Inexpensive tires, Vittoria Zaffrio vs Conti Ultra Sport II
 

So I threw a single-speed bike together from odds and ends in my bin, including nearly identical Rigida and Nashbar 27x1 rims from long ago. The Kenda tires that are on it... one is completely bald, and the other has a nice gash in it, that I booted and am hoping for the best. My intention is to ride these tires until they are no longer usable, but then I will need to find replacements.

I've noticed in the lower priced tires, are Vittoria Zaffiro and Continental Ultra Sport II, both available as 28-630 size. There might not be enough frame clearance for 32-630, and I'm not sure how big a tire I can put on the skinny rim.

Are there any opinions about which tire might be nicer? Answers could be based on experience with one or both tires, or general impressions of the quality of the two brands. This is an N+1 bike, that I use for commuting and just riding around around town, typically solo, never competitive.

I've used vittoria zaffiro tires on and off over the past few years. They hold up fairly well, ideally on smooth pavement, definitely not for rough roads and skidding will wear them out fast. For the cost they've served their purpose well for me.

Thanks. I'm not planning on skidding much. It's a coaster brake plus front caliper, so a skid stop would be purely an emergency occurrence.

I've used both.

Conti ultra sport rolls exceptionally for such a value tire, the best out of the two listed, but have virtually zero puncture protection. If you run them long term, they get cut up really bad from road debris. You might be able to get a pair for really cheap from a bike shop as the ultra sport is/ was one of the more common tires that came with bikes and buyers often opt to upgrade from them. They become what is called take-offs.

My vote goes toward the zaffiro, it's a more robust tire overall compared to the ultra sport and has a more durable casing and tread.

I would say that they are both already no longer usable, but that is me. Tires are one thing that I just don't mess around with. Get something good, something with some puncture resistance, and ride. Personally I fork over the cash for Gatorskins. Have had really good luck with these and see no reason to change to anything else.

The Zaffiros are tough. I rode a pair (700x23) about 500 miles in early summer before replacing them with Schwalbe 1 V-Guards, when Jenson had the Schwalbes for $15 each.

In 500 miles the Zaffiros got a couple of small nicks riding rough chip seal, no flats. Good grip.

The Z's roll well at high pressure but are rough riding, too rough for our rural chip seal roads. More comfortable at lower pressure but felt sluggish. Some of my fastest Strava segments were on the Z's at max pressure, mostly on smoother pavement. The Schwalbes are much nicer at lower pressure.

What Leuky said about the Ultra Sport. They puncture easily. I've had a few sets of them and still have them on one bike. I like how they ride, and you can't beat their price, but you should almost count on getting flats.

Don't rule out Continental Super Sport Plus either.

I think the Ultra Sport II's roll a little faster but the Zaffiro's have a little more puncture protection. I'm pretty sure the Sports miss out on the extra puncture layer the more expensive Continentals have. I'm actually using Ultra Sports right now and have been for about 4 months, they've been a good tire even in the rain using the 28mm ones. No flats so far.

Ehh, I wouldn't overthink it. The energy you spend deciding which cheap tire to get isn't going to give you much of a return. If it were me, I'd go with the Zaffiros because I've had rotten luck with Ultra Sports in the past.

If you want durability and don't care about speed, maybe throw in a tire liner. Or a tip I heard on a podcast recently -- cut the bead off an old tire and stick it inside the new one as a DIY liner. I'm about to do this on my beater bike.

I don't know about OP but you talked me into it. Conti Ultra Sport II on sale now on Nashbar for $16, then another 25% off that if you spend enough. :beer:

I just ordered a pair of Conti's. My front tire was flat this morning, and in the process of looking for the leak, I noticed that the tire was finally worn down to the threads. And I now know that I like the bike. ;)

an inexpensive tire is under $20.

$16 each at BikeTiresDirect. ;)

Who made that rule?

It's rule #247. ;)

I've had very good luck with the Zaffrios.
Usually 700 x 28, maybe my third set, they seem tk be very durable. A lot of riding on gravel paths.
No skidding: I use a front brake.