TommyL

After looking around a bit, I've decided to get some Michelin Pro 2 Races for my bike. Should I get some orange Mr Tuffy strips, a thinner protective strip (i.e. slime), or trust that they will be pretty puncture proof as they are? I hate getting flats. Thanks!

toothless

"I hate getting flats."

Then don't get race tires.

FrankBattle 

No one makes such a thing. It's cheaper to (1) avoid crud on the road (2) become adept at fixing flats when you get them.

But yes, many people tend to get fewer flats with the Pro Race tires; well, until you wear them down or get a little thorny piece of crud stuck in 'em, then see (1) & (2) above.

Psydotek

Do you NEED the grip? Or would something with higher puncture resistance like a Michelin Krylion Carbon or Continental Gatorskin suffice?

Crash716

oddly...my Pro 2 have been the most puncture resistant tires i have had in a long time...it could most likely be chaulked up to dumb luck though.

botto 

fixed.

Second Mouse

Any other input on the durability/puncture resistance of Pro2 Race tires? I'm using them for crits and I wouldn't expect them to be as durable as, say, Gatorskins, but if they're close to being as puncture resistant, I'd love to use them all the time instead of changing tires/wheels all the time.

johnny99

Gatorskins are great. The folding version is about the same weight and price as Pro Race. Unless your roads are really really bad, you may get zero flats before tire wears out (in about 3000 miles). If you need more grip, Continental 4-Seasons has the same puncture resistance as the Gatorskin, but with a softer rubber.

Phantoj

There was some test a while back that supposedly rated the Pro 2 Race pretty highly on puncture resistance. It was also rated well for rolling resistance... a good tire. I think they have poor wet traction, though. I expect the Pro 3 Race will be a better rain tire.

StanSeven

Exactly. Why buy race tires then add weight from Mr. Tuffy strips? Just buy more durable and flat resistent tires like Gatorskin to begin with

Psimet2001 

+1 - To this day I have experienced the fewest flats I have ever had by using PR2s.

cuski

My pair of PR2s lasted me for more than 5000kms, with one flat caused by a glass shard. I'm sure they still had at least 1000 more kms in them, but I decided to replace them due to 'rainy' season coming up. I was all in all impressed - and they definitely ride much smoother than the Gatorskins.

ravenmore

I commute and ran Michelin PR2's for a loooong time. I love the tire and it is more puncture resistant than people think. Handling is fantastic too.

Gatorskins are puncture resistant but suck IMO. Handling is horrible and they get slick if you lean into a turn even a little. I heard they may have improved that but my first experience was so bad I haven't gone back and don't plan to.

My new favorite are the Schwalbe Ultremos. I wrote a review thread on them if you want to search on it. They have Vectran in them just like Gatorskins, but they apply it differently. It does not go bead to bead. It is only a strip in the middle of the tire, so there is potential for punctures on the side wall. BUT, the Vectran strip is woven with very tight threads - higher than the Gatorskin. I am now on my 2nd set - I did not have a single flat, knock on wood, with the first pair. They handle on par with the Michelins IMO. The downside - they ain't cheap.

Treefox

I feel like putting anti-puncture strips in P2R's kinda defeats the point. Why not just get Armadillos or Gatorskins?

HDWound

PR2's with tuffy's ride a lot better than Armadillos or Gatorskins.

Per tire liner cut to size is about 48 grams + PR2 weight is still less weight than an Ultra gatorskin. I've been able to get PR2's cheaper than gatorskins as well in the past and they just ride better.

I get over 3k miles with PR2's. I put in the tire liners during goathead/sticker season and honestly can't tell the difference when I put them in. They save me from having to repair a flat every 5 miles when there are thorns adorning the road.

For the OP, if you don't have stickers to contend with in your part of the country the PR2's will hold up fine if you stay out of other obvious road debris.

EivlEvo

I have ridden Michelin Pro Race 2's for like... 4 or 5 years now. Haven't gotten one SINGLE flat tire EVER!

But... in NY we have this thing called winter... and these other things called plows. So, the streets (eventually) get cleaned moderately well.

Psimet2001 

...you will now.

FWIW I have only gotten 1 flat in 3-4 years with them. It was right after I told someone, "I have never gotten a flat on these things."

Brian Ratliff

Golly gee guys...

Lots of comments to make the flat gods angry. Everyone who chimed in should be extra careful to carry flat changing equipment for the rest of the year.

Ah sh*t... Now I've chimed in too...

TommyL

Right. To clarify why I chose this tire, I've read reviews that say it has great puncture resistance and low rolling resistance. I won't lie, I also like that I can get it in red. It's not for commuting or anything, and I don't really intend to ride them in the rain. I don't think I plan on racing (other than the Ski to Sea) but I like riding fast. It seemed like a good tire for me, and I was just wondering how much added benefit strips would give me. Thanks for all the responses!

EivlEvo

I hope I flat out. I hope its some sort of scary crash.

If I wasn't almost dead... I wouldn't even be alive.

The flat gods can lick it.

vic32amg

Fixed!

alanfleisig

I use PR2s with Michelin Airstop tubes (slightly, every so slightly heavier), and .... I'm not going to say it.

I run a set for 2,000 to 3,000 miles, then put on new, and suffice it to say that my experience has been that their puncture resistance under this routine is excellent.

alanfleisig

PR2 performance in rain is really not all that bad.

People just like pointing out that they grip less in the rain (duh!) because they have to have something to say.

ravenmore

Ultremos don't come in red, I don't think, so that's a strike. Otherwise they do essentially what you're trying to accomplish by adding the flat resistant strip. Vectran is more puncture resistant than one of those strips, and the Ultremo is waaay lighter (195 grams) and handles better than a PR2 with one of those strips - I've personally never cared for what they do to a tires handling/ride. Plus a PR2 + the cost of those strips is probably the same or a bit more than the Ultremo.

I think they look pretty sharp too.

stapfam

Makes two of us.