Help with new clincher tires.....

[JailGuard]

I need help with new clincher tires, as I am not sure what to buy.
I am 6'2 200.. Riding a Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert...
I do not race, however I do ride distance... For example I am doing another century this weekend....
When I daily ride I do about 15-25 miles in the mornings.. If I am off that day I stick to about 40-60 miles....
I live in Florida so the roads are flat. Yes there is some debris in the road at times..
I currently have the stock 700 x 23/25c Specialized Roubaix Pro II

I am looking at going to a straight 700 x 23 thinking this is better for rolling resistance?
I am looking for better performance and rolling resistance.
I am not looking at a race tire because I am sure I will be more prone to flats.
I read good and bad about all tires but cannot really find a good daily tire for distance.

A tire that has a good grip on a wet road.. A good rolling resistance.. Not prone to flats..Good cornering..

Advise?? Recommendations?

Thank you in advance...

[SBH1973]

I think you're going to hear a lot of recommendations for Conti GP4000s as an all-around high performance tire (still a race tire) with good flat resistance. I put some on my wife's bike and they've been great, and I have a set waiting to replace some Vittoria Corsas that are about done on my bike.

[Oxtox]

Conti 4000S

there's some that are better and lots that are worse...bang per buck, it's a good tire.

[cxwrench]

I need help with new clincher tires, as I am not sure what to buy.
I am 6'2 200.. Riding a Specialized Roubaix SL3 Expert...
I do not race, however I do ride distance... For example I am doing another century this weekend....
When I daily ride I do about 15-25 miles in the mornings.. If I am off that day I stick to about 40-60 miles....
I live in Florida so the roads are flat. Yes there is some debris in the road at times..
I currently have the stock 700 x 23/25c Specialized Roubaix Pro II

I am looking at going to a straight 700 x 23 thinking this is better for rolling resistance?
I am looking for better performance and rolling resistance.
I am not looking at a race tire because I am sure I will be more prone to flats.
I read good and bad about all tires but cannot really find a good daily tire for distance.

A tire that has a good grip on a wet road.. A good rolling resistance.. Not prone to flats..Good cornering..

Advise?? Recommendations?

Thank you in advance...

incorrect. at your weight you'd need to inflated the 23mm tires to a pretty high pressure to reduce the chance of pin flats. this will INCREASE rolling resistance. you should run 25mm tires minimum and shoot for around 100psi rr/90psi frt to start and adjust from there as needed. benefits are:
less rolling resistance
more air volume=less chance of pinch flatting
better traction
better ride
they are only very slightly heavier than 23mm tires, and since you're not pinning a number on you don't need to worry about that small difference.

you sound like you're not totally clear on what 'rolling resistance' actually is and how it works, but higher pressures (over 110-120psi in 23mm tires, which is what you'd need to avoid pinch flatting) create a rougher ride which defines rolling resistance. the larger volume tire at a lower pressure will roll more smoothly over pavement imperfections, reducing rolling resistance.

a guy your size should be able to run less than 100psi in a rear 25mm tire w/o problems as long as you pay attention to the road.

and i'll agree w/ the recommendation for conti tires, they're well made and durable.

[JailGuard]

I currently run the 700 X 23/25c at max pressure in the rear of 120psi and in front I run 105psi
Maybe I am totally confused now??
My size I should not go to a 23?
Stay at a 25??
Confused now...

[kbwh]

Taking this chart from Michelin into consideration maybe you should run 25/28 f/r. I don't know if your frame lets you put a 28 in back, though.

[AndrwSwitch]

I think you're going to hear a lot of recommendations for Conti GP4000s as an all-around high performance tire (still a race tire) with good flat resistance. I put some on my wife's bike and they've been great, and I have a set waiting to replace some Vittoria Corsas that are about done on my bike.

I'm a big fan of this tire myself. The expression "race tire" is thrown around pretty casually by marketing people, and I think it's not very meaningful. I do almost no racing on my road bike, but I find these tires give me a combination of puncture resistance, wear life, grip and ride feel that I really like. The GP4000 (and 4000S) has, IME, an excellent anti-puncture layer. I think it's probably even better than the one in a lot of cheaper tires that are advertised for their puncture resistance. So for me, these are an excellent training tire. "Training tire" is not a very sexy way to describe something that retails for $70 or whatever it is lately. And nobody wants to know that they're buying a compromise. On the rare occasion that I have pinned a number on to race on pavement, I haven't changed my tires out - just did it on the same setup as always. There are some tires advertised as racing clinchers that have no puncture protection. IMO, you're right to avoid those for your use.

The way I understand Specialized's tire sizing, you'll get a little more air volume if you get a 25mm tire and it's actually 25mm wide. A lot of them run a bit narrow. If you're running 120psi in the rear tire now, I think you'll enjoy having a little more volume and a little lower pressure.

[JailGuard]

So I should go with the 25 rather than the 23...
Anyone else? The more And more I read the more I understand
Thank you all for your help...

[Sloburu]

Go Conti gp4000s size 700x 25mm.

[motobecane69]

In lieu of gp4000's which is a $60+ tire, Id go with michilin pro3race which are being closed out now for $30-35 since the pro4race are hitting the market. I read mixed reviews regarding how many flats you get with them but I can tell you that at 240lbs and riding in NYC where there is all sorts of roadhazards that I've got 750 miles on a set without flats. they ride nice and are very light. IF you really want a decent tire that is very flat proof, I would recommend conti gatorskins since you said you aren't racing. just make sure you get the folding version of them.

[meat]

I have had great luck with gp4000's. Decent flat resistance and the current pair has 3500 miles on them including a couple of road races and several fast centuries.

[minutemaidman]

I recommend the Vittoria Rubino Pro Tech. Good TPI, they feel good on the road and roll fine, the Tech has the wet weather compound and a little additonal flat protection (and weight) but still a reasonable weight. If you dont need the features of the Tech, just go with the Rubino Pro. If you want more TPI and less weight still, consider the Diamante Pro or Diamante Pro Tech. I love the Diamante Pros but they dont quite have the flat protection I need. Also, Vittorias seem to be easier to mount than any tires I have tried which is CRITICAL on some old Campagnolo Lamda Strada Vs that I use on my old bike. As far as 25 vs 23 - no harm sticking with the 25s. The only advantage I can think of moving to a 23 would be weight savings if you climb a lot of mountains.

[stiner0931]

+1 for the Conti GP4000S. Black chili compound is sick fast and grippy in wet

[JailGuard]

I am going to get the 4000s tomorrow in the 25
Thank you all for being so helpful

[JailGuard]

Went and got them today. Thank you all for your advice. Put 40 miles on them and and they feel awesome!!!!!

[motobecane69]

i hate paying so much money for tires but everytime I try to buy a cheap tire I seem to get burned. Cost is what you pay, value is what you get!

[AndrwSwitch]

You don't necessarily have to pay a lot. There's a fair number of well-regarded tires out there. Something is always on closeout.

Part of why I just get GP4000s is that I have access to reasonably good deals on them. Nothing to beat the internet, but I don't get stuck paying retail either. I ran a Vredestein Fortezza Tri Comp for a while because I bumped into a good deal on it. Nice tire, but I wouldn't pay retail for it either.

[JailGuard]

The LBS I go to I always get 10% off. Yes I could have gotten them online a little cheaper, but I feel something that expensive I can get at the store incase I have a sidewalk issue... My LBS is very good to me with a discount... And labor is always minimal.... I send them new clients all the time and I have my work bike thru them...
Tires were 54 each.

[heathb]

The conti GP4000s with the black chilli compound is my go to race tire. However for daily training and flat resistance I use the Conti Gatorskin in 25mm.

25cc tires is a good all around size to take the edge off the road, provide better longevity both in wear and pinch flat resistance, and not put too much rotational weight on the outside of the rim.

I wouldn't go any bigger than 25, because it might not clear your chainstays and forks and besides 28's are better left for commuting.