JayhawKen

I've been using Conti's since 2006 after the first set of Bontragers wore out. Always thought they were great tires, and they usually cost around $40 or so.

Now they are up to $60 and that's just a bit rich.

What are some other options for a good road tire, around $40 or less?

Important things to me are wet grip and cut resistance.

And no flat center section - could not stand the Bontragers as they transitioned from the flat center strip to the edges.

garysol1 

Probikekit.com

haimtoeg

I was surprised to see them for $62 each at a store here in the area, they are $27 at pbk.

markwebb

Lots on eBay for a lot less !

stevesurf

PBK is excellent and has an amazing price. If you have a second choice I would go with BikeTiresDirect
($50 ea)
They are tops in customer service and fresh stock. Remember only the Black version has Black Chili.

patentcad

PBK for me from now on. I'll buy them 4 at a time.

JayhawKen

This PBK you speak of... it is across the pond, no?

Other than contributing to the trade imbalance, any issues with dealing with them? I checked the link gary posted and the GP4000's are like $25 - so that is a good thing. Assuming the shipping isn't like $50 I might just stock up on them.

MONGO!

I just bought a pair from PBK, $27 ea.

Shipping is free to the US and many people have used them with no issues.
As long as they have what you want in stock that is.

Plus, I don't think you buying a pair of tires is going to make or break the economy.

patentcad

Shipping is cheap and relatively fast, entirely reliable.

markyore

PBK shippin g is free to the US!!!! and usually only takes ~5 business days

garysol1 

Nothing sketchy about these guys. Fast free shipping and fresh rubber. Its a hard combo to pass up....

JayhawKen

Thanks - guess I just found a new tire supplier.

dark13star

First, PBK is great and shipping is usually fast.

I did have one order (3 P3R tires) get caught in customs and it took over 3 weeks to get it. They cut the bag open, left an inspection card, and re-sealed it. They didn't charge me anything, probably because it was under $100.

BengeBoy 

Assume you've noticed that Continental's aren't made in the U.S. in any case. Someone has to import them, might as well be you.

gonococcus

Makes me wonder - what exactly makes bicycle tyres so expensive? It's pretty absurd when you can get a friggin car tyre just for a few dollars more.

Jancouver

I ordered 4 x 4000S from PBK last week. They should arrive next week. Best deal on tires, free shipping too.

wfrogge

Cheap as in free

cedricbosch

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supply_and_demand

neospazzy

+1 on PBKs as well. I get all my tires from them as well. In fact, the UK is also a great place to buy gruppos. I bought a Campy Super Record 11 sp 8pc gruppo from a UK Bike shop for less than $1,800! Try buying it at a US based LBS and you are looking to spend over $3K.

weavers

i was planning on replacing my stock kenda tires in a couple hunderad miles. i was on the fence about what cheap, sub 20buck, tyre to buy. after reading tons of reviews of cont gp4k s with black chili, and really all of the over the top reviews about how high quality cont is, i decided to treat myself and spend the extra 20 or so bucks on really good top of the line tires. tires make a huge impact on how you ride, its like a good saddle. spend a few extra bucks on something that works.

Cdy291

You can also get a road bike tire for $14, but I wouldn't want it. Some GoodYear car racing tires can be about $600 each.

damocles1

https://bikeisland.com/cgi-bin/BKTK_S...Parts:%20Tires

Skewer

Are you saying that the black version of the Conti 4000 has the Black Chili in it? That conclusion has been suggested on Bike Forums before, but I am wondering whether it is true. I believe that conclusion originates from the following statement on the Continental Tyre website:

"Nano compounds (Black Chili) are used in the following tyres: Grand Prix 4000 (black), GP Supersonic, Digga, Speed King Supersonic, Explorer Supersonic."

Grand Prix 4000S is not mentioned in that statement, leading me to wonder whether "Grand Prix 4000 (black)" is referring to Grand Prix 4000S rather than the black version of the Grand Prix 4000. In the descriptive link for the Grand Prix 4000 clincher tires, there is no mention of Black Chili. Last year I wrote Continental asking for a clarification, but they never answered.

There is also this statement on the website: "With the new Black Chili Compound rolling resistance is reduced by 26%, grip is increased by 30% and mileage is increased by 5%." I also wrote Continental to ask for a clarification as to what tire that statement is comparing itself to, but I never received an answer to that inquiry either.

For what is worth, I have both Conti 4000 tires in black and Conti 4000S tires and have been happy with both. My black Conti 4000 tires are 700*25 and my Conti 4000S tires are 700*23, so due to the size difference, it is hard to ascertain for certain whether or not they are the exact same tire.

haimtoeg

GP4000 "Black Chili only in black version".

GP4000S.

brianappleby

FWIW, PBK shipping has taken 10+ days for the last few things I've bought. Entirely not their fault, but worth noting.