Tyre Upgrades - is this a good deal?

GavH

Been looking at some new tyres for my Bianchi 928 C2C. Came with Vittoria Rubinos (don't know about the inners). Looking for something lighter and faster whilst retaining good puncture resistence if at all possible.

Been looking at Conti GP4000S, Vittoria Open Evo CX and Mitchelin Pro Race 3s. Read good things about all of them but couldn't choose between them. Came across a seller online who is doing a pair of new GP4000S with Vittoria Ultralight inners and even throwing in some tyre levers for less than £50 inc P+P. Am I missing something or is this a good deal? Should I snap them up now or pay the extra for something else?

Slow Downcp

Ribble prices are a little less (unless this is where you've seen them), if you need any other small items to take it to £50.

Anonymous

I have been running Conti GP4000s and will be changing to the Vittorias when I get back on the bike...

Mettan

GavH wrote:

Been looking at some new tyres for my Bianchi 928 C2C. Came with Vittoria Rubinos (don't know about the inners). Looking for something lighter and faster whilst retaining good puncture resistence if at all possible.

Not easy to get "good" puncture resistance in a lightweight racing tyre - that said, these should prove to be adequate "summer" tyres:

The new Open Corsa CX 320 TPI's - (comes with new PRB 2) (expensive) (some people say, best clincher tyre out there)
The new Diamante Pro's (2's) - 220 TPI - 195g in 23's, 170g in 20's (I'm impressed with mine - they're Lighter than Pro Race 3's - haven't had a single cut in 2 months usage - seem to cut less than my Rubino Pro's - and I like Rubino Pro's) (be careful regards last years/this years model of Diamante Pro - they're different) - [ on a related theme, I use the Diamante Pro Lite's for Racing - 170g in 23's (and use the new PRB 2) - bit thin for daily use though]
Pro Race 3's
Ultremo R's
GP4000s
Attack/Force

Anonymous

I'm going to get some Open Paves for my winter bike and some Corsas for my Bestie...

carl_p

I went out on my Giant SCR2 yesterday having swapped the stock 26mm Kendas to 23mm Conti 4000S the day before. The difference in the ride quality, handling and performance is amazing. They're are also dead easy to fit. I got them with the Vittoria tubes for £50 ish off ebay. Can't vouch for the puncture resistance yet but well pleased with my purchase

DomPro

My vote goes for Michelin Pro3 Race as always.

NWLondoner

I have used both 4000s and Pro Race 3.

I will be going back to the 4000s. I have just examined my Race 3 after yesterdays puncture and the amount of glass that is embedded in both tyres is shocking :shock: They have cut up really bad. Don't get me wrong they are a great tyre, i have enjoyed using them for my training/fitness rides but IMO are too soft for anything but racing.

Wappygixer

My vote also goes for pro 3's, fantastic tyres that have good puncture resistance.
NWLondoner if the glass is enbedded then thats a good thing....at least it didn't go through.This probably has something to do with the area you ride?
I ignore the city centre and go out on open roads and no cutting up in over 500 miles

NWLondoner

Wappygixer wrote:

My vote also goes for pro 3's, fantastic tyres that have good puncture resistance.
NWLondoner if the glass is enbedded then thats a good thing....at least it didn't go through.This probably has something to do with the area you ride?
I ignore the city centre and go out on open roads and no cutting up in over 500 miles

I agree in the fact that not all of them reached the inner tube so the belt does work.Nothing is 100% puncture proof. However i have rode the same areas using GP4000s and not had the same problem.

Lagavulin

NapoleonD wrote:

I'm going to get some Open Paves for my winter bike and some Corsas for my Bestie...

+1 for Open-Pave Evo CGs. Have had mine a month or so now and, while still open to debate on the longevity, the ride is sublime.

I was a bit sceptical on the whole "open tubular" malarkey but think I may be a convert. :oops:

DomPro

Yeh the Pro3 Race do pick up a lot of cuts and chips but the tyre performance doesn't seem compromised.

GavH

Thanks for all the replies guys, I think the GP4000S will be the tyre of choice for me.

r3 guy

not so fast, i am about to change from the 400s , i have done 300 miles on my new bike and gone through two tyres due to deep cuts that mean i cant trust them, i am/was a die hard cont fan and have used teir black chilli tyres on and off road, but the 400s are very easy to cut IMO

r3 guy

not so fast, i am about to change from the 400s , i have done 300 miles on my new bike and gone through two tyres due to deep cuts that mean i cant trust them, i am/was a die hard cont fan and have used teir black chilli tyres on and off road, but the 400s are very easy to cut IMO

NWLondoner

How are michelin krylions for everyday/training use? Do these cut up easily??

dombo6

The 4000S are excellent. Grippy, fast and corner well. They do cut but these are easily fixed with superglue - remove tyre, glue cut, then turn tyre inside out to hold the cut closed - and the vectran belt is usually not breached. Mine have done sportives, winter riding, commuting, and are fine. At 50 quid for a pair including tubes, that's a steal.

RedAende

Gav,

I've just fitted pro race 3's to my Bianchi via nirone, pleased with them, but the USP was the digital blue tyres match the celeste paint job nicely. But then I'm a tart.

andyp

NWLondoner wrote:

How are michelin krylions for everyday/training use? Do these cut up easily??

They are a very tough and hard wearing tyre whilst still riding nicely. I've had a pair on my winter bike and there is hardly a mark on them. Definitely recommended.

Monty Dog

Another vote for Krylions as all-rounders - fast and grippy enough for racing and yet robust enough for a winter - a pair will usually last me 2 full years of riding in all conditions. For performance, PR3s are good too - but there a race tyre, so don't expect great puncture or wear resistance.

NWLondoner

I have exaimed my 4000s on my flat bar and they have the same amount of cuts as my pro3 :x

Think i will have to get some Krylions.

or what about
Vittoria Open Corsa Evo CX or Ultremos

GavH

Thank god i've been too busy to actually get round to buying the GP4000S! Now I'm confused!

gabriel959

NWLondoner wrote:

I have exaimed my 4000s on my flat bar and they have the same amount of cuts as my pro3 :x

Think i will have to get some Krylions.

or what about
Vittoria Open Corsa Evo CX or Ultremos

I am planning on testing my Krylions on a 70 mile club ride on Sunday, if you can wait till then I will give you full report

NWLondoner

gabriel959 wrote:

NWLondoner wrote:

I have exaimed my 4000s on my flat bar and they have the same amount of cuts as my pro3 :x

Think i will have to get some Krylions.

or what about
Vittoria Open Corsa Evo CX or Ultremos

I am planning on testing my Krylions on a 70 mile club ride on Sunday, if you can wait till then I will give you full report

Just ordered some yellow Krylions from CRC on 48 courier so these should turn up on Monday. So i will have to risk my Pro3 for my Sunday and Monday rides. Would super glue help mend these cuts???

Wappygixer

Super glue works a treat, but it has to be decent stuff....none of this cheap pound shop rubbish.I alwasy glue the cuts and small holes.

For the record I've been running Pro 3's for nearly a year and suffered my first puncture yesterday on the Strines towards Derwnt valley.A small piece of metal went right through and would have done so with any tyre I would say.
Alot of tyre choice should be decided by where you mostly ride.
Towns and cities are bad as local pi** heads throw bottles everywhere, open roads are not to bad but country lanes can be a bit iffy due to flints.

gabriel959

NWLondoner wrote:

gabriel959 wrote:

NWLondoner wrote:

I have exaimed my 4000s on my flat bar and they have the same amount of cuts as my pro3 :x

Think i will have to get some Krylions.

or what about
Vittoria Open Corsa Evo CX or Ultremos

I am planning on testing my Krylions on a 70 mile club ride on Sunday, if you can wait till then I will give you full report

Just ordered some yellow Krylions from CRC on 48 courier so these should turn up on Monday. So i will have to risk my Pro3 for my Sunday and Monday rides. Would super glue help mend these cuts???

I will still let you know if you have made the right decision!! Did you go for the 23mm?

NWLondoner

gabriel959 wrote:

NWLondoner wrote:

gabriel959 wrote:

NWLondoner wrote:

I have exaimed my 4000s on my flat bar and they have the same amount of cuts as my pro3 :x

Think i will have to get some Krylions.

or what about
Vittoria Open Corsa Evo CX or Ultremos

I am planning on testing my Krylions on a 70 mile club ride on Sunday, if you can wait till then I will give you full report

Just ordered some yellow Krylions from CRC on 48 courier so these should turn up on Monday. So i will have to risk my Pro3 for my Sunday and Monday rides. Would super glue help mend these cuts???

I will still let you know if you have made the right decision!! Did you go for the 23mm?

Yep 23mm.

Hopefully if you have sh*t loads of puntures and cuts i can send these back to CRC for a refund

gabriel959

NWLondoner wrote:

gabriel959 wrote:

NWLondoner wrote:

gabriel959 wrote:

NWLondoner wrote:

I have exaimed my 4000s on my flat bar and they have the same amount of cuts as my pro3 :x

Think i will have to get some Krylions.

or what about
Vittoria Open Corsa Evo CX or Ultremos

I am planning on testing my Krylions on a 70 mile club ride on Sunday, if you can wait till then I will give you full report

Just ordered some yellow Krylions from CRC on 48 courier so these should turn up on Monday. So i will have to risk my Pro3 for my Sunday and Monday rides. Would super glue help mend these cuts???

I will still let you know if you have made the right decision!! Did you go for the 23mm?

Yep 23mm.

Hopefully if you have sh*t loads of puntures and cuts i can send these back to CRC for a refund

LOL, hope not me too!! - have heard really good things about them though, I think it is a compromise between the Pro Races 3 and my Armadillos.

Nuggs

Just to add my $0.02:

I've used GP4000Ss since May 08 and have used them through winter (on routes which include some nasty farm tracks and flinty roads). They hardly look used at all, no cuts or blemishes and plenty of life in them yet. I'd vote Conti every time!

Al_38

The conti gp4000s are a good tyre - used a pair from july08 to feb09. They survived 3000miles or so of use in all conditions. The rear did square off fairly quickly, but kept going strong. While they did suffer from cuts in the tread so long as I took the time to remove the bits of flint / glass every week (250 miles in the summer), they lasted well. Also very good in wet conditions.

Vittoria Corsa Evo Kx - very grippy, seemed really really soft - left rubber marks all over the place. Rolled very well. Pair succumbed to a broken bottle in the road so i cant comment on overall wear levels - cut through the treads and puncture protection belt. Have just gone back to Vittoria Corsa Evo Cx and so far very impressed with them.

Mich Krylion carbons - very hardwearing, mine survived a huge amount of use and still surviving on the turbo. Last very well and great puncture resistance. Did find them a bit scary in the wet, they didnt grip in quite the same way that the other tyres above could

marksteven

michelin pro3 & get some light tubes or your just wasting your time tyres & tubes can save a couple of hundred grams and rotating weight is the cyclist enemy