Best inexpensive race/training tires?
 

I'm on a pretty tight budget (can't spend more than $60 on a new set of tires). My Zaffiro Pro's are on their last legs, and I'm getting a new wheelset, so I'm looking for a new set of tires as well.

I basically need a solid set of tires to be able to last a while for training and racing. What are the best options?


So far, I've found Vittoria Open Corsa CXs for $33 each (without shipping), which puts it at about 70 bones for a set.

Vittoria CX's are fantastic tires but you wont get much milage out of them.

I have a pile of Michelin Speediums and Speedium 2's.

They work well enough to warrant me purchasing more of them every year.

Get some Pro Race 2's, they're on clearance now that the 3's are out.

Continental Ultra Race. Great training tire, decent racing tire.

I've been happy with the Vredestein Fortezza SEs from Performance. I switched to a different color (SEs are blue) with my new bike, but the Vreds are a great tire. I won two rain races and a dry race on them.

On sale, they're about $25 each.

Buy the cheapest Continentals you can find. Even the $10 Continentals are tough, durable training tires.

yeah I've ran the vredesteins' before and I think they make a great crit tire.

To the op:

Have you been racing much? Reason is, if you're any good you might be able to land some kind of sponsorship with a tire manufacturer and they would mail you their stuff. Worth looking into at least.

Rubino Pro or PR2... Or treat yourself to Gommitalia K's

Personally, and it is a personal choice:

Conti Gatorskins for high mileage bulletproof tires I'll never race. I'm not sure they'll ever wear out.

Conti GP4Ks for tires I'll ride lots and race without a second thought.

Really, depends what's on sale and in-stock.

Vittoria CX for crits and RR's. Conti GP 400's for everything else.

Vredsteins are a great value. Especially on sale. I just wish I could find them on sale, in blue, in 25mm size. :)

I am approaching "stupid mileage" on a set of Vredesteins. I don't know how much exactly but they were on one of my bikes when I bought it. I have abused them in all sorts of training conditions, raced on them, and rode them 53 mph down the back side of Hogpen Gap this past weekend. Have never had a flat with them. Of course, I will go out now and they'll blow up spectacularly...