tedder

Getting a new set of rims, so I'll use my current rims as "trainers". I want to use something faster on the new rims and run latex; what tires should I use?

It's for centuries, fondos, and solo hillclimbing.

TheRealFaux

I use Open Corsa SCs and Turbo Cottons. They have identical cotton castings, but different rubber compounds. I got ~3500mi out of my first pair of Open Corsas and only had one flat. I just started using the Turbo Cotton because the 26c size just came back into stock recently, but it's essentially the same tire.

datlas 

Best answer is GP 4000s II.

HOWSER

I've been competing on the Vittoria Open Corsa EVO's for 3 seasons now and love them. They do tend to wear faster than what I would consider average, but the performance is excellent.

CafeVelo

Sew-ups?

Smokehouse

I had/have a set of conti 4000s...never was a hug fan of them. I moved to the Michelin Pro 4 SC and like them far more. I think it's up to personal taste...and I tried really hard to love the 4000s...but in the end, I just didn't.

loimpact

Can you describe in particular what you didn't like about the 4000s and what you do like about the Pro 4's?

Smokehouse

They were a much harsher ride than the Pro 4 (I was riding the black chili model, 23mm wheels, 23mm tire, 90-110psi depending, 180lb rider)...and prone to fatal sidewall cuts. I had one die on me at less than 250 miles on it and another at less than 1000, both due to sidewall cuts that left me stranded. Even if I write off the sidewall issues to bad luck, they are a really stiff, harsh tire (despite the TPI claim). I landed up picking up the Pro 4 SC on the cheap and was instantly surprised at how much better the ride was. Much smoother ride and so far, I haven't noticed a difference in handling.

My only "beef" with the Pro 4 is life of the tire. I go through one tire a season it seems. Rear will flat spot at about 2000 miles or so, I'll get a new one, rotate the old to the rear, pop the new on the front. Life goes on.

So far (knocks on wood), since 2013, not a single flat with the pro 4...not one.

chaadster

I had a pair of GP4ks years ago, and didn't like the feel, which I'd describe as dead, perhaps dead-warmed-over. I moved to the GPAttack/Force combo, which I also didn't like for the feel. In fact, I've never seemed to like Contis, road or MTB. I've got some low-end Race 23c wire beads in the garage which came off because they were lame, but am actually kinda pleased with some Conti Contact II 20"ers I recently put on my folder.

Anyway, to the OP, I'd suggest looking at Hutchinson Atom Comp 23c, which are very light (190gm) and roll fast, and I've been very happy with both Panaracer Race Type A Evo II 23c, and Mavic Yksion (both Comp and Grip-/Powerlink versions). All light, lively, fast, supple, and good for hard cornering, but none terrific in terms of wear, like sub 3k miles on the rear.

But for hillclimbing, fondos, and centuries, I'd guess the priority would be weight, speed, and comfort, no? No one wants to be hatin' their tires on a 100 miler...

kansukee

Veloflex.

gregf83 

I assume you mean upgrade from the 4000s? I wouldn't bother for the riding you're doing it's not going to make a difference. If you were doing TTs I could see it but for group rides and hill climbing the extra hassle of latex and faster wearing tires seems a little pointless.

If you really care about shaving a couple of watts you should probably wait until you've selected your rim and match the tire to the rim. Some manufacturers have tested their rims with multiple tires and can recommend which one is optimal for aero drag.

chaadster

I dunno...latex is fast and feels good, so why not? Cost? Leak-down? Could be issues, but for a fast/event wheelset, latex tubes make a lot of sense to me.

TobinH

My favourite tire is Vittoria's Open Corsa as well. I like the Rubinos for training and commuting.

gregf83 

They're certainly not going to be noticeably faster. You might save a few watts but, like I said, it's not going to make a difference one way or the other on a long group ride.

tedder

I just got the wheels, Dura-Ace C35s, but haven't put tires on them yet.
Yep, that's my feeling. I don't race, but it's a nice reward for myself, I suppose.

tedder

Here are the current recs. I'm noting a lot of love for the Open Corsa.

pro4 serivce course (smokehouse: “on the cheap”)
(no recs, but upgrade to) pro4 comp limited service course
mavic yksion
mavic yksion pro powerlink
mavic yksion pro griplink
3x vittoria open corsa cxiii (same as Howser’s open corsa EVO?)
vittoria turbo cotton (can’t find)
hutchinson atom comp

Smokehouse

I just noticed PBK is selling some tires with a discount going. I may try a set of the Pro 4 Endurance V2 tires for the heck of it ($72 shipped for the pair at the moment).

chaadster

I suppose that depends on how you ride.

chaadster

The Turbo Cotton is, I believe, an out-of-production Specialized tire. Their new Turbo and SWorks Turbo are supposed to be pretty amazing. One of the fast kids in my club rides SWorks version and loves them.

gregf83 

How you ride isn't going to impact the number of watts saved. And if you're not racing solo, hard to imagine what it would change. Drop your average power by a couple of watts? Not going to help you hang with a fast group.

chaadster

Also, Yksion Grip-/Power-link are F/R specific models of same tire.

Don't neglect to consider the Panaracer Race Type A Evo II, either. It's really a light, fast tire, and was recently on sale at Excel Sports or someplace for $40/per.

Oh, that reminds me...Specialized had 1/2 sale pricing on some rubber through their website not long ago, too.

chaadster

Correct, but it impacts how much you have in reserve when it's time to empty the bank. But hey, if you don't empty the bank, who cares, right? Some of us ride hard.

TheRealFaux

The Turbo Cotton is from Specialized. Sorry I didn't note that initially.

Also the Vittoria Open Corsa SC and Open Corsa CX are different tires.

Actually the Turbo Cotton just came back into production last year marketed as a 24c tire even though it uses the same casting as Vittoria's 23c Open Corsa SC. It is the exact same clincher tire that Tony Martin used to win some time trial stages in the TdF. Specialized recently released them marketed in a wider 26c profile which I picked up last week and am riding right now. It is identical in size to the 25c Open Corsa SC because it again uses the identical cotton casting.

tedder

That's all right. Sounds like it is (perhaps) discontinued. "Turbo cotton" is a great name, though.

It looks like the only difference between the SC and CX is their sidewall, and the SC is only available as a 25.

So many choices! I'm leaning towards the Open Corsa CX.

chaadster

The Open Corsa is one of the greats!