lindstromderek

Hey everyone, thought i would ask the forum about some tire questions here and what you all recommend. I dont want to break the bank but I dont want the cheapest either! Color is not a preference really even though blue would match my frame. I have 700x25 Serfas SECA FPS right now, but unfortunately had a sidewall blowout today. I bought the bike with these tires on them, so I dont know how many total miles are on them, but they are well especially the rear needed to be changed. So if you have any suggestions or what you would recommend/ what you guys have tried and liked, I would gladly appreciate it. Thanks

Derek

sknhgy 

I'm interested too, but I want flat resistance. Something with Kevlar perhaps? I willing to put up with a little excess weight.

Pain

Gatorskins. Tough and high milage but light enough not to feel like your wheels are filled with concrete.

Tom Pedale

Have used 700x23 Continental 4000 GP's for years. I have never retired one of these tires early due to a sidewall or tread cut. I average +3 years between flats. Although I am an ex-Specialized employee and am brand loyal to many of their products, I will continue to mount Contis on my bike.

datlas 

If you give us an idea of your budget and what type of riding you do, you will get better advice.

Otherwise you will just hear folks spit out their favorite tire.

Oh, yeah...if all else fails...continental GP4000s. Buy from UK sites for about 80 dollars/pair.

manutd

you can have my brand new S-Works turbo race (with black belt protection) for $80 for the pair. They are 700x23c, I got them but never mounted them...probably sell for around $60-80 each.

Otherwise stick with Continental GP4000s in either 23 or 25s ... they are what I use and have always loved them

dimachka

If you want a cheaper option, I think you can still find the Michelin Krylion Carbons online for ~30 each. They have low rolling resistance and good flat protection, I'm enjoying my pair right now.

NotZeroSix

Michelin Pro 4. Its rolling resistance is the best ive ever experience. Allows me to maneuver along each corner with ease. And with lightweight, it doesn't compromise durability either. I am on ~800 miles on these tires and never experienced a pinched flat yet. Definitely worth the investment!

cafzali

I used Michelin Pro 3s and loved their rolling resistance, but I wouldn't buy them if my concern was flat protection. In those cases, I'd go with either the Conti Gatorskins or, if you want a bit of an easier ride, Conti GP 4000S.

saintsfaninks26

How do you go three plus years between flats? I don't care what kind of tires you use, flats are part of cycling.

I second the gatorskins. They are all around good tires with good puncture resistance and lighter weight.

Harun

You can get GP 4000S tires from xxcycle for around 32$ each. Even with ~$10 shipping it's one of the best prices for them online. Shipping from France only takes about a week.

ThinLine

Agree, Conti's 4k are xcelnt tires

bjamis75

Mount your tires properly. Top off the pressure before every ride. Sweep your tires after riding through glass or you hear/feel debris stuck to the tire. I've retired worn tires without a flat this way.

cafzali

I've never ever had a flat with my Gatorskins, so it's definitely possible. And I don't live on the best roads in the world either.

pecos

Do not buy Hutchinson's Fusion 3. They suck. Oh, let me be a little more specific. The tire itself rolls and corners better than any Michelin tire, but due to a design defect on the clincher rim it will bust more tubes right after installation than any I've known. I've heard of it busting while on a ride which is downright scary. You are playing russian roulette if you buy these.

elcruxio

That's because you are supposed to go tubeless with fusion 3. Yes I know there is also a clincher tire, but why buy hutchinson if not tubeless.
Personally I prefer the intensive. A little heavier (but you don't have a tube in, so actually pretty light) than race tires, being training tires with a little extra protection where it counts.
Expensive, but you don't get pinch flats (yesterday drove over a metal rail which would have flatted a mountain bike... I was pretty shocked by the metallic bang that occurred but no apparent damage to tire or rim.)
You can get punctures as normal, but due to sealant you might not even notice. Ride quality is simply superb. Rode a road which has been extremely uncomfortable in the past due to seams and holes. With the intensives didn't even really notice the bumps. Pretty good damping considering I'm running 8 bar. And the thing is, you don't have to run high pressures. Because you don't have to worry about pinch flats you can ride considerably lower tire pressures and have a nicer ride. (always pump up your tires to manufacturer specifications)
Corners nicely, low noise etc.

With fusion 3 or atoms you should get an even better ride due to thinner side walls and much lower weight. Greater risk for punctures, but again, sealant.

Only down side with tubeless is the hassle. You need to know what you are doing and be very tenacious. Overcoming problems can be very frustrating with a tubeless system, but nothing's impossible and the pros far exceed the cons in my opinion.

Dr. Banzai

My vittorios get flatted every ride. Avoid. My Pro Race 3 on my track bike (yes I ride it on the road) never flat on the road.

Conti 4000 is what goes on my CAAD next.

ILUVUK

That sounds more like a spoke issue or something sharp that hasn't been removed from the tire. Check your tire for sharp bits first, then (if you aren't already using it) switch to Velox cloth rim tape.