Ok. I have IMFL coming up and would like to run with some new “faster” tires. I am riding clincher wheels. I have been looking at rolling resistance data and would like to narrow my choice down here in the next few days so I can go ahead and make my purchase. With that said I have a few questions comments. My initial feelings are leaning towards Michelen Pro3s or Vittoria Open Corsa Evo CXs.
I am using the data listed here . Is there any more up to date information available. This data is from 2009.I have a budget of 100 - 120 is dollars that I would be willing to spend. Obviously I’d like to spend less if a better option is available.From what I can tell low RR tires tend to wear quickly. This set of tires would be for racing only. I’d like to be able to get through a calendar year of racing on them (1 full, 2-3 halves).From what I have read, there is a pretty rough section in the middle of IMFL. I am running latex tubes, so the worst thing to happen would be to flat on this section. I plan on carrying a butyl tube for a back up. Any tires recommended need to get through this section easily.
Basically, I am being selfish. I am looking for the fastest tires that will make it through 300-500 miles of racing (but who isn’t).
how do you look at that chart and come up with those two tires?
theres a lot of stuff in between!
of those two, go with the vittoria’s. now the question is narrow up front or not? I would weight that decision against your weight, and how rough that section at IMFL really is.
I landed on those two because they were in my price range, and I found them pretty easily online. I know that is pretty weak reasoning, but I have never really put much thought into my tires before. Usually I go with some $10 set.
Regarding the widths, this is the first I have heard about differences in benefits. What are the advantages / disadvantages with narrow vs. wide widths.
I haven’t seen the rough patch on the Florida race course. Depending on the version of the account, it is either 10 miles of an off road trail, or not really that bad. From what I can tell, the rest of the course is in great shape. I weigh 170-175 lbs.
I’ve been a Michelin man for over 20 years and have swore by them. But this year I’ve been running the ProRace3 and I’m ready to change. Way too many flats this year. Just got done going over the bike from this morning’s 80 mile ride, where I flatted, and those tires are dying a death of a 1000 cuts. Flatted at Branson a couple weeks ago too. I’m racing IMAZ and will be looking for something new that is reliable, and then fast.
I’ve been a Michelin man for over 20 years and have swore by them. But this year I’ve been running the ProRace3 and I’m ready to change. Way too many flats this year. Just got done going over the bike from this morning’s 80 mile ride, where I flatted, and those tires are dying a death of a 1000 cuts. Flatted at Branson a couple weeks ago too. I’m racing IMAZ and will be looking for something new that is reliable, and then fast.
I know Jack won’t approve, but I am trying out the new Schwalbe Ultremo ZXs…heard good things, Schlecks and Sparticus and Jens use them, so they can’t be that bad…though they use the tubies and I am going ti run clinchers on my race wheels. One immediate plus is they were 1000000 times easier to mount than my pro3s…
no shit you can kind of just roll a tire around in your hand and tell if its fast or not.
I know Jack won’t approve, but I am trying out the new Schwalbe Ultremo ZXs…heard good things, Schlecks and Sparticus and Jens use them, so they can’t be that bad…though they use the tubies and I am going ti run clinchers on my race wheels. One immediate plus is they were 1000000 times easier to mount than my pro3s…
I wasn’t a fan of the PR3. They seemed to wear out faster than the PR2. Michelin tires in general seem to get little cuts in them very easily. Most of the cuts won’t go all the way through, but once I have a certain amount of gashes in a tire I lose faith in it and don’t want to train or race on it.
I race on the vittoria corsa evo cx tires. They are fast, ride great, and handle great. I would not buy them for training. I also would not buy them if you are not proficient in changing flats, since in my opinion they don’t seem very flat resistant. They are for “well groomed courses.” If I know a course has some iffy sections, I change them out.
I let my wife choose which tires she wants to race on, but I usually try and steer her from the vittorias because I know that if she flats she is goingto get stressed, frustrated, and lose a lot more time than she would have gained. I usually end up putting the GP4000S tires (continentals with the chili compound) on before she races because they are somewhat fast, last MUCH longer than the vittorias and (in my experience) longer than the michelins, and do not get cuts/gashes as often as the other two. I tried to find her some conti attack/force tires for kona but our shop didn’t have them in stock.
I have used michelin for years, 2’s and 3’s. Always had good luck. Ride all year with them though have heard of the “cut” problems others have had. Ilive in Montana so chip seal but not enough traffic to have shit all over the roads. Get about 2000 + with them. Would buy new for a race and the old set to train on. You can get a pair at amazon for $70.00. http://www.amazon.com/...317610199&sr=1-1
This year for racing tires only I have gone with the Vittorias with latex. Have 100 miles on them and they are doing great. For the milage you said you wanted out of them, I would go with the Vittoria’s. I get them here: http://www.worldclasscycles.com/tires_new2.htm
If you go to clinchers and click buy and registar, the price drops by about 9-10 dollers per tire…No commitment or e-mail to see the price. If you call the one guy really knows his stuff.
If you want the michelins, you may want to see if the pro race 4’s can be gotten before your race. http://velonews.competitor.com/...ro4-tire-line_190794 PDF]
MICHELIN PRO4
www.michelin.com/corporate/content/…//MICHELIN-PRO4-EN.pdf
Veloflex Corsa 22 open tubulars (clinchers). Handmade Italian race tires. When Vittoria started outsourcing to Asia, their old factory workers continued the tradition under a new name, Veloflex. Tried and trusted by most pros regardless of who sponsors their teams as they always re-badge them. Specialized, Hutchinson, and a few others also contract Veloflex to make their pro-only tires. Go to CyclingNews, VeloNews, etc for hundreds of race day pictures for proof. Light, fast, and even durable. I train on mine (1000 miles on my current set) and you can usually get a set on ProBikeKit.com for around $90. When paired with latex inner tubes, they feel and behave almost exactly like tubulars.