High mileage clyde tires?
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High mileage clyde tires?
I guess this is another one we can add to the FAQ . After about 1500 miles so far on the LHT, the stock Continental Contacts have been great but the rear is starting to wear down pretty good. If I had to guess, I'd imagine it probably has another 1,000 - 1,500 left in it, the latter if I really push it. Which I will .
Anyway, just wondering what other bigger folks are using and getting lots of miles out of. Truth be told, I really am digging the bigger footprint (700x37), and ride quality it gives the steel framed LHT, of the Contacts, and am almost tempted to just buy another one - as I bet the front tire has probably 3,000 more left in it. Really tempted. They're really good tires.
And no, I'm not going the cheap route. Done it before, haven't had much luck with it - I'll pay a (big) premium to avoid flats - in fact I'm half tempted to go with some Nimbus Armadillos. Call me lazy, call me what you will - I just don't like the f-word . I've been eyeing the 700x28 Gatorskins, but I wonder if that's too narrow and will compromise the ride quality I've come to love. Ideally I'd like to stick to 700x32-700x42's. Only downside of the Nimbus 'dillos I've found is some unpredictability in the rain, which I'd rather avoid.
Suggestions? I'm slowing down for the "dog days" of summer, so 100-150 miles/week until it cools down again in September. Again, I want something with great f-word protection, and am definitely very willing to pay for it. I've been eyeing Gatorskins, Schwalbe Marathons (Plus and Supreme), Soma Everwear (they are a little on the too-narrow side), and Bontragers (ride like crud, but they looked brand new when I sold my FX).
Anyway, just wondering what other bigger folks are using and getting lots of miles out of. Truth be told, I really am digging the bigger footprint (700x37), and ride quality it gives the steel framed LHT, of the Contacts, and am almost tempted to just buy another one - as I bet the front tire has probably 3,000 more left in it. Really tempted. They're really good tires.
And no, I'm not going the cheap route. Done it before, haven't had much luck with it - I'll pay a (big) premium to avoid flats - in fact I'm half tempted to go with some Nimbus Armadillos. Call me lazy, call me what you will - I just don't like the f-word . I've been eyeing the 700x28 Gatorskins, but I wonder if that's too narrow and will compromise the ride quality I've come to love. Ideally I'd like to stick to 700x32-700x42's. Only downside of the Nimbus 'dillos I've found is some unpredictability in the rain, which I'd rather avoid.
Suggestions? I'm slowing down for the "dog days" of summer, so 100-150 miles/week until it cools down again in September. Again, I want something with great f-word protection, and am definitely very willing to pay for it. I've been eyeing Gatorskins, Schwalbe Marathons (Plus and Supreme), Soma Everwear (they are a little on the too-narrow side), and Bontragers (ride like crud, but they looked brand new when I sold my FX).
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speaking of the stock Continentals on the LHT... bdinger, what do you typically air them up to? i have been putting them at 85 p.s.i. but I wasn't sure if there was a clyde approved pressure because they seem to look a little flat once I'm aboard at that pressure which is the max sidewall recommended. p.s.I weight in at 320
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Why not switch front and rear for the time being and get the most life out of both tires for the time being?
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I can't speak for the Contact, but I purchased a set of folding Top Contact tires a few months ago (there's a review here at bikeforums) and love them. I have about 300 miles on them and they're fantastic (the rubber 'fluff' hasn't even rubbed off yet).
I'm with you, these tires cost about $50 apiece and they're very much worth it. I'm never happy with cheap tires.
I'm with you, these tires cost about $50 apiece and they're very much worth it. I'm never happy with cheap tires.
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The only time tire rotation is appropriate on a bicycle is when you are replacing the rear tire. If you feel like taking the trouble, and use the same type of tire front and rear, you should move the front tire to the rear wheel, and install the new tire in front.
The reason for this is that the front tire is much more critical for safety than the rear, so you should have the more reliable tire on the front.
If you have a blowout, if it is on the rear tire, you have a very good chance of bringing the bike to a controlled stop. If your front tire blows, you can lose steering control, and a crash is a real possibility.
You do know what kind of crash that would be, don't you, it would be Over The Bars landing on your face type crash....
#6
Mega Clyde
I have been riding Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase tires (700 x 32 at 110 psi) on my Trek 7100 for the last 1000 miles and have seen very little tire wear so far. Also no flats to date (Knock on wood). There were not cheap (~$35 each), but I think they have been well worth it. They roll really well and have handled the crappy roads and debris I encounter on my daily commute without a problem. I currently weigh in at around 325, so they are pretty tough.
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speaking of the stock Continentals on the LHT... bdinger, what do you typically air them up to? i have been putting them at 85 p.s.i. but I wasn't sure if there was a clyde approved pressure because they seem to look a little flat once I'm aboard at that pressure which is the max sidewall recommended. p.s.I weight in at 320
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Also, thanks everyone for the input - I think I might just do the "rotation" thing this time around, and get the most mileage out of everything. I concur with everyone as not only do I fear blowouts in the front, I also note that the rear is getting pretty "squared off", which I imagine isn't going to work out well handling-wise in the front .
Also, I will say the Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase is a great tire, but as I alluded to (and as have others), they really have a harsh ride. I didn't realize it until I rode them on a Trek 520 back to back with a LHT, the ride difference was notable. Not as harsh as my Trek FX, but harsh enough. HOWEVER, they really do ride *fast*, even on the 520. I got about 1500 miles on the set on my Trek FX, and they were in really good shape when I sold it.
Right now I'm up in the air, so to speak. I had hoped these to last until late fall so I could throw on some cross tires for winter, but it looks like I either underestimated their durability, or my mileage addiction.
Also, I will say the Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase is a great tire, but as I alluded to (and as have others), they really have a harsh ride. I didn't realize it until I rode them on a Trek 520 back to back with a LHT, the ride difference was notable. Not as harsh as my Trek FX, but harsh enough. HOWEVER, they really do ride *fast*, even on the 520. I got about 1500 miles on the set on my Trek FX, and they were in really good shape when I sold it.
Right now I'm up in the air, so to speak. I had hoped these to last until late fall so I could throw on some cross tires for winter, but it looks like I either underestimated their durability, or my mileage addiction.
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My brother (not a clyde) uses sport contacts (I think that is the one he uses) and really like them. He gets about 1200-1500 miles out of a rear tire and not sure how much longer the front lasts. I use the
'all condition armadillo" in 700x28 and yes the tire is heavy, etc but I have not got any flats yet. I cannot tell you how long they last but according to my shop they will go a looong time.
Oh ya... - "your mileage may vary"
'all condition armadillo" in 700x28 and yes the tire is heavy, etc but I have not got any flats yet. I cannot tell you how long they last but according to my shop they will go a looong time.
Oh ya... - "your mileage may vary"
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Schwalbe Marathon 700x32mm. Roll nicely, not too heavy and very tough.
I had one flat on my 2000km tour, 85lb bike and gear and 210lbs of me. A flint sharp as a razor cut straight through the tread and the kevlar belt on the rear tire. It was raining on and off the whole day, don't know if that contributed.
Rode 200km with the same tire, then bought a Conti Sport Contact 32 wich I installed on the front wheel and moved the non-punctured Marathon to the rear wheel. The Conti is nice but doesn't feel as strong, I'll put that and another one like it on my training wheelset and get a new Marathon for the touring set later.
I had one flat on my 2000km tour, 85lb bike and gear and 210lbs of me. A flint sharp as a razor cut straight through the tread and the kevlar belt on the rear tire. It was raining on and off the whole day, don't know if that contributed.
Rode 200km with the same tire, then bought a Conti Sport Contact 32 wich I installed on the front wheel and moved the non-punctured Marathon to the rear wheel. The Conti is nice but doesn't feel as strong, I'll put that and another one like it on my training wheelset and get a new Marathon for the touring set later.
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I got 7000 miles over two seasons on my Hard Case Lites with zero punctures. I installed another set.
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My single speed has Armadillos on it. I've heard and find that they ride a bit harsh although they are about as flat proof as anything. I haven't had a flat, in about 4 years and I don't know how many miles of riding/commuting/erranding in Boston (knock on wood).
I've heard a LOT of good things about the Marathon Supremes and will likely be putting a set on my touring bike when the stock Panaracer Pasela Tourguard tires die. They are not even vaguely cheap though... Also you might want to check in at the Touring forum as they have a few threads about tires most of which will be carrying gear and people (AKA clydesque weight) and they're really focused on reliability over there!
I've heard a LOT of good things about the Marathon Supremes and will likely be putting a set on my touring bike when the stock Panaracer Pasela Tourguard tires die. They are not even vaguely cheap though... Also you might want to check in at the Touring forum as they have a few threads about tires most of which will be carrying gear and people (AKA clydesque weight) and they're really focused on reliability over there!
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15 years ago I had some Schwalbe Marathons which were indistructable, on the heavy side of course, but also extremely hard to mount. I am sure the product has changed a bit in the 15 years since then.
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For my IRO, I've been dissapointed with my Conti Gatorskins for the most part. Just the other morning I had a puncture flat on the way to work. Turned out to be a metal sliver. Granted I know kevlar lined tires cant stop everything. I've also had glass related flats on the same tires. This all within the first 500 miles.
Now on my Madone, I have Michelon Carbon Krylions (spelling?) and I haven't had a single flat with them in almost 1000 miles. They roll great and have been the best tires I've owned so far. I don't care for the grey side bands on both sides of the rolling edge of the tire, but I like them so much, I don't care what they look like.
Now on my Madone, I have Michelon Carbon Krylions (spelling?) and I haven't had a single flat with them in almost 1000 miles. They roll great and have been the best tires I've owned so far. I don't care for the grey side bands on both sides of the rolling edge of the tire, but I like them so much, I don't care what they look like.
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I know the Bontrager tires get a the rolling eye treatment, but I have a set of the Race Lite Hardcase 700*28's with 2500 miles on them and the rear tire still has the center ridge and I have had just one flat on them. I run them at 105 to 110 based on the temp. I also don't feel any real difference in the ride quality compared to some other tires I have used. Now I have never had them on my road bike, so that last statement might change if I put them on it.
I have found them so reliable, that I am seriously considering putting the 23's on my road bike. I have them on my hybrid which is my rain bike so I need a tire that is good in the rain and I have had no issues with them sliding on the fresh asphalt we have so much of down here now. I would seriously consider them.
I have found them so reliable, that I am seriously considering putting the 23's on my road bike. I have them on my hybrid which is my rain bike so I need a tire that is good in the rain and I have had no issues with them sliding on the fresh asphalt we have so much of down here now. I would seriously consider them.
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I guess this is another one we can add to the FAQ . After about 1500 miles so far on the LHT, the stock Continental Contacts have been great but the rear is starting to wear down pretty good. If I had to guess, I'd imagine it probably has another 1,000 - 1,500 left in it, the latter if I really push it. Which I will .
Anyway, just wondering what other bigger folks are using and getting lots of miles out of. Truth be told, I really am digging the bigger footprint (700x37), and ride quality it gives the steel framed LHT, of the Contacts, and am almost tempted to just buy another one - as I bet the front tire has probably 3,000 more left in it. Really tempted. They're really good tires.
And no, I'm not going the cheap route. Done it before, haven't had much luck with it - I'll pay a (big) premium to avoid flats - in fact I'm half tempted to go with some Nimbus Armadillos. Call me lazy, call me what you will - I just don't like the f-word . I've been eyeing the 700x28 Gatorskins, but I wonder if that's too narrow and will compromise the ride quality I've come to love. Ideally I'd like to stick to 700x32-700x42's. Only downside of the Nimbus 'dillos I've found is some unpredictability in the rain, which I'd rather avoid.
Suggestions? I'm slowing down for the "dog days" of summer, so 100-150 miles/week until it cools down again in September. Again, I want something with great f-word protection, and am definitely very willing to pay for it. I've been eyeing Gatorskins, Schwalbe Marathons (Plus and Supreme), Soma Everwear (they are a little on the too-narrow side), and Bontragers (ride like crud, but they looked brand new when I sold my FX).
Anyway, just wondering what other bigger folks are using and getting lots of miles out of. Truth be told, I really am digging the bigger footprint (700x37), and ride quality it gives the steel framed LHT, of the Contacts, and am almost tempted to just buy another one - as I bet the front tire has probably 3,000 more left in it. Really tempted. They're really good tires.
And no, I'm not going the cheap route. Done it before, haven't had much luck with it - I'll pay a (big) premium to avoid flats - in fact I'm half tempted to go with some Nimbus Armadillos. Call me lazy, call me what you will - I just don't like the f-word . I've been eyeing the 700x28 Gatorskins, but I wonder if that's too narrow and will compromise the ride quality I've come to love. Ideally I'd like to stick to 700x32-700x42's. Only downside of the Nimbus 'dillos I've found is some unpredictability in the rain, which I'd rather avoid.
Suggestions? I'm slowing down for the "dog days" of summer, so 100-150 miles/week until it cools down again in September. Again, I want something with great f-word protection, and am definitely very willing to pay for it. I've been eyeing Gatorskins, Schwalbe Marathons (Plus and Supreme), Soma Everwear (they are a little on the too-narrow side), and Bontragers (ride like crud, but they looked brand new when I sold my FX).
I'm 230 Lbs and like my Infinity Armadillo 700x38. They are tough on patched-up pot-holes and I can keep 90 PSI, making them fast enough. Best part, no flats.
I keep a pair of 700x28 Gatorskins on a spare set of wheels for faster weekend rides on good pavement.
Michael
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.