Any favorites out there? I have typically used Conti GP 3000s for both training and racing, but was wondering if there was something out there I am missing out on. Any tires out there that people have had good success with, especially in the puncture resistance arena? I seem to be flatting a lot lately.
Spot
I prefer to use different tires. It would be horrible to get a flat in a race because you were using the tires you thrash in training.
Veloflex tires ARE great for racing. They cut easily, so maybe are not the best training tire, but feel soooo nice. They make a nice variety of widths/treadpatterns. I buy mine at WorldClassCycles.com, which is really cheap.
Vittoria’s Corsa’s are also good racing clinchers. Again, a little bit prone to cutting. But fast. But a little pricey.
Best training tire is probably something like the Continental GP 4-Season. Or Conti Gatorskin (cheaper than the 4 season and not quite as nice). Or Vittoria Pave CG. I think “all-weather” tires tend to be more durable and more flat resistant. They are training tires, a little extra weight and higher RR is no problem…
EDIT: And DEFINITELY do NOT train on the tires you race on…
Do “racing” clinchers really make that much of a difference in a race, rather than just using some good ol’ fairly flat resistant training tires? I am pretty much an MOP’er…not going to be setting the course on fire.
Spot
They’ll make you faster. Quit noticably.
Will you go from MOP to FOP? Probably not. Will you set a PR? It’s possible. Will it matter that the PR was only the result of equipment? That’s up to you…
I think it’s always advisable to try and be as fast as you can. Nice tires are certainly much cheaper than a lot of the stuff we spend money on. A good pair of tires used only for racing should last two seasons if you care for them right (barring unforeseen bad luck). And it can make as much as 30" (ballpark) difference over 40K to be sure. Perhaps more depending on how nice your racing tires are and how not-nice your training tires are…
If you also have “race only” tires, they’re much more likely to be in good shape, meaning a flat on the course is much less likely, and that is nice for racers of ALL levels.
I have 1200 miles on my Hutchinson Top Speeds and just one flat… last weekend…and that was a valve failure.
There’s a reason USPS/Disco don’t flat very often.
Any favorites out there? I have typically used Conti GP 3000s for both training and racing, but was wondering if there was something out there I am missing out on. Any tires out there that people have had good success with, especially in the puncture resistance arena? I seem to be flatting a lot lately.
Spot
Train on Tufo’s - race on Michelin Pro Race
Yup. It’s because they ride Vittoria tubulars (that have been aged as many as six years in a basement…).
Seriously, you know they ride tubulars and you know they are not Hutchinson, right? Hutchinson doesn’t even make a tubular…
They did a piece on OLN showing the Hutchinson factory, how the tires are made etc and comments were made about USPS/Disco using their products.
Unless its Tiger Woods swinging a Taylor Made driver with a Nike swoosh painted on it kinda deal.
That would be EXACTLY what it is. Hutchinson has to get something out the $$ they are shelling out. Basically the whole Peloton rides Continentals, Veloflexes, or Vittorias.
They have hot-roller machines that lay the logo right on the tire. You can see it being done at the races…
I recently switched to Tufo tubular clinchers. They are very easy to put on and I didn’t even stretch them first. Takes about 2 minutes to put one on, and you don’t need any tools to put them on or take them off. I’ll be carrying one as a spare, too. I think you should give them a try. I like them alot, handle well and seem just as fast as any clincher.
Zipp, are you using the s22 or the jet pro/ jet special . I have been checking them out online but can only find the 19 size, being the round fellow i am i generally ride at least 21s for the cush factor. Which has me thinking will the lower pressure of the tufos compensate for the wider tire size.
Stick with the GP3000…
I use the Jet Special 19mm. I pump the little guys up to 150psi cuz comfort is not a factor since I ride a Zipp bike.
Do you use the Tufo sealant as well? Does that stuff work as advertised?
I was not using anything, until yesterday. I was just past our lbs when I got a slow leak (valve I think) in the front tire. I made my way to the shop, riding on a flat. I removed the front tire, they put in a sealant, I remounted the tire…took about 2 minutes and then rode away. Today its still just fine, did 38 miles on it. I’ll be carrying a spare tubular clincher and may put sealant in them before I mount them again. I’ve not used the Tufo sealant but I have a few tubes, since they come with the tires and I’ll start using them…maybe. : )
I have to buy new tires in about 2hrs for the Boulder Peak on Sunday (my trianing tires - Bontrager select 700x25 have a largish gash in them that I can see the tube through). My LBS has some Bontrager XLites in red/black 23mm and also the Conti GP3000 x23mm for $20 more a tire. the have a few others that go for the $50 range.
I was hoping to get some thoughts. i am clueless about tires.
Hardly ever have any issues with any of the Conti’s I’ve run, both in training and racing. You might check for some other causes of your recent flatting problems.
GP3000—great tire. I’m no expert but don’t see a real reason for you to change.
I seem to recall that the general consensus was that thin 19mm tires actually had higher rolling resistance than the wider 23mm, making the ultra narrow tires virtually without value.
I don’t care…could’ve fooled me with my bike times. I like the 19mm tires, even if its all mental!!