Based on Jens and Al Morrison’s test data here: http://www.biketechreview.com/tires/images/AFM_tire_testing_rev6.pdf
And assuming you are willing to run your tires at 160-180 psi, the TUFO S3 Lites appear to be the best performance to
dollar value out there. $49.95 at: http://biketiresdirect.com/productdetail.asp?p=TUS3L
(Be sure to reference the table containing the test data for higer psi at the bottom of the page.)
Unless I’m missing something, all of the other brands Vittoria, Continental, Dugast, Zipp, Veloflex, Vredestein, etc. that tested
better at 120psi, are at least $30 Dollars U.S more per tire compared to the S3.
I’m not saying it’s the best tire out there, but it is hard to beat the value, and easy availability of the TUFO products. Some of
the other brands are very difficult to find locally and on the web.
The only downside with the S3’s, and all TUFO’s is that you can’t have them repaired once you flat them.
I just find it really hard to spend $80 per tire on Vittoria Corsa CX Tubulars, which I think is a great tire, when I seem to be flatting a tire every other week with all of the summer construction and road debris.
I know Tube selection is a very sensative issue, but I based my analysis strictly on rolling resistance and price. I’m sure some tires have
an advantage over others due to better aerodynamics, but I didn’t want to go there.
tbro
