Front Tire recommendations for Urban Fixie
#1
_____________ø
Thread Starter
Front Tire recommendations for Urban Fixie
so i've decided on a Conti Ultra Gatorskin to replace the balding Specialized Pro All Condition (Armadillo Elite) i have on the rear, due to many recommendations on durability against both skidding and punctures.
was wondering tho, if y'all could recommend an affordable front tire to replace the other Spec Pro that i currently have on the front.
for what it's worth, i'm riding SF streets, and don't bomb (ie. skid) big hills much, if i can avoid it.
was wondering tho, if y'all could recommend an affordable front tire to replace the other Spec Pro that i currently have on the front.
for what it's worth, i'm riding SF streets, and don't bomb (ie. skid) big hills much, if i can avoid it.
#3
_____________ø
Thread Starter
#5
spaghetti
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 339
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
you could probably save by shooting for something based on puncture resistance. i don't know a specific tire, but look for something with a lower TPI and in your price range. the fabric will be thicker and less flexible, so it's better resistant to punctures. at least i think that's how it works.
#6
tarck bike.com exile
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: lancaster, pennsylvania
Posts: 2,058
Bikes: bfssfg iro--black.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
just run a gatorskin in the back and a zaffiro or something up front.
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 290
Bikes: Univega Gran Premio, Custom MTB/SS/Commuter, Vintage Miele Fixie under construction
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
check out the sports basement on 15th, they have gatorskins pretty cheap. Might as well spend a little more on a front tire, it will last you longer.
#8
cab horn
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 28,353
Bikes: 1987 Bianchi Campione
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 25 Times
in
18 Posts
you could probably save by shooting for something based on puncture resistance. i don't know a specific tire, but look for something with a lower TPI and in your price range. the fabric will be thicker and less flexible, so it's better resistant to punctures. at least i think that's how it works.
#9
Run What 'Ya Brung
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,694
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#10
King of the Hipsters
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Bend, Oregon
Posts: 2,128
Bikes: Realm Cycles Custom
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I understand money matters.
That said, I ride an Armadillo in back and a Conti 4 Season in front.
The 4 Seasons has superb traction in all conditions, and flat protection as good as anything short of the Gatorskin and the Armadillo.
I finally replaced my front 4 Season because, after 5,000 or miles, it went flat overnight.
I found the leak, and after looking at the tire closely, I hung it up as an emergency spare, and put on a new tire.
Yes, tires cost money, but I hate flats.
One flat on the way to an important appointment kinda undoes whatever a person might have saved by going with a less expensive tire.
That said, I ride an Armadillo in back and a Conti 4 Season in front.
The 4 Seasons has superb traction in all conditions, and flat protection as good as anything short of the Gatorskin and the Armadillo.
I finally replaced my front 4 Season because, after 5,000 or miles, it went flat overnight.
I found the leak, and after looking at the tire closely, I hung it up as an emergency spare, and put on a new tire.
Yes, tires cost money, but I hate flats.
One flat on the way to an important appointment kinda undoes whatever a person might have saved by going with a less expensive tire.
#11
All around nice guy
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Sunny Seattle
Posts: 1,742
Bikes: THE KIND WITH TWO WHEELS AND ONE GEAR
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#12
THIS SPACE FOR RENT
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,849
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I'm a big proponent of the "**** all flatproof tire on the back, grippier and possibly cheaper tire on the front" setup. Front flats are much more rare, less weight on the tire and as Jobst Brandt points out the front tire often sets pieces of glass up for the back tire to catch them. Any $20 tire with a little kevlar will work on the front, I have a serfas seca than has been rocking up there for a few thousand miles on one bike.
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 894
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
you could probably save by shooting for something based on puncture resistance. i don't know a specific tire, but look for something with a lower TPI and in your price range. the fabric will be thicker and less flexible, so it's better resistant to punctures. at least i think that's how it works.
High tpi I believe will = greater puncture resistance by itself. High tpi + puncture resistance will be better.
I got nowhere near the volume of flats on Vittoria Tecnos or Hutchison Fusion Comps until I lived in a glass-strewn city, and even then, they flatted less in worse conditions. I've only had about 3-4 flats on a rear Gatorskin in about 1500 or so miles so far
#14
Cornucopia of Awesomeness
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: not where i used to be
Posts: 4,847
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
#15
Arizona Dessert
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: AZ
Posts: 15,030
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5345 Post(s)
Liked 2,169 Times
in
1,288 Posts
Get the gatorskin for the front. Even though they are much more rare, it is far worse to have a front flat or blowout, especially if you prefer to use a front brake to slow on those big downhills (vs. not skidding much as you say)
Al
Al
#17
_____________ø
Thread Starter
ok, went with gatorskins for front and back since they're only $27 a pop at modernbike.com
but also decided to move up to 25c's from previously riding 23c's to see how that affects my ride on my pot-hole-pocked-glass-ridden routes in this city.
i know this is another topic altogether, but anyone have any opinion on widths for urban fixies? especially for riding SF and doing a fair amount (read fair - not a ton) of skidding/skipping?
but also decided to move up to 25c's from previously riding 23c's to see how that affects my ride on my pot-hole-pocked-glass-ridden routes in this city.
i know this is another topic altogether, but anyone have any opinion on widths for urban fixies? especially for riding SF and doing a fair amount (read fair - not a ton) of skidding/skipping?
#18
King of the Hipsters
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Bend, Oregon
Posts: 2,128
Bikes: Realm Cycles Custom
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I like 23's on every surface except gravel, where they tend to sink and plow.
I have wondered about going up to 25's the next dual tire purchase, for whatever extra flotation it might give me.
I don't think one suffer's much, if any penalty in rolling resistance or inertia by going from 23 to 25.
I have wondered about going up to 25's the next dual tire purchase, for whatever extra flotation it might give me.
I don't think one suffer's much, if any penalty in rolling resistance or inertia by going from 23 to 25.
#19
abides and rides
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 471
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've just gone from 23 to 25 front and rear actually. It's really tough to notice much difference at all. Maybe it's just psychological but 25's do seem marginally plusher, and 23's marginally zippier. I was actually curious as to whether 25's (or wider tires in general) would be more durable on the rear, with skidding and all, than 23's would be.
I think skinny rear, fatter front is a good compromise though as you will notice the plushness and better cornering grip more at the front and the lower rolling resistance more at the rear.
I think skinny rear, fatter front is a good compromise though as you will notice the plushness and better cornering grip more at the front and the lower rolling resistance more at the rear.
Last edited by dudezor; 11-07-07 at 06:42 AM.
#20
Arizona Dessert
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: AZ
Posts: 15,030
Bikes: Cannondale SuperSix, Lemond Poprad. Retired: Jamis Sputnik, Centurion LeMans Fixed, Diamond Back ascent ex
Mentioned: 76 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5345 Post(s)
Liked 2,169 Times
in
1,288 Posts
I went from 28c gatorskin several years ago to 25c. Hardly noted a difference. I tried 23c Hutchinson half a year ago and didn't notice any benefit, they actually felt squishier. I am pretty set on 25c gatorskin.
Al
Al
#21
_____________ø
Thread Starter
I've just gone from 23 to 25 front and rear actually. It's really tough to notice much difference at all. Maybe it's just psychological but 25's do seem marginally plusher, and 23's marginally zippier. I was actually curious as to whether 25's (or wider tires in general) would be more durable on the rear, with skidding and all, than 23's would be.
I think skinny rear, fatter front is a good compromise though as you will notice the plushness and better cornering grip more at the front and the lower rolling resistance more at the rear.
I think skinny rear, fatter front is a good compromise though as you will notice the plushness and better cornering grip more at the front and the lower rolling resistance more at the rear.