gogotheyogrtman

Hello all,
My tires are completely shot. This is the first time I am making a purchase on new road (specifically fixie) tires. I currently have the stock tires that came with my Kilo TT; Kenda Kontender Lite. Right now I am looking at Thickslicks, Conti Gatorskins, and the specialized armadillos. I've heard that the Gators ride smoother, but they would be a waste of money since I do a lot of skidding. My LBS owner told me that the thickslicks are ideal for skidding, but I need to know if they are very durable. I don't want to spend like $80 on freaking tires though... I just want a durable tire that I won't have any problem skidding on.
Thanks!

europa

If you're skidding lots, you could do what the boys in my local bike polo group do - the check the dumpsters out the back of bike shops for tyres. Sure, the tyres are used but a lot of useable ones come to light and at the price (free), you can afford to wear them out. One of the local shops actually sets suitable tyres aside for them to collect.

ThimbleSmash

I'll be the advocate this time.

I can't say anything for these tires but this is the way I see it. You choose to skid stop all the time, you are essentially choosing the luxury to dump cash out into tires one way or the other. If cash is of concern then it may be time to invest into a brake, replacing pads from time to time is a lot cheaper then new tires. It will lower your street cred but sometimes these decisions have to be made.

solipsist716

"Fixie tires"

sry

brakes make good skidding tires

Scrodzilla

28c Randos are relatively cheap and have lots of meat on them while still rolling nicely.

sinikl

Had a thickslick. Loved that I could skid EVERYWHERE with no appreciable loss in tire life (it encourages skidding all the time and you will probably come off a bit of a jackass). HATED the weight, and frankly, they're not that puncture resistant. Very little cord in them, and a largish piece of glass killed mine that would not kill the Vittorias I run now. Now I skid only for fun and pace pedal, skip, or grab the brake in that order. Skidding is fun, but you simply have to pay to play.

europa

I've always had a good run with Randos and they don't seem to puncture as easily as some other tyres either (too much rubber to get through maybe). If you're doing the dumpster diving I suggested earlier, they're a tyre that often turns up with quite some meat left on them.

ThimbleSmash

I actually have a bone to pick with Randos. I have a pair and they simply developed 2 flat spots from picking up my rear and rotating my pedals at stop lights. Out of my 4 other tire types I have used for fixed gear they are the only one to develop flats simply from doing that(All these tires in a similar price range). Sure this points to me abusing them since it should take a bit to create flat spots but I remain skeptical about Randos and durability claims made for them. They are still usable but I just don't like that I'm seeing more then just the outer tread now.

Huffandstuff

No mention of a Soma Everwear? I've had one for about a year and let a buddy ride it for a month or two and he is a sw8 fixie skidder and it still has a good chunk of life in it. Heavy as hell though.

jdgesus 

everwears, wear for ever ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ß

europa

Paint yer rims black and don't use no stinkin' tyres. Easy skidz. Long wearing. Never get flats. Problem solved.

Scrodzilla

How many skid patches do you have?

Also, if you're using 25c Randos, they have considerably less meat on them than 28c when compared side by side and don't last nearly as long if you are a habitual skidder.

oneeyedhobbit

That is kind of lame, because I just replaced my gatorskins with 25c randos that where on sale. Do tire manufacturers really vary the depth of their tread like that? I don't skid a lot, but I still like my tires to be puncture resistant when it is why I'm paying for them =(.

Scrodzilla

The puncture resistance is the same but the tread thickness is significantly different. If you don't skid a lot, it won't matter.

I can't really speak for tire manufacturers or their practices but there are quite a few reviews of the 25c Randos that can be found doing a Google search.

ThimbleSmash

My Randos I have are 32mm. For the bike I have the Randos on I have 14 or 16 patches depending on my cog size. Now get this, the bike I had the other tires on only had 8 and 9 patches depending on cog size. Once again this points to my technique but I can't ever remember being hard on these tires, which is why I remain skeptical about them. The bike with the Randos is lighter then the other bike by a fair bit, which in theory would make me less likely to let it down mid rotation and cause flat spots.

I know my evidence isn't bullet proof but I know how I ride and what I do, which causes me to not recommend Randos. Then again I'm a Continental fan so count that as a bias if you like.

gogotheyogrtman

Thanks for the feedback guys, I think I am going to go with the Soma everwears!

jolly_ross

https://airless-tires.typepad.com/air...less-tire.html

They are hideous, but you know - you skid all the time.

Jandro 

You're developing a trend and it's been noticed. I'd suggest it doesn't continue being a trend.

+1 for randos. I don't go out of my way to skid, but I do ride brakeless (mostly back pedaling with skip stops). 25c randos have lasted me quite a long time. 28c randos would last longer, but are heavier. I live where there are lots of hills so I elected for the 25cs, personally.

Huffandstuff

I had the exact opposite experience with randos, they were the shortest lasting tire out of the "skidding" tires. I've had the best luck with the Armadillos, everwears last forever but I hate the way they feel.

I hardly ever skid, it's mostly all backpressure with the occasional hop when im coming down a real steep hill.

Philasteve

I have had pretty good luck with 32c soma everwears. Been riding one for like 4 months now, worn it down a lot because I do like to skid but I have an extra soma for when this one dies out.

hairnet

Kill it with a fire.

Leukybear 

Soma everwears in my book.

loverrellik

This for me as well.

Everwears i put on for road riding are 1+yrs old and good, but they feel mushy because of extra wears.

Leukybear 

They also become squared and corner like **** but compromises have to be made anyhow.