Road Cycling - tires

I've seen tires listed in catalogues as "Folded". Is this good , bad, or makes no difference? Can anyone recommend a good road tire
(good traction on turns and not too prone to puncture) that does not cost an arm and a leg. (Retired and on a fixed income).:confused:

Hi Capkos,

I'm also retired and living on a fixed income and just can't fork out big bucks for a set of tires, especially with 4 bikes.

I really like IRC Road Winner II Duro tires. I think they are one of the best wearing and best feeling wire bead tires for the money.
Nashbar has 'em on sale right now for $12.95.

I use 28c on my everyday road bike. I'm on my 3rd set. Love 'em.

On my more spiffy road bike I just put a set of IRC Triathlon tires 20c, and they feel as good as the Road Winners, so we'll see how they run this summer.

IMO folding tires are nice but not worth the extra bucks to save a few grams of weight unless you're a competition rider.
I used 'em some years ago before I got old :)
Wire bead tires (non folding) are cheaper and make more sense for a regular rider, like me.

I, too, am retired and on a fixed income. However, I have found that folded tires with a kevlar bead are really worth the higher price. I like my Continental Grand Prix tires. They are easy on and off for puncture repairs. Their flexibility makes it easier to find fragments of glass by feel (hey, I usually don't take my reading glasses along!). Also I have found that the more expensive tires have an extra layer of puncture resistance and will last longer. If you find a good buy on them in a catalog, the folded tires pack up a lot smaller and will have lower shipping costs. Just some thoughts.

Hey, Capkos, do you like psittacids also?

Rich

Am I being paranoid, or are folding tyres more likely to blow off a rim? I currently use 28mm Specialized Armadillos for transportation and 23mm Conti Ultra2000s for sport.

Folding tires, they weight less than the not folding tires, and if you place extra aire pressure on this kinda tires the side will pop out of the rims, so just put just the right air pressure

I've used many folding tires and never had a problem with rim blow off.
Of course I didn't exceed the manufacturer's recommended pressure marked on the sidewall, by more than 5psi at any time.

Yes, they are nice to fold and carry as a spare, which is a minor hassle with wire beaded tires.

I think folders are great - just not all that much greater for me than wire beaded tires to justify the extra cost.