I could use a new set of tires
I need tires on the road bike. I'm guessing that I have almost 2.5k miles on them. Which seems pretty good.
My problem (and this goes with all things bike related) is that my preference is for top of the line. Top of the line doesn't mean that they last long or are durable. At least for tires. But usually top of the line tires feel better and offer more consistent and/or predictable traction.
So top of the line tires are also expensive. Really expensive. Regular retail will set you back about $100+ for a pair of Conti GP4000's, Michelin ProRace3's or Vittoria Open Corsa CX's. Online, ProbikeKit.com has the best prices at about $70 or so for a set. That's a $30 difference. I believe in supporting the local shops, I've worked in bicycle retail and know most of the people in the shop, so I know the trials and struggles. But I also know that for some items there's no way the local shops can afford to sell as low as the online suppliers do.
This isn't to say that I don't buy things at the local shop. In fact, I'd say that 70% of my purchases are at the local level. And the current set of tires I'm running were purchased at the local shop. But I believe this set is gonna be online. Thirty bucks is thirty bucks.
Anyway, I'm not sure which set I should get. I've used Vittoria Open Corsa's before and love the way they ride. But I didn't keep track of what kind of mileage I got out of them. I know I can get about 2.5k out of a set of Conti's. I guess that's a year to a year and a half if I continue to ride the road bike as much as I have this year. (according to SportTracks I have about 900 miles so far this year) Of course last year (and especially the year before) I don't think I rode the road bike half as much as this. This year it seems to be a pretty even split between the road bike and the fixed wheel. Last couple years I pent much more time fixed. I guess it was the new relationship syndrome. But that's passed, and now she's used when the roadie isn't the right choice.
Back to my thoughts on tires, the other choice for tires are the Michelin ProRace3 (or ProRace2 if I can find them. PBK had them on closeout for cheap recently but must have sold out.) I've heard good things about them. But I don't know how they stand next to the other tires. And I've never ridden Michelin's. Not at all. So even though I hear good things, I think "what if I don't like 'em?"
So I guess the point of this post is to see if anyone is willing to comment what tires they use and what type of mileage they get out of them. As well as any other thoughts they have about them. What are peoples experience with Conti's Black Chili compound. I like color matching tires to bike, but I wonder if black lasts any longer. Etc.
tirestiresconticonticontinentalcontinentalmichelinmichelinvittoriavittoriaProBikeKitProBikeKitShopShopRetailRetailCostCostSavingSavingBudgetBudgettirestirestubestubescyclingcyclingbicyclebicyclebikebikeracingracingclincherclincheropen+tubularopen+tubularopen+corsaopen+corsapavepaveGP4000GP4000GP3000GP3000Grand+PrixGrand+PrixGPGPProRace+3ProRace+3ProRace+2ProRace+2Pro+RacePro+Raceset+of+tiresset+of+tires
Tuesday 07/01/2008 | 10:39 am
John on Friday 07/04/2008 | 06:15 pm
I put about 2k miles on a blue conti attack / force set, I for them for $30 a pop from some website. I liked them a lot, very grippy and only one flat for the life of them. I managed to snag a new set of the same model but more recent with the black chili. I've only used them on my race wheels a few times but they seem to hold my prior opinion.
Chris on Friday 07/18/2008 | 01:58 pm
I ran PR2's and now PR3's and love them. I also ran a set of 4000S Conti's. They were nice, and seemed very fast. When I first put them on from some old PR2's they felt faster. They also seemed to wear well, until I cut one on a large piece of glass. However, when I switched to my PR3's I was amazed. They ride SO MUCH SMOOTHER, bouncy as one local bike shop guy put it to me. They are faster feeling too. I would say get the PR3's. They also seem to be the most puncture resistant tires of my group, relative to other race tires (i.e. not Gatorskinz etc) including TriComps, Conti 4000 & 4000S' etc.
I am thinking of trying some Tufo Elite Road Tubular Clinchers but evertime I try something else I always come back to Mich's. The Axial Pro's flatted like mad, but since the Pro Race came out they have been my favorites and the PR2 and now PR3 just improve a great thing.
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