More Michelin Pro3 Race or Continental Ultra Gator Duraskin

rbrettell
rbrettell Posts: 35
edited May 2010 in Road buying advice
I have just had a rear puncture and 2 front ones on one ride :( on my Michelins both are rather cut/gashed so I want to replace them.
Im doing the John O'Groats ride in June and want these new ones to last though that

Comments

  • mf5
    mf5 Posts: 207
    Contis, they have high puncture resistance and last for long enough
  • ScottieP
    ScottieP Posts: 599
    The Conti's are pretty good for puncture protection - but they are quite a bit heavier than the Michelins - in case this is a factor. If weight's not an issue - just puncture protection - get the Contis.
    My cycling blog: http://girodilento.com/
  • rbrettell
    rbrettell Posts: 35
    I've just ordered the contis from wiggle :)
    I think the Michelins can wait until we get some better roads
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    You're comparing two different types of tyre here, the PR3s being a light race tyre and the contis being more of a training tyre.

    I would compromise by going for the excellent Michelin Krylion carbons. Best of both worlds for your ride ....
  • relanium
    relanium Posts: 487
    If weight was an issue, what would you recommend? :)
  • ScottieP
    ScottieP Posts: 599
    relanium wrote:
    If weight was an issue, what would you recommend? :)

    I would go for Conti GP4000s personally - fast, reasonable weight, wear well and good puncture protection (in my experience). I think they're a great all rounder.

    I have Vittoria Open Pave's on my bike at the moment and after 700km I can already see a decent amount of wear and tear. They are fantastic tyres - but the Contis are much more hardwearing/long lasting.
    My cycling blog: http://girodilento.com/
  • giant_man
    giant_man Posts: 6,878
    relanium wrote:
    If weight was an issue, what would you recommend? :)
    if weight is that much of an issue then PR3s, but Krylion carbons roll so well you probably won't think about it .....
  • inseine
    inseine Posts: 5,788
    If weight is an issue go for Contis, GP4000 or Force/attack. Much more durable than Pro3race which I've always found to p******e and cut far too easily. They roll nicely but it's not worth the trade off.
    http://cyclinganddesign.blogspot.fr/
  • guilliano
    guilliano Posts: 5,495
    Or Conti 4 seasons...... 10 grams heavier than GP4000 but about 10 times better protected
    http://www.flickr.com/photos/guilliano/
  • relanium
    relanium Posts: 487
    I have the Conti 4 seasons on now which are my winter tyres, I want something for the summer..... Maybe I'll keep it in the family and go for GP4000 or Force/attack :)
  • Scrumple
    Scrumple Posts: 2,665
    KRYLIONS
  • bigpikle
    bigpikle Posts: 1,690
    I have some Gators on 1 bike right now that are performing well after 500 miles.

    My 4 Seasons lasted all winter trouble free on my other bike. I thought I'd try the 4000s and they didnt make 120 miles/2 rides before one cut right through the sidewall and became expensive junk. NOT impressed....although I will try and make it into one of those tyre belt things :evil:
    Your Past is Not Your Potential...
  • the_prophet
    the_prophet Posts: 426
    +1 for kryllions
    my canyon slx

    http://i791.photobucket.com/albums/yy19 ... AG0298.jpg
  • rake
    rake Posts: 3,204
    giant mancp wrote:
    You're comparing two different types of tyre here, the PR3s being a light race tyre and the contis being more of a training tyre.

    I would compromise by going for the excellent Michelin Krylion carbons. Best of both worlds for your ride ....
    exactly what i was going to say. why are you comparing light weight race michelin with puncture protected continental. you should be comparing to michelin krylion.
    +1 krylion.
  • northpole
    northpole Posts: 1,499
    I have used Conti 4 Seasons this winter and they have suffered no punctures however, if memory serves correctly I would much rather have the Krylions. As others have said, the Pro Race 3's roll wonderfully but in my experience they aren't comparable with the 4 Seasons/ Krylions - much lighter and suffer much more from cuts & punctures.

    Some folks here have ranted about the Vittorio Open Pave tyres - I have no experience of these but wonder if these would be an ideal choice for a long ride like you are planning?

    Peter
  • issacforce
    issacforce Posts: 112
    i have used conti gp4000s for last 3 years yes they r not the lightest tyre around but in my opinion one of the best against punctures ( not one since using these tyres)
  • on-yer-bike
    on-yer-bike Posts: 2,974
    PRO-3s do cut up but it doesnt matter. I have ridden all year on them with 2 punctures. I rode one month on Gator Skins and got a puncture. Its the luck of the draw. I think the only true puncture proof tyres are Spec Armodillos.
    Pegoretti
    Colnago
    Cervelo
    Campagnolo
  • Gav888
    Gav888 Posts: 946
    Im just wondering if putting tape on the inside of the tire would help protect it a bit better?

    But sticking with the subject, ive got Pro Race 3's on mine and yesterday did a sportive and got a flat, ive only done about 200 miles on them so far and looking at the tire when I got home its covered in small cuts and still had some small stones stuck in it. Far too soft for anything other than racing personally.

    Ive got Conti Force on my other bike and covered a 1000 miles or so and not one puncture, not even a cut.

    Currently investigating the best tire to replace the Pro Race 3's with....
    Cycling never gets any easier, you just go faster - Greg LeMond
  • boondog
    boondog Posts: 205
    for races I found pro race 3's great, but they pick up lots of cuts and debris, you have to regularly take it out. As soon as we had the crap winter, I had 8 punctures from a Friday morning - Monday evening. Stuck my old gatorskins on (feb) and haven't punctured since. Judging by the states of country roads at the moment, it's pointless putting good tyres on, too much gravel around still.
  • Gav888
    Gav888 Posts: 946
    Just spent my lunch break researching tires and ive now ordered a pair of continential gator duraskins for £40. Once they come through the pro race 3's will be retired until I start racing :)

    ALOT of good reviews for those tires.
    Cycling never gets any easier, you just go faster - Greg LeMond
  • rake
    rake Posts: 3,204
    the carbon content in the krylion rubber acts to make them cut resistant over pure silica. they are not a sticky either so less chance of grit getting embedded. admittedly ive only done around 500 miles on them but the signs look good, there isnt a hint of one nick anywhere which cant be said of the schwalbe or continentals ive used at that kind of mileage and above. the puncture belt hasnt yet had a role to play.
  • tenor
    tenor Posts: 278
    For the kind of ride yo are planning either the Conti 4 Season or Kyrilion would be a top choice, preferably in a 25c width. The MPro3 is a race tyre and the reduced wefght only helpful in fierce accelearation or sustained climbing. I have both Conti 4's and MPro3 and would say that whilst the ride of the Pro3's is excellent for a 23c race tire, the Conti 4 (25c) makes a great fast long distance choice. No experience of the Krylion, but reports suggest it is similar to the Conti 4 season in general performance.
    Vredestein Fortezzas also have excellent durability and are supple enough for the longer rides.

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