What kind of tires to ride?

[checkered_demon]

I've read a lot about the Conti Grand Prix 4000S lately, and the reviews were all so favorable that I have a set coming in the mail. They'll be on my Roubaix for CO...

I've ridden Armadillo 23's on 7 CO's with very few flats on my 40-year old Raleigh, the most being in 2002 when I got four flats in one day from goatheads. Since that bright sunny day of the four flats, I check my tires frequently, picking out stuff that gets embedded in the tread.

I got a new bike last year equipped with Conti 23/4000's, and I must say that after going through two sets, they rival the 'Dillos in puncture resistance: I went through one set and last year's CO without a flat, and got a rear-tire flat on this year's set just before I replaced both tires the other day. They hold the road better than the 'Dillos, and are much lighter (along with the race-lite tubes).

The Checkered Demon

[ken f]

There are two elements to consider when picking tires: performance and durability. These elements tend to be inversely proportional I usually like to ride lighter better handling tires with nice road feel. But on a ride like this I'll give up some performance for durability. Who wants to be changing flats all the time? This year that compromise means the folding version of Continental Gatorskins in 25's. They ride pretty well, aren't too heavy and yet are also pretty durable and puncture resistant. I have a friend who also recommends the Continental Grand Prix 4 Season for their durability and they probably ride better yet. I've ridden Specialized Armadillos in the past and and they are tough as nails but they rode about as well as a shopping cart wheel.

[rambobikeman]

I've riden the Bontrager RXL-AC in a 25mm width on the last three CO's. I especially appreciated the extra tire volume on the scary-rough chip-seal on the option day's route last year. I should also mention that I didn't have any flats with these tires last year either.

[Jackson]

Not sure on the brand of tires but I believe they will be size 225/75/R16.

John

[johnncarol]

As I have posted previously, we have been using the Conti Prand Prix on the tandem and I have been using them on a sigle bike for a long time and have nothing but good things to say. Today we picked up our new Co-Moton tandem and it has the Conti Grand Prix 4000 on it. If Co-Motion thinks it is a good tire, I think that says something. I am a believer and am going to stick with what has worked for me, good durablility, good traction and damnded few flats.

[Leedo]

My favorites are Scwalbe Marathons for my touring bike and Scwalbe Duranow for my road bike. Conti Gatorskins work well too but they didn't stand up to the road debris on my commute as I would have liked.

If you are in OR/WA, Schwalbe's distribution point it in Kent, WA, and they ship fast. I live in the Seattle area (Sammamish) and they came over night even though I paid for ground. It makes sense with how close they are.

[raftersteve]

Schwalbe Durano 700x25. I'm a big guy and my bike is heavy in over 2000 miles on these I've never had a puncture flat. And they are pretty fast!

I did once scratch through the side wall on a pot hole, just replaced the tube and kept on riding home.