Nemosengineer 

Continental Grand Prix 5000 Endurance Test

An interesting read.

https://www.bicyclerollingresistance...endurance-test.

My favorite tire...
Schwalbe Pro One TT TLE (on my Bob Jackson Audax Club, 25mm) 2nd fastest tire on the planet, tubeless.

https://www.bicyclerollingresistance.com/road-bike-reviews/schwalbe-pro-one-tt-tle

: Mike

noglider 

That's an impressive study. I mean, the results are impressive. It's also interesting that it involved latex tubes with sealant. Now that is something I would consider. I would not consider going tubeless. It's more hassle than I'm willing to deal with. So are latex tubes. I'm pretty tolerant of punctures. They're not a big deal for me, but hearing how easily latex tubes puncture, I wouldn't use them. But this latex-plus-sealant idea is food for thought. But one drawback is cost.

davester

It's interesting, but is the methodology worth a damn? Using a fixed wheel and metal drum covered with diamond plate as a simulation road surface is such a departure from real world conditions that I would expect there to be some testing of the hypothesis that valid data is produced. I don't see any.

noglider 

Right. It may not be valid.

dangraham

"If you show me a tube out of its box, does it come in a box? Is it genuine or grey market or a genuine counterfeit? I want a box."

One more impact of COVID is that some retailers are only able to get some models of tubes without boxes. I saw this note on the Rene Herse Cycles website:

"Note: During the current tube shortage, we could get some models only without boxes. We appreciate your understanding."

Bad Lag

Well, it's been almost exactly one year since I originally started this thread.

I now have butyl inner tubes galore, probably a lifetime supply, but have not purchased tires. The more I read, the less convinced I am of the worth of online testimonials and rolling resistance tests and the like (no offense, guys). I think you just have to try them to know. The good news is there are many excellent tires from which to chose and you have named them for me in your posts above.

Thanks for the help and advice.

Bad Lag

I did a little more reading of reviews and searching today. There are just SO MANY from which to chose AND they are all good-to great. It is literally daunting.

I ended up buying a set of Challenge tires at what seems like a decent price. They were in the proper sizes and have the (nostalgic) skin wall pattern I like so much.

I wanted to have them on hand when these tires "give up the ghost" on me.

Thanks again, guys, for the help and advice.

mechanicmatt

I have the very dark brown wall version of the Gatorskins by Conti in 28c and like them a lot for the mountain curvy roads if Tennessee. Very sticky to the road. I like Vittoria Models too, but these Conti tires and their GP5000's are really nice. Tubes, Conti and Salsa used to have a lighter butyl versions that lasted well enough and we're 2/3's the weight.