SeanKimStyle

LONG lasting, Puncture Resistance(700x23-25). Basically for training or touring. Weight is no issue here

banerjek

Schwalbe Marathon Plus. It's the heaviest and slowest tire I've ever ridden, but puncture resistance is second to none, and ride quality as well as traction is decent for a high mileage tire. You can get close to 10,000 miles out of a set -- seriously.

Lightingguy

Conti Grand Prix 4 Seasons.

I get about 2000 or so miles on a set and even when the side walls look ragged I get no flats. I haven't had a flat in 2 seasons (4000 miles so far), so they seem durable

Trouble is I got a couple of pairs a few years ago from Bikes Tires Direct at about $35 ea. and they are now $60 ea.. Ouch !.

Steve B.

akansaskid

10,000 miles sounds great, bj, but slow? How slow? Any (speed) comparison you can offer to, say, an Armadillo? Thanks!

OP: I get about 4000 miles from a 25mm Armadillo rear; no flats.

sonik90

you could make some wooden ones they last forever yo

ElJamoquio

Never did the marathon plus. The armadillo's last ~7k for me. In some riding areas, the puncture resistance is worth it... but be advised that the ride quality is wretched.

10 Wheels

I hated the ride on Schwalbe Marathon Tires.

bobthib

Got 25mm Armadillos on my Lambo tandem. I have no problems with the ride quality nor flats. Not the fastest tire, but I'm happy. I'm not in a race. I want to get where I'm going with no headaches. I guess all the "I" 's should really be "we"s. (tandem, ya know.)

banerjek

I rode Armadillos for years and typically got around 4500 miles from a 700/28 Armadillo rear. However, I got loads of flats (a couple dozen per year). Don't get me wrong. The Armadillo is one of the more flat resistant tires out there -- I just had tons of debris on my commute which was 180 miles/week at the time. The Armadillo is particularly vulnerable to small glass shards when it's wet as well as wires from steel belted radials. The MP is far more resistant to both of these things since they tend to get caught in the blue layer.

Speedwise, the Armadillo is faster than the MP, but not much since the Armadillo is also a slow tire. Unless you have a lot of climbing or have to stop and start a lot, the MP will cost you a minute or so on a 20 mile ride as opposed to the Armadillo. Armadillo wet weather traction and general ride quality is terrible -- both are worse than the MP.

One thing to know about the MP is that it is one of the most difficult tires to change. The Armadillo is also considered difficult by many, but it is significantly easier to change than an MP.

My motivation for switching to the MP was flat resistance rather than mileage and there is absolutely no contest there. Since I'm light, you might not get as many miles as I did, but I still would expect you to get around 8,000 miles. Be aware that the reason you can get more mileage out of an MP tire simply because there is so much material there. You can also gash it up much worse without ruining it.

daxr

I've got Conti GP4000s' (Black Chili compound ) - 2000 miles so far and next to no legitimate flat problems. Looking at wear, they should go another 1000 easy.

The ride quality, weight, cornering and everything is first rate, maybe just a hair behind a true race tire that wouldn't last anywhere near as long.

old and new

Specialized, Armadillos included, are tough in every way. I use the 28s on a bike, they're heftier than other brand 28s. Perhaps they are in 25s as well. Readily available, lots of stores have 'em, handy to check out.

growl

michelin krylion carbon, as flat resistant as the others, but ride quality is much much better.

akansaskid

Thanks, bj! I think the MP will be my next rear. I didn't notice the speed differential going to the Armadillo from the OEM Specialized Pro, but I'm not all that fast to begin with. I have about 12,000 miles on Armadillos with only one flat - a wire staple. That OEM Pro flatted 6 times in its 1800 mile life. Flats 15 miles from nowhere when it's in the 20s is no fun. Puncture resistance is paramount for year-round riding anywhere it gets cold.

dark13star

Really, why? Is your goal in cycling to get miles out of your tires? Just get the tires that meet your actual needs and replace as needed. They aren't that expensive, especially if you buy online.

DannoXYZ 

If you want long-lasting, get a wider tyre. A 700x28c tyre at lower-pressure will last quite a lot longer than a 700x23c tyre. For the same model & construction, you can expect 75-100% more mileage.

banerjek

There are cycling goals, and there are practical concerns. Getting flats in the dark when you're miles from home when it's pouring rain or your hands are so cold you can't feel them just sucks. I use all kinds of tires starting from grippy 200g race tires to training tires to more durable tires such as gatorskins to the Marathon Plus. I actually have all these tires mounted as I write this.

Tires need to match the application, and when you're commuting in winter storms loaded down with commuting junk and have lousy aerodynamics, the extra weight is not that big a factor. When the weather improves and the light returns, you can toss on lighter and faster tires.

Randochap

Conti Gatorskins are cheap and ride reasonably well. They're also pretty flat resistant.

Fix a flat.

lbear

Gatorskins! So far 1000 miles no flats!

Surferbruce

Torelli Torinos. best tire for the money out there.

dark13star

BJ, I was questioning the emphasis on LONG lasting, not puncture resistance. Sure, nobody wants a tire that wears out in a month, but once you are getting a season, I don't see the big deal.