So my rear tire gave up after 1000miles. Any recommendations for a new one?
#26
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Nobody's mentioned Continentals? I thought the Gran Prix 4000 was the go-to on this forum.
My new bike came with Continental UltraSport 28mm, which I've had no problems with on smooth pavement in summer, after a few weekends at 30-50 miles. My other bike has Vittoria Rubino Pro 3 25mm, and those are fine too. I run low 80s on the 28mm Contis, but just can't get used to <100psi on the 25mm Vittorias, so usually run them closer to about 103-105psi.
Come to think of it, maybe I'm just not that picky when it comes to tires.
My new bike came with Continental UltraSport 28mm, which I've had no problems with on smooth pavement in summer, after a few weekends at 30-50 miles. My other bike has Vittoria Rubino Pro 3 25mm, and those are fine too. I run low 80s on the 28mm Contis, but just can't get used to <100psi on the 25mm Vittorias, so usually run them closer to about 103-105psi.
Come to think of it, maybe I'm just not that picky when it comes to tires.
#27
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Their linups are Corsa at the top, then Rubino, then lower lines.
Within each line there is "Control" with tread for winter and bad weather, "Endurance" for long life, "Speed" for a light, supple ride and the regular Corsa or Rubino for all around riding.
But yeah, Vittoria doesn't do themselves any favors with their names.
-Tim-
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#28
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Someone said this to me a month ago in a ride. Confusing lines and models make it impossible to know what to buy.
Their linups are Corsa at the top, then Rubino, then lower lines.
Within each line there is "Control" with tread for winter and bad weather, "Endurance" for long life, "Speed" for a light, supple ride and the regular Corsa or Rubino for all around riding.
But yeah, Vittoria doesn't do themselves any favors with their names.
-Tim-
Their linups are Corsa at the top, then Rubino, then lower lines.
Within each line there is "Control" with tread for winter and bad weather, "Endurance" for long life, "Speed" for a light, supple ride and the regular Corsa or Rubino for all around riding.
But yeah, Vittoria doesn't do themselves any favors with their names.
-Tim-
#30
Jedi Master
The Michelin endurance tires offer adequate, long-lasting performance at a reasonable price, which makes them my favorite high-mileage training tires. The Corsas are in a performance different league, but at 2-3x the cost. I find myself using Michelins most of the time for JRA and the Corsas or RH tires for brevets.
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#31
Not true I'm 240 and ride at about 100 psi in the rear . And 90 in the front with Conti 4000 learn to unwieght the bike when going over pot holes if your not doing so already. Haven't had a flat in at least 6 months or so or About. 2500 miles .of riding.
#32
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This. I'd support you to try a 28mm at 80 psi. Don't pay attention to deflection or the fact that it feels different than you're used to. Go out for your normal 20-mile ride and when you get home look at the numbers and compare them.
You're always free to go back to 120 psi if it doesn't work for you.
You're always free to go back to 120 psi if it doesn't work for you.
Here's the calculator results for 25 or 28mm tires, (I added 20lbs to accommodate the OP's bike/gear)
#33
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Run what your comfy with but I run conti 4k's at 90/95 after running them at around 110 or so for my first year of riding. Huge difference in comfort and handling. These are 25's and I weigh the same as you. I'd also recommend these tires as well. Fairly light and very durable for me. I ride some pretty rough country roads and they are holding up great.
#35
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G+ are first generation graphene.
G2/Graphene 2.0 are the current version, second generation graphene.
I've used the first gen Rubino Speed G+ on my road and fixed gear bikes. I love them and many are on discount since the relase of Graphene 2.0.
-Tim-
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Suspension losses. You obviously still want to keep enough pressure so that you don't induce undue risk of pinch flats.
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The ride is smoother and a little faster, I attribute the smidge of extra speed to being more comfortable the whole ride. I don't mind gatorskins at all anymore at 80psi, but anything above and yeah - frozen garden hose!
#38
Senior Member
I just switched from 23mm pro 4 tires to 25mm power endurance. The tread obviously wears longer, based on how long it took just to wear the mold parting line off the front tire. There is no reason for the puncture resistance to be worse. The frequency of flats is merely by chance. I've ridden about 3500 miles on the pro 4 tires without a flat, but all it takes is one broken bottle on the road to end that lucky streak.
Be sure that you have clearance for the 28mm size. Not all bikes do.
Be sure that you have clearance for the 28mm size. Not all bikes do.
#39
#40
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Thanks for your valuable inputs! I bought a set of Michelin Power Endurance yesterday. I stayed with 25mm. They were on sale, lucky me! With these being 2x more expensive than the cheapest ones they had in store (Cont. Ultra Sport II), I hope they will last at least twice as much. I'll get them Thursday, and will try running them at 110PSI this time.
They tried selling me the Gatorskins, but I didn't have a good feeling so I passed. After reading your replies here, I think I made the right call. After seing how my other tire had worn out from the inside, he said it was probably a manufacturing defect. It would have been hard to argue that so I didn't bother.
And yes, 28mm do fit on Defys. TCRs as well I believe.
They tried selling me the Gatorskins, but I didn't have a good feeling so I passed. After reading your replies here, I think I made the right call. After seing how my other tire had worn out from the inside, he said it was probably a manufacturing defect. It would have been hard to argue that so I didn't bother.
And yes, 28mm do fit on Defys. TCRs as well I believe.
Last edited by eduskator; 08-20-19 at 11:29 AM.
#41
Senior Member
I bought Gatorskins last year because this is goathead country, but it turns out they weren't needed and they do ride poorly. I like the Michelin Pro 4, but the power endurance should last longer and I wanted to upsize to the more modern 25mm, even though I only weigh 140. After an 8 year hiatus, it seems that few folks now choose the 23mm size.
#42
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I bought Gatorskins last year because this is goathead country, but it turns out they weren't needed and they do ride poorly. I like the Michelin Pro 4, but the power endurance should last longer and I wanted to upsize to the more modern 25mm, even though I only weigh 140. After an 8 year hiatus, it seems that few folks now choose the 23mm size.
#43
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Yep. All trends. No substance. It's not as if advancements in manufacturing or material sciences or a greater understanding of how factors interact has anything to do with anything.
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#44
If you took the advice of those that recommended 28mm tires, you would realize it’s not just a scheme to take more $$$ from you.
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#47
C*pt*i* Obvious
These tires have been OK so far, 1500KM~.
I discovered a couple of years ago, after riding home on a slow leak that 100+ PSI is overkill, I now run between 75-80PSI without issues.
Also, latex tubes might be worth consideration, far less likely to pinch flat, and in my experience they have a much smoother ride compared to any butyl tubes I have used.
I discovered a couple of years ago, after riding home on a slow leak that 100+ PSI is overkill, I now run between 75-80PSI without issues.
Also, latex tubes might be worth consideration, far less likely to pinch flat, and in my experience they have a much smoother ride compared to any butyl tubes I have used.
#48
What if it feels much better?
Last edited by noodle soup; 08-20-19 at 11:28 PM.
#49
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OP, nobody makes extra money from you trying a 28mm tire. They usually cost exactly as much as 25s despite being made of more rubber.
You might be right that people will eventually go back to narrow tires, and I could tell you a bunch of reasons why you should try 28s anyway but there’s plenty of literature on the internet to help you with that.
Just keep in mind that the benefits of wider tires and lower pressures are far more apparent with high end, supple tires. Unfortunately, these rarely last too long and are usually quite expensive. The GP5000, Vittoria Corsa 2.0, Hutchinson Fusion, and maybe the upcoming specialized RapidAir are some examples of tires that you might try the 28mm version of. Tires are a wear item anyway, and I promise you that you won’t *hate* the 28mm tire as long as you set the pressure appropriately and understand that smoother is faster.
You might be right that people will eventually go back to narrow tires, and I could tell you a bunch of reasons why you should try 28s anyway but there’s plenty of literature on the internet to help you with that.
Just keep in mind that the benefits of wider tires and lower pressures are far more apparent with high end, supple tires. Unfortunately, these rarely last too long and are usually quite expensive. The GP5000, Vittoria Corsa 2.0, Hutchinson Fusion, and maybe the upcoming specialized RapidAir are some examples of tires that you might try the 28mm version of. Tires are a wear item anyway, and I promise you that you won’t *hate* the 28mm tire as long as you set the pressure appropriately and understand that smoother is faster.