eduskator

Hi all,

My rear tire (Giant P-SL1 factory tire) gave up after 1000miles. When I unmounted it from my rim, I was surprised to see that the ''fibers'' inside tore apart and my inner tube, inflated at 120psi, was popping that part of the tire out (bubble). I'm on my 3rd rear tube this summer, so perhaps that explained why they kept on rupturing. When I called my local shop, they said that OEM tires were cheap, which I was not surprised to hear. I would however have expected that they last much more than that (at least twice!), especially that I use my bike 90% of the time on clean paved surface in the mountains not far from where I live. The thread is not even worn out yet, it's barely used.

I'm looking for replacement tires (2), and I'm pretty much going for the Michelin Power Competition, but I thought I'd ask your opinions here. I've read good reviews, but I'm concerned about if their lifespan. Usually, I know that the more performant a tire is, the less lifespan you'll get. Does some of you run them currently? If so, is there anything you'd like to share? My local shop also proposed Vittoria tires which I'm not familiar with. Any thoughts on these?

Any other tires you would recommend that would be both performant & last long? I am ready to sacrifice some performance to have a tire that'll last longer.

Thanks in advance,
Pascal

noodle soup

Why are you inflating to 120psi? are these 23mm wide tires?

ksryder

Plenty of options, I've had good luck with the Schwalbe Pro One, but also get a wider tire and drop it down to 70 PSI.

The days of 120 psi and super skinny tires have gone the way of ankle socks and downtube shifters.

eduskator

They are 25mm tires. I'm 200 pounds. I need that pressure in my rear tire.

eduskator

Thanks! I'll have a look at them. As I wrote above, I'm pretty heavy. I tried 100 and 110, but I see a huge difference when I'm not at 120PSI. Even at 120PSI, there's a lot of unwanted friction from the tire being wider where it's in contact with the road since it's crushed by my weight. Oh and, I'm not fat! lol

noodle soup

Try running some 28mm tires at lower pressure. Giant says there's plenty of room. I'd try some 28mm Power Endurance tires if your rims aren't tubeless compatible. If they are tubeless compatible, I'd look into going tubeless.

Cheap tires, that come stock on lower end bikes, are usually crap.

eduskator

Thanks! I think the Power Endurance would be more suitable since they seem to be a little more reliable on the longer run. Do you know of the rolling resistance is a lot higher on the Endurance than the Competition?

Not sure on the 28mm tires though. I've read that wider tires at lower inflation are actually better in terms of rolling resistance. I'll read further on that tonight.

Banzai

The tire should deform under your weight. If it doesn’t, the pressure is too high. Proper tire deformation contributes to lower rolling resistance than a tire that is hard as a rock.

cthenn

Even at your weight, per most tire inflation charts, it still recommends under 100psi...

ksryder

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.

terrymorse 

For puncture resistance, the Michelin Pro 4 Endurance and Pro 4 Service Course both get high ratings. The Power Endurance gets slightly lower ratings. The Power Competition, with its thinner rubber, has lower puncture resistance and durability.

For even greater puncture resistance—at the price of higher rolling resistance, there are the Continental Gatorskin and Gator Hardshell.

Jack Tone 

The 3 tire inflation charts I just checked all recommended over 100 (rear tire) for a 200 lb. rider. More depending on the weight of the bike. 106 to 116 psi. I weigh around 210 and I usually run 95 front 115 rear on my 25's.

ksryder

Those charts are based on nothing.

scott967

I found Michelin Pro 4 Endurance v2 to be good tires and flat-free. No experience with the I guess newer Power Endurance. I've been as much as 195 and never gone above 100 psi on 25s.

scott s.
.

eduskator

As per my chart, it says 116PSI over 175lbs, but it's only a chart.

Think I'll go with the Michelin Power Endurance.

noodle soup

before going with 30mm tubeless tires, I used PRO4 E or Power E tires for many year. the are both nice rolling tires(durable and reasonably puncture resistant)


Gatorskins and Gatorskin Hardshell tires ride like a frozen garden hose.

terrymorse 

+1 I find Gatorskins a horrible ride, but some people swear by then.

noodle soup

Try 28mm Power Endurance, and inflate to 85psi. Wider tires need less pressure.

High pressure tires feel fast, but feeling fast, and being fast aren't the same thing.

noodle soup

I recommend ignoring those people.

TimothyH

I recommend an upgrade to Vittoria tires when the inferior Michelin tire test is complete.


-Tim-

cthenn

What chart? You have to remember, those charts are for weight PER WHEEL. Depending on your balance, it could be more on the back, but it's certainly not ALL your weight. Whatever though, just keep inflating to 120psi at 200lb, and keep getting flats, it's no skin off my nose!

cthenn

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WhyFi

I've been tempted by Vittoria but the nomenclature/variety/versions confuse me to the point that I just look elsewhere. I seem to recall reports of some recent clunkers from them, so for someone that hasn't followed their line, it's hard for me to tell if I'm seeing a great deal on a great, current tire or a shoddy deal on a tire that was quickly discontinued/replaced because of poor reception.

colnago62

I am 235 lbs. and run my 23mm tires at 120-140 psi on a concrete velodrome. On the road I run my 28mm clincher tires at 80-90 psi. You can go with much less psi than you are currently using. A lot of it is experimenting on what works for you. I don’t like that squirmy feel, so I ride with a little more pressure. Make haste slowly when lowering pressure and stop when bumps cause the rim to impact the obstacle.

colnago62

I will use them for a couple of months in the dead of winter. They sand the crap out of the roads around here for ice and the occasional snow fall. I I have a Domane which I can adjust frame compliance on, so I dial it back a bit when using those tires.