AEO

grip, rolling resistance and ride quality will be better.

But just so it's clear, tire width and inflation pressure makes the biggest difference in comfort over bumpy terrain.

gatorskin is better for durability, but it's at the cost of ride quality and rolling resistance.

arp415

+1 for conti 4000s. Great grip on a 23, and they ride real smooth. A bit of a b to get on haha

gospastic

I've ridden Ultremo Rs (23) Ultremo R.1s (23 & 25), GP4000 (non S, 23), Rubino Pros (23), Conti 4-Seasons (28), Zaffiro Pros (23), and Fusion 2 Ultras (23)

The fastest tires are definitely the Ultremos. The GP4000s are not as fast but have a softer ride. The 4-Seasons are pretty nice but noticeably slower due to the size. Zaffiro were not horrible, but pretty tough. The Rubinos and Fusions just alright.

But besides all that, using latex tubes really made an extremely huge difference. Cost of using them on the street doesn't make sense but I put them on the track bike and paired with the Ultremos it feels amazing.

LupinIII

on another note, randos are the worst upgrade for your bike.

ride like garbage. heavy as hell. gross.

OjaiYoda

I have been riding armadillos which have been great. does anyone have the ability to compare/contrast those with the gatorskinz?

PedallingATX

Vittoria Evo Corsa CX on my race bike

talk about a nice tire...I'll take turns at 35+ mph w/ the slightest hesitation. But not when it's raining. They suck in the rain.

tgscordv6

Gatorskins are better and cheaper.

spaceballs

I like randos. One just has to realize there is a difference between a lighter weight road tire [like the Continentals mentioned in this thread], and a more durable touring tire. The durable touring tires [like the randos or the Schwalbe Marathon +] are going to be a lot heavier and a lot more durable. For just rolling around, I don't mind a touring tire. When I want to go fast, I hate them.

I hated Armadillos. They really did ride something awful, and they wore extremely well - which meant that I would have to ride them for a while. I was RELIEVED when my wife asked if she could have them for her bike.

The Armadillo is a heavy, bombproof tire that handles poorly [in my opinion] and rides harshly. I preferred the ride of my randos to the Armadillo.

The Gatorskins are a pretty good road tire, but I wouldn't consider them a really puncture resistant tire, and the Gatorskin name I think has given them a bit more of a reputation than they deserve. However, at $30 per, they are a pretty good tire.

On my road bike, I have set aside a set of Vittoria Rubino 3's, which I look forward to riding as soon as the bike gets put back together. I was not really impressed with my last set of tires - Michelin Krylions. Just felt really soft. Always felt underinflated. But they did grip well and really weren't a bad tire. On my fixed gear and touring bike [my commuters and workhorse bikes], I ride randos.

Leukybear 

You guys should give michelin's pro 3 race a try.... you'll be amazed with the rolling resistance
Minus skidding anyway....

adriano 

where can i get 27mm open paves?

AEO

that's a pure racing tire. You'd be flushing money down the drain if you skid with them.
actually, I wouldn't even recommend them for anything, but racing wheels because of their frailty.

illdthedj

so it seems people are saying gatorskins are both cheaper and better than armadillos? better in that they have better ride quality?
both are good for skidding i assume because of their wear resistance?

anywho i just got a scwhalbe durano 700x32 for the front, with a fyxation 700x28 in back, ill see how that works around here on these crap pavements soon
has anyone used a fyxation for back tire/skidding purposes?


and anyone here try out thickslicks?

PedallingATX

I ripped a huge tear in my Gatorskin the other day. Went straight across the tire from one sidewall to the other.

Leukybear 

Not even on a roadie? As my orbea orca's been sporting them since I got it.... and lets just say the ride is pure bliss....

I have a couple tarck buddies who do, they say it is as durable/ puncture resistant (the bay area has some pretty shoddy roads if you know what I mean) as a gatorskin but with more material, making its skid/ tarcking life longer; areacycles here carries them if you're willing to travel down the 580 to castro valley... kenji the owner is very cool aswell.

illdthedj

i totally know what you mean, i grew up in the bay area! (san fran, oakland, north bay, etc)

yah i have one fyxation tire....been running it as a front tire. havn't had it long, but they have a nice ride quality and good grip on turns. wasn't sure if having in the back would be good tho, but sounds like it should make a good skidding tire!



still curious if anyone has tried thickslicks....
i also ordered a schwalbe durano 700x32, anyone have any experience with the duranos?

dookie

every bike. life's too short to ride crappy tires. no skidding of course. add latex tubes, sensible pressure and you have pure buttah. really...they're on 3 of my four road bikes, and the fourth is on tubulars (gommitalia gumwalls...would have used corsa cxs, but wanted the gumwall for 'period-correctness'). 23mm on 2, 25mm on the third, more 25s in the drawer (performace had 'em at $35 yesterday!) for when the 23s wear out...wider is better, imho.

i can comment on some other tires as well...

gp4000 ride like bricks, but wear like bricks too. i use them on the fixed when i run out of OCs. anyone who says they are comfortable has yet to have their world rocked by the OC.

pro2/3 ride very nicely but run a bit small and are a ***** to mount. pro3 are much less sturdy. too much trouble to deal with.

ultremos are also excellent. my 2nd choice to OC. roll great, stick great, light, pretty comfy. call me vain, but the graphics are too much.

check the UK sites for open paves...haven't looked in a while, but several months ago they stocked 'em.

skalnik

How do the Continental Grand Prix 4000s handle the rain?

AEO

racing day tires.
I wouldn't bother with them for everyday or even training rides.

LupinIII

fyxations seemed decent, but they're huuuge 28s. wouldn't fit my bike.

also, they're like 40 dollars

Ken Cox

Stop skidding.

If you want to go very very fast with reasonable flat protection and EXQUISITE handling, ride Schwalbe Ultremos.

If you want to go almost as fast, with better durability than the Ultremos and excellent handling, ride Conti 4 Seasons.

I've had slow leaks with both the Ultremos and the 4 Seasons, but never a flat with either.

As for Armadillos and Gatorskins, I've had flats with both and the Aramadillos weigh too much.

Stop skidding.

squeegeesunny 

I've been doing that these days and I gotta say, saving money is quite nice.

fyxationguy

Yeah the 28's do run a bit big. More like a 30c.

The Fyxation Session 700 23c's will be in stock near the end of August. Same color options and design/tread pattern as the 28c but smaller so they'll fit more frames.

TejanoTrackie 

I just got a pair, and I'd say even bigger, nearly 32mm wide when inflated to 110 psi max on ZAC 18 (18mm) rims. No complaints, since I wanted to go fat on these anyway, and my frame/fork have plenty of room. I really don't see the point of this type of tire in narrow sizes.

fuji86

Max air pressure always made even a cheap and heavier tire feel responsive for me. I don't think I'll ever go after a $ 50 tire, I try to stay around $ 10-15 and there seem to be a decent selection out there for that price point. Perhaps I'm missing out ? Same goes for the tires on the car, even cheap new ones, mounted and balanced feel like getting a new car.