I've done a handful of centuries and have learned I prefer 25mm to 23mm all things equal. For touring style rides I love my Schwalbe marathon plus, but those are just too heavy for a riding at a brisk pace (20mph+) all day.

I'm turned off my "race" style tires that wear out after a few months. Any suggestions?
Thanks

-Sean

Many miles ago I switched over to airless tires. First I went with 700c x 20; then because I wanted to go off the road path with my OCR2 I purchased a set of 700c x 28 touring airless tires with a psi rating of 120. I am a happy camper with the airless tires because I do not have to worry about flats on any surface that I end up riding on. If you do go the airless route the company to speak with is out in Colorado, Nu-Teck.

I have to swear by Vittoria Zaffiro in 700X23, both wire bead & folding styles. I can get 4K miles out of the rear, easy. They have a Kevlar belt under the tread area, good for navigating the minefields of broken glass and shredded car parts that line the shoulders of every road in the southeast. Plus, at $14.95 each,I can keep three extra sets hanging on a peg in the garage.

I do at least one century per weekend, sometimes back-to-back Sat/Sun if I don't have anything else to do. (Nah, ain't fast. 15.5 - 16.5 mph. 110 miles takes me just about seven hours. TdF racers aren't nervously looking over their shoulders... not at me, anyway.)

Zaffiros have held up well to this use... set after set get swapped out after the rear is too shouldered to provide the crisp-ish handling that I expect from my fleet of cheapo roadracers. I reinstall the used tires on the bike I have chucked into my indoor trainer. I've run those to failure... it's hilarious if one is expecting it.

No doubt some of the readers will throw virtual spitballs at me, but I also have to mention Performance's Forte GT-K. I know, I know... When Wal-Mart gets around to selling roadbike tires, they'll probably stock these. Hey, but they're cheap and durable, and ride better than anything made in Thailand has a right to.

for double centuries, brevets and other long rides?

I've done a handful of centuries and have learned I prefer 25mm to 23mm all things equal. For touring style rides I love my Schwalbe marathon plus, but those are just too heavy for a riding at a brisk pace (20mph+) all day.

I'm turned off my "race" style tires that wear out after a few months. Any suggestions?
Thanks

-Sean

conti 4 season gp
been riding 28s on mixed terrain.
rarely use the 25s anymore but they served me well.

Panaracer Pasela (non-Tourguard) 700x32. The lack of flatproof belts does seem to make them roll a little faster. The fairly-hgih volume makes them very comfortable even over really rough pavement.

continental gp4000s 23c

Tried Michelin Pro race 3 recently but got two flats on the first two rides. Still haven't had a flat with the gp4000s going on my 2nd set this year.

Continental Ultra Gatorskins 700x23c

They've done me well.

Continental Ultra Gatorskins 700x23c

They've done me well.

+1, but I use 28's. They are just as fast as anything narrower but they are comfy and roll right over rough roads. I run them around 100 psi. Most durable tire I've used so far.

Pasela tourguard.

Last me about 5-6000 miles. Usually with only 2-3 punctures in that distance (I ride on streets strewn with glass, and rural roads with strewn with thorns).

If I was being pernickity about weight, I'd get the folding versions.

http://www.probikekit.com/_img_500x640/Y1324.jpg

I recently switched from Vittoria Diamante Pro 700 x 23c to the Vittoria Rubino Pro 700 x 25c pictured above. The Rubino Pro says something on the box (I think) of being a long-distance tire and the choice of RAAM riders. So far they have been great. I might have close to 1000 miles on mine, so I'll see how they hold up. I like the wider tire, yet 25c is pretty fast. (25c is the largest tire I can put I can put on my bike.) Also, these are foldable which is important if you want to carry a spare. It is one of the lightest tires you can get other than a racing tire, and it seems to hold up well. I've only had 1 flat.

Link (http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=Y1324) to tire at probikekit.com

Specifications:
Folding bead
Kevlar® belt
Max psi 130
Weight: 240g

I like the specs on the rubino pro. Found them at http://biketiresdirect.com/productdetail.asp?p=VIRP2

I like the specs on the rubino pro. Found them at http://biketiresdirect.com/productdetail.asp?p=VIRP2

An advantage for biketiresdirect is that they have the 28c size there, if one wants that, but if you want size 25c, price per tire is more than half off at probikekit.com ($21 vs $43, plus free shipping at PBK). PBK ships from the UK, so to the USA it takes about 7-8 days for an order to arrive, only a couple days longer than having a tire shipped ground from BTD. And although the PBK website doesn't say, they are also shipping the 2008 revised Rubino Pro II model.

I ride my rear tire at 130psi because, well, I'm always flirting with Clyde status (I'm just barely under 200 lbs.)

Rubino pros are fast, handle better than the continentals, and good flat resistance. I rode thru a set of rubino protechs (folding w/ sidewall protection) without a flat. Everyone I've suggested ride them (I work at a bike shop) have been very happy with them as well.

For fatter tires, 25-35c, folding Panaracers T-servs are great and thick tread. Conti 4 season or gatorskins in 28 are fast, if you want 32c Bontrager hard case are fast but stiff you can run 110 psi even in the 32c size.

my standbys are Panaracer Pasela TServ 28's, though my latest pair need to be replaced, and I'm curious about returning into Continental's warm embrace.

I also gave a try with the Grand Bois Cypres 30s that are sold by Bike Quarterly, but found them to be a little too fragile for New England roads, and the 30s made for a tight fit beneath my fenders and long reach caliper brakes. I'm mildly intrigued by the Grand Bois Cerf 28's, but still only mildly.

my standbys are Panaracer Pasela TServ 28's, though my latest pair need to be replaced, and I'm curious about returning into Continental's warm embrace.

I also gave a try with the Grand Bois Cypres 30s that are sold by Bike Quarterly, but found them to be a little too fragile for New England roads, and the 30s made for a tight fit beneath my fenders and long reach caliper brakes. I'm mildly intrigued by the Grand Bois Cerf 28's, but still only mildly.

i debated getting the cerfs as well - it being time to replace my conti gp 4 seasons. i stuck with the contis - i ride too much mixed terrain (gravel, smooth ashpalt, broken roads, dirt) to drop $100 bucks or more on an unproven and unseen tire. they sound great... but... i know the contis work - and they feel good too.

a little on the small side - they measure about 26.5 wide, very different than the published 28.

i have pasela 32s on my fixed gear all rounder. not sure if i like the ride as much as the conti's. wish they made a wider tire with the same construction as the 4 season. their sport contact seems pretty harsh, and i've heard they can be slippery when wet.

Rubino pros are fast, handle better than the continentals...

which conti's are you comparing with?
when i was searching last week i didn't see these in 28. they do look like a nice tire.

how do they compare to the gp 4 season?
do they run true to size? (the gp's run narrow)

Panaracer Pasela Tourguard 700x32
which replaced conti top touring 700x32

both are good tires

Continental Ultra Gatorskins 700x23c

They've done me well.

me too, but i ride 25's

me too, but i ride 25's

I don't know how people ride anything skinnier than 25mm around where I am. On the STP this last month we were joking how the asphalt got worse as we got further south.

I don't know how people ride anything skinnier than 25mm around where I am. On the STP this last month we were joking how the asphalt got worse as we got further south.

i have to admit i did the stp on 23's. and regretted it as soon as we hit that chipseal stuff down south!

which conti's are you comparing with?
when i was searching last week i didn't see these in 28. they do look like a nice tire.

how do they compare to the gp 4 season?
do they run true to size? (the gp's run narrow)

The Rubino ProTechs in 23s and 25c ride faster than conti gatorskin or 4 season of same width. faster and grippier IMO in the wet as well. corner better, inflate to 145 in the 23cs!!!

Rubino Protechs not available in 28. There it's going to be gatorskins, 4 season or panaracer t-servs in 28c.

which conti's are you comparing with?
when i was searching last week i didn't see these in 28. they do look like a nice tire.

how do they compare to the gp 4 season?
do they run true to size? (the gp's run narrow)

The Rubino ProTechs in 23s and 25c ride faster than conti gatorskin or 4 season of same width. faster and grippier IMO in the wet as well. corner better, inflate to 145 psi!

Rubino Protechs not available in 28. There it's going to be gatorskins, 4 season or panaracer t-servs in 28c.

Vredestein Fortezza Tricomps in 23c
Don't get the cheap versions of the Fortezza. Tricomps are worth it. Biketiresdirect. Supple tire, nice ride even at high pressure, hold well in wet or dry, don't cut easily especially when relatively new, folding, light, very low rolling resistance. I run mine at 140 on my carbon frame and fork.

I've got a case of info overload regarding the Vittoria Rubinos.

Browsing around I've found the following variations:

Rubino Pro
Rubino Pro II
Rubino Protech

...with prices ranging from $22 to $42.

I think the "Pro II" seems to be the best, based on features and the high price, but if it's only marginally better than the plain "pro", I'd rather get a spare set for the same $$$.

woah. I didn't realize some of the rubinos are available in 700x28. I want some.

rubino pro tech adds woven sidewall protection similar to the gatorskins. it's finer weave than the gatorskin.

For the Rubinos there are really only two versions, Rubino Pro and Rubino Pro II are basically the same tire. Rubino Pro Tech is as Bekologist describes above.

For 2008 Vittoria revamped some of its tires using the same model number but adding a "II" behind the name. For instance, the Diamante Pro is now called the Diamante Pro II.

Same thing for the Rubino Pro -- it now has been named the Rubino Pro II. I'm not quite sure what is different. Tread pattern and material construction seems to be unchanged. Weight might be 10 grams or so lighter.

When I placed my order from Probikekit.com early in the spring, their website said (and still does say) "Rubino Pro." But they sent me the newer Rubino Pro II tire. Both products have the exact same model number.

So if you purchase a Rubino Pro with no "II" at the end of it, you are getting older stock. But note that some websites (like PBK) may ship you the newer II model even though their website still lists the older version. Also, the "II" is only on the box, not on the tire itself -- the tire will still say "Rubino Pro." The newer versions have a smaller silver label, as pictured at the biketiresdirect link above. The older label has more red in it (in case you are buying these on ebay or something).

Vittoria Pave clinchers, the tread isn't the longest lasting but they are very nice rolling tires, sticky in the corners and rarely flat (knock wood).

People always try to suggest how flat resistant a tire is. Clearly some treads and compounds can "suck" in debris - also as some rubber ages it can soften up and absorb the junk too.

If I avoid the shoulders on heavily used roads most any tire will go quite a ways before flatting. On the other extreme, I've got 32mm Schwalbe Marathon Pros on my "heavy" bike. Since mounting them 8 onths ago, I've not had a flat. I'll knock on wood as well, but given the additional 2lbs of rotating weight the marathons added, and how terribly difficult they are to mount (very stiff sidewalls), I am hoping it's more than luck that keeps them puncture free.

conti 4000. 700x25.

I just put a set of Surfas Seca RS tires on my new build. I only have about 15mi on them but the seem great so far. Time will tell though.

also as some rubber ages it can soften up and absorb the junk too.


Usually rubber gets harder over time, as it loses volatile compounds.

i have to admit i did the stp on 23's. and regretted it as soon as we hit that chipseal stuff down south!
Chipseal is not so bad on 23's. If you drop down to about 110psi the ride is decent. However, if I knew I was going to be riding all day on the stuff, I'd go for a bigger tire.

I ride 28mm Ultra Gatorskins, but I'm Sasquatch sized. At 245 pounds, the 23mm Conti UG's I have on my fixed gear are really harsh. The 28s on my commuter/distance bike are perfect. Fast enough for the effort I put into riding, and comfortable/flat-resistant enough that I haven't had any issues until just this past Thursday. 3100 miles on my rear tire, and something cut clean through the tire on my way to work. :(