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^ Your bike’s less Grand Midwestern cousin likes the 33mm Supple Vitesse.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...66ec03b36.jpeg |
Michelin Pro4 700x23 on everything
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Originally Posted by gugie
(Post 21841196)
Biggest tire that will fit properly, preferrably a light casing from Panaracer. These are labelled
On my Zero Bike, I have room for 35's without fenders. Since that bike resides in the People's Republic of Berkeley, it doesn't have fenders. Pic from last year's TdMIL, by calender almost one year ago, but feels like ten: https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a6f076f879.jpg My purpose built gravel bike has Rat Trap Pass tires, which are insanely wide (54mm). https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e05720eff4.jpg On vintage frames you generally have larger clearances for wider tires. Generally speaking the older the frame, the larger the clearances. Somewhere in the 70's the trend towards shorter chainstays and fork blades started. I've found that some frames can't fit 35's. I have one bike with 32's, but can really feel the difference due to smaller volume. Enter the Jack Brown's, measuring 33 1/3, sold by Rivendell. The weight is both claimed and weighed personally by me to be almost exactly between the Rene Herse 32's and 35's. The casing looks exactly the same. The tread is different, but I'm of the opinion that this is such a minor difference that only a person with the initials Jan Heine could notice. I have these on a couple of bikes. Grander Sportier: https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ffedc9c040.jpg Pimp Eroica Grand Sport: https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e3daa3d1b2.jpg The Jack Browns are truly Goldilock tires. The ride difference between 32's and 33 1/3 is definitely perceptible. https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a84492a64.jpeg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9f2f6bb88.jpeg |
I like the folding Conti gatorskins in various sizes but I think the 28’s are my favorite. I Like the conti look and have had very few punctures. You can find them pretty cheap online.
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Not much love for Continental, huh? I have run nothing else for years now, and the do me just fine. I have 5000 32s on the bikes that can fit them and 4000 25s on the bikes that can't. When the 4000 25s wear out, they'll get 5000s (one bike might get 28s). Really good all-around tires, often available at a good price.
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For 25’s, I liked the Vittoria Rubino Pro III, a LOT. No longer made, sadly. Still have a few left in dark storage in case I wear out or kill one on a bike that has a pair mounted.
Graduated from those to Conti 4000 GPSII, great tires, again, no longer made. But the GP5000 is a worthy replacement and what I would use on a black sidewall tire. For 25mm gum sidewalls, the Vittoria Graphene series, either Control or G2. For 26’s, I like Panaracer GK smoothies in brownwall. For 28’s, Conti GP’s, either 4000 or 5000. Nice ride but they can split on large gravel (as referenced on the Eastern Washington Gravel Extravaganza). For 30’s, back to Vittoria Graphenes. Awesome ride quality if they’ll fit. For 32’s, back to Panaracer GK smoothies. Have spent a bunch of money on various 32’s but these seem to last the longest and give the best ride. |
For wider, Compass. I’ve been very happy with the Bob Jon Pass ultralights I’ve been running the last few seasons. For narrow, I’ve been loyal to Michelin Pro 3/4. For so long I can’t remember what i rode before them. In the interest of seeing if a wider tire would make my Mercian more comfortable to ride in the city I grabbed a set of Soma Supple Vitesse in 28 when they were on sale recently. Probably the widest I can fit in back. Haven’t tried ‘em yet.
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I'm a big cheapskate. Got to get the biggest bang for my buck. I can usually find a good price on one of these two. Panaracer Paselas are very fast rolling tires.
25mm Panaracer Pasela black wall 25mm Continental Gatorskin |
Originally Posted by bikingshearer
(Post 21841702)
Not much love for Continental, huh? I have run nothing else for years now, and the do me just fine. I have 5000 32s on the bikes that can fit them and 4000 25s on the bikes that can't. When the 4000 25s wear out, they'll get 5000s (one bike might get 28s). Really good all-around tires, often available at a good price.
Not so much no love, but lack of a tan sidewall for my applications. I do have them on frames where I feel a black side wall is appropriate. I run 4000 and 5000 on my "brifter" bikes and on my 80s John Howard. |
Originally Posted by due ruote
(Post 21841383)
^ Your bike’s less Grand Midwestern cousin likes the 33mm Supple Vitesse.
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...66ec03b36.jpeg |
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e52513bae.jpeg
I’m with the Rene Herse folks, 700x44 Snoqualmie Pass |
Originally Posted by bikingshearer
(Post 21841702)
Not much love for Continental, huh? I have run nothing else for years now, and the do me just fine. I have 5000 32s on the bikes that can fit them and 4000 25s on the bikes that can't. When the 4000 25s wear out, they'll get 5000s (one bike might get 28s). Really good all-around tires, often available at a good price.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e823132bf.jpeg |
I've got the Compass Bon Jon Pass (700 x 35) on both my Trek 720 and Miyata 1000. I love the way those tires ride. I really didn't think that tires could run at such low pressure and be comfortable- I mean REALLY comfortable.
My Trek 620 was running 27 x 1 3/8" Sand Canyons- I "like" those tires, but I think I'd like Paselas in that size. The rest of my bikes are all running Paselas, mostly TourGuard/Protection Technology/ProTite. |
Originally Posted by bikingshearer
(Post 21841702)
Not much love for Continental, huh? I have run nothing else for years now, and the do me just fine. I have 5000 32s on the bikes that can fit them and 4000 25s on the bikes that can't. When the 4000 25s wear out, they'll get 5000s (one bike might get 28s). Really good all-around tires, often available at a good price.
I'ts probably only coincidence but the Vittoria's I've had over the years have just flatted more so I tend to avoid them despite so many others loving them and all. |
...and while discussing tire sizes, the rims have been getting wider..., see the article from Mavic in the link below;
THE RIGHT TYRE WIDTH ON THE RIGHT RIM WIDTH - Engineerstalk : Engineerstalk |
I’ve got Continental Gatorskins on all my rides so I guess that’s my favorite tire, like the 28s
and 32s the best. Tim |
Currently liking the Vittoria Corsa G+. The bikes limit size.
Clincher, big improvement over the Pro 4 https://live.staticflickr.com/1847/4...c4b75ebb_b.jpgP1010557 on Flickr And tubie https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a55a52f3_b.jpgP1030570 on Flickr |
Originally Posted by SJX426
(Post 21842392)
Currently liking the Vittoria Corsa G+. The bikes limit size.
Clincher, big improvement over the Pro 4 https://live.staticflickr.com/1847/4...c4b75ebb_b.jpgP1010557 on Flickr And tubie https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...a55a52f3_b.jpgP1030570 on Flickr |
Originally Posted by Barrettscv
(Post 21842502)
This is also my tire of choice on .... my '85-ish De Rosa Professional all wear this tire. Other tires are more durable but none have the combination of grip, silky ride quality and minimal rolling resistance along with the very authentic blonde cotton sidewall of the Corsa. I'm using the 700x23 on the De Rosa ....
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ebec24a4_b.jpgP1030584 on Flickr |
Originally Posted by SJX426
(Post 21842528)
Italian shoes for Italian Rides:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ebec24a4_b.jpgP1030584 on Flickr https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...330bbbbeb.jpeg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f8a2f8184.jpeg |
I'm also one of the converted who now runs almost exclusively Compass/Rene Herse Extralight tires, the fattest ones that will fit under the fork crown. I run 32mm Stampede Passes on the Cooper and 28mm on the Cinelli. I also did an emergency replacement after cutting a sidewall with one of the Soma Supplesse tires. This seems to be an exact copy of the Compasses, except for a slightly different tread pattern. The Miyata (my commute bike) is still wearing Gravelkings, which are definitely a less pleasant ride, though I suspect that they are less susceptible to sidewall cuts on gravel. Those will likely get changed out when they wear out.
I used to pay little attention to tire performance, going usually with Gatorskins simply because they were advertised as being resistant to flats. It was a complete revelation when I tried Compass tires for the first time. The smoothness of the ride, cornering grip, and even speed coasting down hills were clearly head and shoulders better. |
Originally Posted by SJX426
(Post 21842528)
Italian shoes for Italian Rides:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...ebec24a4_b.jpgP1030584 on Flickr |
Not actually working together in construction or planning, it’s the end user matching them up.
The Italians doing what they do best, making beautiful sculptures with steel, and the Germans doing what they do best, which when it comes to manufacturing, is everything else. Pretty good combination if you ask me. Although, I may have to give Pirelli road bike tires a shot. Tim |
I personally like the look of all black tires and have put about 1000 miles on Michelin Dynamic Sport 700x25c on my ‘84 Trek 670 and the rear is finally starting to pit/chip. Riding on not great roads in hilly Palos Verdes CA and had them up to about 47mph. I love how they feel and even being slicks have decent wet grip.
I have Vittorio zaffiro on an 82 SR that I just got in 700x28 and they seem good but not as fast as the Michelins. |
I don't have a favorite, but I have some that I like enough to keep on my radar when the sales hit. Some have already been mentioned.
1. Michelin Pro 4. Not a bad thing to say about them. Really a great tire. Mine are 23s. They go and they are tough, in my experience. 2. Continental Grand Prix Classic 700x25 - No complaints, grip well, smooth, well made, and I like the dark sidewalls on some bikes, especially if the gum hoods are on the dark side. 3. Panaracer EVO SX Competition 700x25 - These feel more plush than other 25s. Really comfortable for a narrower tire. Discontinued, unfortunately. I'd buy again if rereleased. 4. Continental GP5000 700x25 - I only have 14 miles on these but was very, very impressed. Felt plush like the Panaracers, yet quicker somehow. Really excited to put some miles on these come spring. I will say, though, after reading through all of the other posts here I really need to get my hands on some nice Vittorias. |
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