The Skinny on Roadie Tires?

[gurp13]

Rotating tires is okay, but you should rotate the front to the rear and throw out the rear tire. Do not put a worn tire on the front. That's where all your steering comes from. Do you really want a blow out or to lose traction on the front? So, whenever you have a new tire, put it on the front.

[Edog]

Man I gotta stop doing burnouts

[FFW]

If you're not racing but riding long miles 100+ on your rides and hate flats, I've been using Specialized Armadillo's - the new lighter blackwalled version. Fairly light, very durable and I haven't had a flat in 8 months. I used the old heavier version before that and no flats for over 4 years. The side walls are pretty sturdy and would be ideal for anyone 185+. They are pricey ~$45 but again, they last a long time. I've tried other high durability and anti-flat tires and I like these the best over all.

I don't think you want to rotate your rear tires to the front as you want a good one up front for steering and traction. If you put a worn rear tire up front, you could increase risk of tire failure or loss of traction in dicey situations. You can move the front to the back and put on a new front every time the rear wears out - works for me.

[Pain Freak]

Hey David, how's it going? Are you doing any doubles this year? We are training now for them and are putting in some good miles over the weekends. If you want I'll shoot you an invite next time.

[PHAT TIRE]

What? This looks like you should PM your bud. No hi-jacking please. hahahahaha

Originally Posted by Pain Freak

Hey David, how's it going? Are you doing any doubles this year? We are training now for them and are putting in some good miles over the weekends. If you want I'll shoot you an invite next time.

[0gravity]

I like the Michellin Carbons in the standard 700x23c. You can pick these up for around $30, sometimes less if you can find a sale. It's a great, all around tire. And many come with choice of a red, blue or yellow sidewall if you want to add some color to your bike (careful matching too much, lest you'll be a Bike Bunny). I don't like Continentals since they ones that I've had in the past were so damn tight I would break tire levers just trying to get them on and off.

If you're not already, get one of those tiny CO2 air-chucks so you'll never lug around a pump. I think mine is the Air Innovations Air Chuck.

[Neccros]

Originally Posted by 0gravity

If you're not already, get one of those tiny CO2 air-chucks so you'll never lug around a pump. I think mine is the Air Innovations Air Chuck.

No pump, but your still lugging around a couple of Co2 cartridges!!!

Yeah I bought one of those Co2 pumps... SECRET: buy it from a motorcycle shop, more than likely will be less than at a bike shop! Bought mine from cycle parts west for like $14 and a bike shop wanted $21-24 for it!

[0gravity]

Originally Posted by Neccros

Yeah I bought one of those Co2 pumps... SECRET: buy it from a motorcycle shop, more than likely will be less than at a bike shop! Bought mine from cycle parts west for like $14 and a bike shop wanted $21-24 for it!

Yeah, I've heard about that shortcut for saving bills on the CO2s. The motorcycle/auto shops usually only have non-threaded, which doesn't work with the tiny chucks like I have. But if it's real cheap, it's worth getting the larger crackers that don't require threaded CO2s.

[stjunkie]

On the second ride I took on my road bike I got a flat and decided I needed some more commuter friendly tires. The stock tires are Bontrager race lites(700X23). I went to buy some Gatorskins and the only size they had were 700X29. I figured the extra width wasn't a big deal. I mounted the front first and put the wheel on. Guess what, the tire rubbed on the fork. I then started to wonder if the "29" was a height measurment. Returned the tires and have never gotten a flat since. So far I have about 1500 miles on them. Do all tires go up in height as they go up in width? The question is still about tires, is this a hijack?

[Neccros]

Originally Posted by 0gravity

Yeah, I've heard about that shortcut for saving bills on the CO2s. The motorcycle/auto shops usually only have non-threaded, which doesn't work with the tiny chucks like I have. But if it's real cheap, it's worth getting the larger crackers that don't require threaded CO2s.

Well the one I got uses threaded and non threaded and either 12 or 16oz Co2's....

[RidetheRAAM4]

I need threaded CO2s because I don't carry them. I got the x-lab saddle thing and the x-nut for it so i screw on the CO2s and the CO2 head thing, its very nice

[Yeti575ASR]

Originally Posted by PHAT TIRE

What's the ideal width?

700x23c is how i roll i've used hutchinson fusion comp. @ the moment i am using Maxxis tires i've tried the un catagorie? model and another one i get about 1000 miles on average on any decent Kevlar bead tire. Santa Ana river trail commuter

[FyrFytrRyn]

i had bontrager select K until this morning, i sliced one open on something. long walk home, i just bought bontrager race lite's a few minutes ago though.

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by Neccros

No pump, but your still lugging around a couple of Co2 cartridges!!!

Yeah I bought one of those Co2 pumps... SECRET: buy it from a motorcycle shop, more than likely will be less than at a bike shop! Bought mine from cycle parts west for like $14 and a bike shop wanted $21-24 for it!

BTW, although the Co2 portion of the pump has the same pressure capabilities, the actual hand pump is designed for lower pressures of a motorcycle (15 psi) but with a higher volume of air. Pumps intended for road bikes are designed to operate up to 130+ psi. You'll notice this same difference in the marketing of road pumps vs. mtb portable hand pumps. Some you can change to operate with both.

Ryan, you may want to look into carrying these tire boots for those times you slice tires beyond use. A Powerbar wrapper also works well (been there, done that).

[Pilas]

Originally Posted by Neccros

I picked up some Specialized S-works tires and I have no complaints so far... The have the dual compound tread..

Then again, I dont know enough about tires to tell the difference!

I also use Specialized S works. I really like them. They roll fast, corner well, and seem to hold even though I have put a few miles on them.
I have used Bontrager, Continental, and Vredstein Fortezza. I liked the Fortezza's, but they seemed to get cuts on them pretty fast.
The Specialized S works are a bit more expensive, but they are excellent tires.

[2wheel_lee]

Originally Posted by Pilas

I also use Specialized S works. I really like them. They roll fast, corner well, and seem to hold even though I have put a few miles on them.
I have used Bontrager, Continental, and Vredstein Fortezza. I liked the Fortezza's, but they seemed to get cuts on them pretty fast.
The Specialized S works are a bit more expensive, but they are excellent tires.

I just threw away a set of S-Works tires with a little over 150 miles on them. The two different compounds started separating from each other. I went with tires from a tire company (Vittoria Corsa EVO CX). If you read any of the road bike forums, you'll see many of the guys with the S-Works bikes replace the tires fairly quickly.