Aardwolf

Hiya Folks,
I've just finished building a set of Mavic MA2s (32 spoke, inner width 13.5 ish) and the 14mm rim tape just arrived, so now I need some tyres.

Currently running Tufo S33 Pro 24mm tubulars (measured at 25.5mm) on Mavic Monthlery Route rims and they're quite a hard ride on the roads round here - lots of potholes and bad repairs.
So I thought I'd try some 28mm clinchers on the new rims, seems to be another 6mm clearance on the current rims so should be ok.

This is what I've found so far in my 'cheapish' price range

(£20) Continental Ultra Sport III
(£25) Vittoria Zaffiro Pro V
(£27) Specialized turbo pro
(£32) Panaracer Pasela ProTite Folding
(£40) Vittoria Corsa G Folding
(£40) Panaracer Pasela Tour Guard Folding
(£45) Continental Grand Prix 5000
From that list and reading around I'm thinking the Pasela ProTite (tan sidewall) are probably about right for me, does anybody have a reason not to go with those ?

Or does somebody have another suggestion (bonus points for red side walls) ?
If I was staying 25 I was going to go for Michelin Lithion 3 in red: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cicli-Bonin...GZ7/ref=sr_1_1

Another question is what inner tubes to get, any recommendations ?

pastorbobnlnh 

In my experience, the Vittoria Zaffiro is a hard, robust, somewhat heavy, and long lasting tire--- but not fast--- so maybe similar to Tuffo S33. The Panaracer Pasela is a great tire with a nice balance between lightweight sidewalls, and a good tread. I recently replaced an old set of Zaffiros with Paselas on a vintage bike and I'm very pleased.

I've also owned and ridden Vittoria Corsa G tubulars, which are fantastic tires. However, I've not had the clincher version.

SJX426 

I have had the clincher version along with sewups of the G+. I think they are one of the best riding. I find running them at 125/130 is the sweet spot for smoothness. Others will question the high PSI but that is my experience after trying lower pressures.

rustystrings61 

I've been running basic wire-bead Pasela 28s on MA-2 and MA-3 rims for years with good results.

verktyg 

I have Mavic MA2 rims on a lot of bikes.

I've been running Pasela Tour Guard 700 x 25c tires since the beginning of 2007. I have them on at least 20 of my bikes. They don't have the most sporting ride but they're smooth and the tread provides good grip wet or dry plus long life.

I've mounted 700 x 28c TG tires on several bikes that had a harsh ride and they smoothed them out a little. Since I've mostly ridden 25mm TGs I can't really speak for the 28mm ones.

Knock on wood, I've never had a tread puncture on any TG tire and I ride on some bad glass covered roads with goat heads. I've had several side wall gashes though.

Speaking of which, over the same period - 2007 to present - I've used 700 x 23c Continental Gran Prix tires on some of my sportier riding bikes. I'v gotten puncture flats with them plus lots of side wall cuts.

The treads on the TGs wrap further over onto the side walls than on the Continental tires. Better protection when encountering wide asphalt separation running parallel to the direction of travel where the tire can fit into the gash in the road!

I've used several sets of 700 x 25c Pasela ProTite tires. They have a newer, stronger, thicker belt under the tread that kills the ride!

NOTE: I run my tires at 90 psi.

One last thing, I've been experimenting with Tufo Hi-Composite Carbon tires in 25mm and 28mm widths. Reason being, when riding in areas with lots of goat heads, the idea of their sealant appeals to me. I got 2 goat head flats in one afternoon on Conti Gran Prix tires.

I agree on the Tufo's hard ride....

Goat heads:





verktyg

Aardwolf

Thanks everybody,
looks like it is worth giving the Panaracer Pasela ProTite Folding a try.
Only thing I've got to compare it with is Tufo S33 Pro so it's bound to be an improvement

When I've got my new wheels working maybe I can respoke the Mavic Monthlery Route and try some better tubulars.

squirtdad

My vote would be the gp5000. Corsa G were fantastic but for me too puncture prone (like 1 per 100 miles) Got 1800 miles on gp5000 before first flat (both in 28mm) same riding, same big 240 or so guy

SwimmerMike 

I'm a GP5000 guy also. I get great mileage and very few flats. Plus they have a great ride.

plonz 

Another vote for GP 5000 based on years of riding GP 4000s. Very fast tire that still wears well.

While I have not ridden the Specialized Turbo Pro, I have ridden the S-Works Turbo. Finest go-fast tire I’ve ever ridden, even more so than the GP 4000s. Downside is they wore out quick.

The one set of Paselas I’ve owned? Thoroughly unimpressed. Heavy, slow and generally did not inspire confidence at higher speeds.

jdawginsc 

Vote for Zaffiro, but the Pro IV which I like a bit better. My favorite all around inexpensive tire. I have also come around to Gator-skins, oddly. And Rubinos are always solid.

Chain reaction has Zaffiros 700 X 25 for 12.00 right now. Plus their Lifeline Prime Race and Commuter tires look interesting.

Aardwolf

Yep, I saw the lifeline race and commuter tyres.
Apparently Lifeline is the house brand for Wiggle, I got the track pump they do and it works fine (was £12 in blue a month or two back).

5 models in the 700c Lifeline range from £10.99 to £16.49.
I would consider them but I want to try a known good brand first so I've got something decent to compare.

jdawginsc 

Then I vote the Zaffiro IVs!

JSL

GP5000 if you want the best rolling/durability ratio. Corsas maybe roll a little smoother, but the GP is probably the best all-round tire I've had.

Bad Lag

This is a useless, technical correction -

The MA-2 is a rim not a tire. You might refer to them as MA-2 wheels or wheels with MA-2 rims but there is no way they are MA-2 tires. Tires are rubber and fabric. <-- think Monty Python when reading this.

RiddleOfSteel

GP5000's are a great tire, as are many of the 4000 variants before it. If you're ok with black wall (or red/brown), then they'll work well. GP5000s are available in "cream wall" up to 28mm (which measures 25mm on a MA2/Open Pro/etc). They're heavier than a standard 5000 but still roll fast (I have them and can confirm).

Depending on your tire clearances, you can really run up the tire size on these rims (or most any). Soma's Supple Vitesse range (SL for lightweight or EX for extra wear) are really good and come in a number of sizes. I've run their 33mm versions (30mm wide on MA2s) in EX form and they are competitively light for their size and stated mission. SL and EX run the same carcass, so you pay for more tread thickness with the EX and get an SL after riding it a while. Twofer. They ride really nicely and I've done very well with flats on them. 62F/69R for pressures on the 33s and I'm about 200-210 lb / 91-95 kg. I am actually running 700x42s of these Somas on MA2s right now. 34F/40R for pressure, latex tubes, they come to 38mm wide. Roll plenty fast, and incredibly comfortable on my Trek 720 (full DB 531 tourer). Rough roads (and I ride them here) are not an issue.