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What tires are best for performance and minmum resistance

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What tires are best for performance and minmum resistance

Old 07-14-13, 06:50 AM
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What tires are best for performance and minmum resistance

Looking for input on road tires (700x23) that are fairly performance based; minimum roll resistance; and will hold up fairly well.

I keep reading reviews left and right and every thing points to a Conti Grand Prix 4000 @ 215 grams and 330 tpi. Any input on these tires or others?
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Old 07-14-13, 08:22 AM
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I run the Conti Grand Prix 4000s tires...I like them. However, I've run them with normal tubes and latex tubes and I gotta say, the latex tubes make them feel really nice. You can tell the difference in tubes. I would definitely grab some if you're going to be changing out your tires.
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Old 07-14-13, 08:50 AM
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I'm just waiting for the crowd, who says that Gatorskins in 28s are the only option for anyone who isn't in the TdF, to show up.
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Old 07-14-13, 09:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Cyclelogikal
minimum roll resistance; and will hold up fairly well.
There's your problem, conflicting criteria, the same as everybody else.

For minimum roll resistance you want the thinnest, lightest, most supple tire you can find. I saw an ad for some race clinchers several years ago that were only rated to last for around 800 miles.

To hold up fairly well, you need to add material in some form to the tire. That's going to make it heavier and less supple.

Continental makes several tire models so they can cover the range. Other tire manufacturers do too. The hard part if figuring out where your personal balance point is. It's easy to say "most high performance" or "most puncture resistant" but I suspect that most riders really want something in the middle.

If you ride with a group, my philosophy is to figure out what most of the group uses and buy the same thing. I don't know if they'll be any better or not but, if you puncture in the middle of a ride, you won't have to endure a lecture about what crummy tires you have while everybody else is standing around watching you fix your flat.
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Old 07-14-13, 09:47 AM
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A narrow and high pressure slick.. lots of companies sell something .. Continental is One.

lightest: Sewups, lightest wire on , the bead is a Kevlar/Aramid, and tire folds flat in a small package.
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Old 07-14-13, 09:57 AM
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Unless your much faster than average and race, your tire selection (within a given range) isn't going to make any difference what-so-ever. If you want to go faster work on the engine.
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Old 07-14-13, 10:23 AM
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The fastest tire I have ever had were the original Specialized Turbo slicks from the late 80s. They were completely slick. The closest to them is the Continental GP, it is a fast tire matched with a good wheel set and tube.

LC
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Old 07-14-13, 11:22 AM
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Yes cornering may be an input too. Living in the mountains with some great downhills with swooping and hairpin turns at times you need a tacky tire as well.
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Old 07-14-13, 11:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
There's your problem, conflicting criteria, the same as everybody else.
True!

How bout something of less resistance than like a trainer but not as slick as a Pro4 possibly for holding up. I really think the Conti 4000's may be the ticket but wonder about cornering downhill on swoops and switchbacks.
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Old 07-14-13, 11:48 AM
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How bout something of less resistance than like a trainer
continental showed a trainer specific rear tire..
but given its the workout you get the trainer for, lessening the effort is counterintuitive..
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Old 07-19-13, 03:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
There's your problem, conflicting criteria, the same as everybody else.


If you ride with a group, my philosophy is to figure out what most of the group uses and buy the same thing. I don't know if they'll be any better or not but, if you puncture in the middle of a ride, you won't have to endure a lecture about what crummy tires you have while everybody else is standing around watching you fix your flat.
Is it generally true that everybody else is standing around watching a rider fix a flat? Doesn't seem right. If two people help, the task will take less time. Maybe they don't want to get their hands and gloves all greasy. Or they're afraid that someone will ask to use up their cartridge.
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Old 07-19-13, 03:59 PM
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The Conti 4000S is an excellent low-resistance racing tyre. Schwalbe Ultremos are also excellent. And Schwalbe are bringing out a new model. The Schwalbe One, which they claim has less rolling resistance still. However, these are performance tyres. If what you want is maximum durability, you'll want something heavier and slower.

Don't listen to people who tell you good tyres don't make a difference. If you borrow a wheelset with a top set of tubulars on it, you will be amazed at the difference in ride quality. And the best clinchers, such as those I have mentioned, are also a major upgrade on the cheaper stuff. Do not worry about their grip, they grip superbly. Slick or slightly textured tyres grip better on pavement than do treaded tyres, they put more rubber to the road.
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Old 07-19-13, 07:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Garfield Cat
Is it generally true that everybody else is standing around watching a rider fix a flat? Doesn't seem right. If two people help, the task will take less time. Maybe they don't want to get their hands and gloves all greasy. Or they're afraid that someone will ask to use up their cartridge.
To be fair, there's only so much a second person can do when it comes to changing a tire. Whenever I have assistance, its usually just trading tasks back and forth...you grab the tire irons, I'll take off the wheel. You remove the tire and the tube, I'll put the new one in and the tire back on. Here's the tire irons, did you grab the co2...good, I'll inflate while you start packing. For the most part, I'm just as fast at changing a tube as I am when I get help. Usually, I'm more flustered with help because they don't know my routine.
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Old 07-19-13, 07:43 PM
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Vittoria makes nice tires too.
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Old 07-19-13, 09:04 PM
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Anything that isn't known for flat protection. Most will be fine. I use Michelin Krylion Carbon for the past couple of years and they seem to be holding up just fine. Have yet to get a flat since using them, but they don't advertise themselves at having flat protection. They seem pretty comfortable as well.
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