I can be a bit rough on my tires, especially when it comes to things like railroad tracks. I’m looking for a tough tire that will function as my training tire and I’ll save the light ones for the races. As a big rider, my tires take a good bit of abuse.
I’ve heard good things about the Continental Ultra Gatorskin.
Any others that you have had experience with?
conti grand prix 4 season. little pricey for training tires, but I ride them in winter on crappy broken pavement, and some gravel/dirt roads and they hold up pretty well…no flats this year in about 2200 miles.
Also use the biggest tire that will fit your frame, thicker tubes and a spinskin or mr tuffy liner. Should be bullet proof.
Styrrell
How wide are your current training tires?
If you use 20ies, I’d recommend going to a 23 or even 25 for training.
Specialized Armadillo, heavy but bulletproof.
Been using the Conti Gator Skins for a few years. They are very good but have noticed quite a few cuts on them after riding in the wet. Something about wet roads and glass that seems to do in tires.
I am currently riding on Hutchinson Carbon Comps 700 x 23, pumped to 120psi.
Gommitalia Targa K’s (by Ambrosio) are without a doubt the best clincher around, IMHO. I rarely flat on these and they can handle a ton of mileage. They also roll almost as smoothly as fine tubulars.
Try Serfas. I’m not sure if they come in a 22 but I use the 700x23. Decent rollers and haven’t had any problems. Hopped a few RR tracks and knocked some chunky rocks too. I’ve logged about 1K on them and they still look pretty new. I got them for cheap too. Use about 115 psi.
Rivendell’s Ruffy Tuffies. Bombproof, roll and corner great. You won’t be sorry.
I think Gatorskins are some of the nicest riding semitough tires. I don’t think they are the “best” bulletproof tire. The Armadillos are the “best” bulletproof tire, but ride like Flintstone tires. Bontrager (Trek) makes a compromise line called the Hardcase that are a bit tougher than the Gators and a bit more supple than the Armadillos. So they are a pretty good compromise in my book. If they fit, I like to train on 25s instead of 23s. More so on the back wheel, but I ride 25s front and back. Some forks won’t allow that. I also believe that a lot of folks use too much pressure in their training tires. 100 lbs in a 25mm tire is plenty. G
I like Gatorskins and Armadillos, too, but then I discovered Gommitalia and it was all over for me. It’s the only brand I ride anymore. I use the Platinum Tubulars for racing and the Targa K’s for training. They’re pricey, but I think they’re more than worth it. If they were hiring an American salesman or a spokeperson, I’d want the job. I’d tell people how they cure cancer, save lives, lower cholesterol, and create world peace.
I believe that they’re that good.
For that price I’ll ride tubbies
dirt.
I wholeheartedly second the Armadillos. I ride over railroad tracks, tacks, broken glass, etc. The ride is rough, but they DO NOT FLAT. I am about 195 and rough on my wheels. They are much cheaper than the gatorskins. I think the gators are about 45-50 each and I paid 50 for my pair of Dillos.