Vittoria Randonneur Pro tires - any feedback on them?
07-27-11, 01:39 PM
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Vittoria Randonneur Pro tires - any feedback on them?
A while back I got a great closeout deal on a set of Vittoria Randonneur Pro tires, 700x32, and now that I've got about 150 miles on them, I have to say I'm liking them a lot. Just wondering how long they last, and if there are any issues I should be aware of. I'm running them at the listed max 75psi, and they are definitely faster and more comfortable (kind of surprising) than the old Ritchey Crossbites (700x38 at 85psi) that they replaced. These are good looking tires, and they also have the reflective strip on the sidewall, which I like.
07-27-11, 06:31 PM
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You like 'em, end of story!
I'm currently using a set (26x1.5, folding) ... great tires. They will last (quality), they are reasonably fast rolling (not by any means the fastest in this category, but not the slowest), perfectly round, and pretty puncture resistant. I've got about 3000 kms on my set; no appreciable wear, and no punctures, on crap roads/light off-road.
What's not to like?
I'm currently using a set (26x1.5, folding) ... great tires. They will last (quality), they are reasonably fast rolling (not by any means the fastest in this category, but not the slowest), perfectly round, and pretty puncture resistant. I've got about 3000 kms on my set; no appreciable wear, and no punctures, on crap roads/light off-road.
What's not to like?
07-28-11, 08:25 AM
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Double Shielding
They hold up really well for loaded touring. Because of the performance and price, they're my tire of choice for touring.
I'm not sure if they all have the double shielding feature or not, but I assume they do. They have a underlayer that's colored red to indicate when they are getting worn. It's a little disconcerting when the red layer begins to show through and I'd bet most people chose to replace them as soon as that happens. I've found you can still get some more miles out of them once this happens, but they look a bit funny. If you rotate the tires, you'll be more likely to have this happen to both tires at the same time.
I'm not sure if they all have the double shielding feature or not, but I assume they do. They have a underlayer that's colored red to indicate when they are getting worn. It's a little disconcerting when the red layer begins to show through and I'd bet most people chose to replace them as soon as that happens. I've found you can still get some more miles out of them once this happens, but they look a bit funny. If you rotate the tires, you'll be more likely to have this happen to both tires at the same time.
07-29-11, 07:29 PM
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I have the same tires in the same size on my Kona Jake. I only have 200 - 300 miles on them, but I like them a lot so far.
07-30-11, 09:57 AM
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I must be in the minority here, used to have a set on a Jamis Code about 7 years ago. They were flat prone and never handled well in the rain. I much preferred the Panaracer urban pro's.
07-30-11, 08:14 PM
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I don't actually own any but the 28 mm Zaffiros that came with my bike are decent tires. I've mostly been running a pair of 32 mm Hutchinson Acrobats but when I want narrower tires the Vittorias do quite well in spite of their lack of puncture protection.
The Acrobats are about worn out now, well the rear one is and replacements are not generally available in the US anymore. So I have been looking pretty hard at getting a pair of 38 mm Randonneur Hypers. The Hypers have a different puncture protection system and will run at a little higher pressure than the Pros but both have a supple medium high thread count casing that should give you a fast, efficient tire. On paper both look like good tires, I just like the Hypers a little better and that is most likely what I will get.
Ken
The Acrobats are about worn out now, well the rear one is and replacements are not generally available in the US anymore. So I have been looking pretty hard at getting a pair of 38 mm Randonneur Hypers. The Hypers have a different puncture protection system and will run at a little higher pressure than the Pros but both have a supple medium high thread count casing that should give you a fast, efficient tire. On paper both look like good tires, I just like the Hypers a little better and that is most likely what I will get.
Ken
