Originally Posted by
WestMass
Andy - Thanks for being thorough! This is all SUPER helpful. I'd rather pay less money than more, but am willing to put in maybe $50 or $60 a tire if it'll really make a difference. Looking at some of the suggestions it seems like there are a lot of recommended tires in a higher price range. Maybe I should reconsider? Those T-Servs seem like a good deal - do you think having that tread would feel significantly slower/different from a more slick tire choice. $30/tire with the recommendation of someone from Medway, hmmm. I grew up in Walpole.
I do think the T-Servs would feel significantly slower/different than something like a Grand Prix 4000S. I also think the T-Serv would last twice as long.
I just bought a pair of 26x1.25 T-Servs for my '89 Rockhopper. I haven't gotten them on the road yet, but the rubber seems to be thicker and harder than the rubber on the GP 4000s. Estimating mileage conservatively, I'd guess the T-Servs are effectively at least 4 times cheaper per mile.
A tire like the GP 4000S will cost you around $130 a pair (depending on how far you're willing to have them shipped). If you get 2000 miles from them (which I think is a conservative estimate), they'll have cost about 6.5 cents per mile. I'm willing to pay that for a great quality ride. If I had less money available for bike expenses, I might feel differently.