GetUpnGo

I currently have Vittoria Randonneur Pros. They've been fairly good but I'm disappointed in the short life of the rear tire (1500 miles). Also there have been times when I wanted a bit more tread on gravel roads. I never had a flat with them though.

I ride 95% paved roads, but they tend to be back roads, sometimes in bad shape, sometimes with gravel sections. Occasionally I'm tempted to go a short distance on a flat path in the woods.

I was looking at the Continental Touring Plus Reflex. The tread looks a bit more aggressive than the Vittoria Randonneur, but people complain about the stiffness of the ride and say it's very hard to install.

So I'm looking for a rugged tire that could handle a bit of gravel, but will reasonably low rolling resistance, and good puncture resistance. My budget is under $40 per tire (so the Schwalbe Marathon Supremes are out).

Any suggestions?

Wanderer

Keep a close eye on Niagara. I've gotten some amazing tire buys from them. Like $26 for 35mm Supremes............ you gotta watch, and pull the trigger quickly, as they soon disappear.

SnowJob

Panaracer TServ. Strong, puncture resistant. Not too much tread, so rolling resistance is low, and you really don't want too much tread for gravel. You want as much contact as possible between the tire and the ground. These usually last me 4-5000 miles. I think they are usually around s40-45 a tire.

GetUpnGo

[QUOTE=SnowJob;16458831]you really don't want too much tread for gravel. QUOTE]

Maybe I should have said "gravel and dirt." A bit more tread than the Vittoria Randonneurs might be useful.

SnowJob

I like Clement tires. The Xplor USH or MSO might work well for your needs. Not too sure about price, though. I have to say, I like to be cheap, but tires are a place where I don't skimp. If you have to save up a bit to get a quality tire, the investment will be worth it.

GetUpnGo

The only decent tire I could find locally with the Continental Touring Plus, so picked one up today. I don't have a lot of confidence in it. The reviews far favor the Schwalbe Marathon Supreme. Many cite sidewall cracks and short tread life on the Conti Touring Plus. I believe the Supremes are heavier.

It's a scary thought that I could be out in the puckerbrush with a flat and unable to remove the Conti---very common complaint. I guess I bought it because it's so beefy.

knobster

I will never bike another brand of tire after riding these: https://www.compasscycle.com/tires_gb_700_32.html

Panaracer makes them and it's the same compound as their tubular tires. Very high quality.

As fast as my 23's and have yet to get a puncture after 2000 miles. Light weight tire also which probably helps with the speed of the tire.

I've taken the bike down many dirt and gravel roads and even a couple two track and a smooth single track here and there and the tire performed great.

They also have an even lighter version, but I've really got no need for that. This tire is as light as most 25's.

dynaryder

Much lighter:
https://www.schwalbetires.com/node/37
https://www.conti-online.com/www/bicy...ngPlus_en.html

Although if you burned through a Rando that fast,a Supreme wouldn't last much longer. You can have super grip or long tread life,but not both.

GetUpnGo

Thanks for the clarification! I think the Marathon Supreme is a better tire and I already regret my purchase of the Conti. :-(

Wanderer

That's OK, you now have a tire to ride, while you are watching Niagara......................

GetUpnGo

I don't get Niagara. Are they a drop shipper? They seem to have a zillion products. Searching their website is pretty hard---not many subcategories to narrow down your options.

GaryPitts

My personal favorite https://www.amazon.com/Michelin-Pilot...ichelin+700x32

hueyhoolihan

with a 32mm tire, i don't think i would concern myself with tread pattern.

i AM surprised you got only 1500 miles out of one though, and i'm sure if I were so lucky as to not have a flat over the entire lifespan of a tire that i would be reluctant to try anything else.

GetUpnGo

I'm thinking I kept my rear tire underinflated and didn't realize how that impacts wear. I don't normally encounter nails or glass like urban cyclists. The worst I ride on is gravel and paved roads in bad shape.

I'm back to thinking about getting another set of Randonneur Pros. Anyone know whether the name of this tire has changed? Is it now the "Randonneur City Pro RFX"? RFX meaning "reflective? I don't think it used to be called the "City RFX." I think it was just "Randonneur Pro."

The reviews say this tire is very hard to install. I didn't do it myself last time---the bike shop did it on my new bike.

Barrettscv 

I have several Vittoria tires, including the 700x32 Randonneur City Pro RFX and the 700x32 Randonneur Hyper (now known as Voyager Hyper). Both are excellent tires, but the Hyper is larger, it measures 33mm wide, the City Pro is smaller at 29mm wide. The Hyper is smoother and handles very well. I'm 220 lbs and see no wear after 1000 miles.

I would take a look at the Hyper. I use the bike on smooth gravel, it has good traction on wet or dry gravel. Wet mud is tricky, but big knobs are needed in mud and knobby tires are very slow on pavement.

LordMarv

I concur with the post above. I have Vittoria Randonneur Cross tires on my single speed commuter, which are what my Raleigh came with and look equivalent to the Pro, they have excellent puncture protection, and wear very well, have not had any problems so far. I do inflate them slightly higher than recommended as many folks do, I think this helps. I use the bike for a 16 mile round trip commute and on the paths, with plenty of gravel in some areas of the bike lanes....not had a problem at all. Also like the reflective ring on the tire.

markjenn

Not sure you want this aggressive a tread, but I've been very happy with several sets of Maxxis Raze tires on my CX bike, and I ride 90% pavement - they are extremely comfortable but have a decently low rolling resistance.

- Mark

hueyhoolihan

Freudian slip?

markjenn

No doubt....

- Mark