Let's Talk Tires

scott dinhofer

What tires do most people use for Training? for racing?(please specify clincher or tubular as well)

while we are on it tubes?

drjohnson08

Continental Gatorskins, clincher, folding. I switched to these last year after using Michelin pro service course 2's (or something like that) and I've had much better results.

I don't have a specific tube. Whatever the LBS carries or whatever I can get online for a "reasonable" price. It's nuts how much even tubes cost.

Keith Wick

I've had a set of Bontrager R3's that I bought 2 years ago before IMLP. I really liked these and they were bullet proof---never had a flat on them. I just checked and replaced the rear as it was down to the cords. Still have the front on the 808 which is only used for races.

Michelin Pro 3--just replaced the Bontrager with this because it's what I had in the basement. New tire and bought them because they were on sale for $35 (they are red). This will just be a training tire as they are pretty hard to mount and I wouldn't want to struggle in a race if I had a flat. I used to use these more in the past and liked them, but they definitely had there share of flats.

Specialized turbo pro- I have this on my front wheel as a trainer tire. The rear hasn't had much wear because I've been using the Bontrager. These came on a road bike I bought. The front is nice, but has some big cuts in it. I'm not sure whether it's a softer casing or whether it's tough and saved me from a flat. I'll stick with this as a trainer tire for now, but I've heard good things about them.

jfields74

I've been using the Conti 4000S with latex tubes since late last fall with great success. ( I hope I have not jinx myself) I went with the conti's based on the data from Flo Wheels and their testing.

Peter Greagg

I use a new rear tyre for my A race each year. It is a Vittoria Open Triathlon EVO 23 mm tyre with a new latex tube. For my B races I use last year's A race tyre and the latex tube I used then.

For training I use Continental Gatorskin, folding, with butyl tubes — actually, I use previous year's A race tyres for training until they start to get flats or look cut around. Then I change to the Gatorskin.

FWIW, there are several issues to keep in mind when choosing race tyres, and those choices are often a trade-off between the various issues. Low rolling resistance, puncture resistance, aeroness (see Jamie's comment about Flow wheels working with Conti 4000s to maximise their aeroness), and price.

scott dinhofer

I have been using the ZIPP's for the aero reason and even with new tires this year i have flatted more times in a season than i can ever remember. Good news is i am now purty good at changing flats. 

Brad Marcus

I use Continental GP4000S - they are highly rated in the wind tunnel and aside from one defective one that I had earlier this season, they have been pretty much bullet proof for me. I seem to get a lot of miles on them too.

For tubes, I use Forte light with 80mm stems for my 404 wheelsets so I don't have to mess around with valve extenders. I get them through Performance Bike - I haven't seen them anywhere else. They are light compared to other brands and have been pretty solid too.

As I'm racing IMLP 1 week from today, I reserve the right to KNOCK ON WOOD for all of the above

GMAN 19030

For training I use Gatorskins with butyl tubes.

For racing it's Conti GP4000S with Vittoria latex tubes.

GMAN 19030

Posted By Brad Marcus on 20 Jul 2014 06:14 AM




For tubes, I use Forte light with 80mm stems for my 404 wheelsets so I don't have to mess around with valve extenders.

Brad, If you get the correct extenders it's a non-issue.  You don't want those open ended extenders.  You want the extenders where you remove the valve from the stem, screw the extender onto the valveless stem, and then replace the valve on the end of the extender.  You do it once and it's done.  Giving up 2-3 watts per wheel by not using latex.

MattAaronson

Training - Bontrager Race X Lite Hardcase.

William Jenks

I agree the Bonti tires are good for training, although I think mine are just the "lite" not "X lite". They seem to tolerate the trainer better than the typical race tires we all use.

And I agree completely on the valve stem extenders where you move the valves themselves. Zipp makes nice ones that go for $8-10 apiece. I'm sure there are others. Far, far superior to normal "open" valve stem extenders.

MattAaronson

The "Race Lite Hardcase" are great for indoor/outdoor. They have a wire bead and are beasts. I use the 32mm for my commuter bike in the city.

The "Race X Lite Hardcase" used to be the training tire for the Astana team. They are extremely durable but aren't brutally heavy. As a point of reference, I've ridden one set of those tires in training for 3 seasons and over 5000 outdoor miles and have not flatted once. Plus they come in a red trim which matches my bike...

As for valve extenders, that is another thread we should start

robin sarner

Specialized tires.

Various ones for training that have the flat protection.

For racing, their newest version of the S-works Turbo are as fast as the Contis.

note that S-works Turbo is different than Turbo Pro.        The Turbo Pro is a good combo race and training tire.    There are tougher Specialized tires for pure training.

No flats in 10 ironmans.

whatever latex tubes.   Vitorria.   etc.

davidpettigrew

FWIW I had a lot of flats with Specialized S-Works Turbo tires. Will never buy them again. Just purchased Continental GP4000 ii to replace them.

Scott Alexander

Posted By Bob McCallum on 20 Jul 2014 09:42 AM



For training I use Gatorskins with butyl tubes.



For racing it's Conti GP4000S with Vittoria latex tubes.

Ditto here.

rbogle

X3 Gatorskins/butyl  & Conti/latex. Great combos. Never a flat in any race. Only 4 flats in 3+ years of training, always the same cause: small wires from shredded car tires work their way into the sidewall.