Road Bike Tire Top Picks??

[Capatain]

I need new tires, clinchers, not stupid expensive, I don't race, but I ride a good bit.

What's yer favorite?

[Hicks]

Conti GP 4000 foldable is what I'm currently riding.

Decent compromize between performance, price, wet road capabilities and puncture proof. No flat tire so far despite rolling over all kind of shit on the road.

[marshalolson]

gp4000 as the workhorse

but:
vittoria corsa evo cx for the truly pimp, ultra nice somewhat expnesive but totaly worth it ride quality.

[XtrPickels]

Those Conti 4000's are going to be up there consistently
and
Michelin ProRace 2's is what I am on right now. I've been getting great wear on them and no flats at all. Good for the dry, haven't pushed 'em in the wet but I've heard its less than stellar.
The New ProRace 3's have come out, but I haven't tried them yet. I like finding the PR2's for cheaponline.

[skimoore]

In my experience, the GP4000s wear out quickly and the sidewalls get shredded easily if you're commuting by glass and the like. I've been sticking to Conti UltraGatorskins...last a while and are pretty burly.

[powstash]

In my experience, the GP4000s wear out quickly and the sidewalls get shredded easily if you're commuting by glass and the like. I've been sticking to Conti UltraGatorskins...last a while and are pretty burly.

I've had 2 sets of each and can't determine my fav, although the Gatorskins seemed to last longer for me. (200 pound fatty)

[Blinkyjoe]

Serfas FPS 700x23. Fast, bulletproof, sticky and not too spendy.

[axebiker]

Michelin Carbon, which has turned into the Michelin Krylion Carbon. Wears like IRON, and laughs at glass. It's also one of the faster tires I've been on. It's not great when it's wet though. My LBS just f'ed up and sent me the wrong tires this week - I got some of the Michelin Lithion tires, so I'll give them a shot.

I also just got some Conti GP 4-Seasons - I don't think they're near as nice rolling a tire as the Mich Carb, but I'm sure they'll be a little more stable in weather. My only gripe with Conti is that they wear pretty quick compared to any other tire I've ever run - except some Kenda's that came on a bike.

I recently switched back to 700x25 to spare my back a little beating - just as fast (imho), but more comfortable. That's part of the reason I switched to something other than the Krylions - I can't find them in the 700x25 anywhere right now.

[crab bait]

I get good wear and few flats with vredestein fortezza tires. They corner well without too much resistance while climbing. I also liked Continental but I had the 3000 model - however the tires wore quickly. I would avoid hutchinson, as that brand flatted often and the cornering was squirrelly.

[Dromond]

Thanks for asking the questions that I should have. Does anyone have any suggestions on fast, light-ish and somewhat durable but realistically priced 700x25c tires? Most seem to be 700x23.

[NlytendOne]

Specialized S-Works All Conditions. 700X25...not the cheapest, but I found them for half off at the shop a few months ago ($25). They have been really good so far - maybe 1000 miles on them.

[srsosbso]

I've got the conti attack/force combo- actually comes as a front and rear set (23 front, 22 rear.) Really like 'em. Can be found on sale on line as well- maybe 80 bucks for the pair. I had the gp4000 before and these perform much more like a tubular, and wear very well. Like I said, like 'em.

[extaski]

second vittoria corsa everyone should ride those at least once

[Hollywood]

Seconding the Specialized All Condish tire. I absolutely love mine. Maxxis Detonator if you dont want to break the bank, they're about $30 each.

[telebobski]

I get about 2K miles on a conti GP (not the 4K) on the rear, then will switch it to the front for another 1K. They are as bulletproof as any tire I've ever used and track very well in wet conditions. I also find Michelins slippery when wet.

Dromond, not sure why you want a 25c over a 23. Ride will be a touch more plush, but resistance is more than a touch higher.

[Dromond]

I get about 2K miles on a conti GP (not the 4K) on the rear, then will switch it to the front for another 1K. They are as bulletproof as any tire I've ever used and track very well in wet conditions. I also find Michelins slippery when wet.

Dromond, not sure why you want a 25c over a 23. Ride will be a touch more plush, but resistance is more than a touch higher.

I've got a light touring bike and so I occasionally carry a bit of weight on the back. The bike came stock with 28c Bontrager hard case tires. The things seem damned near indestructible and grip is decent. They seem like the perfect light touring tire but perhaps overkill for regular use. (For me that's recreational road riding and other commuter-ish duties.)

I tried some wire bead 23c Conti Gatorskins the other day on a longer ride but managed a pinch flat on some road debris in the first 20 miles. I upped the pressure for the rest of the ride. The ride quality seemed ok, quicker than the heavy Bontrager tires but just as much less cush. Thus the thinking that some 25s with a quality casing might do the trick.... Of course there is a lot more to a tire than just size.

[telebobski]

^^^Bummer about the pinch flat. I've found that snake bites and sidewall hits stop if you run contis at 110-120 psi.

The ultragator and grand prix both come in a 25c -the weight diff is small and both are rated at max of 120 psi. From what I see on their sites, the gator and GP are both are lighter than the lightest of specialized's all-condition rubber.

[Hicks]

Thing is, the most durable clincher tires often come with a harder rubber which declines the capabilities on wet roads. Which doesn't matter if you live in an area with always dry conditions.

Bottom line is it strongly depends under which conditions you are riding and how shitty/dirty the roads are, there's no general rule.

[miker27]

I'll put in another good word for the conti gp4000's.. I've been pretty satisfied with all my conti tires, and at the shop the gp400's are our first recommendation.
-Mike

[Dromond]

^^^Bummer about the pinch flat. I've found that snake bites and sidewall hits stop if you run contis at 110-120 psi.

The ultragator and grand prix both come in a 25c -the weight diff is small and both are rated at max of 120 psi. From what I see on their sites, the gator and GP are both are lighter than the lightest of specialized's all-condition rubber.

Well perhaps one of those in a 25 will do. I'll have to make the call based on how much I want a light tire or want to ride over broken beer bottles :) I imagine that the comfort difference from a stiffer to softer casing is pretty subtle.

[khakis]

I've had very good luck with the Pro Races. Hard to beat a conti for durability but when I first went to Pro Races I was on a very stiff old aluminum frame and the improvement in ride quality was incredible

[petecz]

ProRace or ProRace2 from Michelin I think. I've run the skinny 20 or 21s and the 23s.

Wear well. Hold up to road gravel and occasional glass.

Cheap - well not exactly. petecz

[khakis]

oh I got my last 2 sets of ProRace2s off ebay and they blew away any of the mailorder prices.

[CantDog]

Veloflex Pave is a great clincher for general riding(and racing) and it does well on wet rides and occasional jaunts onto dirt roads. It is very supple and rides incredibly smooth, in addition to being fast. It is very light but wears well for the ride it provides. I usually run them at 110psi.

I used to race and train on various ProRace tires for several years but after riding on some Veloflex I've made the switch. I have some dirt cheap heavy commuter rides, but other than that Veloflex are the only clinchers I use anymore.

I've used Conti GPs, Vredestein fortezza, vitorias, and next to tubulars, veloflex have always been my favorite tire.

[Imz]

Love my Conti Force/ Attacks.... that's some good shits