Some people say Ultra Sports last for over a thousand miles without any flats, while some reviews say they're very prone to puncturing. I mainly commute around suburban/city areas in dry weather, and I'm currently using cheap Kenda K35. I've yet to get a flat on the K35, but I was wondering how the Ultra Sports would compare?

Edit: Thanks for the responses! It seems the Ultra Sports are decent but not great. What 27" tires are the best bang for the buck, again, mostly for commute?

Obligatory gp4000 post.

This is true of virtually any tyre if you go by anecdotal online reviews. I think if you buy any tyre from a reputable manufacturer with a modicum of puncture protection (and don't go with the bottom of the range) then your experience is likely to be ok. Sometimes you'll get a rash of flats because of bad luck or bad karma but if you keep them inflated to sensible pressures you'll minimise the chances of that happening.

FWIW there are a few tyres that seem to almost universally liked. Examples would be the Conti GP4000s (for all round including racing) and the Michelin Krylion Carbon (for all round including winter training on bad roads). Personally I've had good experiences with Vittorias for the high end but for commuting I'm not especially picky.

I've used the Ultra Sport, and found them to wear fast, but I'm pushing 200lbs. I got about 500 miles on a rear tire, front twice as long.

They are very good tires if you need to practice road side flat repair.

I've been happy with the Conti GP 4000 S line. Feels great the first 1000 miles...kind of settles down afterwards. Reliable..if you like Continentals that is. Punctures are luck many times I think also.

Do they make GP4000 in 27"?

GPs are:
Only in 23-622 / 700 x 23C

Life's too short to use cheap rubber. This applies to multiple products.

I have about 1500 miles on mine with no flats.

I had them. I bought them because I didn't know any better. Then I bought GP4000s and it was like night and day.

I've never had an issue with flatting on the Ultra Sports, save for one time I ran over a screw that went through the sidewall and tore the bead. They are not very lightweight, nor do they roll very fast. They don't seem to get cut up as easily as other tires I've tried (Kenda Koncept, Maxxis Detonator, Vittoria Diamante Pro, Schwalbe Blizzard Sport).

Nope. The GP4000S comes only in 23, but the GP4000 w/black chili comes in 25 and I think also in 28. I only know because I've been looking, and they're my next tires (in 700x25c).

I've got Panaracer Pasela TGs on my all purpose bike and I believe they come in 27". I don't keep track of mileage on it but it's been 3 years with no flats. I have a cousin who uses them for touring who weighs over 200# and he's happy with them too.

Had them on for one ride - felt ride the tires were filled with sand. Returned them and got my money back.

This is pretty much my position.

Check out Panaracer Paselas, either the standard Pasela or the Pasela TG. They're available in 27"x1.25", are pretty tough and the standard Paselas cost about the same as the Ultra Sports.

I rock the Ultrasports. I find them more durable than the Conti GP4000s, although I can tell a ride difference with them,with the ultrasports being a bit clunkier.

My Ultrasport back tire died while commuting. Got a lot of "holes" in the tire, as well a big tear. Front tire is worn, though, is still usable (reserve tire now). About 1150km/715miles.
Changed it with GP4000.

I agree the Ultra Sport seems to wear fast, 800 mile and getting a little "flat" in the tread center.
I am 195lbs and keep them at 120psi for every ride, including commuting, with no flats. YMMV
Are the ok, yes, would I buy them again, no, durablity is poor for my use.
WATCH WHERE YOU RIDe, and you won't get so many flats
Pirk

Never liked Ultrasports very much as they wear quickly and seem flat prone.

Paselas for the win.

Unless you can find these... one of my favourite 27 inch tyres of all time. Was recently fortunate enough to have picked up a few NOS pairs in wonderful shape... they are fast, tough, and smooth riding @ 100 psi.



Best 27 inch tyre I have ever run from a performance point of view were the now impossible to find Avocet TT30 folders... insane speed, super light, and a ride like tubulars. But they wear quickly and cut easily... although I never had any flats with them.

If the OP is really using the old style 27" hookless rims, few tires are still available for them. Certainly the GP4000 tires are not among them.

I had a pair of Ultrasports that I used for ~700 between two bikes. They were visibly out of round. The two bikes I used them on were heavier, and I never really noticed the flaw. When I tried to mount them on my new commuter, the misshapen tire caused a clearance issue on the rear. Other than that, I had no complaints. No more flats than any other tire that I've tried, and I though the wear was appropriate for how I used them.

False

Things have apparently changed in the 2-1/2 years since I posted that.