ddeadserious

Haven't seen any tire threads lately, sorry if this is a noob thread.

Getting a new set of wheels without tires, and thus, need to buy tires. It seems like the Gatorskins are pretty popular, along with the GP4000's.

Things to consider:

• Michigan's roads suck. All of them.
• I'm a heavy rider.
• I don't skid, but would like to learn to skin occasionally. Will not be skidding in excess, not my style.
• The roads suck.
• I don't ride in the rain. I may periodically, though.
• There are bumps and cracks all over the sucky roads.

Suggestions? I'd prefer not to spend $50/tire, but I will if they will last me a while. Thanks!

Leukybear 

Panaracer Pasela TG's or Vittoria Randoneurs in a larger size, at least 700x28c; pick your poison.

ddeadserious

I should have added, I don't think I have space for anything more than a 23C. I can't even fit a Bic pen between the rear bridge and tire. I suppose a 25C might fit, but I'm not sure.

Also, should note that I haven't had any issues with my generic Chao Yang tires, or [I think they were] Kenda tires that came on my bike.

Leukybear 

Oof. Anyhow, the smallest paselas come in is 700x25c and randos come in as small as 700x23c.

ddeadserious

I can't seem to find the Randoneurs in anything smaller than 25C.

Squirrelli

I've had excellent experience with my Krylion Carbon, I've even ridden in snow and they grip relatively well in the wet.

adriano 

vittoria 28s are actual 24s. i like schwalbe duranos in 28. they are actual 26s or 27s on 21mm rims.

adriano 

skidding is for rad brahs.

ddeadserious

Thanks, will look into them!

Good to know, I'd imagine I can probably swing a 24. I will be running a 23mm rim.

I'm not a rad brah, that's why I don't skid. My balance is **** currently.

pkpyro

Gatorskins are what I run.
If your roads are bumpy or generally pot-holly, consider running a sliggggghtly lowe pressure in the front (5~10 psi lower than recommended or 5~10 lower than your rear wheel) to absorb some shock. You'll want your back tire to be maxed out psi though.

Just a suggestion. If you've got extra-gravelly roads, then I highly recommend gatorskins.

ddeadserious

Thanks for the suggestion, will do the pressure difference.

Not a whole lot of gravel, I try to ride around non-paved roads, but the paved ones are generally rough enough to warrant some caution regardless.

I'm leaning toward Gatorskins simply because I know I can get them locally, but my new wheel set won't be here until mid next week at the earliest, so if I order tomorrow, I can get a different tire. Thanks!

Leukybear 

Hmm I guess there isn't a 25 then; I've only ridden the likes of the larger sizes/ variations.

Maybe check out cyclocross tires?

evilcryalotmore

if you can run fat tires, Thickslick makes a 28c that is pretty comfy.

max5480

buy the most expensive tire you can afford. it will ride the best.

solbrothers

wider is better

rustybrown

Tubulars. Thank me later.

stryper

Might sound stupid, but if the roads are that bad and you really don't have clearance, a 26" wheel with 2" wide tires is the same diameter as a 700c wheel with 23c tires

hairnet

That's the whole idea behind 650b wheels

homebrewk

+1

Scrodzilla

Someone didn't read post #3 before chiming in.

Scrodzilla

ddeadserious - those A23s you're having me build you are going to make any tire you put on them seem wider than if they were on a standard-width rim so if your clearance is that tight (what frame do you have?), you may have chosen the wrong rim.

hamfoh

I ride on basically the worst roads imaginable and 3 of my 4 tires are gatorskins, none of which have even got a flat yet. on my road bike (before I sold it) and my kilo I had some basic Kenda whatevers and would constantly get **** piercing them.

Scrodzilla

My 25c Pasela TGs (which actually measure 23.8mm) are over two years old and even though the rubber is now starting to dry out and crack a bit, I've never gotten a flat. No skidzzzz though.

ddeadserious

I'm running the Gravity Swift 2 frame. I don't believe the extra width will be a problem, there just isn't a whole lot of vertical clearance for larger tires. It seems that if the wider rim will make the tire lay flatter, it would also make it somewhat shorter, thus, a 25C tire seems like it'd fit. Do you think I should take some clearance measurements before you start building them?

Edit: Also just thought about the fact that with a 15T cog, it'll move my wheel back a bit, giving me a little more clearance. Unless you're really concerned with it not fitting, I'd just say go ahead.

cleon

+1 based on my recent research into the same topic, or Schwalbes, and the perennial favorite option the Conti Gatorskin. 28s minimum.