Continental SuperSport vs Vittoria Zaffiro
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Continental SuperSport vs Vittoria Zaffiro
I'm looking for some general purpose low end tires for some of my 1970's road bike re-builds. Anyone have any experience with either the Continental SuperSport Plus or Vittoria Zaffiro V ?
https://www.continental-tires.com/bi...per-sport-plus
https://www.vittoria.com/us/en/tires/road-tires/zaffiro
https://www.continental-tires.com/bi...per-sport-plus
https://www.vittoria.com/us/en/tires/road-tires/zaffiro
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Big fan of Zaffiros. Didn't like Ultra Sports but there is nothing wrong with them. Like Gators and people seem to love the Grand Prix...
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
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Thanks. I'm trying to keep the cost down to about $50-60 a pair
Continental
TPI = 3/84
565 grams (700x28)
Vittoria
TPI = 26
410 grams (700x28)
any idea how to compare the TPI ?
Continental
TPI = 3/84
565 grams (700x28)
Vittoria
TPI = 26
410 grams (700x28)
any idea how to compare the TPI ?
#4
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I've used both and I think they ride about the same. Perhaps the Continentals are a little more robust, their additional weight might explain that. But, at that price point, I 'd choose the cheaper versions (wire bead, no belt) of the Pasela. I paid $27 on my last purchase.
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
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The Pasela's are lighter than both
310 grams (700x28)
https://www.panaracerusa.com/collect...er-tires#specs
310 grams (700x28)
https://www.panaracerusa.com/collect...er-tires#specs
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The Pasela's are lighter than both
310 grams (700x28)
https://www.panaracerusa.com/collect...er-tires#specs
310 grams (700x28)
https://www.panaracerusa.com/collect...er-tires#specs
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
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I'm currently running the 'V's on one of my bikes and while I like the ride and the mileage that I seem to be getting out of them, I find they're not resistant to small bits of broken bottles. 3 flats last summer from glass on road sides. None with the more expensive Zaffiro Pro's I picked up for the same price as take offs. I am still happy with the 'V;s and will replace with kind in the future simply because of price. Have no experience with the Conti's.
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I have used the Super Sport, also Zaffiro's, but Zaffiro Pro's. Zaffiro used to be a very low quality tire. I cannot comment on the model mentioned in the op, but the latest Zaffiro Pro have been very good, including a much improved ride. The Super Sport I had, from a few years ago, had a bit of a rough ride, and wore out quickly. They were not the plus variety. With some shopping around on the web, some great deals on tires are available. Excel Sports has a couple of them now. Here is one of them. https://www.excelsports.com/hutchins...tire-oe-2-pack
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Last edited by 52telecaster; 03-03-23 at 11:47 PM.
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I was never fan of Vittoria, my father had those on one of his bike and had a lot flats with them. Back in time,I had Michelin Performer tires the predecessor of the Michelin Dynamic on my Peugeot and later had Michelin Axial on my Ksyriums mounted on my Peugeot, never had a single flat. But I decided to change and buy the Continental Grand Prix 4 seasons for all my actual road bikes and next builds.I never had a flat with my Continental MTB tires so from the experience I have with my MTBs ,Continental is my obvious choice for a road bike
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If I were to choose, I'd go with the Paselas (for ride quality alone), especially at the price 52telecaster just provided. I've mounted and ridden all three, mostly in 27" versions, and the side (tan not gum) wall in the Pasela is light and supple, providing the best ride. They are also nice to look at on vintage bikes.
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I have Zaffiro on one, they're ok. I thought the tread was quick to glaze, becoming slick. Not bad if you are riding regularly. I guess I probably prefer the feel of Continental. I've never ridden the two back to back for comparison.
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This actually might be a good experiment for me this summer.
Do back to back rides for
Zaffiros
Rubinos
Paselas
GAtors
Grand Prixs
Do back to back rides for
Zaffiros
Rubinos
Paselas
GAtors
Grand Prixs
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
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These seem to be a good price (320tpi).
https://bikecloset.com/product/vitto...gaArqgEALw_wcB
https://bikecloset.com/product/vitto...gaArqgEALw_wcB
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The best money I ever spend is for high end tires.
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These seem to be a good price (320tpi).
https://bikecloset.com/product/vitto...gaArqgEALw_wcB
https://bikecloset.com/product/vitto...gaArqgEALw_wcB
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
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I put them in my cart, then removed them but got 12 tubes of different sorts, 2 pairs of socks and close out black Supercaz black bar wrap for $80 shipped.
Ugh...
Ugh...
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1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
1987 Crest Cannondale, 1987 Basso Gap, 1992 Rossin Performance EL, 1990ish Van Tuyl, 1985 Trek 670, 1982 AD SLE, 2003 Pinarello Surprise, 1990ish MBK Atlantique, 1987 Peugeot Competition, 1987 Nishiki Tri-A, 1981 Faggin, 1996 Cannondale M500, 1984 Mercian, 1982 AD SuperLeicht, 1985 Massi (model unknown), 1988 Daccordi Griffe , 1989 Fauxsin MTB, 1981 Ciocc Mockba, 1992 Bianchi Giro, 1977 Colnago Super
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#23
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Was on the road most of yesterday and didn't see this until now.
I haven't used the Zaffiro Vs or Paselas, so I can't give a direct comparison. But I have used Conti Super Sport Plus and Ultra Sports (which another commenter mentioned).
Ultra Sport III's are IMO OK, but I won't use them again. They don't seem to offer too much in the way of puncture resistance, and they are literally the hardest tire to mount I've ever used (wire or folding bead). I've ruined two nylon tire sticks trying to mount one that had previously been mounted multiple times. And this was a folding bead Ultra III, not wire bead.
The Super Sport Plus is a belted tire, with a thick rubber or plastic puncture protection layer under the tread. In my experience, it gives good mileage - and the puncture protection layer seems to work. With Ultra Sport IIIs, I was getting a puncture from small road debris or other small road junk fairly often (generally thin wire fragments, probably from vehicle tire steel belts). After getting fed up with that and going to Super Sport Plus 3 or 4 years ago, I can recall two punctures. Both were from nails I didn't see prior to the puncture. One nail was small and rusty, but long enough to get the tube. The second would likely have been a problem with a car tire (it was galvanized and virtually the same color as the road surface where I encountered it, and thus essentially invisible before I ran it over). The puncture belt also has stopped at least one wire fragment that I found and pulled out post-ride recently.
Downside to the Super Sport Plus is that (like Gatorskins, which I also use) they're designed for durability and puncture resistance, not speed or comfort. It's heavier and has higher rolling resistance - I'd guess about the same rolling resistance as Gatorskins. If wire-bead, they're also a bit of a pain to mount (but not as bad as the Ultra Sport IIIs I owned). I hate changing tires roadside, so I accept the trade-off.
Hope this helps.
I haven't used the Zaffiro Vs or Paselas, so I can't give a direct comparison. But I have used Conti Super Sport Plus and Ultra Sports (which another commenter mentioned).
Ultra Sport III's are IMO OK, but I won't use them again. They don't seem to offer too much in the way of puncture resistance, and they are literally the hardest tire to mount I've ever used (wire or folding bead). I've ruined two nylon tire sticks trying to mount one that had previously been mounted multiple times. And this was a folding bead Ultra III, not wire bead.
The Super Sport Plus is a belted tire, with a thick rubber or plastic puncture protection layer under the tread. In my experience, it gives good mileage - and the puncture protection layer seems to work. With Ultra Sport IIIs, I was getting a puncture from small road debris or other small road junk fairly often (generally thin wire fragments, probably from vehicle tire steel belts). After getting fed up with that and going to Super Sport Plus 3 or 4 years ago, I can recall two punctures. Both were from nails I didn't see prior to the puncture. One nail was small and rusty, but long enough to get the tube. The second would likely have been a problem with a car tire (it was galvanized and virtually the same color as the road surface where I encountered it, and thus essentially invisible before I ran it over). The puncture belt also has stopped at least one wire fragment that I found and pulled out post-ride recently.
Downside to the Super Sport Plus is that (like Gatorskins, which I also use) they're designed for durability and puncture resistance, not speed or comfort. It's heavier and has higher rolling resistance - I'd guess about the same rolling resistance as Gatorskins. If wire-bead, they're also a bit of a pain to mount (but not as bad as the Ultra Sport IIIs I owned). I hate changing tires roadside, so I accept the trade-off.
Hope this helps.
Last edited by Hondo6; 03-05-23 at 10:08 PM. Reason: clarification
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Thanks, rjhammett, my favorite tire on sale at a cheap-tire price.