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Old 12-29-09 | 07:01 PM
  #20  
interested
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: København

Bikes: Kinesisbikes UK Racelight Tk

Just wanted to add a couple of 28c tires:

Schwalbe Durano (HS399) 28c: 290g., folding tire, 6-8 bar. Positioned as hard wearing racing training tire with above average puncture protection.

Continental Gran Prix 28c (post 2009 models): 320g., wire bead, 180/3 tpi, 6,5-8,5 bar, black chili compound as the GP4000S. Positioned as a fast racing training tire with decent puncture resistance, but cheaper than dedicated racing tires like the GP4000S.

My own preferred commuting tires are Continental Ultra Gatorskin 28c; they have excellent rolling resistance (a 2006 test showed that some dedicated racing tires were heavier, had more rolling resistance and lower puncture resistance than the Gatorskins). They also have excellent road grip. They have better puncture protection than the dedicated racing tires I know of, but are probably much more puncture prone than Marathon+. To me it is worth to puncture sometimes if it means that I ride a "fun" tire with low rolling resistance and low weight.

I also ride Continental GP4 seasons 28c (tried both the old and the new Vectran model). Probably the best wet road grip on the market, but not as hard wearing as eg. Gatorskins. Higher rolling resistance than most dedicated racing tires according to a Tour Magazine test (2007), but it doesn't feel sluggish, probably because of the low weight and excellent riding qualities. The rolling resistance is probably on par with the Gatorskins, so not bad at all, just not as good as the top racing tires.
The old model was much more puncture prone than the Gatorskins. The new Vectran model seems more promising in that regard, but I probably have less than 400 km on them. Perhaps more a training tire for the aggressive racer in the wet/cold season than a typical commuting tire, and probably not the most economical tire solution. Still, for some commuters this tire may have exactly what they want for a 28c tire.

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Regards
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