Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - What tire to buy?

Pretty much a tire noob and thus have no idea what tire to buy for my new set of wheels. They're going to be used for commuting and I'm not trying to drop butt loads of money on tires that will probably get a hole in them after a few months. Any ideas?

Just get conti gatorskins, a little pricier than other tires but they'll durable as hell and they'll last

search. tire threads pop up all the time, and iirc, there was a fairly comprehensive one recently.

Off the bat, I'll pass along the Maxxis re-fuse. Never rode them, but last I was in new york, and waxing bicycle with one of the guys at Continuum, he recommended the maxxis tires as a reasonably cheap but comfortable tire solution. I think he also mentioned something about them being the same as armadillos (same manufacturer specialized uses, just releasing their own "generic" tire), but I could be mistaken.

I bought a rando for $30 at my LBS, they work pretty nice. They have double shelding and last for a while, that is if you don't skid on them. They are much more narrow then most tires. I got a 28c but looks like a 25c. Shoulda got a 32c...D=

for commuting you definately want flat protection. gatorskins are always a popular option. i have specialized armadillos on my bike. they have better flat protection than the gatorskins, but apparently have a harsher ride as well. the ride comfort is perfectly fine for me, i don't notice a harsher ride. i have never had gatorskins so i can't compare them.

Panaracer Pasela TG, ftw.

http://www.nexternal.com/icycles/images/60590.jpg

Scrodzilla is correct, best road tire I have ever ridden. They dont have the cred of the gatorskins or the armidillos but they last. They are about the only wire bead touring tire that any one that really goes touring rides, which shows their puncture protection. If your out doing skids and stuff, they wont last as long as some others. But for actual riding, nothing can beat them.

Schwalbe Marathon Plus, Continental Touring Plus. I have Maxxis Re-Fuses, they are pretty sticky. I have gotten one flat in the maybe 50 miles I've ridden with them, but this is the desert and there are goatheads EVERYWHERE. Even in the house.

but this is the desert and there are goatheads EVERYWHERE. Even in the house.

Man I know what you mean, those kinds of seeds are horrible... had something like that penetrate my gatorskin the other week....

Goatheads are pretty gnarly. If you're commuting and not overly weight-conscious, you could always get some thorn resistant tubes as well.

Conti Ultra Sports. Done

My choices are more roadie-ish than what has been previously posted, but as other people have said, tires make a world of difference

-Continental GP4000s
-Michelin Krylion Carbon
-Panaracer T-Serv Messenger
-Vittoria Evo Corsa CX
-Gatorskin

Continental Gatorskin (puncture resistant and grips great)
Continental GP4000 (grips amazing and pretty puncture resistant as well)
Continental Giro Tubular (lasted a long time skidding everywhere, nothing else to say)
Panaracer Pasela TG (not a flat yet, look great for a classy build, pita to mount though)
Vittoria Rally Tubular (not yet ridden these but they are replacing the Giros above)
Schwalbe Ultremo (best gripping tire i have owned but wore quickly)
Vittoria Zaffiro (pulls off my old Pista and still going strong...)
Hutchison Quartz (lasted a long time skidding around)

Michelin Orium (junk, bubbles at random, chunks out, but its cheap)
Kenda Kaliente (gripped amazing but chunked out, i was skidding on a soft tire so i dont fault it. just doesnt fit my riding style)
Continental GP3000... (do they even make this tire anymore? It was horrible. chunked out within a day and flatted twice that day)
Vredestein Fortezza TriComp Slick (flat after flat after flat...)

There is my personal experience with road tires. I do skid and I skid alot so im hard on tires. I cant fault some of these tires because they are soft compound race tires.

Hope this helps.

Conti Ultra Sports

I hope you're joking. These are one of the cheapest/worst tires out there.

Panaracer Pasela TG, ftw.

http://www.nexternal.com/icycles/images/60590.jpg

How much better are the Tourguard Paselas versus the regular Pasela?

I like Conti GP4000s and Gatorskins, which I currently use. I plan to go with Pasela TGs next, as they are inexpensive compared to the Gatorskins.

My choices are more roadie-ish than what has been previously posted, but as other people have said, tires make a world of difference

-Continental GP4000s
-Michelin Krylion Carbon
-Panaracer T-Serv Messenger
-Vittoria Evo Corsa CX
-Gatorskin


I ordered some Krylions today. I'll re-chime at the appropriate time. Also check out http://www.roadbikereview.com/cat/wheels/tires-clincher/PLS_2489crx.aspx