Road Cycling - Advise for new Tires?

This topic has probably been discussed many times before; however, I’m going to ask for your recommendations anyway. I am in the market for new tires for my 04’ Trek 5200. I currently have 1,300 miles on the stock (Bontrager Race X Lite 700 x 23) tires and am looking for advice on replacements. I am a 235 lb recreational rider and looking for recommendations on: 1) tire width and 2) brand/model. I have heard good things about Continental but not sure about which model and tire width I should ride.

I didn’t experience any problems with the 700 x 23’s but was thinking of 700 x 25’s may be more appropriate just because of my non-typical weight for a roadie.

Your recommendations will be appreciated.

Do you like the X-Lites? I had them and liked them and changed to Michelin Pro-Race, which I like even more.

55/Rad

I have 700 x 23 Hutchinson Carbon Comps on both of my roadies and I'm 250lbs. Never had a problem and never had a flat.

knock knock on wood

I use Conti Gran Prix Supersonic. I also am a "big rider", when I bought my first pair of those Conti I weighed a lot more then you do..:)
My belief is that the heavier you are, the more pressure you need in your tires. And those Supersonics can take up to 145psi. When I got them originally I was told that Ill have many flats on them, and in the 3-4k miles I had 3 flats that had to do with the Rim tape, and not with a road puncture..

Those tires have very low rolling resistance, and with your weight you will go down hill, just coasting, faster then other any "light" riders pedaling their hearts out..:)

Because they are so hard, they are not the most comfortable tires, but if you want comfort, get a 25c or even a 26c..

Those supersonic are rated as 700X23c but effectively they are more 22c or even 21..

This topic has probably been discussed many times before; however, I’m going to ask for your recommendations anyway. I am in the market for new tires for my 04’ Trek 5200. I currently have 1,300 miles on the stock (Bontrager Race X Lite 700 x 23) tires and am looking for advice on replacements. I am a 235 lb recreational rider and looking for recommendations on: 1) tire width and 2) brand/model. I have heard good things about Continental but not sure about which model and tire width I should ride.

I didn’t experience any problems with the 700 x 23’s but was thinking of 700 x 25’s may be more appropriate just because of my non-typical weight for a roadie.

Your recommendations will be appreciated.

Personally, I really like the Michelin Pro Race tires. Will never, ever, buy Hutchinson Carbon Comps again. Went through 4 sets of them suckers. They either wore too fast and were prone to flat or they got cut / sliced up and were no longer safe to ride. I've never used a wider tire but would think you'd probably find a 25 to be a bit more comfy. Just my .02 cents as a 180lb rider.

Thanks for your input. I will check out the Conti Grand Prix Supersonics and the Michelin Pro Race.

Nice bike. My "A" bike is an '01 Trek 5200. My 2 cents:

I love, love, love the feel and super cornering of Michelin Pro Race. But....
I hate, hate, hate the fact that I'm constantly finding new cuts and nicks. These things are just too soft for hard riding on less-than-pristine roads.

I've had better luck with the Conti GP's and I just returned from the LBS with a set of Michelin Carbons for the daily commuter. If they hold out as well as advertised, I may get a set for the Trek 5200.

I agree about the michelin pro race's
but I'm a glutton and keep replacing them (have plenty of tires now for the trainer!)
friends tell me to try those Conti's, they come highly recommended

ps. I'd like to hear how those michelin carbons work out

I have both the Carbons and the Pro Race. Pro Race are slightly softer but all-in-all, I find the 2 to be very similar.

55/Rad

Vredstein Fortezza has a nice ride.

my favourite tires are conti gp 3000s. good cornering, long-lasting and light. bontrager tires are actually made by continental. i've noticed sidewall cracks, but that seems more cosmetic than anything else, and they can be had pretty cheap. i've never liked michelin, i find they wear very quickly. i had a set of vredestein fortezza tri-comps, and i had the strange problem of constatly having threads peeling out of the sidewall.

Yeah,
not the tri-comps. Most of the guys who work at my LBS (and my wife) run Fortezzas on one of their bikes. Nice tire.Favorite Fortezza quote "They ride like a sock" Wish they made it in a 27c, they don't even make a 25c anymore.

I used Conti 3000s for years, but last time switched to a pair of Avocet Fasgrip SL Carbon 12 based on a recommendation from my LBS and will get the Avocets again.

I had a set of 700 x 23 Continental Grand Prix 3000 tires and although the tread was durable, I also noticed excessive sidewall tear and cracks. I also suffered from a couple of flats.

Now I'm riding 700 x 23 Michelin Pro Race tires and love them! So far no flats and no sidewall wear. The grip is excellent, but I must admit that the tread wont last as long as with the Contis. I weigh about 175 lbs.

:D

Ed

Michelin Pro Race. Best prices I've found have been from http://www.biketiresdirect.com/

I've run through the Michelin Super Comp HDs into the current Axial Comp (not sure about that name) which replaced them. Now that they are getting phased out I bought a set of Vredstein Fortezzas. The price was good and they are very nice tires.

When my 700x23 Continental Grand Prix 3000s began to show a bit of wear and tear (tread and sidewall), I put on a pair of Continental Grand Prix 4-Season. I am a 210lbs recreational rider and very happy with the 4-Seasons from www.biketiresdirect.com. No flats yet!!!

-Spoke

Michelin Carbons. I'm 220 and ride on semi rural roads with random stones etc. conti ultra gatorskins were too hard a ride, Hutchinsons flatted and wore too fast. These Carbons have four ply sidewalls and still provide a decent ride.Race tires just don't seem too have enough durability.

Larry