The Skinny on Roadie Tires?

[PHAT TIRE]

Any recommendations on Tires for a fellow roadie? I have ridden Bontrager (OE on my Trek) and then Hutchinsons. I liked the Hutch's more for the turning but the Tragers were more stable. I am a fairly solid rider so I don't need a wide tire. I need the tire to be a fast accelarator, handle 200lb. rider, be solid under braking and cornering.

How do you pick one? What is 700/23 etc.?

Performance has 74 choices alone!!! I kinda like this one: Hutchinson Fusion Long Distance Road Tire @ Performance Bicycle

I would guess that I am in the $15-25 each price range.

[Schecky]

700 is the wheel size. As opposed to the 650 triathelete size.
23 is the width in mm.

Beyond that, I don't know squat about roadie tires.

[RidetheRAAM4]

700 is the wheel size, its equal to like a 29 inch MTB wheel i think, and 650 is like a 26inch wheel. and the other number is the width. The michelin pro race 2 tires are good and fast, a little more expensive, but if you want fast you want them. There are probably lighter, faster tires out there, but I haven't gotten a flat on the michelins before. I don't ride them everyday though

[Neccros]

700mm=27.55" 650mm=25.59" which is basically a 26" wheel

[RidetheRAAM4]

i was close

[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!

[PHAT TIRE]

What's the ideal width?

[Neccros]

Id have to say 700x23c is the ideal tire size... my old road bike back in the day had 700x21c!!! and I thought that was cool, now I look back and wonder why I didnt ride a larger tire!!

[gurp13]

I second the 700x23 recommendation. I bought the Specialized Allez last year. It came with the Specialized Mondo. I bought some gatorskins by Continental, thinking I wouldn't like the tires that came on the bike. But, man, I was wrong! These tires are grippy and fast. I haven't had problems with flats so far either (and just jinxed myself, now).

[RidetheRAAM4]

Originally Posted by gurp13

I second the 700x23 recommendation. I bought the Specialized Allez last year. It came with the Specialized Mondo. I bought some gatorskins by Continental, thinking I wouldn't like the tires that came on the bike. But, man, I was wrong! These tires are grippy and fast. I haven't had problems with flats so far either (and just jinxed myself, now).

I used to ride on the mondos and they are nice tires. 700x23c does seem to be the most used size, although i think i have a 700x20c around here somewhere

[bikebike69]

I too am over 200lbs and ride daily to and from work. I found that for more aggresive riding style in dry only conditions that the Specialized Mondo Pros are the best. Heavy duty with a thick shoulder and racing slick tread and super braking power( good for a fixed gear bike ). Yes they would really suck on wet roads so if you ride in wet weather they may not be the best for you.

[jcampbell]

Pick the skinny black one's... They'll work just fine!
I have no clue really, but I like the kenda's on my roadie.

[Pain Freak]

I've rode a number of road tires and they are not nearly as big a deal as mtb tires.But if I had a preference I'd go with the Vitorria tires as the seem to hold up a while longer and depending on what style you settle on they have some really good tires that seem to grip better in the corners while still maintaining some level of non resistive rolling. Conti's didn't hold up long for me and I've never tried the Specialized brand for road tires. I have found, it's better not to dump a ton of money into road tires as the cheapies seem to work just as well.

[gurp13]

Originally Posted by bikebike69

I too am over 200lbs and ride daily to and from work. I found that for more aggresive riding style in dry only conditions that the Specialized Mondo Pros are the best. Heavy duty with a thick shoulder and racing slick tread and super braking power( good for a fixed gear bike ). Yes they would really suck on wet roads so if you ride in wet weather they may not be the best for you.

You saying they suck in wet weather from experience or guessing? 'Cause I've ridden them wet twice and had no problems. Maybe I got lucky but they seemed fine.

FWIW, Sheldon Brown points out that, wet or not, tread does not offer more traction on the road. The contact patch does not trap water beneath it. All tires, tread or not, would be slippery on road that is normally slippery when wet, ie. painted surfaces.

Tread, as far as I can tell, is only useful for mtbing.

[Edog]

Don't spend a ton of money, I don't think you'll notice too much difference. Wet weather riding is so limited here! I got some Kendras at Performance for $15 a piece, that rocked. They lasted well over 1000 miles I just replaced the rear & had to spend 30 bucks & it doesn't seem any better. I put a Forte on an old road bike that my brother rides for about $18 & thats great.

[Edog]

At performance

[PHAT TIRE]

I was told to rotate the front and rears since the rears wear faster. I have done that on both sets of tires and easily got 1,500 out of each. Does everyone swap rubber?

Originally Posted by Edog

Don't spend a ton of money, I don't think you'll notice too much difference. Wet weather riding is so limited here! I got some Kendras at Performance for $15 a piece, that rocked. They lasted well over 1000 miles I just replaced the rear & had to spend 30 bucks & it doesn't seem any better. I put a Forte on an old road bike that my brother rides for about $18 & thats great.

[Pain Freak]

I had a pair of Vittoria's go over 3,000 miles and probably would of gone further, but I ran over a broken bottle that would of sliced any tire. I changed the back at the same time to keep the look I wanted on the bike. These didn't last long at all. Next set I put on were 14 dollar (each) tires that are still on my road bike and I've got over 2300 on them, and I don't think I'll be changing them anytime soon. First double is in 3 weeks and I'm hoping to get one or two in with these tires.

[1x1clyde]

Originally Posted by PHAT TIRE

I was told to rotate the front and rears since the rears wear faster. I have done that on both sets of tires and easily got 1,500 out of each. Does everyone swap rubber?

That is the way to get some extra life.
I would second the Michelin's. The Pro Race is a perfect tire for quick acceleration and excellent turning grip. I have got a full season- race/event only- out of a pair of those. They are a bit finicky for everyday use though.
Once I started using them for a straight week, I flatted on the 8th day , very strange!
For everyday use I have been using the Ritchey WSC Pro Tires, love them!, for almost 4 months on both a fixie and road rig. Priced at $35/tire and weigh in around 210 grams

[cH4os]

The Ritchey Race Slicks, I just got for the Solvang Ride were so nice!! very fast and sticky in the turns...

Usually commute on the performance kevlars, rotate once a year, then swap out new ones each year regardless.