First tyre replacement, any advice?
Discussion
I currently have a set of Espoir Elite 25c blackbelt x2 tyres on my bike. They came on the bike and have been faultless the whole time. I'm still yet to get a single puncture and I've ridden a few thousand miles on them.
Its time now thought to replace them due to some damage on the tyres. Are these a good tyre to stick with or am I better going with any other tyres?
Its time now thought to replace them due to some damage on the tyres. Are these a good tyre to stick with or am I better going with any other tyres?
Michelin pro4 service course and continental grand prix 4000 S are probably the two highest rated all round tyres.
I also like the vredstein fortezza tricomp as a slightly cheaper, more durable alternative.
All you seem concerned about is puncture resistance though, if that is the case then you can sacrifice weight, rolling resistance and grip and get some Schwalbe Marathon (plus).
I also like the vredstein fortezza tricomp as a slightly cheaper, more durable alternative.
All you seem concerned about is puncture resistance though, if that is the case then you can sacrifice weight, rolling resistance and grip and get some Schwalbe Marathon (plus).
I'd like to find the best combination of puncture resistant and best rolling resistance. I've heard and read about the conti gp4000s and head nothing but good things.
Are all inner tubes pretty much the same too? I'd like to replace them at the same time so its all new. Its all new to me as not had to change any of them out before.
Are all inner tubes pretty much the same too? I'd like to replace them at the same time so its all new. Its all new to me as not had to change any of them out before.
Can't speak for the Grand Prix 4000S, but I can heartily recommend the Continental Grand Prix 4Seasons, for all year round use.
And don't bother replacing tubes unless they're properly jiffed. I keep a proper 'traditional' repair kit in the garage, and on the bike. Some of my tubes have 5 patches on them. They're repairable unless you get a fresh p****ure right next to a patch, or the valve stem gets torn out of the body of the tube. Slinging a fresh tube in every time you p****ure is wasteful, and an unnecessary expense, plus repairing them is a restful activity, and will give you time to reflect while you wait for the glue to dry...
And don't bother replacing tubes unless they're properly jiffed. I keep a proper 'traditional' repair kit in the garage, and on the bike. Some of my tubes have 5 patches on them. They're repairable unless you get a fresh p****ure right next to a patch, or the valve stem gets torn out of the body of the tube. Slinging a fresh tube in every time you p****ure is wasteful, and an unnecessary expense, plus repairing them is a restful activity, and will give you time to reflect while you wait for the glue to dry...
Just seen that conti are doing a tyre amnesty to launch a new tyre. Worth giving your local dealer a ring to see if they are participating. They even swap them over for you apparently.
http://www.tyre-amnesty.co.uk/index.php/offer-deta...
http://www.tyre-amnesty.co.uk/index.php/offer-deta...
Funny, for all of the rave reviews about Conti's I have never managed to get on with them, or have any luck with them! I had GP4000's that I found very sketchy on fast descents and all seasons that split badly down the sidewalls after about 200 miles - gave the GP's away and junked the all seasons.
Opinion of one of the LBS's is that Conti's tend to suit a better built riders, skinny runts like yours truly don't get on so well with them!
I like the Open Corsa's and Pave's but they are extremely expensive and not very durable, slightest bit of damp on the road and the Corsa's puncture!
I have settled on Vredestein's as my tyre of choice; Foretezza Tri-comps for the summer months and Quattros for the winter, fast rolling, extremely gripping in the bendy bits and excellent puncture protection. However, a friend who rides on Conti's hate Vredestein's with a passion!!!!
Opinion of one of the LBS's is that Conti's tend to suit a better built riders, skinny runts like yours truly don't get on so well with them!
I like the Open Corsa's and Pave's but they are extremely expensive and not very durable, slightest bit of damp on the road and the Corsa's puncture!
I have settled on Vredestein's as my tyre of choice; Foretezza Tri-comps for the summer months and Quattros for the winter, fast rolling, extremely gripping in the bendy bits and excellent puncture protection. However, a friend who rides on Conti's hate Vredestein's with a passion!!!!
drinks said:
Just seen that conti are doing a tyre amnesty to launch a new tyre. Worth giving your local dealer a ring to see if they are participating. They even swap them over for you apparently.
http://www.tyre-amnesty.co.uk/index.php/offer-deta...
They say on there site that dealers were announced yesterday, any idea who they are as can't find a list? my misses needs a new set and this may be perfect http://www.tyre-amnesty.co.uk/index.php/offer-deta...
Schwale are overrated, fragile s
te. Avoid.
Contis are OK: the GP4000S is grippy enough, but feels dead (akin to riding on old hosepipes, as so often said) and I've nailed a few sidewalls on potholes.
Vredesteins are OK: the Fortezza Tricomp is big, fat 'n' comfortable. Had a sidewall fail on my last pair, but suspect that was isolated.
Veloflex Master 25s are gorgeous, but don't last and come up skinny. Suspect they're very, VERY fragile (the tan sidewall is the cotton structure!), but in the short time I ran them, I had no punctures despite being, ahem...ignorant...of potholes.
(320TPI) Vittorias are where it's. I've run Open Paves (with latex tubes) for a couple of years (inc. battering them across Flanders a couple of times) and they've never, EVER let me down. They stick like st to a blanket and roll beautifully. They don't last too long and they're not cheap, but when they're this good, I don't care. Recently binned a rear (squared off and somewhat thin) and switched to a backup Vredestein as a precaution: it's horrible in comparison. Got some Open Corsas en route, can't wait...
te. Avoid.Contis are OK: the GP4000S is grippy enough, but feels dead (akin to riding on old hosepipes, as so often said) and I've nailed a few sidewalls on potholes.
Vredesteins are OK: the Fortezza Tricomp is big, fat 'n' comfortable. Had a sidewall fail on my last pair, but suspect that was isolated.
Veloflex Master 25s are gorgeous, but don't last and come up skinny. Suspect they're very, VERY fragile (the tan sidewall is the cotton structure!), but in the short time I ran them, I had no punctures despite being, ahem...ignorant...of potholes.
(320TPI) Vittorias are where it's. I've run Open Paves (with latex tubes) for a couple of years (inc. battering them across Flanders a couple of times) and they've never, EVER let me down. They stick like s
t to a blanket and roll beautifully. They don't last too long and they're not cheap, but when they're this good, I don't care. Recently binned a rear (squared off and somewhat thin) and switched to a backup Vredestein as a precaution: it's horrible in comparison. Got some Open Corsas en route, can't wait...
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