rubiksoval

Is it really an opinion if it's a fact?

I mean, sure, "awesome OP, enjoy the ride" is certainly much more pleasant, but is that a helpful comment, too?

Maybe there's a happy medium. "Awesome OP, enjoy the ride. When you wear these out, try xyz tire. Many tests and anecdotes say it's faster and more comfortable".

But, eh, then we wouldn't get to hear about the OP railing those corners and calling everyone freds. It's a toss-up.

rubiksoval

Well sure he does. That's why he created the thread in the first place, and then made his subsequent replies.

Friends don't let friends ride slow tires... (though the competition is another story entirely).

rubiksoval

But have you raced any of them?

Those would be stories worth hearing!

pullings

Could you provide a recommendation along usable metrics please?
"nice"? Hehehehe. Your kidding, right?
Every self-identified "Elite" (yours included) response did not even offer up one iota of usable product information or data to back it up!

Here is something for the OP.
FYI Ultra Sport II ride very well......as far as durability is concerned they are quite lacking compared to some other tires I recently purchased. They wear OK and deliver good mileage.
That said too much tire contacts road after about 50% into usable life....slowing things down.
My speed increased considerably with Ultra Sports as well when I dumped the stock Giant (Giant TCR standard PS-2 wheelset) tires.

phrantic09

GP 5000s, can be had for around 35 bucks and are a much better tire IMO.
Why is anything anyone here "elite". Sounds like you have an ax to grind. God forbid someone enjoy the fruits of their labor.

rubiksoval

These aren't elite responses. More like Cat 4 responses.

Germanrazor

I read again the OP’s initial post, I never saw or inferred anything to suggest a slap to anyone else and their tire choice. Tire selection and Preferred pressure are a very subjective matter to most cyclist.

I don’t think we will ever know the most ultimate cycling tire overall because of such a diverse group us cyclist and what works for each. More than tire brand I see the argument of width as a driving and constant argument more than anything.

I suggest we all go ride and breathe in some fresh, hopefully devoid of C19 air!

thehammerdog

get 28's of high quality and enjoy

your welcome

Homebrew01

I have. Mostly saw their backs.

rubiksoval

Who, when, and where? That's quite a time range.

Homebrew01

In the '80s, P,1,2 races. No real stories to tell. Hincapie was a Junior racing P12 at a criterium.
Gibby also showed at a few.
7-11, Mengoni...
I was "pack fodder".
Did a sponsor casual ride with Davis Phinney. A couple of guys took off, while Davis rode with us. I always wondered if those 2 guys bragged about "dropping" him.

colnago62

Davis always had good stories of the Peloton to tell. I saw Gibby race at T-Town. He was absolutely lethal in the Kierin. He would not back down. He had darn good Junior program back in the 90’s.

canklecat

I've mostly ridden Conti Ultra Sport II on a couple of road bikes for two years. Outstanding bargain tires. They perform exactly as described on the rolling resistance test site, including remarkably good performance at reduced pressure on chipseal.

They aren't quite as nimble and responsive as the Schwalbe One V-Guards I used to ride, but the Contis are much tougher. The Schwalbes nicked and cut easily. Both were comparable in wet and dry grip for my non-competitive purposes. I usually rode those with Conti's ultra-thin Race 28 Light tubes, never had any problems with punctures. Maybe one puncture flat in almost three years.

I switched one road bike to Conti Grand Prix Classics, their handmade skinwalls, and like 'em. They don't ride significantly better than the Ultra Sport II, but the GP Classic has a much thinner sidewall (translucent through the skinwall), and Black Chili vs Pure Grip rubber compound. They're 700x25 only, and a tight fit on my '89 road bike -- there's barely enough clearance under the rear brake bridge. But paired with latex tubes the ride is really nice. Good tires for a little more money than the Ultra Sport II, although since the pandemic hit the price has increased about $10 per tire.

bruce19

I had an experience that was similar to the OP. Went from 23 clinchers with 120/100 psi to Mavic UST with 90/75 psi. Night and day.