Would like to upgrade tires on Specialized Roubaix.

sharpshoota
sharpshoota Posts: 2
edited June 2013 in Road buying advice
Currently I have..Specialized Espoir Elite, double BlackBelt, 60TPI, aramid bead, 700x25c. Any suggestions on higher performance tire that will get less flats. I was hoping to keep same stock wheels. DT axis 2.0 Thanks

Comments

  • mikenetic
    mikenetic Posts: 486
    Continental Grand Prix 4 Seasons in a 25c are a perfect match for the Roubaix. Also pretty puncture resistant, I've had one flat in about 1500 - 2000 miles.
  • vorsprung
    vorsprung Posts: 1,953
    I am using Michelin Optimum on my Roubaix. I am not familar with the "Specialized Espoir Elite, double BlackBelt" so i can't say if they will be a "higher performance tire that will get less flats" but they work for me.

    I've used the Continental Grand Prix 4 Seasons before and my experience was they were great until I'd done 1500 miles+ then they became a puncture magnet. I think the casing wears out and then they can't resist sharps.

    In general you won't get a "higher performance tire that will get less flats" because higher performance == lighter weight and lighter weight == more flats.

    For less flats on a 25mm road bike style of tyre the Bontrager Hardcase Lite has good puncture resistance, lasts forever and are cheap. Bikeplus often have them on special. Not super fast however.
  • Wooliferkins
    Wooliferkins Posts: 2,060
    One more for the GP 4 seasons. vorsprungs comment is fair across the Conti range, they are bombproof to a certain wear point then let you know in no uncertain terms they've had enough.
    Neil
    Help I'm Being Oppressed
  • chris_bass
    chris_bass Posts: 4,913
    much like team, there is no 'i' in tyres!!
    www.conjunctivitis.com - a site for sore eyes
  • smidsy
    smidsy Posts: 5,273
    Tyres are always a compromise.

    You can not have a fast rolling, comfy, high puncture resistant, high mileage, grippy tyre. You have to perm say 3 from 5.

    For good puncture resistance look at Schwalbe Durano Plus.

    For fast rolling comfort look at Vittoria Open Corsa Evo CX

    For High Mileage look at Continental Gatorskins Hardshells.

    For grip look at Schawalbe Ultremo ZX.

    For a good compromise of all of the above look at Continental GP4000s in black chilli compound.
    Yellow is the new Black.
  • luv2ride
    luv2ride Posts: 2,367
    Think Continental have just released a slightly larger version of their Grand Prix (apparently comes up something like 26.8mm or something). Have been running Ultremo ZX's in 25mm, but have wanted to try 28's as my Roubaix has tons of tyre clearance. Those Conti's therefore sound like an ideal compromise. I've used the Grand Prix's in 24mm and like those...especially as they often come up on sale with planet X and Cycle Surgery, etc
    Titus Silk Road Ti rigid 29er - Scott Solace 10 disc - Kinesis Crosslight Pro6 disc - Scott CR1 SL - Pinnacle Arkose X 650b - Pinnacle Arkose singlespeed - Specialized Singlecross...& an Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray 4 string...
  • philbar72
    philbar72 Posts: 2,229
    2 upgrades, for best rolling resistance and improved grip, but average (but by no means bad) puncture protection, I go GP4000s.

    for good rolling, reasonable grip, and slightly better ride and excellent puncture protection use GP4 seasons.