Tyres for Sportives

milese
milese Posts: 1,233
edited April 2008 in Workshop
Firstly sorry for another thread about tyres, I've done a search and can't find a conclusive answer.

I'm getting some new wheels so thought it might be worth getting some new tyres to match. I'm training for, and riding a couple of sportives this year, and I also commute on the bike.

I've currently got Michelin Dynamic's as standard, I believe they weight about 280g, and are in 25 width.

So I need a tyre that is lightweight, puncture resistant and a good roller.

Is 60g off a tyre going to make a noticable difference? Is it worth paying £20 a wheel to replace the Dynamics that are still in pretty good condition?

I've seen people reccommend -

Michelin PRO Race 2 - 220g - £15 bit suspect in the wet?
Michelin PRO Race 3 - 200g - £20 bit suspect in the wet, but most grip?
Conti 4000s - 205g - £20 bit suspect in the wet?
Conti 4 seasons - 220g - £20

Anything else?

I dont want to spend more than I need to on tyres, I'm putting them on some handbuilt open pro / 105 wheels from Ribble, which is going on a Giant SCR 1.0.

Comments

  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    Pro Race 2s are fine in the wet (and other liquid crap that cover the roads around me).
    I like bikes...

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  • robbarker
    robbarker Posts: 1,367
    Michelin Pro 3 Race.

    The main difference between pro race 2s and pro 3 race is that the latter more grip in the wet. I've been spanking a pair recently and it's not just marketing crap - the 3's are a worthwhile improvement.

    I've ridden a lot of clinchers and these seem the best of the bunch at present. They are well ahead of anything else I've tried. The only tyres I remember as being obvioulsly better to ride were Conti competition tubulars.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Tyre choice depends on the type of course, the roads and the weather you're likely to encounter. What you chose to ride Flanders in April is going to be completely different for a ride in the Pyrenees in July. For UK, something that has good grip in the wet and fairly puncture resistant is a must - I use Michelin Krylions for training, for something tough but a little lighter you could try a Vredestein Fortezza and for out and out performance the Michelin Pro Race 3s probably lead the pack.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Kléber
    Kléber Posts: 6,842
    Monty Dog once again offers excellent advice, just what I'd recommend only he goes to greater lengths to help!
  • andy_wrx
    andy_wrx Posts: 3,396
    I threw away my Conti GP4Seasons because they were so crap in the wet.
    (as well as puncturing fairly regularly and being not-far-off-impossible to fit to Fulcrum rims)

    Pro Race 2 far superior dry or wet, will get Pro Race 3's when the 2's wear out
    (and by which time I hope they're available in red !)
  • Brian B
    Brian B Posts: 2,071
    Gp 4000s black chilli compound. I find that they give more grip than my pro race 2s on my other bike. Seems like the pro race 3s get a good write up though.
    Brian B.
  • Yorkman
    Yorkman Posts: 290
    andy_wrx wrote:
    I threw away my Conti GP4Seasons because they were so crap in the wet.
    (as well as puncturing fairly regularly and being not-far-off-impossible to fit to Fulcrum rims)

    Pro Race 2 far superior dry or wet, will get Pro Race 3's when the 2's wear out
    (and by which time I hope they're available in red !)

    I'm pleased it's not just me who has problems fitting GP4S's to Fulcrums, they are an absolute bugger to fit!
  • fizz
    fizz Posts: 483
    Brian B wrote:
    Gp 4000s black chilli compound. .

    I've just bought a pair of these, fitted them last night, so what did it do this morning, ye lashed it down, wasnt looking forward to my ride to work this morning, even though they were shiney a new, seemed to give a good level of grip.
  • oldwelshman
    oldwelshman Posts: 4,733
    fizz wrote:
    Brian B wrote:
    Gp 4000s black chilli compound. .

    I've just bought a pair of these, fitted them last night, so what did it do this morning, ye lashed it down, wasnt looking forward to my ride to work this morning, even though they were shiney a new, seemed to give a good level of grip.

    I have a couple of pair of these, seemed ok but dissapointed with milage they do as they are reported as being better than other conti's.
    http://s290.photobucket.com/albums/ll245/oldwelshman/
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK5Bfqj5fxY
  • mathi
    mathi Posts: 110
    Schwalbe Ultremos or Pro race 3 , both fantastic tyres 8)
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    I say stick to michelins, i never recommend Conti anything. the pro race 2s and 3s are better than GP4000s and the Krylions are better than Gatorskins, so for me its a no brainer.
  • robbarker
    robbarker Posts: 1,367
    mathi wrote:
    Pro race 3

    How are you finding them? I like mine, although only done 200 or so miles on them so far.
  • popette
    popette Posts: 2,089
    that's it then - did a search, read the above and I'm going to get the pro race 3. Grey will look totally crap though. Need them for my fancy new wheels - fulcrum racing 1, which should be arriving tomorrow.

    I already feel a difference with my new bike - can't wait to see how it feels to have some decent wheels as well :D
    http://www.2010etape.blogspot.com
  • aracer
    aracer Posts: 1,649
    popette wrote:
    Grey will look totally crap though.
    Only to those people for whom "taste" is as many bits of garish colour on your bike as possible.
  • cakewalk
    cakewalk Posts: 220
    Have a look at this....

    "German magazine TOUR has recently featured a comprehensive road tyre test, covering many aspects of tyre performance, even including 'real time' wet grip where their human tester donned motorcycle leathers and pushed his specially adapted test bicycle to the limit on each different set of tyres."

    http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle ... ghters.pdf

    Certainly passed an idle 10 minutes at lunchtime.
    "I thought of it while riding my bicycle."
  • IanTrcp
    IanTrcp Posts: 761
    I really like these:

    http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProd ... spid=37170

    "The Roubaix tires are the perfect match for the rider who wants the ultimate in performance without the harsh ride. Comfortable large volume 25c casing, merged with fast-rolling 23c Dual Radius Tread (DRT) ensure a supple ride that rolls fast and corners extremely well, all in one tire."

    They have a "290 TPI gossamer casing" and can be pumped up to 135psi which is great if you're on smooth roads. They definitely feel more supple (even to handle) than other tyres I've used. I think the theory about the 25c casing with a 23c tread holds water also - the tyres are certainly more comfortable than whippet-thin hoops....

    I'm usually a gear/marketing cynic, but I think there are genuine technical innovations here.

    Should be at £100/pair!
  • itisaboutthebike
    itisaboutthebike Posts: 1,120
    If you can wait I'd recommend waiting for the Michelin PR 3 to come out in 25mm - should be around July time.
  • bahzob
    bahzob Posts: 2,195
    Tried the above Spec Roubaix but much prefer Vittoria Open Evo Corsa KX. Only thing wrong with them is the name. They are very smooth running, even if you pump to 10 bar for max speed, sure footed in all conditions and tough as old boots.
    Martin S. Newbury RC
  • leonlikestrees
    leonlikestrees Posts: 528
    Vittoria Rubino Pro always seem a good tyre to me. Light at 230g (if you believe the catalogue), grippy, and not as pricy as a pro race or gp4000. I ran them in 700x25 in the Tour of Flanders sportive last year, and have been commuting on them ever since. Great tyres!
  • Not Another Hill
    Not Another Hill Posts: 382
    I've just ordered some Rubino Folding Pro tyres from Wiggle. Bargain price. Hope they are Ok. My Schwalbe Stelvio's have cut up after 400 miles. Grip OK in dry. Didn't feel overly confident coming off Holme Moss in the rain on them though...sliding out as I eased round the bends :(
  • leonlikestrees
    leonlikestrees Posts: 528
    I doubt you'll be disappointed.

    I always used to race on fancy tyres; veloflex, pariba, open corsa CX, etc. When I stopped racing I decided not to spend as much money on tyres, and bought these Rubino Pro's expecting them to be a bit rubbish, but there wasn't too much difference at all. Obviously not as nice as a top clincher with a latex tube, or even better a nice tub, but really not bad at all. I'd be quite happy racing on them

    And to top it all I think I've only had one puncture in about 5 years on them (not the same pair!). Right. that's me cursed. 12 punctures on the way to work tomorrow I guess...
  • andrewgturnbull
    andrewgturnbull Posts: 3,861
    cakewalk wrote:
    Have a look at this....

    "German magazine TOUR has recently featured a comprehensive road tyre test, covering many aspects of tyre performance, even including 'real time' wet grip where their human tester donned motorcycle leathers and pushed his specially adapted test bicycle to the limit on each different set of tyres."

    http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle ... ghters.pdf

    Certainly passed an idle 10 minutes at lunchtime.

    Great stuff.

    Why can't the UK bike magazines do tests like these?

    Cheers, Andy
    http://www.andyturnbull.co.uk
    http://www.stirlingtri.co.uk
  • musto_skiff
    musto_skiff Posts: 394
    andrewgturnbull wrote:
    cakewalk wrote:
    Have a look at this....

    "German magazine TOUR has recently featured a comprehensive road tyre test, covering many aspects of tyre performance, even including 'real time' wet grip where their human tester donned motorcycle leathers and pushed his specially adapted test bicycle to the limit on each different set of tyres."

    http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle ... ghters.pdf

    Certainly passed an idle 10 minutes at lunchtime.

    Great stuff.

    Why can't the UK bike magazines do tests like these?

    Cheers, Andy

    Agreed, an excellent article and I guess I will follow their recommendation as I don't have any other way of choosing ...
  • Mettan
    Mettan Posts: 2,103
    leonlikestrees wrote:
    Vittoria Rubino Pro always seem a good tyre to me. Light at 230g (if you believe the catalogue), grippy, and not as pricy as a pro race or gp4000. I ran them in 700x25 in the Tour of Flanders sportive last year, and have been commuting on them ever since. Great tyres!

    Agreed - I've been happy with my Rubino Pro's - have been competent in both the wet and dry - good value, good price - would recommend.
  • aracer
    aracer Posts: 1,649
    andrewgturnbull wrote:
    Why can't the UK bike magazines do tests like these?
    Because UK mags are staffed by journos (who studied marketing etc.) rather than engineers.
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    Interesting comment, damn shame tests like this don't appear though have to say, surely this is the kind of test we need to see, as consumers.
  • cakewalk
    cakewalk Posts: 220
    giant mancp wrote:
    Interesting comment, damn shame tests like this don't appear though have to say, surely this is the kind of test we need to see, as consumers.

    One UK bike mag (cannot remember which one - was in the last year) did a tyre comparison by rolling them off a ramp and seeing how far they went! I'm no engineer but that is a completely pants test of rolling resistance. Perhaps now I understand why Germany gave us BMWs and UK gave us Allergros!

    If any journos from Cycling plus etc are reading this - do a proper test of the top tyres! I might actually buy your magazine if you did that. Stopped doing that ages ago as the equipment reviews are awful. Everything gets 8/10 or more. This is of no use to anyone.
    "I thought of it while riding my bicycle."

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