I’m having a devil of a time trying to find 650c clinchers. Either Michelin stopped making them, or dealers aren’t carrying them.
Anyone got some helpful info for me? I’ve been riding Michelin Ironman 650 x 23c the last five years. Now, no Mi-Ironmans, and no Michelin 650’s of any sort.
EDIT: I should add that I use the clinchers for training. About once every two years or so, I’ll use them in a race (like Am Zof this year).
continental makes a decent 650c clincher int he GP4000s
bontrager makes one of the fastest tires on earth n the Aero TT tire in 650x23
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I haven’t looked in a while but I’ve never had issues finding Vredestein Fortezza’s
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Vredestein Fortezza’s
I take this as an endorsement (from a serious bike guy, and a highly respectable mayor).
Pros, cons?
ebay. Use the search term “folding” instead of clincher because some people only call them that. I just bought a Mich Pro 3 Race for <$30.
PBK has some 650c also. I got a pair of Mich Pro 2 race earlier this year for $15 each, but those are gone now. I should of stocked up.
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I’ve never had any problem coming up with Vittoria Open Corsa EVO CX tires in 650c … a very fast and durable clincher.
Just looking at the Continental 4000 now.
I’m looking more for durability and ride quality than speed. Also would like to not break the bank. The Michilen IMs were getting about 2,000 miles a piece. I assume the conti’s would be at least as good. Have to read up on Bontager.
bontrager might be a bit less durable, but from your goals the continental 4000s, or maybe one of their more durable options would work great.
the gatorskin comes in 650 too
Just looking at the Continental 4000 now.
I’m looking more for durability and ride quality than speed. Also would like to not break the bank. The Michilen IMs were getting about 2,000 miles a piece. I assume the conti’s would be at least as good. Have to read up on Bontager.
I’ve been using them for many years and really like them - a lot. The Fortezza Tricomps have great road feel, grip the road nicely in both wet and dry conditions and are relatively tough. They probably give up some crr to the best of the best (dugast tubies, etc) and aren’t as tough as Gatorskins - but overall I think they offer the best combination of price/performance/feel/durability.
They’re also not too hard to find, and mount pretty easily.
Have you checked here?
Try Continental 650c GATORSKIN. I have been using 1 set 6months now and still look like new and no punctures (Averaging 400km a week).
I’ve never had any problem coming up with Vittoria Open Corsa EVO CX tires in 650c … a very fast and durable clincher.
But a major pain in the ass the remove them from the rim. I had two flats this past weekend and it was so difficult to remove them. Other than that, I like Vittoria’s 650 better than the Conti’s on my other set of training wheels.
TriSports.com carries several 650c tires by Conti, Vittoria and V.Fortezza in Tubi and Clincher. PBK also carries several tires in 650c.
I’ll second the Vreds Fortezza! They are all I will ride now. They are very puncture resistant, handle great and have a good ride!
But a major pain in the ass the remove them from the rim. I had two flats this past weekend and it was so difficult to remove them. Other than that, I like Vittoria’s 650 better than the Conti’s on my other set of training wheels.
That’s funny. That’s one of the few tires these days that I DON’T find myself having to wrestle with too much – maybe initially, but after they’ve been on the wheels a while, they’re much easier than most to remove. I’ve started using really thin rim strips and it’s made things a lot easier. Plus, I think all wheels are a little different.
I used to use Velox exclusively, but the tightness of all tires these days makes Velox almost impossible for my weak little thumbs.
I use Kenda Caliente (sp)
I love them, but apparently they have high rolling resistence. At mynormal speeds, they are buttery smooth on the road and my butt loves them for it. They might not test really fast, but after 5+ hours on the bike, the reduced hammering the body takes more than makes up for any theoretical rolling resistence issues. I use them on my HED 3’s with or without threaded hash pipe (to quote another thread)
I use Kenda Caliente (sp)
I love them, but apparently they have high rolling resistence. At mynormal speeds, they are buttery smooth on the road and my butt loves them for it. They might not test really fast, but after 5+ hours on the bike, the reduced hammering the body takes more than makes up for any theoretical rolling resistence issues. I use them on my HED 3’s with or without threaded hash pipe (to quote another thread)
I use to use them for training (not a fast race tire for sure). Use to pick them up at the local Performance for, depending on the sale, $10-$15. use to stalk up on them when they were $10…but now I am on 700’s with the new bike.
I use Kenda Caliente (sp)
I love them, but apparently they have high rolling resistence. At mynormal speeds, they are buttery smooth on the road and my butt loves them for it. They might not test really fast, but after 5+ hours on the bike, the reduced hammering the body takes more than makes up for any theoretical rolling resistence issues. I use them on my HED 3’s with or without threaded hash pipe (to quote another thread)
I use to use them for training (not a fast race tire for sure). Use to pick them up at the local Performance for, depending on the sale, $10-$15. use to stalk up on them when they were $10…but now I am on 700’s with the new bike.
faster tires are fast because they are soft, aka, even MORE comfy.
the only downside is flat resistance.
(and price sometimes)
I use Kenda Caliente (sp)
I love them, but apparently they have high rolling resistence. At mynormal speeds, they are buttery smooth on the road and my butt loves them for it. They might not test really fast, but after 5+ hours on the bike, the reduced hammering the body takes more than makes up for any theoretical rolling resistence issues. I use them on my HED 3’s with or without threaded hash pipe (to quote another thread)
I’ve ridden tires that have allegedly much lower rolling resistence than the Kenda Kaliente, and without exception (at the same tire pressures) they ALL felt like riding on the rim. Maaaaan they were hard and my butt complained almost as much as my quads.
IMHO my Kenda’s are good because they allow me to stay fresh longer, with a happier butt, than other tires that “test” to be faster.
I know that’s empirical evidence only, but I can’t really argue with my butt. hehehe