What tires do you use?

Bontrager Select-K. Kevlar-lined for puncture resistance and long wear life, very reasonably priced from one of my LBSs.

A pair of those came with the bike when I bought it but those were 25s, I switched them to 23s back in the fall.

Great question, and I'll be paying attention to these answers.

I have the stock Vittoria Zaffiro 25's, and want to switch to 23's, but not sure on the brand.

steve said:

What tires do you guys use? and what made you decide to purchase them?

I'm currently using Continental Ultra GatorSkin on my road bike, the guy at my LBS said they'd be ideal for racing and training. They feel alright on the road plus they were cheap for a good quality tire.

I've read good reviews on the Continental Gatorskins.

My LBS sold me a set of Bontrager Racelite Hardcases for my C-Dale about 5 years ago when I complained about getting frequent flats.

I've never had a flat since I started using them ( I'm sure I just jinxed myself ), so when my Dad gave me his Paramount about a year ago I put a set on it too, and so far so good.

On my training wheels - Continental GP4Seasons 25mm (durable, grippy, reasonable ride, cope well with the glass infestation here)
On One set of Sunday/race wheels - Vredestein Fortezza Tricomps - Fast, grippy, tough, nice ride
On Other Set of Sunday/race wheels - Schwable Ultremos - Fast, light, a bit fragile
On Tubs - Conti Competition

Here, a major consideration is the [censored] seal we have, and lots of glass, so that dictates tyre choice. I have also found the move from 23mm to 25mm on training tyres has been excellent, with greater comfort and grip in the wet (lower pressure), pplus greater durability on metal roads.

I like my vittoria rubino pro 23 for every day ride no flat 3500 miles on them

stdu007 said:

I like my vittoria rubino pro 23 for every day ride no flat 3500 miles on them

Nice! whats the quality of the roads like in your area?

Continental GP gatorskins for training, Vittoria Open Corsa CX for racing.
What happened to the Open Corsa KS? That tyre was the best.

Looks like I can answer my own question.

The KS is now the "Corsa Evo Slick"

For everyday use, if using clincher wheels I usually use Conti GP 4000's in a 25 width.

Run them at about 90 to 100 pounds and they are dreamy.

On my tubular wheels ( which I actually use as everyday wheels) I run either the 320 TPI Vittoria CX's in a 25 width, or maybe a Conti GP 4000 tubular in 25.

For gravel roads, fire roads, trails, etc

I use Clement tubulars in a 28 or Vittoria Pave's in a 27.

taniwha said:

I have also found the move from 23mm to 25mm on training tyres has been excellent, with greater comfort and grip in the wet (lower pressure), pplus greater durability on metal roads.

+1...a buddy turned me on to this regimen and I like it as well.

Conti 4000's on the 'go fast' wheelset...looking for a good 'go faster' tire for race day...
Schwalbe 25's Race Guard on the daily spinners along with some generic S-works michelin pro type rubber on the Ksyriums.

Schwalbe's are the most comfortable...Conti's on Williams wheels sends me to the dentist to get my fillings re-seated....

gatorskins on one bike

pro race 3 on the other

I've got a Maxxis ReFuse 23 mm on the front, and a Vred Fortezza 23 mm on the back. The Maxxis I have 'cuz they've proven, for me, to be durable tires that have no problem being pushed hard through corners. Likewise, they feel secure in the rain. I have the Vred on the back because a huge piece of glass did the slice and dice on the other ReFuse. My preference is for 25 mm tires, but the LBS was out of ReFuse in 25 mm, and I can't remember where the hell I got the Vred.....so there's no 'splainin' that 23.

The ReFuse tires are very nicely priced.

In the past, I've found the following:

1. Continental anything seem to have rice paper sidewalls, even their Sprinter Gatorskin tubies. I've flatted Conti 4000's a stupid number of times.
2. Maxxis Hors Categorie treads are über nice, pretty well puncture resistant, but wear kinda quickly. Nice in the rain.
3. Tufo anything rides like a garden hose on a -10° day.
4. Michelin Krylion is a pretty nice tire, although it doesn't have as nice a ride as it's precursor, the Mich Carbon. Both are/were nicely puncture resistant. Both seem(ed) to blow chunks in the rain.
5. Vittoria Evo Corsa CX/KX/and etc: very nice tires, but have no properties which could be confused with puncture resistance. Confidence inspiring.
6. Specialized tires: unremarkable.

Those are the ones I can remember.

steve said:

What tires do you guys use? and what made you decide to purchase them?

I have been running Continental 4000S on my Century Pro carbon road bike for a while, with very good results. One flat in about 700 miles, due to either a defective valve or tampering (went flat as I rode away from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf). On the other hand, my riding partner seems to flat out on them every few weeks. I don't know what tubes he is using, and he weighs 210, compared to my 160.

I just picked up a Le Champion Titanium bike with Vittoria Rubino 700x23 tires on it. They handle well and seem to be great tires, but I've only put about 100 miles on them.

This is a very simple topic, but an interesting thread. Perhaps it can grow to be the equivalent of www.tirerack.com, on which consumers report their experience with auto tires.

Specialized All/Condition Armadillo Elite 700x23c - all rides

i use Michelin carbons on my road bike, i got a dozen sets very cheap several years go. they're very puncture resistant, but grip on wet roads is poor.

I am on 4000S
+Puncture resistance as long the pressure is right is very good, dont know what others do complain about.
+durability- have done about 7000 km , there are couple left
-Weak point from my view is that their resistance to cut is avarage
-The thread from sidewall is coming off- but it does not afects puncture resistance
-Pricy.
Been using Maxxxis detonator before- they did ride different +good value but had more flats on them (i know it is subjective- coud be less as well )
Hutshinsons excel- was not impresed

I am not sure that it is worth spending extra money and buy "top'' tires. So for next set vredestein volante tricomp is on my list.

catlike said:

+durability- have done about 7000 km , there are couple left.

Is that 7,000Km on one set?

steve said:

Is that 7,000Km on one set?

Yes. After ~5000 i switched rear tire to front. The wear indicator shows there still are some km to roll. Hope to get ~9000 from set (i am 65 kg).

Conti 4000s are my favorite here. Had sidewall issues with the old 3000s, but the 4000s have been very good for both long wear and freedom from punctures.

Last year I used the Vittoria Corsa CX, one front and two rears. Was curious how a low rolling-resistance race tire would feel. They had a great ride, not harsh even at 110/120 psi, but punctured/cut easily, plus only went about 1500 miles (on the back). I concluded they would be a great choice for racing on smooth crit courses, but for my training and club rides I lean in favor of higher puncture-resistance and longer wear life.

Next time I buy the Contis I want to try 25s. Rode with a guy a couple of weeks ago who swears by wider rubber: he had 28s on his steel SOMA and still kicked my butt.......after I pulled him back up to the front too. I should know by now never to give a guy on a steel bike with rear rack a break 🙂