cuda2k

My 1983 Gazelle AB-Frame (531 steel built with 06 Campagnolo Centaur 10sp gear - Mavic Open Pro rims) needs new tires. I'm currently running my last set of Pro Race 2's on the bike and the rear is just about shot. Figure I'll pull the front off and keep the front as a backup tire.

Currently, I have the Pro Race 3's on my Fuji - which roll just as nice if not better than the 2's but I've already destroyed one tire on the Fuji from road debris, and the look of the PR3 is even less 'classic' styled than the PR2 was - I'd like to find something at least reasonably fitting in appearance for the frame.

On my Serotta I'm running the Conti GP4000s, they stick well but the quality of the ride isn't as nice as the PR2 or PR3 in my experience. Or maybe that's all in my head.

So I'm in search of that elusive tire that rides smooth and fast, grips in a variety of road conditions, and will last a reasonable amount of time. So let's hear the latest opinions and thoughts on the current batch of rolling stock available out there.

datlas 

Those are the two most popular tires.

If you want the smooth and supple ride of the PR3s but more durability good luck. They make even nicer tires but those will get flats very quickly and wear out in like 500-1000 miles and are best saved for race day.

Most of us like the GP4000s....good ride but also very durable.

If you want the best rolling tires in terms of performance you are going to have to consider sew-ups, i.e. tubulars.

Just my $0.02.

cuda2k

Anyone with long term experiences with the Vredestein Fortezza TriComp?

redirekib

I tore up a low milage PR3 last week - last PR3s for me. I have GP 4000s on another bike and they'll be my only choice in tires from now on.

deacon mark

Vredestein Tri comps the best no question. I have 3000 on mine now could go another 1000 I bet. I will change them out before i like good tires. They can go to 145 psi but I run 130 fr and 120 rear. I weigh 177 and I find these great. I rotate the tires at about 1200 then run them out to finish. This gives pretty even wear and I change 2 at once.

dstrong 

Cuda...I'm just happy you're out riding again!

chadteck

Why do you run more pressure in your front tire?

And +1 for GP4000's.

cuda2k

Me too. Though I started out too strong after a month off and wound up making something in my hip / glute area rather unhappy. Apparently going out for a solo 22mi ride at a pace that was close to if not at what I was riding at before the 4 week break wasn't such a smart idea. And on my hardest saddle too (new issue Regal - love the look of it on the Gazelle AB-Frame, but it may not stay on much longer if I keep having issues).

deacon mark

I just type backwards but actually 130 in rear and 120 in front.

eippo1

I've been using Vittoria CX's for a long time now. Great tires and wear in about the same amount of time as the GP4000's.

pjn0629

YES! i was about to post about them as soon as i saw you posted, and and hey look, you even asked about them. I just made the switch this season, I put abut 600 miles on them before a bad racing crash ended my season a little early. I used to love the pro2/pro3s I had, but They never held up as well as the krylion carbons I had, but they rode so much smoother. Anyhoo, Back to the Tricomps.

I got the ones with a little bit of tread on them, It was what my LBS had, and I needed a new tire badly, so I went in for 2. My first ride they didn't feel quite as fast as the pro3s did, but the numbers didnt lie, and they were actually faster. I weigh 160lbs, and I've had my best luck running them at ~100 psi, they're much smoother and grippier than the michelins, and overall definitely faster. I was braking later into corners, and taking them at higher speeds than I was on the michelins, and over the rough pavement part of my normal ride, they were significantly faster, where I was getting beat up and only doing ~18mph on the michelins, the same effort got me to 20 on the tricomps. I know they say they go to 145 on the sidewall, and I gave that a shot, Ride was still good, and very fast on smooth road, but they were so awesome on the choppy stuff at 100-110, it seemed silly to me to pump them up that high.

the ride is the best i've ever gotten out of a clincher, I definitely like them better than my race sew-ups.

arok 

another vote for the Vredestein Tri comps. I don't have a terrible amount of miles on them (1k) but it was definitely a nice upgrade from my michelin krylion's. online reviews of the verdesteins have been excellent across the board too

roccobike

Cuda,
I have only limited experience with Vrederstein.
I'm currently running Pro 2's on #1 bike and find them excellent. I ran Kryliums last year, but moved them to the rain bike this year because they seem to want to cut with any road debris. I'm still able to ride them, but I had to put an internal patch inside one just to be sure I don't flat. Handling and roll of the Kryliums was just as good as the Pro 2's if not better. To me, the Kryliums don't have that much of a "vintage" look although the segment of the tire that has color is only 1/4 of the area of the Pro 2's.
Hope this helps.