ls0725

that is indeed a strange experience. i thought Ultra Gatorskins had a lot better protection than P2Rs. The Gatorskins are expectedly slower than the P2Rs though. I had P2Rs before that were good for performance (i.e. low RR, nice grip) but flatted every time I wasn't looking.

Terex

I agree. I've got gatorskins on my winter bike and they suck. The Pro3's prolly ran 3k miles or so and didn't flat all that much. They are pretty thin though.

urbanknight

Yes, the sidewalls are pretty thin and they don't last as long, but I'm spending a fortune in patches and CO2 with the Contis!

kudude

for someone who is notably on a budget on BF............why the **** are you using co2?

buy this:
https://www.amazon.com/Rema-25mm-Roun.../dp/B0017RV5K4

urbanknight

Because my arms are too wimpy to get more than 80 psi out of a mini pump, and I've blown pump seals trying. Thanks for the link! I just bought 12 cartridges for $19, and that box of 100 patches should get me a long way.

gcasillo

Fan of regular Conti Grand Prix's myself. However, I bought three of these POS for $8 per tire over the holidays with the intention of using them on my trainer over the winter. Dug out of the snow in late February and have been riding them out on the road. Just shy of 1000 miles and they're still holding air and a straight line that includes a 1/4 mile stretch of strada bianca. They're 25mm wide which isn't speedy, sporty, or sexy, but training wheelsets and tires usually aren't.

The cycling gods are surely frowning upon my boastfulness and will decree that I flat during tomorrow's ride.

Phantoj

I swore off cheap tires after getting a blowout on a Hutchinson Flash.

Rich cyclists will spend thousands of dollars to shave a few watts with deep-section carbon rims and aero frame tubing. Maybe I can't/won't do that, I can at least afford to drop an extra $20 or so for good, low-rolling-resistance tires.

I get some flats from time to time, but it's not too bad. I just hope I don't flat tonight -- I'm riding home after work and I forgot my "saddle bag". Brand new Michelin P3R's...

Accordion

I bought two of the Continental GP4000S tires from Pro Bike Kit during their sale last month. Delivered price was something like $30.45 each. That's really not crazy different than walking into your LBS and purchasing a "cheap" $20 tire.

I haven't mounted them yet because my CAAD9-5 stock Vittoria Zafiro Pro tires have 1000+ flat-free miles on them. I'm half-inclined to continue with Vittoria since these have been so dependable. With all the glowing reviews of the GP4000S tires I'm anxious to see if I notice a difference in handling.

I think a lot of flats are just plain old bad luck. Hit that wrong rock, wrong pothole or run over that piece of glass and you're done. I do think you can minimize flats by buying the right tire for where you ride.

I'm down in SoCal and there are no thorns or nasty roads where I ride. Everything is really smooth or a nice paved trail without goatheads or thorns or potholes. Probably any tire would work out okay for me.

Come to think of it I VERY rarely see somebody fixing a flat tire and I pass probably 300-400 bicyclists on any given ride. It's a cycling mecca out here!

RT

Considering I get the same mileage out of my Michelins or even Forte tires ($12-$15), yes, they are that expensive. I'm just wondering if the increased price is worth it for a smoother ride.

emayex

Any thoughts on Panaracer Etreme Duro tires?

https://www.panaracer.com/road.php

kudude

That's something you'll have to decide for yourself