moxfyre

I just got my first road bike (a Trek 1100 in great shape). I am wondering if someone can recommend clincher tires for me, as I have never ridden on skinny tires before and I've been told they are more finicky than mtb or hybrid tires.

I weigh about 160 lbs and I'm planning to do most of my riding in the DC suburbs and maybe some paved trails. I would like something that is fairly durable and handles well on wet roads, cause I'd like to ride a lot this fall and winter. Has anyone used the Nashbar Prima Plus 2 tires w/Kevlar belt? The 700x25 weighs 265 g, and costs only $10.

LordOpie

I ride Michelin hi-lites and like them a lot more than what I previously rode from Performance and am going to guess they're similar to the Nashbar you mentioned. However, that doesn't mean the performance/nashbar tires are bad, far from it... they're an outstanding value.

zip22

i just got the tires you mentioned. i cant complain, but it was my first ever tire purchase so i have nothing to compare them to.

joejack951

If you never want to worry about flats, spend the money now and get some Specialized Armadillos. If you don't care about the occassional flat and are on a budget, then you probably can't go wrong with any tire. Everyone has had a bad experience with even the best tires so feedback from the forums isn't exactly going to tell you much. However, I've yet to hear anyone complain of flats with Armadillos. They are heavy though.

legitimate user

I have Bontranger Race Lite Hardcases that I've only done 2 rides on so far but am pleased with. I also know a few people that refuse to train with anything other than Armadillos

kevinmcdade

I ride in the suburbs of Dallas, TX and decided on the Serfas Seca RS. They are 215 grams and come in different colors. I can definitely tell a difference in the rolling resistance since changing from the stock Continental Sport 1000's. I got the set for $40.

elementary

I was put off Armadillos by LBS. They said that they were tough, but even tougher to get on and off. If the unlikely happens and you do get a flat, you're in trouble...
Just what I was told.

itwonder

Don't be misled...a little kevlar band under the tread won't stop flats. Studying this question when I needed tires, I concluded multiple tough plies (which go from bead to bead) are the best prevention. I chose the Continental Grand Prix, with 5 nylon plies in the casing. 270g $25.95 at https://www.biketiresdirect.com/continental.htm

joejack951

Seeing as how I mounted my rear tire in the wrong direction and had to remove it and remount it, I can say with some autothority that with tire irons, Armadillos can relatively easily be disomounted and mounted. Sure, it's tougher than a normal tire and with barehands, you'd be SOL, but it can be done. Otherwise, I don't think Specialized would still be in the business of making them.

my58vw

I ride race lite tires and could not be more happy with them, expecially in the water. The dual componend really does I good job in the water. I rode the bike on patrol one night after an a*##ole hit me on my jekyll while on duty and damaged the rim, casette and rim and it was getting fixed. Ride through tons of water and the tire did extremely well.

forum*rider

The tires I ride are vredestien fortezza 700cx23. No complaints yet, but I have only logged about 150miles on them.

sailor

Im sure the ones that came on the bike are fine. Seriously. When they are dead in 2500 miles, then you can worry about buying some expensive ones

Fox Farm

Those Vredestiens are nice. So are most of the better Continentals, such as the Grand Prix or 3000s. Stay away from 700 x 20 unless you are time trialing on smooth new asphalt. 700 x 23 or 700 x 25 is the way to go. Keep them inflated to 90 - 100 psi to avoid snake bite flats. I have always found that talc powder, like Johnson and Johnson, when used to lube the tube and inside of the tire helps to avoid flats too by allowing both to move easily against each other. Also, good rim strips are a must. If you flat, and you will, carry a spare tube. Spare folding clinchers are not necessary to carry with you unless you are on a long solo ride (like multi day bike trek). You can simply change out the tube (make note of where the flat is and find where it's corresponding location is on the rim and tire casing. There might be a small piece of glass or other sharp object lodged in and you want to remove that first. I also found that lining up the manufacture lable on the side of the tire with the presta valve will help you to reference exactly where the tube and tire are positioned when trying to find what caused your flat. Patch kits should also be carried (along with two tire levers). I never had great luck with the glueless patches - although others have - but the vulcanizing glue on patches are easy to use but take some patience the first few times you attempt this. Ask your LBS to show you how it's properly done. Before going to tubular tires some year back, I had my first clincher flat in three years one day (ran over a rock and brought it on myself...) While changing the tube I was amused to see that the tube that I took out had two patches on it and had been riden that way for quite some time, so they last. Avoid the light weight tubes unless you are a weight weinnie. Durable wins out most all the time.

pearcem

for the money, michelin carbon's are great. they're a little pricey, like $30-$35 each, but they grip great, wet or rain, and the addition of the carbon gets about 30% longer life out of the tires. I've put between 1000 and 1500 miles on mine an they're still lookin good.

JBar

Has anybody tried the Continental Attack/ Force combo?

moxfyre

Thanks for all the advice! I think I'll go with some vredesteins, cause they're a good deal. (BTW, I can't stick w/the current tires because they were sitting in someone's basement for a while and feel like they may give out pretty darn soon)