Best 650x23 tire?

Triathlon Forum
1

I have done a search, but can’t find any new (2013) info on the best options. Someone help a brother out???

2

I’ve been riding Conti Grand Prix 4000(?) since I got my 650cc bike. Also interested in trying something new!

3

Bontrager R series (R1, R2, R3, R4). Not sure if they make the R4 Aero in 650. I use the R4 Aero, but I run 700.

Mrs japarker24 has been using the 650 R3 for a couple of years now with good results.

4

They don’t make the R4 in 650, but maybe I will give the R3 a try. Any other good/better options out there?

5

Best- that’s open to interpretation.
Fastest is the 20mm Vittoria Corsa Evo CX 650.
Pros: Very low Crr, great road ‘feel’, narrow profile
Cons: expensive, I only got about 1,000 km out of a back tire

6

My favorites:

Bontrager Aero TT (racing only and I think I bought the rest of Bontrager’s stock)
Conti GP 4000 (not a big fan but I’ve heard the tire has gotten a lot better)
Conti Supersonic (racing only)
Michelin Pro Race (I have used the 3’s and I think they are the best all-around tire)
Vittoria Corsa CX 20’s but I think they are harsh riding and not aero at all

Two tires I want to try are the Schwalbe Ultremo ZX and the Bontrager R3 to see how they are. The only problem with the Bontragers is that I can only get them at retail price and I don’t want to drop $140 on a set of tires that could be just training tires.

jaretj

7

Did you read the subject line? OP asked for 23mm not 20mm. And yes, those Vittoria Corsa EVO CX 20mmx650 are nice tires but way too narrow and harsh a ride unless you have beautiful smooth fresh pavement. I had to take them off and put on 23mm Conti GP 4000 instead.

Best- that’s open to interpretation.
Fastest is the 20mm Vittoria Corsa Evo CX 650.
Pros: Very low Crr, great road ‘feel’, narrow profile
Cons: expensive, I only got about 1,000 km out of a back tire

8

Thanks for the info. I couldn’t find any RXL TTs and not to crazy about the GP4000, I may just go with the R3.

9

Thanks for the info. I couldn’t find any RXL TTs and not to crazy about the GP4000, I may just go with the R3.

Did you end up going with the Bontrager R3? Any comments? I ended up having to boot the sidewall of my Conti GP 4000 over the weekend, so it’s a good time to try something new. Local shop has the R3 in stock… which means I could (safely) go for a ride on the 4th.

10

for racing or training?

I have some vredestein fortezza tri-comps that I train on and they seem to wear pretty well. i’m not sure about their Crr though.

11

I’ve only changed my tires for racing once, back when I had a 700c bike and all the tire selection in the world. Buddy recommended the Vittoria Open Corsa evo cx. Amazing. I couldn’t go back. So, I left them on for training.
ducks

Vittoria, if you’re listening, make this tire for me in 650x23! xoxo

I did consider the Vredestein Fortezza Tri-Comp, but it’d mean an online purchase and likely not ready in time for the 4th. If I heard that the R3 wasn’t all that great, I’d just I’ll just swap out one of my Conti’s for now and order a pair the Michelin Service Course, or this Tri-Comp.