Homeyba

It's not all in the head. There are definite differences in various tires. At the extremes are a tire like a GP4000 or Pro Race and a knobby. It's very easy to tell the difference in rolling resistance between them. As you get closer and closer in performance the gap narrows but there is still a gap whether you can "feel" it or not. Realize that you're only talking fractions of a mile per hour. Speed, like everything else is part of a total package. Some parts of the package are a bigger % of the pie than others but if you want the maximum speed you have to maximize all parts of the pie.
Speed isn't the only part of the equation either. When I'm bombing down a narrow canyon I can feel a huge difference in performance between a inexpensive (cheap) tires and high performance tires. This is the main reason that I use them. I want tires that are going to have the maximum grip and when they do start sliding they slide predictably. They have strong solid sidewalls that don't roll over. Lesser tires don't inspire confidence in corners and slide unpredictably. That's a bad deal. Road rash is not my friend so I will do whatever it takes to avoid it (except slow down ).

Mr. Beanz

[QUOTE=Homeyba;12208112]Speed isn't the only part of the equation either. When I'm bombing down a narrow canyon I can feel a huge difference in performance between a inexpensive (cheap) tires and high performance tires. [QUOTE]

I guess I'm lucky, I can't tell a difference between a GP4000, Specialized S-Works, or a Serfas Seca. Other than the S-Works fell apart on the descent.

I might not be the only one cause I know a few riders that race on Serfas tires.

Homeyba

I've never used the Specialized tire but I do know that Specialized does not make tires (just like Bontrager doesn't make much of anything). Their tires are made by another manufacturer and privately labeled. I have no idea how they perform but if you had one come apart it doesn't sound like something I want anything to do with!

Mr. Beanz

Steer clear with the race models anyways. A 6 inch chunk vanished into mid air.

natbla

[QUOTE=Mr. Beanz;12208523][QUOTE=Homeyba;12208112]Speed isn't the only part of the equation either. When I'm bombing down a narrow canyon I can feel a huge difference in performance between a inexpensive (cheap) tires and high performance tires. This example is why I stayed away from talking specific tires while trying to explain general differences based on rubber softness. Once I have enough miles into need new tires, I'll have to check out the Serfas. The one tire that has alway interested me, but the cost has kept me from buying are the Vittoria brand open tubulars (high end clinchers). I've heard good things about them, but since I can't find them under $70 plus shipping I can't get myself to pull the trigger.

LarDasse74

The main difference will probably be between lightweight racing tires and reinforced flat resistant tires. Tires are slow or fast based on the amount of energy lost between the tire flexing then rebounding back (hysteresis). The extra reinforcing layers in a flat resistant tire tend to increase hysteresis over a thin nylon (or silk) casing.

If Beanz did back-to-back downhill tests on his precious GMR (sarcasm from sour grapes after watching his video) with a pair of GP4000 then some Armadillo All Conditions, he would be able to time and possibly feel a difference.

I would guess mid-priced lightweight tires like the serfas are going to actually be a lot closer to the racing style than the flat resistant.

Mr. Beanz

Yes, Actually I trained an entire season on GMR, with a big fat 25 Old syle heavy Armadillo. Yes, that compared to a race tire, I feel a difference in roling resistance but as you mention, that was a purley flat resistant tire. I didn't flat once in over 5000 miles

As far as climbing on the Armadillo, I don't notice that much of a difference, a littel but not much. On the descent, I don't notice a difference at all, may be but I don't feel it. Armadillo is stiff enough in the sidewalls and doesn't flex in fast turns (that was a 25, a 23 may even corner better, I'm not sure). FTR, on a GP, Serfas or Armadillo, I don't think any of the several people I've ridden with can keep up with me on the GMR descent (short straight sections yes, I'm taliking switchbacks). Not to be arrogant but to show that I'm really testing the tires on the fast downhill swithcbacks and not baby'ing them.

As mentioned, I feel a difference in a flat resistant tire like the Armadillo but as far as decent tires like the Serfas vs the GP4000, I don't see or feel any difference on the bike or recorded ride times, not enough to pay double the price for a tire that will wear faster.

Homeyba

You need to be more in touch with your tires, Grasshopper. Feel the tire, be one with the tire... When you can ride your bicycle on the rice paper and leave no trace you will be ready.

Mr. Beanz

Fat chance of that happening with an S-Works!......more like traces of rubber!

macaw1us

With all of my heavy riding gear on...I'm just over 300lb. I run the Gator 28's at 110psi and love them.
Never had any problems with them.