I'm trying to decide which of the budget priced 27 in road tires are the best. I'll be putting these on a 87 Raleigh Record or 82 Fuji Monterey. I have plain jane, gum wall Kendas that I purchased two months ago for one bike. They're eh, ok, I'm not thrilled. How about Nashbar Prima 2's or Prima 2 plus? What about Performance Forte GT 2 or GT 2 Kevlar and finally, Continental Sport 1000 ($9.95 at Nashbar)? Does anyone have these tires? Have you compared them to the baseline Kendas? Thanks in advance for any information.

I'm not sure if you'd be interested in these because they're a few more dollars, but the Panaracer Pasela TG's in 27 x 1 1/4", with kevlar belted casing for flat protecton and kevlar bead are around $20 each at Nashbar. I've used the same tire in 700c x 32 extensively for the last few months, and I'm going to put some 27's on a touring bike I'm building up. Excellent tires-

I ride both the Conti Sport 1000(now discontinued from what I hear) and the Pasela Panaracer. I like them both, but I think I prefer the Sport 1000. I don't buy Kendas, but I can't imagine that either the Conti or the Pasela is not a far better riding tire than the Kenda.

I've been riding on Continental Sport 1000 tires for the past 9 months. I paid $14.95/tire. Excellent tires for the money. If you can buy them for $9.95/tire, snap them up.

I have Specialized Tri Sports on my 79 and my son has them on his SS, no problems at all, $9.95 each.

I have the Forte GT2 Kevlars on my commuter... haven't had a flat since I got them around a month and a half ago... can't complain at all.

I have to give another recommendation for the Panaracer Paselas. I have been running the TG version on my fixed gear conversion for a few months now with no complaints. I have put the 27" regular Pasela (around $10 each from Nashbar) on a few bikes I have sold and have not heard any complainst from the new owners either.

I actually think the 27" version of the paselas ride a bit nicer than the 700c version. not sure if it's the difference in tread pattern or the fact the 27s seem to have a slightly thinner sidewall.

A highly empathetic vote for the Continental Sport 1000s as being probably the best 27" tyre out there for the budget-conscious.

One thing though - the Continentals are fine on hooked-bead aluminum rims, but if you're not running hooked bead rims or if you're running any form of steel rim, look out. Most 'better' tires, including the Conti, are made specifically for hooked-bead rims. If used on a non-hooked bead rim, they will blow off at around 80-85 PSI.

As the Conti 1000s are designed for high pressure, one will find that if they're kept at 70 PSI, the ride will be no better (if not worse) then the Kendas.

Just thought I'd point out that little bit of info.

Take care,

-Kurt

Nashbar has the Conti 1000's for $9.95 right now, I just bought a set and they are excellent as everyone here seems to think. Seeing as they are discontinued, I may stock up.

Thanks Kurt, I was leaning toward the Contis, but you guessed correctly. I'm thinking of putting these tires on that old Fuji Monterey with the steel wheels. The next alternative would be the 87 Record I just picked up. The Record has low end alloy rims. I'll have to check to see if they're hooked-bead or not. My Technium has hooked bead rims, but the tires on it are still in OK condition.
Thanks the reminder.
I guess its back to the Nashbar brand or Performance GT 2's.

I just got the prima 2 pluses and though I can't really compare them to anything, they seem nice. I like 'em.

Kendas ride fine but no flat protection.

I have a pair of the Nashbar Prima 2 and I like them. They are marked 27x1 1/4 but they are pretty narrow. They are frequently on sale for less than $9.95.

+1 for the Conti Sport 1000, I had a set on my Centurion Pro Tour Rain bike commuter. Got approx 3,000 miles out of them with nary a flat plus I ran them at 90 pounds on the non hooked Weinmann rims with no blow off problems. Found mine at a swap meet 2 for $10 & heard they were discontinued & not available. Believe I will get some of those Nashbar specials.

I'd recommend 27-inch Vittoria Zaffiros as an alternative to the Panaracer Pasela TGs, which I've also used. The Vittorias are slightly cheaper, truer to the marked size, ride nicer, and have far less vulnerable sidewalls. They are also less prone to pinch flats. They also have a tread pattern that is much closer to being slick, which increases traction and may make them roll better. However, they are heavier and have stiffer sidewalls (blackwalls) and a lower TPI, so if performance is your goal you might be better off with the panaracer.

My experience with cheaper tires is that they're adequate and all about the same, but flat protection is nice to have.