there was a published list of of popular tires and the use they are designed for? I might have missed it if there is one out there.

I did some research on tires for my Lemond which currently has Conti Ultra 3000. I want something I can do my weekly training rides on of 30 miles per session or so without burning them up and yet something that doesn't feel sluggish for century rides. I get to my LBS only to be told the tire I have in mind isn't what I should use for that applicatoin but I should use some other tire. Is that just this particular sales person's opinion or are they really correct and I completely suck at research and reading reviews.

So wouldn't it be great to have a list with the popular tires and what the design is and even some pros/cons? Tires are too expensive to just buy a set to "try" them out and see how they work.

Sorry for the ranting.

Generally speaking, the lighter the tire the more likely it's meant for racing (duh, I know). I cant really think of that much of a difference between a training tire and a Century tire. Now, there's a big difference between a crit tire and a training tire, but in effect a Century is kinda like one long training ride, right?

Sounds like, from your post, that you're going through your GP 3000 too fast. My suggestion for a good all around/training tire for you would be a Conti Ultra 2000. Not too heavy if you get the foldable and they last very well and perform well too-- in my opinion. They're also cheap.

Good luck.

there was a published list of of popular tires and the use they are designed for? I might have missed it if there is one out there.

I did some research on tires for my Lemond which currently has Conti Ultra 3000. I want something I can do my weekly training rides on of 30 miles per session or so without burning them up and yet something that doesn't feel sluggish for century rides. I get to my LBS only to be told the tire I have in mind isn't what I should use for that applicatoin but I should use some other tire. Is that just this particular sales person's opinion or are they really correct and I completely suck at research and reading reviews.

So wouldn't it be great to have a list with the popular tires and what the design is and even some pros/cons? Tires are too expensive to just buy a set to "try" them out and see how they work.

Sorry for the ranting.

You shouldn't have a problem between the manufacturers sites, which list the intended application, and the reviews on this sites which list the pros and cons. Generally, if the manufacturer doesn't go out of their way to say "exceptionally long wearing" the tire isn't designed to last long.

http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/tires/622.html
http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/tires/race/folder_en.html

I'm not trying to be a smartass, but it is possible you didn't put a lot of work into your research. The Continental site says this about the Ultra Gatorskin:
A durable carbon black compound, good puncture protection and the Duraskin fabric make the Ultra Gatorskin a veritable kilometre eater. Available in widths from 23mm to 32mm, it can be used on the way to the office just as well as for serious training or when touring with baggage. An immensely popular tire, durable, rugged and at a good price.

This sounds like exactly what your looking for. The Performancebike.com sites lists the Ultra 3000 tire as weighing 310g for the wire bead 25mm size. It lists the
Ultra Gatorskin as 300g for the wire bead 25mm size. So the Gatorskin gives you more durability with lighter weight.

there are still a lot of tires out there to choose from and naturally everyone has an opinion. I get about 800 miles out of my Ultra 3000 which is about two months worth. I tried the Ultra 2000 and am a bit gunshy now as I got dumped on my head in the rain. It's just with car tires they tell you what the expected mileage is and what type of driving the are MADE for with speed ratings etc. Naturally - everyone's driving style is different and wear will be different but as with car tires you begin to be able to gauge where you are in the aggressive vs passive driving category and know what to expect.

Thanks for the thoughts!

I realize you can go to each manufacturers website but as my initial post mentioned wouldn't it be great to have a LIST, like from bicycling in a gear review piece or something of that nature that spells it all out. I just hate going into a LBS and having someone tell you that the tire you have chosen is completely wrong for the application it's being used while recommending somethings else (usually much higher priced) without anyway to qualify if it really is better or worth the extra dough and it's a pain in the butt to run home and check.My last incident I was offered a "much better" tire at $49.95 vs the $24.95. Would it really be that much better? Don't konw as I wasn't spending $100 on tires.

Thanks.

I realize you can go to each manufacturers website but as my initial post mentioned wouldn't it be great to have a LIST, like from bicycling in a gear review piece or something of that nature that spells it all out. I just hate going into a LBS and having someone tell you that the tire you have chosen is completely wrong for the application it's being used while recommending somethings else (usually much higher priced) without anyway to qualify if it really is better or worth the extra dough and it's a pain in the butt to run home and check.My last incident I was offered a "much better" tire at $49.95 vs the $24.95. Would it really be that much better? Don't konw as I wasn't spending $100 on tires.

Thanks.

Major mags shy away from comparing different manufacturers because they don't want to offend the companies that advertise with them. It would be hard, but not impossible to set up a good test. But there are so many variables. You'd have to have a number of riders, say ten, each on different tires. The riders would have to log at least 1000 miles each. Each rider would have to ride similar roads in similar weather conditions. They'd all have to be around the same weight. They'd all have to ride at the same pressure.
If you had semi-pro team whose individual members were willing to ride different models of tires while training together, you'd get a pretty good idea. Just offer the team about $1000
to conduct the test.
Or if a testing lab had the funds, they would set up 10 bikes on rollers or trainers and have a motor turn the wheel. You'd measure each tires thickness with a micrometer at the beginning and at the end of the test. You could load each bike with 150 lbs of weight and run them 1000 miles.

[QUOTE=pedaling pyrate]
So wouldn't it be great to have a list with the popular tires and what the design is and even some pros/cons? Tires are too expensive to just buy a set to "try" them out and see how they work.
QUOTE]

A search of tire threads around here will tell you, among other things, that people are both passionate and not in agreement at all about tires. Moe sez Brand X is the stuff and Brand Y is flat prone garbage. Larry had a ten flats on his X's but swears by Y's. Curly has another point of view altogether.

I suspect tire choices, loves, and hates have a pretty high subjective element.. The tire you're lucky with is the tire you swear by; the tire that has the misfortune of carrying you through patches of unseen flat producing crap is the one you have doubts about.

And then there's all the issues, concerns, loves, and hates surrounding ride, handling, and the like.

I think there would be a high value in "blind" tire tests and reviews...where all identifying markings were missing from tires which were then ridden identical roads...and so on...
Take the zoot factor out altogether and see whose tire shines....
But, I doubt there's enough of a market for road bike tires to make such of a test a reality.

Heh...I ride whatever's on the shelf. I've liked Ritchey open races, Tom Mix. I've had contis that I thought were boat anchors and some that rolled well...and a set of Bontrager races on the bike right now that are just fine by me.

Tires are like socks, they just wear.

I used to live in Olympia, WA and the unpredictable weather use to keep me guessing all the time. If you went on a 50-60 miler I could expect to see all kinds of weather. So I started using these!
http://www.schwalbetires.com/racing.php?Nickname=STELVIO%20RAIN&Image=TireImages/stelvio_rain.jpg
And have never looked back. I use them exclusevly for the last 2 years. They wear great I got 1100 miles without "rotating" them on the back. I dont know why they grip well in the rain, but they just do. I know you are just asking for a LIST , but I asked myself the same thing 2 years ago and my buddy turned me on to these.
Wade

there was a published list of of popular tires and the use they are designed for? I might have missed it if there is one out there.

I did some research on tires for my Lemond which currently has Conti Ultra 3000. I want something I can do my weekly training rides on of 30 miles per session or so without burning them up and yet something that doesn't feel sluggish for century rides. I get to my LBS only to be told the tire I have in mind isn't what I should use for that applicatoin but I should use some other tire. Is that just this particular sales person's opinion or are they really correct and I completely suck at research and reading reviews.

So wouldn't it be great to have a list with the popular tires and what the design is and even some pros/cons? Tires are too expensive to just buy a set to "try" them out and see how they work.

Sorry for the ranting.

Here's your list:


Century/Touring: Vredestein Fortezza Tri-Comp
Commuting: Vredestein Fortezza Tri-Comp
Racing: Vredestein Fortezza Tri-Comp
Mucking around Town/Delivering Papers: Vredestein Fortezza Tri-Comp

Here's your list:


Century/Touring: Vredestein Fortezza Tri-Comp
Commuting: Vredestein Fortezza Tri-Comp
Racing: Vredestein Fortezza Tri-Comp
Mucking around Town/Delivering Papers: Vredestein Fortezza Tri-Comp

Listen to Crankist, he's totally correct. :) Don't forget the rest of the list:


~ Wider size (25c) for heavier riders for all of the above: Vredestein Fortezza Road
~ Cyclocross/Dirt-road: Vredestein Campo

I would suggest Conti GrandPrix (without number) They have high wear resistance, are relatevely inexpensive and reasonably good grip both dry and wet. the only drawback - it seems that Conti stopped to produce foldable version of them, so it may be hard to find.

I would suggest Conti GrandPrix (without number) They have high wear resistance, are relatevely inexpensive and reasonably good grip both dry and wet. the only drawback - it seems that Conti stopped to produce foldable version of them, so it may be hard to find.

i agree - conti grandprix are cheap and durable and i have used them for years and tend to get a few thousand miles from a pair.

what not to use for longevity - two seasons ago i used a pair of vitoria ultraspeeds, about 140g in 20mm pumped up to 160psi for TTing - got about 300 miles out of them but my god they are with out doubt the fastest tyres i ever rode on - corner in the dry like a steam train but incredibly unforgiving as you can imagine.

I am going for Cranklist's recommendation and since Performance has a sale on them starting Wednesday I am happy to give them a try.

Thanks for all the recommendations. For those who simply think I am unrealistic in my expectations I can only emphasize that I just started this off with the comment of: Wouldn't it be nice.....? :D

Thanks for all the thoughts.

ps. will let you know if I think Brand V sucks in my opinion :D

I am going for Cranklist's recommendation and since Performance has a sale on them starting Wednesday I am happy to give them a try.

Thanks for all the recommendations. For those who simply think I am unrealistic in my expectations I can only emphasize that I just started this off with the comment of: Wouldn't it be nice.....? :D

Thanks for all the thoughts.

ps. will let you know if I think Brand V sucks in my opinion :D

I think you'll find that "Brand V" doesn't suck. Far from it! I would recommend that if you're going to do centuries, get the Fortezza in 25c. They're great for shorter rides too, and in general a slightly wider tire will wear better and be less flat-prone, and certainly you'll have a bit more between you and road shock than with a 23c. The nice thing is you can pump them up to over 125 psi for fast rolling or lower them to 80-90 psi for a softer ride if you're getting worn out on a century.

They're my main road tire, except for right now on the frozen tundra of upstate NY I use 28c Campos for the traction of the short knobbies on packed snow/ice. I can run them @ 50 psi for traction and still get no pinch flats. That's DAMNED good for a heavier rider of 200+ lbs.

I guarantee you'll like the Vred's. If not, lemme know and I'll take them off your hands. :)

For training tires, if yer spending more than $20-ish on them, yer buying too much tire. By their very nature, the less expensive tires have more rubber, thicker sidewalls, and generally will last longer. Exactly what you need for training tires!

I've had great luck with Michelin Hi-lite Prestige tires for the last 2-3 years. When PBS has a sale (and I need tires), I pick up a pair.

If I had my druthers and I was still working for a shop, I'd be racing on Conti Comp tubies and the Conti natural rubber folding GPs but I don't, so I buy what I can get on sale. Tufo's S3 Pros are a good compromise for a tubie and I haven't found a crit I've been held back in by a few grams of tire weight that has me switching to other than my training tires.

To finish first, first you must finish.

M

For training tires, if yer spending more than $20-ish on them, yer buying too much tire. By their very nature, the less expensive tires have more rubber, thicker sidewalls, and generally will last longer. Exactly what you need for training tires!

I've had great luck with Michelin Hi-lite Prestige tires for the last 2-3 years. When PBS has a sale (and I need tires), I pick up a pair.

If I had my druthers and I was still working for a shop, I'd be racing on Conti Comp tubies and the Conti natural rubber folding GPs but I don't, so I buy what I can get on sale. Tufo's S3 Pros are a good compromise for a tubie and I haven't found a crit I've been held back in by a few grams of tire weight that has me switching to other than my training tires.

To finish first, first you must finish.

M


You're right about that M but you know what? It's FUN to buy tires more often!! Nothing like a fresh new pair stiinkng up the joint, eh?

Therefore, all very good tires must have moderate wear ability or less, and/or moderate to thin tread thickness. Otherwise, you get stuck with the same damned tires on yer bike for too long, which is bad for the mojo thang. Nothing good can come of it I say.

They're all different, Yet they're all the same.
After enough time, they all wear out. Then it's time to get new ones.
There are tires for "show", and there are tires for "go."
There are even tires for the "long haul."
If you get too fancy of a tire, your "friends" will want to be "borrowing" them all the time.
If you get too cheap a tire, you'll have problems with "run out."
The best solution, when you travel with your job a lot, is to have one set of tires on one coast, and another set on the other coast. More than two sets are dangerous.
If you have two sets of tires, always use latex "tubes."

They're all different, Yet they're all the same.
After enough time, they all wear out. Then it's time to get new ones.
There are tires for "show", and there are tires for "go."
There are even tires for the "long haul."
If you get too fancy of a tire, your "friends" will want to be "borrowing" them all the time.
If you get too cheap a tire, you'll have problems with "run out."
The best solution, when you travel with your job a lot, is to have one set of tires on one coast, and another set on the other coast. More than two sets are dangerous.
If you have two sets of tires, always use latex "tubes."


and i'm having trouble with the one set i just got. latex tubes, it's a "borrow" and the ride has been uneventfull.. should i stay bare rim for a while?

The big fat ones are real comfy, but your friends always tease you when they see you with them.

They're all different, Yet they're all the same.
After enough time, they all wear out. Then it's time to get new ones.
There are tires for "show", and there are tires for "go."
There are even tires for the "long haul."
If you get too fancy of a tire, your "friends" will want to be "borrowing" them all the time.
If you get too cheap a tire, you'll have problems with "run out."
The best solution, when you travel with your job a lot, is to have one set of tires on one coast, and another set on the other coast. More than two sets are dangerous.
If you have two sets of tires, always use latex "tubes."

Some are built for comfort, some built for speed.

You only need two tires, a Michelin Pro Race for the front and a Michelin Pro Race for the rear.