I have a pair of 700x23 Conti Grand Prix 3000s which are in need of replacing. I'm looking for a fast replacement. I run the tires at 120psi and have never had a flat (probably should expect one now!). I usually only go out on short rides when its dry and like fast decents. I ride a stiff alum frame so I don't want anything too rough (hence the 23mm). I also need a tire that won't loose traction if hitting a puddle before a 40-50mph curving decent. Thanks for your suggestions.

I dunno - whatever these guys are using.

How about the tires on an SR-71?

How about the tires on an SR-71?

Those tires only go at takeoff and landing speed. The land speed record units spin a lot faster than the SR-71 (or the Space Shuttle) on the runway. Maybe this guy is looking for bicycle tires? I think the bike speed record is up around 160 mph. OTOH, there's precious little difference between things like Conti GP3K, Michelin Carbon, Vredestein Fortezza TriComp, etc.

I have a pair of 700x23 Conti Grand Prix 3000s which are in need of replacing. I'm looking for a fast replacement. I run the tires at 120psi and have never had a flat (probably should expect one now!). I usually only go out on short rides when its dry and like fast decents. I ride a stiff alum frame so I don't want anything too rough (hence the 23mm). I also need a tire that won't loose traction if hitting a puddle before a 40-50mph curving decent. Thanks for your suggestions.

Well, one way of looking at it is that Zabriskie set a new record for tour time trial speed using Vittoria tubulars, so therefore they must be the fastest tires, right?

http://www.velonews.com/tour2005/details/articles/8368.0.html

http://www.velonews.com/tour2005/tech/articles/8566.0.html

That aside, I'd bet good money that your speed would not be significantly different whether you were using the 3000s, any tubular, Michelins, or even Conti Gatorskins.

When the Black Bird is at speed, Mach 3+, the tires are on board, in the wells and traveling(going) as fast as the rest of the plane. Silly.

Maybe this guy is looking for bicycle tires?

I know, I know. But that title just spoke to my inner smarta$$. I couldn't help myself.

That said, I like my Vittoria Open Corsa EVO's, in either 20 or 23mm width. I think the Vittoria's are generously sized, and a 700x20 is about equivalent to a 700x23 Vredestein.

I've got Vredstein clinchers with a max psi of 150. I think that'll make me faster...

When the Black Bird is at speed, Mach 3+, the tires are on board, in the wells and traveling(going) as fast as the rest of the plane. Silly.

Well, looking at it that way, the Space Shuttle does around 18,000 mph, with tires on board. Hmm, better yet, the earth (and all tires on board) circles the sun at 67,000 mph, but then <a href="http://curious.astro.cornell.edu/question.php?number=507">we're all moving through the universe at over 2 million mph</a>! (I feel so nerdy) In that scheme, tire differences are fairly trivial, wouldn't you say?

Winner!

This was my first post on this forum. I'm surprised you guys don't have strong opinions on tires. I have a hard time believing there aren't noticeable differences between the resistance on a Conti vs Vittoria vs Michelin, etc. What about compounds, slicks vs all season, non-standard widths (as kgg mentioned)? So just close my eyes and grab whatever? Buy whatever the shop wants to sell?

Fixed -- I second Vittoria tubulars. I use to ride on a Corsa tubular and loved it. Very fast and smooth. I noticed a MPH average and a ~5% max MPH downhill gain after switching from my equally light clinchers. I'm now back to clinchers (different bike).

wzq622 -- I was also looking at Vredstein for that reason. I use to run my tubulars at 140psi which may have made the biggest difference.

There are two ways of making a "faster" tire (less rolling resistance).

1. The thinner and softer the rubber/fabric of the tire are, the more flexible they become. The trade-off with this is that the thinner the tire gets, the more fragile it is, and the sooner it will wear out.

2. The higher the air pressure, the less the tire will deflect.

The trade-off with this is that if you pump the tire up too hard, you lose the benefits of pneumatic tires: the ride becomes excessively harsh, and traction will be reduced. In addition, extremely high pressures require a stronger (heavier) fabric and stronger (heavier) rim flanges.

Rolling resistance does decrease theoretically with any increase in pressure, but with modern, high-quality tires the rolling resistance at correct inflation pressure is already so low that the infinitesimal reductions gained are more than outweighed by the trade-offs

props to sheldon brown for the info.....

I have a pair of 700x23 Conti Grand Prix 3000s which are in need of replacing. I'm looking for a fast replacement. I run the tires at 120psi and have never had a flat (probably should expect one now!). I usually only go out on short rides when its dry and like fast decents. I ride a stiff alum frame so I don't want anything too rough (hence the 23mm). I also need a tire that won't loose traction if hitting a puddle before a 40-50mph curving decent. Thanks for your suggestions.


My personal favorite in a clincher(since there lots of tubular responses) is the Veloflex Pave.

I have a hard time believing there aren't noticeable differences between the resistance on a Conti vs Vittoria vs Michelin, etc.

Think of it this way: if there were substantial differences, then the easier rolling brand(s) would blow the others out of the market unless they had a problem with cost or durability. Since these top brands are all priced competitively with each other, don't differ significantly in durability or weight, and aren't running the other brands out of the market, it stands to reason that they are all roughly comparable.

Think of it this way: if there were substantial differences, then the easier rolling brand(s) would blow the others out of the market unless they had a problem with cost or durability. Since these top brands are all priced competitively with each other, don't differ significantly in durability or weight, and aren't running the other brands out of the market, it stands to reason that they are all roughly comparable.

Fair enough. I guess a better question is: "What does a 5 year old Conti Grand Prix 3000 compare to now and is there a better tire in a similar price point?"

See, I bought my bike about 5 years ago. 5 years ago I knew which tire was good which was not too great. Then I had kids and learned more about strollers. I just started riding my road bike regularly again and the tires are showing wear and age (minor cracking). I go for short but quick dry rides so I'm not looking for a wet weather touring tire. I have no idea what is a good fast yet resistant tire now except for saying "well, this tire costs a lot therefore it must be good" (now sarcasm intended). Just looking for opinions on what everyone else is liking.

Just looking for opinions on what everyone else is liking.

Per my original post: "there's precious little difference between things like Conti GP3K, Michelin Carbon, Vredestein Fortezza TriComp, etc"