I had yet another flat, and this time the tire is actually spent.
I've been riding on Vittoria Zaffiros that came stock on my bike.
I would love to have one white tire and one black but function over form if need be...

I commute 7 miles one way to work daily on roads with gravel and other debris on the shoulders.
It's not full gravel roads though, ha, like I probably just made it sound.
Just your average countryish roads with a few roads with tons of businesses and occasional broken glass.
I ride normally for a few hours after work too.
I don't skid much but I do occasionally.

**** fashion. You don't need white tires. Go Continental Top Contact....pricey as hell, but looks badass, will last 3-4 times longer than the tires you are currently using, never flat, role nicely, and do well in rain, gravel and offroad too. They tend to run narrow...about 3-5 mm narrower than claimed. The 700x32 is really 27mm. I imagine the 700x28 is more like 25mm. I love this tire.


If thats a little too rich for you blood or you insist on white, try a Panaracer T-serv, which I think is available in colors, including white I think, though its not pictured here. These tires roll nicely, do well in gravel, and are fairly puncture resistant, but will not last as long as the Top Contact. Still a great tire.

Vittoria Randonneur Cross in the widest you can fit on your frame.

i like the randos as well, but i run the regular randos, instead of the cross

Specialized Armadillo Elite All Condition tires - basic black or red.

I like my Armadillos for flat protection, as well.

If you have the clearance I'd recommend Schwalbe Marathon Plus. I've got them on my singlepseed in 700x25mm. Have around 2000 miles on them as I use the bike for a 'fast days' commuter and recreational rides. Not even a hint of a flat/slow leak, etc. They ARE heavier and bigger than any normal 25mm tire because of the extra rubber on the contact surface, but well worth the extra effort for the peace of mind. They're a B***h to mount though, so be forewarned. You may want to invest in a Kool Stop mounting tool (11.00US) from any online store. I happened to get mine from https://www.biketiresdirect.com. One can overinflate them about 15 psi w/no probs. They're rated @ 115 and I run mine a @ 130. It seems to help counteract the increased rolling resistance from the heavier tire.

My regular commuter is a loaded CX w/rack, bags, etc. w/28mm SMPs. I got 6000 miles before experiencing 1 flat(a 2" self starting screw) and a slow leak that started a couple of weeks ago. I changed out the rear tire and fully expect similar or better performance. The front has almost no wear.

Plenty of extra tread for skidding once in a while, too.

i've used both, and i prefer the regular randos. They roll better, and better for skidding. Rando cross are too grippy.

Vittoria Rubino Pro

Panaracer RiBMo

Try these...Vredestein Fortezza SE Road Tire. Comes in blue or black and is on sale at performance bike (in the store) for $26.99 each. They work really well...almost zero flats. And they are cheap...

Maxxis Refuse. Doesn't seem like people recommend these that much and it seems like a lot of people in NYC are starting to ride them. Going on seven months on the front without a flat. Finally changed the rear out since I was getting big gaps of missing top layers and the rest of the tire was pretty incredibly worn down (and changed how the tire road). Never flatted on it. I kinda liked how the Maxxis Detonators road but I did get flats on them and the rear lasted about half the time. The only tires Ive had last as long as the Refuse and without flats have been Armadillos but the ride quality sucks.

+1

I rode these for years and started trying out some flashier tires for the colors (fashion). Big mistake. I'm going back to the Gatorskins on all my bikes. I don't know the specs on rolling resistance etc but they feel fast to me, grip well, and last forever, imo.

Continental Ultra Gatorskin 700c Tire
Continental's Heavy duty road tire for extra protection. Puncture resistant Kevlar belt to reduce chance of flats. Duraskin fabric & Kevlar to boot!
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i've used fortezzas, refuses, and armadillos. the armadillos are definitely the most durable and flat-resistant. the fortezzas are pretty in blue and worked just fine on my road bike, never did any skids though so i can't speak to their durability there. one finally gave out with a tear in the sidewall. the refuses are what i currently have. they've held up pretty well and i think what i like best about them is their ease in going on and off the rim... the armadillos can be a b*tch on the right rim, luckily once they are on, you rarely need to get them off.

Thanks everyone.
Once I have some money to blow and some time where I don't need a tire by the next day, I'll invest and get a pair of refuses I think.
At my lbs they had Bontrager Race Lite hardcase tires so I got one (for the rear for now) and will give it the test of some hazardous streets, ha.

you cannot go wrong with gator skins. They not be suitable for a hardcore road racer but any average rider will not notice any increase of rolling resistance or weight. They're comfy and they grip, trust me they're grippy even when the roads are soaked. I've only gotten one pinch flat on mine but that was cos I was kinda riding around on some rocky dirt paths not exactly suitable for a trackish bike.

+1 to gatorskins.

i like 'em more than specialized armadillos.

I agree 100% with the Gatorskin recommendations if you want a durable, long lasting, puncture resistant road tire. However if you plan to ride on any unpaved, gravel, or otherwise poor condition roads/paths, they are not going to perform any better than any other narrow road tire. Based on the OPs description of the riding conditions, a touring tire is more appropriate..something a little wider and with a bit of tread. In addition to my ealier recommendations, the basic Continental Contacts are great. They are cheaper than the Top Contacts and as far as I can tell are as puncture resistant as Gatorskins. I currently am using them on my touring bike and I haven't had a flat with them yet.

What else have you used? I recently replaced my Gatorskins with RiBMos, and I've been trying to convince myself that the RiBMos have more rolling resistence, since the alternative conclusion is that I'm getting slower.

Do the RiBMos seem to you to roll well?

I used to swear by Gator Skins.
I have not felt any slower on the ribmo's, and I went from 23 Gators to 28's in the ribmo's.

I've also used Panaracer Pasala's same tread as the T-servs, just different compounds.
I liked them as well, but they wore down pretty fast when skipping and skidding and the side wall started to give out. Seems they answered those problems with the t-servs though.
And a hand full other tires that I would not recommend.

I guess I'm just getting slower then. I went from 25 Gators to 28 RiBMos. There are days when they feel just as fast, so I figured it was me, but I was holding out hope.

Precisely why I like them! I don't skid, and I've been getting into long distance on my singlespeed. With the road conditions and the hills around here, I want the grippiest tires I can find. I'm even thinking about changing from 28mm Gatorskins to 28mm Rando-Crosses on my geared brevet bike.

vittoria randonneur 700x28
these are some toughies and they are fun on trails too

I have found you can ride some pretty cheap, thin tires, like Zaffiros, with a descent amount of confidence by putting a Mr. Tuffy inside there. Vittoria makes all white randonneurs too.

Eric- The Session 700 will work great for your style of riding, and they come in white. They're great for commuting and are designed to take what the road throws your way....

• Kevlar rolling protection
• Pinch flat protection
• 120TPI carcass & foldable
• 700x28c
  

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