cubman

Looking for a new set of tires for my sons Schwinn Peloton and am seeking advice on new rubber. He's a relatively new rider wighing in at 120lbs, in the hot Texas sun, no gravel or dirt, just hot asphalt. He's currently on a pair of Kenda Koncept Lites which he thinks he likes but I want to see what suggestions others have to offer. Any help would be appreciated.

mstateglfr 

Not sure the exact specs of your son's tire as the Koncept Lite comes in different sizes and there isn't immediate info on details.

So a general suggestion would be Continental gp 4000s 2.
it's a fast rolling tire that is a good mix of price, weight, quality, and rolling.

get the widest tire the frame can handle. Read up on specific options as some(like the Conti gp) inflate wider than listed and others inflate narrower than listed.

Richard Cranium

Rims have something to do with how any given tire performs. Unfortunately, so do inner tubes. And in conjunction with these variables - inflation pressure affects performance.

Unfortunately, optimal tire selection is a dilemma - unless only one singular optimal specification is the goal.

All other results depend on personal preference.

wipekitty

I think most road riders (myself included) would agree that the Continental GP 4000S2 is a darned good tire. There are others that some prefer for various reasons, but this is a very good tire - especially if you're looking for an upgrade from the Kendas.

Others worth a try may include Maxxis Refuse (a bit heaver, but bombproof - I enjoyed mine), Continental Gatorskin Hardshell (some local riders love them, though I haven't tried them), and the various Vittoria Rubino Pro tires (I'm not sure what's the best - personally, I haven't had good luck with Vittoria.) Schwalbe also makes some nice tires, though I do not know enough to comment.

avole

SquidPuppet

What is important? Ride quality, weight, price, puncture resistance?

Iride01 

Don't over think the tires unless your son is riding at a very high level of excise or competition. Kenda's are fine for a kid just tooling around the neighborhood. If he's doing two, three and more hour rides for serious excercise then maybe he does need something else. With bike tires ranging from 4 dollars to a 100 dollars, there are always better choices.

Retro Grouch 

That's what I think too.

Most tire brands will have a variety of offerings. You can, through your selection, maximize whatever characteristic you choose. In general, the more puncture resistant they are, the stiffer the tires will become which results in greater rolling resistance and poorer performance otherwise. The trick is to find the tire with the right balance of characteristics to match your son's riding style.

carlos danger

i too like the gp4ks. they seem to have the best balance of durability/grip/rolling resistance and puncture protection.
for 32-37mm i like schwalbe marathon supreme. for the exact same reasons.

TrojanHorse

New Schwinn peloton or classic version?

Are the wheels 27" or 700c?

I generally use Michelin Pro4 Service course (which has been replaced by Michelin Power something or other). I tried Continental for a while because everybody and their dog swears by them around here, but I had tons of sidewall cuts.

I also generally order them 4 at a time from the UK (ribble, probikekit, merlin cycles, whatever has a good price on what I'm shopping for.

This is also a screaming deal: https://planetcyclery.com/components...endurance-tire

krylion appears to be the name for teh former Pro4 Endurance tire, which I like.

Shop around - they're consumables! You won't be stuck with any particular tire for too long, they wear out.

cubman

Its a classic Peloton from '99. He's a recreational rider now, new to riding but he's a serious athlete at 15 and already training for military service, he has his eyes on the SEAL teams. As for whats important I think all the qualities you listed are important Squidpuppet but I think most importance should be on ride quality and resistance to puncture especially here in the heat of Texas. All great inputs from you guys, thank you.

veganbikes

The vittoria tires with Graphene (G+) are excellent. I use the Corsa G+ clinchers 700x28c on my road bike (H+Son Archtype and TB-14 rims with buytl inner tubes) and they are excellent and so far no flats but I generally keep them properly inflated and try to avoid puncture giving objects when possible (and am a big dude) They are certainly more like a tubular tire (minus the sewing) so I might skew more towards the Rubino Pro G+ for more puncture protection. They have excellent grip especially in the wet and give a very nice supple feel on the road. The skinwalls do not always stay clean and look as good as in the box but they feel and perform so well I don't care so much.

Certainly cannot say anything bad about the Conti tires as I love them and the GP4000S is always generally well loved. I would also consider the Schwalbe One tire which I just learned has its own facility just for that tire, it is supposed to be their best road tire and from what I have heard from folks riding is they are a great tire.

I would always always always try and go as wide as I can so I can run lower pressures and have a more comfortable ride.

Ilfalco2

DynoD500_SR20-d

My experience with the GP4000 II is less than favorable. I just run cheaper Ultrasport2 with a thin tire liner (which is basically a GP4000). They don't sound as sexy as the GP4000 when rolling but they do the same thing. My GP4000 caught a bubble in the first week in the sidewall. Unbelieveabe for such an expensive highly rated tire.

Patriot1 

livedarklions

The Continental Gatorskins are the most puncture resistant, and if you get the folding type, not hard at all to put on. I've got 3000 miles on a pair, and the wear indicators look like they just came out of the package. They also have bigger sizes than the GP, which maxes out at 28 mm.

seedsbelize 

Another UltraSport 2 user. I have a set of Open Paves that I got on closeout, for comparison. They are close enough that I won't pay double for a slightly cushier tire.

puzzled

You can never go wrong with Contis

WaveyGravey

How about Vredestein?

124Spider

Yeah, this.

For us, the top priority, by far, is puncture resistance. So we use Continental Gatorskin Hardshell.

YMMV

WaveyGravey

What is a good online source for purchasing tires?

armybikerider

I'm also in Texas - North Central Texas, West of Mineral Wells out in the sticks of Palo Pinto Country, riding on chip seal and rough concrete roads. My issue is pinch flats due to running low-ish psi (80 - 90psi) in an effort to smooth out the rough surfaces and flatting due to hitting small pieces of gravel. I don't think I've had a puncture type flat in years.

(I've no connection for BikeTiresDirect.com)

I've been using Vredestein Gran Fondo TriComp tires in 25mm for the last few years and swear by them. I've been getting 3,000 miles + out of the back tire before I replace due to cord showing through. I get the tires from BikeTiresDirect.com and always on sale. If you're patient these tires go on sale very often and I've gotten them for as low as $21.99.

Charliekeet

Dudelsack 

Patriot1