Touring - New tires - vittoria randonneur pro

I just installed vittoria randonneur pro tires on my bike. Replacing the tires that came on bike. After 5 years, the side walls were cracking on the Nokian Ultra Tour. Still plenty of tread left. I am going up to 700 35 from 700 32. Looking for a little cushier ride. Do any of you use these tires and if so, how do they hold up?

I'm very interested in this tire. I've run the regular Randonneur in 32 for quite some time. I've had great luck with very little flatting. Isn't the pro folding bead? I did see that they have a new one that is.

If your the only one it's your duty to report back your experience :)

I just replaced the Kenda Kwest 32c tires that came on my bike with Vittoria Rondonneur 32c Hyper tires.
They are lighter in weight and have a kevlar bead. I have never had these tires before so I will
have to see how they wear.

The randonneur pro 35s roll like bricks...but otherwise are a decent tire.

Agree with chipcom they aren't exactly a "performance" tyre but otherwise ok.

Agree with chipcom they aren't exactly a "performance" tyre but otherwise ok.

Not looking for a "performance" tire, but a nice riding tire for comfort will carrying a load. Went out and did 26 miles today and like the soft ride. Not sure how a brick rides.

Not looking for a "performance" tire, but a nice riding tire for comfort will carrying a load. Went out and did 26 miles today and like the soft ride. Not sure how a brick rides.

They ride comfy enough, but compared to my Conti Top Contacts or even my old Top Tourings...they make coasting feel more like stopping and seem to take more power to the pedals to maintain the same speed. ;)

Not looking for a "performance" tire, but a nice riding tire for comfort will carrying a load.

Each to their own. I like a tyre that rolls well. There is always a balance between performance and durability. I've never felt I compromised the latter by choosing a quality tyre like a Gatorskin -- or in the case of my 650b bike (http://www.veloweb.ca/mybikepages/blerioso.html), the incredibly supple Grand Bois Hetre. In respect to that bike, I could run the very robust Schwalbe Marathon HS 368. But they are very much a "brick" compared to the Hetre.

I had terrible experiences with these. Tried them on the Northern Tier, had one die within 1500 miles (straight thru the tread). Threw on the spare and it barely lasted. Flatted more than should have been possible. As soon as I got home replaced them both.

I've tried to attach a picture of the randonneur on my rear wheel, with the tread worn off revealing another layer below. I noticed this the other day, just after the bike came out of hibernation. There is still a lot of material on the tire (probably more than my old Pasela TGs had to start with), but I changed it to be safe--and put on another randonneur. These go on and off without tire irons, which is nice. Sorry I don't know the mileage on the tire. As far as longevity, I haven't got close to the five years the original post mentioned on any tire, riding 1500 to 1800 miles per year.

650b bike[/URL], the incredibly supple Grand Bois Hetre. In respect to that bike, I could run the very robust Schwalbe Marathon HS 368. But they are very much a "brick" compared to the Hetre.

I have been reading about the Hetres. I run 700 so I can't use them. What tire do you think is comparable to it for 700s? Ruffy Tuffy?? What about Jack Browns(blue or green??)? I don't think I want to build up a tourer w/650s at this time. Then again.....:innocent:

I've gone the other way to you; I'm now using Nokian Ultra Tour II tyres. I used the Vittoria's on my last tour, I got 800 miles out of the rear tyre before the sidewall split and the front tyre showed cracks after about 1000 miles. I replaced that one before the inevitable happened.

I have been reading about the Hetres. I run 700 so I can't use them. What tire do you think is comparable to it for 700s? Ruffy Tuffy?? What about Jack Browns(blue or green??)? I don't think I want to build up a tourer w/650s at this time. Then again.....:innocent:

The Hetre has no peer in 700 as far as I know. The key is in the volume and the supple casing, which makes it incredibly comfortable and fast. From what I understand, the manufacturer has very nearly reproduced the performance of the legendary hand-made French demi-balloon tyres of yore. They come alive on chipseal and gravel surfaces.

I can't say that I've used them with a heavily loaded bike; just day tours (http://www.veloweb.ca/storypages/kootenay-return.html) and randonnees w/ appropriate gear. But I have around 3,000 kilometres on my first pair with only a couple of flats and one deep 1/2" wide cut through the rubber to the casing which (tip) I successfully fixed with Super Glue.

I've tried to attach a picture of the randonneur on my rear wheel, with the tread worn off revealing another layer below.

You've just jogged my memory. I had a British couple stay with me who were cycling to South America. They had started in Alaska. So what's that to southern BC? Maybe 3,000 km? Their Vittoria Randonneurs looked just like that -- worn through to the casing.

I have ridden the same roads and noticed no appreciable wear on the Specialized tyres I used.

I've gone the other way to you; I'm now using Nokian Ultra Tour II tyres. I used the Vittoria's on my last tour, I got 800 miles out of the rear tyre before the sidewall split and the front tyre showed cracks after about 1000 miles. I replaced that one before the inevitable happened.

Maybe I am making a mistake. Now I'm a little worried. I use Vittoria's on my road bike, and thought I'd give their touring tires a shot. I could not find any Nokian like I had, either. Very happy with them, 5 years and over 3000 miles, plenty of tread but side walls are cracking. I guess I'll find out how they do for me.

I use the vittoria randonneur 700-32s on my commuter/tourer and consistently get 3500-4000 miles in mostly all-weather urban PNW riding, carrying my clydesdale bod. YMMV, but it's my go-to tire. Never tried -35s, though.

I had terrible experiences with these. Tried them on the Northern Tier, had one die within 1500 miles (straight thru the tread). Threw on the spare and it barely lasted. Flatted more than should have been possible. As soon as I got home replaced them both.

i wore through mine in 1200 miles on my pacific coast tour. Id avoid em. no flats though...

Vittoria Randonneur 28s seem to roll OK and last forever, but they're not particularly comfortable. They feel pretty stable and secure. I'll probably replace it with something else if it ever wears out, which seems highly improbable based on performance over the last year or two!

The Hetre has no peer in 700 as far as I know. The key is in the volume and the supple casing, which makes it incredibly comfortable and fast. From what I understand, the manufacturer has very nearly reproduced the performance of the legendary hand-made French demi-balloon tyres of yore. They come alive on chipseal and gravel surfaces.

I can't say that I've used them with a heavily loaded bike; just day tours (http://www.veloweb.ca/storypages/kootenay-return.html) and randonnees w/ appropriate gear. But I have around 3,000 kilometres on my first pair with only a couple of flats and one deep 1/2" wide cut through the rubber to the casing which (tip) I successfully fixed with Super Glue.

Sounds like a Sunday century tire or hotel touring(which I don't do often). I like the idea of comfort and speed. I spent last night reading Sheldon Brown's "How to build a 650B". I'm thinking the wheels and tires(Hetres) will cost $500.00. The brakes will also need to be adjusted or replaced. Thanks for your information. Nice pictures on your link. Best, Charlie