I am looking for a recommendation for a new set of tires. I have a 2005 Cervelo Soloist Centaur with Vittoria Dynamo Pro Lite 700x23 on Velomax Vista wheels. I have only had the bike for about four weeks. In about 8 rides I have now had three flats, all in the rear. The first was a pinch and probably the result of a mix of a pothole I didn’t see coming and mild underinflation (my 215 lb. body weight didn’t help either). The last two both happened yesterday. They were both punctures with that unmistakable pssssst sound that we all dread. I put in a spare tube after the first, pumped it up and rode about ten miles before I got to the LBS and borrowed a pump. While changing it I noticed a small scuff from the outside and a small tear from the inside. Anyway, I had to get home so I pumped the tire up at the LBS and set out for home, only about four miles mostly up hill. I got half way there and flatted again. This time I patched it and got home carefully.
What I am wondering is what tires do you all recommend. I would like something that I can train and race on without breaking the bank. I was paying a lot of attention after the first flat and noticed a lot of small roadside pebbles etc. sticking to the tires. I searched the posts for the last month and only found a reference to Maxxis Detonators. Any other recommendations?
I checked the whole thing…the only thing I could find was a scuff on th eoutside (might be a small whole) and on the inside of the same area what looks like a superficial tear. Anyway, I definitely need a new rear tire. You said yu’ve been using the Vittorias? Think I should just replace it with the same thing?
I think the tires you are talking about are the Vittoria Diamante Pro Light. These are the lightweight version of the Diamante Pro. At 170 grams, these are not everyday tires. The sidewalls and tread are both pretty thin.
Personally, I’d only use them for up hill timetrials if running clinchers, but would otherwise stick with the standard Diamante Pro’s. They are much more durable, and probably one of the two Vittoria choices that Tom was referring to. The Rubino Pro’s would be another alternative. They have a lower thread count casing (more rolling resistance, but tougher) and harder rubber tread compound (longer life, but less grip). These would also make great training tires, while the Diamante Pro’s could be also be used as a decent race tire.
I use the Diamante Pro’s for training or bad weather racing (when I won’t use my Zipps), and Open Corsa’s or Corsa tubulars for racing. They have both incredible grip as well as a great ride.