Looking for tire(s), please advise
 

Hey there,
I'm fairly new to road biking and I recently got myself a nice 2002 Marin Stelvio as an upgrade from my steel Trek 400 Series (1983). The tires I got with the bike are 700 x 23 and are pretty much at the end of their journey, and so I'm looking to change them.

Now, I live in Montreal, bike-friendly city, but also sporting cracked roads and etc. (all the road problems typical for a big city). I'm also over 200 lb and was thinking I should get wider tires, like 700 x 25 or even 28. Most of my pleasure riding I will be doing in the city (we have great bike paths whichever direction you take), and I will also be using the bike for commuting and etc. Also, I will be riding in rain (that seems unavoidable this summer!) and probably in cold later on, so I'll probably need a fair grip. I'm also addicted to speed (hence my road biking interest), and so something with lower rolling resistance would be great.

Do you have any recommendations as to which tire I should look for and whether I should get a 25 or 28 width? (The cheaper the better!)

Thanks in advance!

I'm fond of the 700X25 Bontrager racelight hardcase as a pretty tough tire.

Specialized armadillo also has good reviews though I've read complaints of it being a "slower" tire if speed is your thing,

Vittoria Zaffiro's are a good combo of price, puncture resistance, and rolling resistance. Continental Gatorskins have their praises sung from the rooftop though I have no expirience of my own to share.

+1 on the Race Lite hardcase's, I just put a set on my CAAD9 in the 25's and have a 2500 miles on my hybrid's Race Lite 28's and have only had 1 flat.

Hi Lux
Fellow Montrealer here. Over the last two seasons I've used Michelin krylions 25's, really like them, fast and long wearing. Downside, $70 a pop!
Racing buddy gave me a pair of Panaracer T-Serv's in 25s. Have used them for the past week, seem to be as fast as the Michelin but a slightly harsher ride. According to my friend, just back from Calgary, bike messengers there swear by them for their toughness and resistance to punctures, $40 a tire easy on the the wallet.
After a week of use, like them enough to buy another pair in 28s for an upcoming tour,
Cheers
PS Don't waste your money on cheap tires!

I'm pretty happy with the 700c x 28 Continental Ultra Gatorskins I have on my bike. Only 500 or 600mi on them, but they seem to work well so far. Much better than the 700c x 23 Vittoria Zaffiro's they replaced.

Please give me an estimate on your miles you are getting with the $40 - $50 tires?

I am using $10.00 nashbar tires and I am over 1500 miles. I could not tell the ride or handling difference between them and the Vittoria Zaffiro tires that made a little over 1000 miles. I can't find my spreadsheet, so I can't give you exact numbers.

Just curious. I am 235 and run 700 x 23 with 120 psi checked at the beginning of every ride.

+1 I am getting 2,000 plus miles on $6.00 Nashbar Hutchins Flash tires. 200 lbs using 105 psi
One rider in our group gets 4500 miles from his $32 tires.

I think I will order more $10.00 nashbar tires. Thanks.

Hi Flip
With the Michelin krylion tires I put 6000km on the front tire before replacing it last week due to cuts. Rear had app. 3000km before I replaced it about 2 weeks ago, also due to cuts. Tire pressure is 85psi on the front and 90psi on rear. Both tires still had plenty of rubber left.
As to the mileage with the Panaracer T-Serv we'll have to wait and see.
Cheers

I have a few hundred miles on some Michellin Lithion tires and really like them. I weigh just under 200 pounds and ride on chip seal asphalt, which can be pretty rough.

What size tire?

I would like tires to last longer, but if I can replace my cheap tires I probably will and save up some money for a set of tires for my roller use only.

Took my first ride on the 25's today and it was a little cushier than the 23's. I think I will like these.

You might want to measure your tires after installing them.
My new bike came with 700 x 23's.
I ordered 700 x 25 to get a better ride.
They were marked 700 x 25, I noticed they seemed to be smaller, but measured out to be 21's.
No Problem, I used them for The Indy Track 100 Mile Ride.
i bought a 700 x 23 at the bike shop. Put it on , it measured 25's.
What I am trying to say is They ain't what they say they are. Check-um for yourself.

Thanks everyone! Your comments really helped.
In the end I found a good deal on Michelin Krylions 700x25, $67 shipped (for two tires), and I decided to try them out. They also come in different colors and those with yellow stripes should complement my bike well.

Ready for riding in the fall!!!

I have 800 miles on the Specialized Armadillos 700X23. I weight 255 and inflate to 110-115. No problems as of yet.

+1 on the Specialized Armadillos... EXCELLENT tires for any weather :thumb:

1000+

Have ridden those and the 700 X 25s through many a wekk long tour. Not to jinx myself, but 4 years, no flats! And the tires roll nicely... You can generally find both on sell.

Hi Flip
I used the Krylion 25mm tires, they actually measure 27mm. My riding weight is 235lbs, if that is any help.:)

Where did you get them for that price! Less than what I paid for one tire!:(

Hello, co-citoyen. I was away for a few days and hence my tardiness. The tires I got online, here's the link:
http://www.worldclasscycles.com/mm5/...egory_Code=CTK

But, just a few days later I received an email where I was informed that these tires are out of stock and that they don't know when they will get them again. I read about it online, and it seems they should be back on market in November '08 or so. (They were also cheaper then now, $30.50, at worldclasscycles.)

So I decided to get Panaracer T-Serve and I got those for $28 each in 700x25.

Thanks again for all your comments. I learned a lot.

Continental Ultra Gatorskins w/ the kevlar bead. I've got 700x25's on my Bianchi & 700x23's on my Giant.

-DR

I have not even put noticeable tread wear on the tires yet, but i'm using Specialized All Condition Sport in 700x28. They should ride better once the pump I have coming in the mail arrives - my crappy old bike pump is not capable of 115 psi. These tires were $35 ea. and have a reflective sidewall. So far so good, I'll see how long they last.

Add me to the list of those looking for 700 x 28 hybrid tires (Trek 7700 with 700 x 38 now and I'd like a little/lot less rolling resistance). I'd like something with some added flat resistance. Saw the Continental Ultragatorskin, but is there anything better that's not impossible to install/remove from the rim?

Are the Ultra Gatorskins impossible to install/remove? If so, I never noticed... Good tire levers (e.g. Pedro's) help a lot. I'm currently using the Continental Grand Prix 4-season, which is also available as a 700x28. Seems pretty nice, but I really can't tell much difference between these tires and the Krylion Carbon or Ultra Gatorskin. Only have a couple of hundred miles on them, however. We'll see how they hold up...