MIN 

I took a 90-mile ride yesterday through some hilly, windy country. The new Vresdestein Fortezza are better rolling, grippier and quieter than the Huchinson Top Speed they replace. I am in awe that it could make such a difference with so little rubber involved. I mean, it corners better, smooths bumps better and has noticeably less rolling resistance.

That is all.

CastIron

Seems the non-believers just haven't tried when it comes to this topic. My epiphany came with Veloflex Pave tires last year.

patentcad

Be sure you get snow tires for the winter, there is no such thing as 'all season' bicycle tires.

smurf hunter

No kidding. A while ago I got some 28mm continental slicks for my commuter. Those tires instantly added 2mph to my cruising speed. Unfortunately I went down on ice a couple times this last winter. Thinking of keeping a set of cyclocross tires for commuting in the winter months.

MIN 

Hah, I use the trainer for ice and sometimes rain. I'm wuzzy like that.

CastIron

Studded tires rule. Have a set each for my CX and hardtail bikes. Eye popping weight, though.

Pharmr

so what is a good all around training tire that I could put on my bike??....I don't race, and I probably never will...we don't get alot of rain here in the desert....something that rolls nicely and is good in the wear category and won't kill my wallet...recommendations?

ryanspeer

I use the Vredestein Fortezza SE's from PerformanceBike as my training/commuter tires and really like them, too. They handle exceptionally well and look great to boot. My only qualm with them is their weight @ 260grams/ea.

MIN 

From my "research": the Vredestein Fortezza (but not the SE version from Performance), Michelin Krylion and Specialized S-Works Mondo are good training tire choices.

draxine

Continental Ultra Gatorskins for a good slick training tyre that's tough, relatively fast rolling and good enough for a race if you've nothing else.

MIN 

The SE is heavy like that. The regular Fortezza is 230g and I believe it uses a different rubber compound.

GP

There are in San Diego.

johnny99

I see the white stuff on TV every so often. I cannot understand why anyone would want to live in a place like that.

Pharmr

the tires that came stock on my Allez only say "Specialized Mondo" and the size 700x23c on the wall....do these suck???...I can only find info on Mondo S-Works tires....I don't think that's what I have

ggg300

so true

patentcad

I would kill you, but now that I've posted that I'd be a prime suspect.

By the way, I was kidding about snow tires for racing bikes, but given the incalculable Idiot Factor here on BF, I was taken seriously.

And that's why I love this place.

MIN 

Pharmr: they are different.

Mondo Comp vs
Mondo Pro

daz-o-matic

Guess you've never skiied two feet of fresh powder...

Daz
/professional avalanche blower-upper
//gets paid to ski
///likes winter just as much as summer

ryanspeer

They're awful. In an effort to be friendly and generous though, I'll trade you straight up for my Vredestein Fortezza SE's with low mileage. I'll even pay shipping.

Seriously, the Mondo's are great tires. They came stock on my Tarmac and I love the feel of them (and they're right around 210 grams each according to my kitchen scale).

grahny

Add some latex tubes to the mix too... even smoother (albeit minimal compared to the differences in tires). I like michelin pro2race and vittoria evo open corsa's.

MIN 

70 gram latex tubes from Performance, FTW.

Hardheadmandca

Ahh, I live where I can ski fresh powder within 2 hours, but see no snow where I ride.

In February it was 62 degrees in my driveway and I was skiing deep virgin powder in less than 2 hours.

I love it here!

MIN 

Which aisle do they sell those in?

Pharmr

actually, I don't think they're the same....the Allez Triple has Mondo....the Allez Elite has Mondo Comp....the Tarmac has Mondo Pro....so I'm wondering if maybe there are some tires(hopefully a pair for around $50)...that might roll better....maybe I should just stick with what I have??? my tires are 60 TPI...and the Pro's are a 120 TPI

theshoemaker

...Almost sounds like Salt Lake.
Don't forget that you get wicken canyon runs when the snow starts to melt. I've been doing Millcreek canyon here lately and love the temp change. When It gets too hot just get up above 6000 and it's all good!

Back to tires... I've been eyeballing new tires too. Seems oppinions are all over the map on tires, with the exception of a few. Maybe I'll just buy a pair of everything I don't have and try a new pair each week.