I currently have Michelin Ironmans and have had 2 flats in the last 3 weeks. What tire is more puncture-resistant in a 650c size?
I have used the Ironman Michelins too and although I like them, I have had more flats. I have have had very good experience with Vredestien (sp?) Tri Comps…I get them at www.worldclasscycles.com Roger allows takes good care of me.
I know it’s considered a heinous transgression to say this on the ST site, I use Tufo tubular clinchers with sealant. I say this while hanging my head in shame and mortification. While assuming the appropriate degree of supplication, I also add that I have not had a flat in three years. Perhaps they slow me down imperceptibly, but certainly not as much as a flat. I’ll stand back now and let everyone take their shots.
I have a had good experiences with the Kenda tires. Supergo.com seems to carry them fairly inexpensively as well <$20. I would not race on them but they are cheap and knock on wood have been good to me so far.
The Vredestein Fortezza Tri-Comps have been good as well. They seem to give a better feel for the road have a dual compound for cornering, but I have not been able to get the miles out of them like I have the Kenda’s.
I have had bad experiences with Conti’s, not flats but the side walls giving out on two pairs of tires.
Long Story Short, if you want inexpensive go with Kenda, better feel more $$ Fortezza Tri-Comp.
Peace,
RF
Tufo tubular clinchers. I found a tack in mine last week which I have been riding on for about 2 weeks. I also had the sealant in it though but I love these tires.
Try the Bontrager hard case tire. $30.00 and you can get it from any place that sells Trek. I’ve used Conti Gatorskins and the Specialized Armadillos in the past and this is even better than those. Been riding a lot this year and have yet to flat. The best tire I have ever trained on.
This is my 5th year on 650’s. There is ZERO scientific background for these statements, just my personal experience.
Continental, Vittoria, Michelin, Bontrager: I did not have real good luck with these brands…and I really liked the ride of the Michelins. One of the nice things about the Bontragers is that you can get a 650x25 which is quite nice as the additional width helps to smooth out the ride.
Vredestein, Hutchinson: These not only worked well for me with regards to flatting, but they were much easier to mount (the Conti’s & Vittoria’s were HELL to mount).
Miguel in the 'No…El Tribato
I know I’ll get a puncture now, but:
I’ve used Michelin Pro Race 650s as my training tire for 2 years. With two sets of them in those 2 years I’ve only had one bout of flats–I got three in one ride because there was a lot of glass and I failed to fully clean it all out. Other than that, no problems and I ride through the city streets of Philadelphia at times–not the best streets in the world, I might add.
Not sure if they are made in a 650, but I was having continuous flat problems with Specialized Mondos and switched to the Specialized Armadillos, and so far, no problem. They’re a bit on the heavy, rigid side, but it beats flatting.
Another vote for Tufo tubular-clenchers. I don’t run with the sealant in and have had one flat. And that was after a summer of training and all winter on the trainer and significant training in the spring. I was going to replace it because the tread was getting very thin in spots. For this MOPer, the piece of mind makes up for any (and I’m not convenced they are slower) possible speed loss.
Just put a set of Mr. Tuffy tire liners in any set of 650c tires and you should have significantly less flats. They add a very slight amount of weight but the puncture resistance is well worth it.
For the record I use Michelin Pro2/Pro Race tires with the Mr. Tuffy’s.
-Darrell
I bought Michellin Ironman 650C’s in June - the only 650C tires in stock at the local bike shop at the time - replacing the Kendas that came with my Cervelo P2K.
With the Michelins, I’ve had 6 flats in 3 months (including one flat while in the Alcatraz triathlon going 40mph downhill - argh). By comparison, I only had a handful of flats with the Kenda tires over thousands of miles.
I’m ditching the Michelins and looking for new 650Cs as well. So, for the record, Michelin Ironmans suck - and to make matters worse, they’re not even cheap (nearly $50 each).
Continental Gatorskins
Yes they are available in 650’s
jaretj
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I’ve had great results from Mich Pros- very few flats over the years. I’m 160 ibs- and I do think heavier riders get more flats. (ok- let’s hear it)
Marc
Conti Gatorskins come in 650C if you can find them!
I use gatorskins on my 700C bikes along with those plastic strips between tire and tube, for ultimate flat protection. (I still get some flats as the plastic shifts over time). My current 700C gatorskin front tire has sooooo many nicks from glass (I remove it regularly) but when the threads get cut, even if the tube doesn’t puncture, eventually the threads next to the cut get over strained and fail, and so on, until a hematoma appears on the tire and it’s time to replace the tire.
I even clean small gashes and then re-inforce them from behind with a tube patch on the inside of the tire, then fill the gash with Shoe Goo II to prevent more crud getting in and damaging the threads. It helps get some more miles out of the tire and I’ve had up to I think 6 patches inside the tire before I thought the tire was stuffed. Hematomas on the tire mean I replace it since it’s unsafe cornering, particularly in the wet.
I’m currently using Conti GP 650’s and they are OK, but I only use them on country rides where glass is minimal. In town I would still use them but add the plastic strip. I’ve had poor puncture resistance from Hutchison (chrono series) and also Michelin (forget the model)
Thanks everyone for your input. I just picked up a set of Conti Gatorskins from my local Trek store. Can you believe it?!!!
I stopped by a couple of weeks ago and although they don’t stock them they said they said they could orer them for me.
I have these tires on my old Trek 700c bike and love them! It’s just like having high puncture resistance in a racing tire!