Michelin Pro Race 3 or?
downhill paul
Posts: 236
I'm after recommendations on an alternative tyre to the pro race 3. my first set of these tyres were 25c, not long after that I sold the bike with them on. my next set were 23c. I can't say I noticed a big difference but from what I have been reading, it turns out there is. I think it's time for a change as both front and rear tyres have cuts in them, one cut in the rear is quite large after hitting the edge of a pot hole (I think)
Is there anything better than the pro race 3 for a similar price? please don't suggest the pro race 4 to me. my girlfriend had a set of these on her road bike (in white) within no time at all the black rubber on the tyre was cracked and split and the white rubber was showing through. I've heard that the continental gp4000 are similar to the pro race 3, are they? any help would be appreciated.
Is there anything better than the pro race 3 for a similar price? please don't suggest the pro race 4 to me. my girlfriend had a set of these on her road bike (in white) within no time at all the black rubber on the tyre was cracked and split and the white rubber was showing through. I've heard that the continental gp4000 are similar to the pro race 3, are they? any help would be appreciated.
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http://www.wiggle.co.uk/vittoria-rubino ... cher-tyre/
Been out on a couple of wet rides and they feel great. Never had any sketchy moments. Running them at 80 psi with 23mm wide rims.
My UK winter tires are the Bontrager R2s and I love them for being strong but still grippy (which is the usual pay off). I've tried Gatorskins but they're like riding on ice. GP4000s were really nice too, but I found them less grippy than the Michelins.
I actually switched to the Pro 4 SC from Bontrager R4s, which are brilliant but too fragile for UK roads. In fairness, my tubulars are Conti Competitions. The only downside of all my tires bar the R2s is the price (I can't match £14).
With regards to your girlfriend's tires, I have had bad batches of tires from so many brands that it seems to always be a risk that you run.
Colnago
Cervelo
Campagnolo
I want someone to explain this to me; the reasoning behind 25s having less rolling resistance is that they handle the imperfections in the road better. If a 23 and a 25 are both at the optimum pressure for the respective tire width, with around a 15% deflection, would they not deflect around imperfections in exactly the same way? I wonder if the studies that espouse 25s are pumping both tires to the same pressure and correctly inflating one while over inflating the other in a bid to keep the variables the same, while ignoring the differences in the tires.
When it comes to aerodynamics, providing the rim is the correct width for the tire, a 23 would be more aero?
Cornering; at the correct pressure, will a wider tire always corner better than a thinner one because there is a larger contact area? Or, does it depend on the speed for some reason that I don't know?
Come on scientists!! :P
I did hear a suggestion of putting a 23mm tyre on the front and a 25mm tyre on the rear to give more grip on the drive wheel. but if a 25mm tyre will give more grip on the rear wheel, you would think it would do the same on the front wheel too.
Yeah, I think this reasoning comes from motorbikes- but really you want more grip on the front if at all, which helps with cornering and braking, plus it'll help dampen the vibrations to your hands which are more vulnerable than your backside (your legs can act as shock absorbers, but your wrists take a beating).
The only time I can think of more grip on the rear being crucial is on a damp hillclimb, where you will be putting a lot of force through the rear wheel and handling isn't much of a concern.
thanks for the advice though.