I’m planning to replace my tires. I’m looking to spend ~$30-50 per tire. I care mainly about longevity, quality, and preventing flats. Any recommendations?
Thanks!
Vittoria Rubino Pros have been great for me. Not a single flat in >3000km and not too expensive. Weight is reasonable and they seem to wear well.
Specialized Armadillos. Flatproof and Durable as all hell. I usually bring along some glass bottles and bags of roofing tacks to throw in front of my bike just to laugh as the tire bounces everything off to the side. I’m at 2,000 miles + with no flats, and I ride through a lot of crap.
For training, right?
Conti GP3000 with Slime® liners. That will slow you almost immeasurably, but in the long run you’ll train better and won’t get dropped because you’ll NEVER flat. Plus you don’t have to change your tires until they’re actually worn out.
I second the 'dillos. I was riding Gatorskins and got a flat every 3rd ride. After I ditched them and got Armadillos, I haven’t had a single flat in ~2500 mi. I thought the ride would be terrible but I really couldn’t tell the difference after I switched.
Vredestein tricomps are very nice, Sojourner turned me onto them
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=15948&subcategory_ID=5420
I am currently using these as I got them cheap, but may switch to the tricomps in the next month or two
I like the ride of Vredestein Fortezzas but I have been running Specialized Armadillos since Hurricane Ivan (in Pensacola). There is debris everywhere. I have run over everything you can imagine. Most of the roadsides are littered with the debris of what used to be people’s houses. I have had only 1 flat since the hurricane. THat is a record for me. I can’t believe how durable these tires are. Ride is a bit harsh though. If I didn’t have to ride through all of this debris, I would be riding Vredesteins.
Mike
I use armadillos as well. They are heavy, but you don’t even get cuts or nicks in them like other tires.