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best tire for communting

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Old 07-16-11 | 02:52 PM
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best tire for communting

In your personal opinion- which tire would be a better commuter tire. Panaracer ribmo or panaracer t-serve?
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Old 07-16-11 | 03:00 PM
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Seeing as I have over 4,000 miles on a set of ribmo's, And run ribmos on 3 of my 4 bikes.

I think you know what my opinion is.
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Old 07-16-11 | 03:52 PM
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After a lot of research I figured a Schwalbe Marathon Supreme would do the trick.

... and on my first commute I ran over a staple and punctured. Hah.


However the tire kept the pressure high enough that I was able to ride it home with no issues. Plus I've been using them for another 700 non-commuting miles before that anyway, so they're pretty good. Not sure of any tire that can withstand a frigging staple to be honest.
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Old 07-16-11 | 04:22 PM
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Schwalbe Marathon. I use cheap tubes filled with "Flat Attack". No need to change tires mid commute.
Panaracer Highroad V's were my choice before I discovered Schwalbe. They are good tires when on a budget.
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Old 07-16-11 | 04:39 PM
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Originally Posted by jr59
Seeing as I have over 4,000 miles on a set of ribmo's, And run ribmos on 3 of my 4 bikes.
That got my attention. I have visited NOLA many times, and pedaled around there as well. The street surfaces in New Orleans are in typically worse than most other cities in the US - and I have visited all 50 states. If you have good results with rimbo in NOLA, that has me curious - I have never seen that tire.

I use Panaracer Pasela Tourguard, but my local streets are generally smooth and don't have much glass or junk on the pavement to worry about. I get an occasional flat, but sometimes I am lucky and go 6+ months (3K to 4K miles) with no flats.
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Old 07-16-11 | 06:06 PM
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Originally Posted by zephyr
That got my attention. I have visited NOLA many times, and pedaled around there as well. The street surfaces in New Orleans are in typically worse than most other cities in the US - and I have visited all 50 states. If you have good results with rimbo in NOLA, that has me curious - I have never seen that tire.

I use Panaracer Pasela Tourguard, but my local streets are generally smooth and don't have much glass or junk on the pavement to worry about. I get an occasional flat, but sometimes I am lucky and go 6+ months (3K to 4K miles) with no flats.
Yep the streets here are not to good.
I rotated my tires at 3,000, front to back. Not really sure why, the back looked a little square, but still rolled out.

On the other bike, I run the Marathons, they are also very good tires. I just feel the rimbos ride better. Plus I found rimbos in 23 for my road bike.

Really I don't think you could go wrong with either.

Of course we don't have goatheads here!
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Old 07-16-11 | 08:07 PM
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Continental Gatorskins.
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Old 07-16-11 | 09:37 PM
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Gatorskins or Marathons are what I've used.
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Old 07-16-11 | 10:10 PM
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I'm very happy with the Continental GatorSkins. Picked up a set for ~$100 with some tubes at my local Performance Bike shop.
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Old 07-17-11 | 07:01 AM
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Originally Posted by andrizzle
In your personal opinion- which tire would be a better commuter tire. Panaracer ribmo or panaracer t-serve?
I like a new variation marketed as the Soma Express, it's the Pasela tg design with a reinforced sidewall. I've used them this uear and love them.


Marc
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Old 07-17-11 | 09:42 AM
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I rode T-Servs for a whole season last year. Liked them well enough, but had a couple issues with sidewall tears or punctures. Light and supple, though.

This year, I switched to the RiBMo tires and they have held up better. A bit heavier than the T-Servs, but not as heavy as the standard Marathons. First and only puncture this season was at just about the 1300 mi mark.

I prefer the flat protection of the RiBMo tires over the lightweightness of the T-Servs, heaviness of the Marathons. If I was getting any more flats with these, I am more than prepared to switch to Marathons.

RiBMo tires have an odd, tall, almost parabolic profile, so they ride like a narrower tire, just with bigger volume. I might try something else with a more traditional round profile once these are done, but I got no complaints about them.
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Old 07-17-11 | 10:18 AM
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Originally Posted by andrizzle
In your personal opinion- which tire would be a better commuter tire. Panaracer ribmo or panaracer t-serve?
Neither. Schwalbe Marathons for me. Believe it or not, I've also had good experiences with the Bell Dirtsters (nearly slicks) on my MTB and Raleigh 20.
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Old 07-17-11 | 11:31 AM
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I have the Panaracer RiBMo's on my LHT. After about 2 years (maybe more) I got my first flat. I like them well enough that I will probably switch to them on other bikes when the time comes.
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Old 07-17-11 | 01:42 PM
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I run specialized all condition armadillos, they are 700x28 and provide a decent enough ride. They are a little stiff so they don't roll as nice as some others, but have never had a flat with an armadillo tire in 8,000 miles.

I use my cross check for commuting and touring so flat resistance is a really big deal for me. I will definitely be sticking with armadillos in the future
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Old 07-17-11 | 01:49 PM
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Haven't got a single flat on my Continental Gatorskins in 1500 miles. Got them for roughly $32 per on Wiggle.
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Old 07-17-11 | 02:15 PM
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700x28 Schwalbe Marathons Heavy but have yet to puncture. Wearing very well after 3K and may just switch back to front for kicks as the back looks nice still. Handled hardpack trail just fine with a little less air pressure.
Next time I may actually go for 700x25 as my daily routine does not warrant hauling a lot of weight, just need some flat protection and long wear. May try the lighter Ribmos others have said.
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Old 07-18-11 | 11:28 AM
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thanks all!
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Old 07-18-11 | 11:32 AM
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Conti Gatorskins get a nod from me too. No flats and fairly robust tire
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Old 07-18-11 | 11:45 AM
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Hi guys,

Working for Michelin you may be entitled to say that I'm biased be that as it may the RiBMo 7 looks similar to the Michelin Pilot City which also has pucture resistance built in (Protec), others to consider might be is the Michelin City and the Michelin Pilot Sport, an added advantage is that they will probably cheaper so that would be a bonus.

Bryan
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Old 07-18-11 | 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by slab288
Hi guys,

Working for Michelin you may be entitled to say that I'm biased be that as it may the RiBMo 7 looks similar to the Michelin Pilot City which also has pucture resistance built in (Protec), others to consider might be is the Michelin City and the Michelin Pilot Sport, an added advantage is that they will probably cheaper so that would be a bonus.

Bryan
Is there a shortage on periods there at the Michelin plant?
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Old 07-18-11 | 12:10 PM
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Originally Posted by scroca
Is there a shortage on periods there at the Michelin plant?
Obviously. You all of people should know they're short at least one menstruating grammar Nazi.
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Old 07-18-11 | 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by scroca
Is there a shortage on periods there at the Michelin plant?
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Old 07-18-11 | 10:09 PM
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Originally Posted by slab288
Hi guys,

Working for Michelin you may be entitled to say that I'm biased be that as it may the RiBMo 7 looks similar to the Michelin Pilot City which also has pucture resistance built in (Protec), others to consider might be is the Michelin City and the Michelin Pilot Sport, an added advantage is that they will probably cheaper so that would be a bonus.

Bryan
I run the Pilot Road 3 on my motorcycle. Best handling tire I've ever run.
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Old 07-18-11 | 10:28 PM
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Originally Posted by slab288
Working for Michelin you may be entitled to say that I'm biased be that as it may the RiBMo 7 looks similar to the Michelin Pilot City which also has pucture resistance built in (Protec)
They may look similar by the Pilot City weighs about twice as much.

I had a set of Ribmos that kept my pump in my backpack pretty well for about 2500 miles. I didn't really care for the ride quality. I like Marathon Supremes and Grand Prix 4 Seasons much better. Of course, those cost twice as much. I've been thinking about trying the T-Servs.
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Old 07-20-11 | 05:49 PM
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I bought some fat Marathon Supremes for my mountain bike-turned-commuter. (700c x 40) and I love them.
I did manage to get a puncture but this would have flattened nearly anything.

My best guess is that I flipped it up with my front tire and the rear caught it just right.

The old rusty nail was about 1.5 inches (38mm) long

It went in the tread and out the sidewall and totally shredded the tube.
To top it all off this was on my way home from work on my first ever ride on the tires.

Compared to some of the tires I was looking at for my mountain bike (Schwalbe Big Apples) these were considered light.

Now I only hope I can fit them on my vintage ride-turned-commuter.

Lots of volume for a smooth ride and smooth tread for easy rolling.

Depending one where you get them they can be pricey but these get my vote.
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