mgw4jc

Does anyone have any experience with the Bontrager All Weather 2 (AW2) tire? I need 2 new tires ASAP. I'm not patient enough for an online order, plus I like to support the LBS if possible.

I called a couple of places at lunch. One has the Bontrager AW2 for $40. According to Bontrager's website, it has some puncture resistance but with low rolling resistance.

I would like to keep the total cost under $100 (for two), while also being conscious of getting a decent tire too. I ride 100+ miles per week on mostly decent asphalt roads. I've been riding 700x23 trainers, but will probably go with 700x25.

I'd like to get the Gatorskins, but they run $60 per tire at another shop. I didn't ask what else the shops have in stock. I'm going to one or maybe both shops after work tonight.

Basically I'm looking for opinions on if the Gatorskins are worth the extra $20 per tire?

alan s 

If you buy online and shop around, you should be able to get Gatorskins at a better price. Biketiresdirect has them for less, e.g., 10% on next order and free shipping and no tax. 700x28 folding bead come in at $104 delivered (member price) plus 10% off next order. Can't remember the last time I bought tires at a store.

jrickards

The description of the Bontrager AW2 seems to fit what you need. Unless you ride in really flat-prone areas or huge miles/yr, at worst, these seem like they'll last at least a couple of years giving you plenty of time to consider how these compare with others. I like my Schwalbe Marathons but I find them a bit heavy and, I think, because the rubber compound is quite hard (therein lies their durability), I've lost rear tire traction during a hard stop a couple of times (but I had time to recover). I say, go for it and let us know what you think after a few months.

spivonious

The Bontragers look fine to me treadwise, but a TPI of 60 would put me off unless I really needed durability. I'd probably lean towards the AW3 to get the lower rolling resistance.

mgw4jc

I went with the AW2. I hear ya on the AW3 rolling resistance, but the extra $25 per tire wasn't worth it.

I reckon I'll have to develop the strength to overcome the resistance. Or just take a bit longer to get to and from work.

thrllskr

I was using AW2 hardshell lites 700x25 and they were awesome. I am going back to them after trying two types of Continental Tires. I ordered a new set of AW2 tires because the other brand is expensive and over rated! I swear they pay people to promote their tires on here. LOL

gerard2013

What's your impression on the AW2 after a season?

Sullalto

I found the ride quality inferior to marathon supremes, but I think I had 25mm AW2's vs 28mm MS's. No complaints other than that though, it was still rideable and not prone to flats.

the sci guy 

I run 700x28 AW2 on both my commuter bike, and my Cross-Check. No complaints yet

Tommy1955

Does anyone know the difference between AW1 and AW2? The bike came new with AW1 hardcase lite 700x32c tires. The Bike Barn, where I bought the bike, said the only AW tire in their computer was the AW2 hardcase lite 700x32c and that it should be a better tire. They don't carry the AW1 or AW2 hardcase lite 700x32c tire in stock. Order only.

HTupolev

Seems like AW1 is listed as wire bead and significantly heavier.

fietsbob

I do have a Trek Dealer nearby .. they have continental and Schwalbe tires too .. Serfas .
lots of tires from the few countries that grow rubber and the chemists that make Butyl rubber from Oil.


Bontrager AW2 Hard-Case Lite Road Tire | Trek Bikes

Tommy1955

Today I had two AW2 Hard case lite 700x32c tires put on my FX 3. Going to George bush Park here in Houston tomorrow. I'll see if I feel a difference. They're calling for temps to be in the upper 60s tomorrow. Looks like a good day for riding.

mconlonx

The AW series with HardCase lite is a step up from tires without any kind of flat protection, but not as good at flat protection as their HardCase or HardCase plus tires, or any other tire with serious flat protection, like Gatorskins, Armadillo, or top-tier flat protection from Schwalbe.

I am of the opinion that it is a marketing and technical solution to the question, "What is your biggest pet peeve as a bike rider?" where the answer is "flat tires."

I work (PT/occasional) at a Trek shop and can get Bontrager tires cheap, but I still prefer Panaracer -- currently running RiBMo tires. I'd compare the flat protection of the AW HardCase Lite tires to Pasela PT and T-Serv Panaracer models. Better than nothing, but not the best flat protection; a decent compromise in saving weight and providing more suppleness.

Darth Lefty 

There are lots of ways that bike tires are armored. They can have thick rubber layers, fabrics, and combinations thereof. The rubber can be latex to roll faster, or, on a cheaper tire, just really thick tire rubber. There's about five different fabrics... monofilament "spider silk," polyamide, polyester, nylon, Kevlar. The fabrics can go wall to wall or just cover the tread. When you pay a lot for a tire you are paying for more flat protection and better rolling but you still can't pay enough to get both perfect at the same time. And that's not even considering tubeless. And each manufacturer has their own trademarks for all this crap.

I can't find anything that specifically states what the various Trek trademarks correspond to, so it's really hard to say what might be equivalent or better or worse. But fortunately, it's not that important. It's an inexpensive armored tire that will get you where you want to go most of the time, just like all the others.

mgw4jc

I'm so happy to see that a thread I started almost 2 years ago is back up top! But can we reach 2 pages?

I ended up sticking with the AW2s and liked them well enough. I can't say I'm in tune enough to really notice big differences in tires that are similar to begin with. I easily put more than 3000 on the back tire and close to 4000 on the front. No flats, or maybe one I've forgotten about.

I bought a new bike in September and it came with Schwalbe Lugano 700x25. So far they've worked well (about 1800 miles so far) and I may just stick with them for now. I saw a deal on Amazon for 2 tires and 2 tubes for like $35 or something.

Tommy1955

Apparently the tires I had put on, Bontrager AW2 hard case lite 700x32c use an Aramid fibre for the protection layer. Went on a pretty bad area today and so far so good. On a side note, I plan to stay away from that area until they re-pave it. It's a very short area. The park is owned by the county.

canadian deacon

I bought a set of AW2s this time last year. I commute on average 75 km/week (about 4000 km/yr = 2400 mi/yr).


They have worked fine over the past year but I have noticed cracking occurring in the sidewalls. I am conscious to check tire pressure and add air as required. I run 700x23s and normally inflate them to 100 - 110 psi.

Tommy1955

sci guy, could you tell me what the max. pressure is for these 700x28 tires?

Thank you

the sci guy 

I don't remember off the top of ,y head but I think I run them around 110? I'll be honest I have to look at the psi markings on the tires every time I air up any of my bikes because they're all different.

Tommy1955

Okay thanks. I'm really thinking about changing my AW2 32s to 28s. My 32s are fantastic, no flats, and ride great. I'm just thinking that maybe I should try to make the FX 3 as fast as I can make it.