PatrickGSR94

So my rear Conti GP 4 Seasons tire has pretty much bit the dust I think. It went flat on me in the house a couple weeks ago, I fixed it up and rode it another 150 miles or so, then found it flat again yesterday. There was a piece of rubber taken out with cords showing, which I filled in with Shoe Goo, but it appears that the spot rubbed a hole in the tube on the inside of the tire. The tire has about 4K miles on it.

I got those GP 4S tires brand new at a very deep discount from a friend, so basically I can't get the same deal again. I'm looking for a 700x25 tire, folding bead, preferably in the $30-$40 range or less. I use the tires primarily for commuting almost 100 miles weekly. Flats aren't really a problem for me, as the GP 4S tires only flatted on me once while out riding, back about 2.5 months ago, and it was that same rear tire.

I liked the GP 4S light weight, at only 220 grams on my scale. I don't mind a little more weight, but would rather avoid a 500+ gram tire, which is what my bike's original Vittoria Zaffiro wire-bead tires weigh (I hate wire bead tires with a passion).

Any suggestions?

kingston 

Michelin Pro4 Endurance? I recently got a set of 25's for around $70 including tubes from CRC.

If I were commuting on 25's I would probably put a set of schwalbe marathon plus on there and be done with it, but they are heavy and have a wire bead so they probably aren't the right tire for you.

PatrickGSR94

I've heard good things about Marathon Plus tires, and if I could really go a couple of years without having to remove the tire I might consider it. I have a set of wire bead tires for both of my bikes. My other bike having 26x1.5 Serfas Drifter tires, and those things are the hardest tires ever to mount and dismount. My 700x25 Vittoria's aren't much better.

I just can't believe I only got 4K miles on those Conti tires. Still using the Conti tire for the front so maybe I'll get some more miles from that one.

2manybikes

Check Performance bike. I would guess I have bought at least ten tires from them. Maybe more.

look at this one.

https://www.performancebike.com/bikes...400235__400235

Barrettscv 

Vittoria Rubino Pro, these are tough enough for commuting and are cheap when on sale, less than $26. Spend $79 and get free shipping.

https://www.probikekit.com/bicycle-ty...g&gclsrc=aw.ds

woodway

GP 4 seasons $47 on wiggle.com

Here is a good deal on my favorite tire: Conti GP 4000, two for $95.45 with free delivery to the US.

wiggle.com | Continental Grand Prix 4000S II Folding Road Tire Twin Pack | Road Race Tires

I've had good experience with wiggle.com

PatrickGSR94

hmm we'll see what kind of Christmas money I get...

trailmix

Panaracer Stradius Sport. Last set I bought was $21 each for the 700x26 folding version.

trailrnr

4000 miles is nothing to sneeze at. Actually, that is really good mileage. I recommend you buy your tires in sets of 3. That way, you have a new one to switch onto the rear, as you probably get double the life out of your front tire...

Motolegs

https://www.biketiresdirect.com/prod...-fondo-tricomp

These are really nice, check out the reviews too.

achoo

Michelin Lithion:

Michelin Lithion 2 Clincher Road Tyre Sports & Leisure | ProBikeKit.com

spare_wheel

I've bought rubino pro IIs and IIIs for as little as $25 but those deals are hard to find.

I really like the gran fondos from here:

https://www.westernbikeworks.com/pro...-fondo-tricomp

They are off label tricomps and are absolutely amazing value, IMO. See review here:

Found: Western Bikeworks? Custom Vredestein GranFondo Tricomp Road Bike Tires

PS: In late winter they close them out before the next vintage arrives and you can get them for $22ish. Ridiculous.

spare_wheel

Heh...did not see this prior to my previous post. Biketiresdirect is owned by westernbikeworks.

Sixty Fiver

Great tyres... and that price is excellent.

Motolegs

Thanks for that, I'll look into WBW and see if I can get another pair in Winter. $22 is an amazing deal. They are $34 currently @ BTD.

chaadster

Excel Sports has the 26c Panaracer Gravel King, which clocks in at 240gm, for $37 per right now. I've not used it, but it looks awfully nice (127tpi), and I've got a pair of excellent, if narrow, Panaracer Race Type A Evo 2 23c on a wheelset right now, on which I've raced a few crits and trust, so I'm hopeful by extension; thinking to dial up a pair for my winter trainer, here...

Panaracer GravelKing Tire - Excel Sports

chriskmurray

I have the 28mm Gravel Kings and they are fantastic. The Pasela is also another good option, a little heavier but a little more puncture proof and cheaper.

The Maxxis Refuse is another great tire that is fast and lasts a very long time without breaking the bank.

PatrickGSR94

I'm thinking about going by the LBS just to see if I could fit a 28c tire inside my brakes and frame/fork. Otherwise those Panaracer tires in 26c look interesting.

tarwheel 

I buy whatever high quality folding tire I can get on sale for the best price when replacing the 25s on my bikes. Currently that's the Vred Grand Fondos linked above, which I bought from BTD for about $25 each. Before those, I was using Vittoria Rubinos in 25s and 28s.

I've quit buying Conti tires because they've gotten too expensive and they always run narrow. However, I've been running some Gatorskin 25s on one of my commuter bikes that I bought on sale a while ago for less than $30. They were durable and flat resistant, but harsher riding than the Vittorias or Vreds. I wouldn't hesitate to buy Michelins for the right price, and their 25s tend to run wider than other brands -- closer to 27-28 mm wide.

PatrickGSR94

I just measured my front wheel Conti GP4S 700x25 as 26mm wide, mounted on a rim with a 15mm inside clear width.

caloso

Here's another source for Michelin Lithion 2 Michelin Lithion 2 Road Bike Tyre | Chain Reaction Cycles

They have been my training/commuting tire all year. Really great tires. I can also recommend the Maxxis Refuse. Also very good.

mcours2006

Another vote for Lithion 2's. I have these on my vintage racer. Not a lot of mileage yet, but I like them, so much so that I'm ordering another four for my other bikes. Less than $20 each including tubes. What more do you want?

SlowJoeCrow

I can tell you what tire not to buy, Serfas Seca. I had one on my rear wheel that succumbed to glass in the tread area after a couple of months, unlike my old Hutchinson Fusion 3 tire which only succumbed to glass in the shoulder area after several years.

PatrickGSR94

heh interesting, I have Serfas Drifters 26x1.5 on my utility bike and they've been fine. Hard as all heck to mount and dismount, but no problems otherwise.

AlTheKiller

Cheaper isn't always less expensive, remember that. Spend thirty now only to have to replace it every two thousand miles, and maybe a worse ride, worse grip, etc... Of course there are often good tires at great bargains, unfortunately my cheap tire experiences usually ended up retiring prematurely...