I tried to fit 700x28c to my road bike last week and it turns out I have brake rub. They were Kenda Kwests. Had great reliability with them on my other bikes. However the 28c of the Kwests are rather large and they are rubbing the rear brake (not pads) but the arch itself.
Anyhow I need 25c now to clear the brake arch. Oh maybe somehow there are 28c tires that have a lower crown. Recommendations please! Price <$20.

I think it's probably the <$20 that's the problem here. For under $20 I would probably just try whatever is on sale. For $25 you could get Panaracer Pasela TG or Maxxis Re-Fuse. I hear good things about the Paselas, but I haven't used them. I've got about 700 miles on a pair of 700x25 Re-Fuse and have had no problems. I don't expect to get more than a couple thousand miles out of them, based on reviews I've read.

More expensive tires are generally a better bargain in the long run.

Cheap tire I can recommend. Good tire I can recommend. Good and cheap? Not to my knowledge.

Be careful with Panaracers as well; at least in their 27" tires, the 1 1/8 tires are typically as big as a 1 1/4 width tire from other manufacturers, and the 1 1/4 Panaracer rubs on my fenders (when other 1 1/4 tires don't).

If you have nothing to contribute to the thread you're a post wh0re.

<$20 I can't say. I know the 28c Ultra Gators I just put on measure closer to a 25c. Size this might help...price sorry.

You could help yourself and everyone else if you started your request stating What Bike you have.

for 20 maybe panaracer paselas tourguide when on sale
i got m ine for 25 from sheldon browns bike shop.
switched over to them because i was getting too many flats with my other tires
totally satisfied and worry-free riding with the paselas

I'm using 23c gatorskin folding from pbk at $28 each shipped. 25c also available.

25c Armadillo slicks for commuting on one bike. Not as cheap, but I haven't fixed any flats either.

+1 on the Panaracer Pasela TG

Just shell out 40 each for some Gatorskins. They'll last way longer than any sub-20 dollar tires you'll find, so you'll save money in the long run. On the downside, the gators are a real son of a ***** to get onto your wheels, but once on, they're awesome.

If you jump quick Performance was dumping Michelin Lithion's for 12.99 but sale ends tonight. That's a $35 or so tire regularly.
https://www.performancebike.com/webap..._20000_1510500

To clarify.... it is $20 per tire. Can't make it too easy for you smart folks right?

The front 28c clears the brakes.
Will look into the Tourguards. Anyone tried Conti Ultra Sport?

But they are slicks! Part of my commute goes through unpaved crush gravel MUPs.

Continental Ultra GatorSkin HardShell - just shipping to retailers.

My LBS gets $60 each. No doubt you can do better online.

When you get tired of cheap tires and punctures, try these. Don't forget that Price and Value are not always the same thing.

Here is a REVIEW

Alfredo Contador... I disagree. This is probably the best advice/most accurate statement on the thread.

Unless you go cyclocross knobby tires, there ain't gonna be any difference in tread patterns on the crushed gravel. I've taken 25c "slicks" on crushed gravel. Its not a big deal at all.

Hard to say when there are many riders that commute successfully with cheaper tires. See the <$30 tire thread. Lots of great experiences there.
I try see past the Dupont copyrighted name on an otherwise regular flat-resistant chemical material.

Exactly, which is why I listed them. And slicks actually have better traction than tread on pavement. But the OP's going to ask for opinions then shoot them down, and the sale is over, so no biggie.

I would check out performancebike.com's Forte 700x25c tires with Kevlar. They provide decent flat protection and aren't really heavy (I think).

sale was extended until tonight. As a matter a fact, i just ordered two of those tires for $32 bucks shipped. I also have a part in my commute on a bit of gravel and dirt road. these 25c's should be better than my 23c's anyways. That is if they fit under my fenders *crosses fingers*
My only reservation is they may not be as puncture resistant as better quality tires

Had the Ultra sport 28c on my bike. The rubber felt soft. They picked up every little piece of micro glass on the road. I had to brush or pluck them out. In the 300 mi I put on those tires, I will consider I was very lucky not to get a flat. I got rid of those and put on some Roubaix Armadillo Elite in the 25 size. I love the Armadillo tire and it's worth every cent.

Also the sport never seat on my rim on the first try. Had to over inflate to get them round. Surprise to me was the ease of mounting of the Armadillo with some quikstix lever.

In my experience (and per Harris Cyclery's measurements as well), the 27x1 1/8" tires run narrow. 27x1 1/8 is supposed to be 28mm wide. Mine measure~26, and Harris states 25.5 I believe. Am I missing something?

I guess it depends on how hard you push your bike, or how much you hate fixing flats. A cheap tire will get you from point A to point B, no question. High quality rubber compounds and carcass technology however aren't inexpensive. Also, cheap doesn't necessarily mean inexpensive. Our basic Marathon tire for instance (approx. $39; not cheap, not ridiculously expensive) will last the average rider 5,000+ miles with no significant degradation. It has a fairly substantial kevlar puncture protection belt and a nice all around rubber compound for the tread. Most people will go through 3 sets of cheap tires in the time it would take them to wear out a Marathon. In addition to the cost of the tire, if you take into account the time (and inherent value of that time) it takes to change these tires, not to mention the flats one will get as the tires near the end of their useful lives you'll find that cheap is not inexpensive. The better quality tires will also have a much nicer ride and feel than a cheap tire.

You could go to just about any decent brand, and they'll have a similar tire.... this isn't just about Schwalbe. This is mostly about maximizing value, and maximizing riding enjoyment.