Basically, fuck shitty tires. I’m living in the sunny bay area right now but I go to school in Portland so I need some tires appropriate for rainy climates. The Gatorskins seem to be a constant recommendation - are there any others? Vittoria Rubino comes to mind but I’m not sure if that’s the one that seemed to pop up a lot. I’d prefer to pay as little as possible but I’ll pay for quality. Colors are a bonus but not required.
So, what should I look into? I’ve got a couple choices for bike stores around here (Performance, Rivendell yeah that Rivendell, and another LBS), and online is always an option.
depends on how much you skid. i run bontrager hardcases because i have an excess laying around my house and i skid through them in about 2 or 3 months. i havent made any marks on my everwear but that was never abused as heavily as i do the hardcases.
Just got my first gatorskin this week. The first day I ate shit because the tire was new and it was raining out. Absolutely no traction whatsoever. It has gotten better though, after some use.
Tonight I pinch flatted my gatorskin on a curb going about 20. The tube blew out but somehow the gatorskin didn’t even have a ding in it, no hole or anything.
my lbs dudes recommend rubinos over gators n armadillos. i have never run them though but am going to pick one up for my back when they get them in stock. they also recommended some panaracer t-serv’s in the front, that’s going to be my next tire set
i rode an everwear for a few months before skidding through it, decided i wasn’t going to go that route, got a rubino, skid through that in like 2 weeks, went back to an everwear
Everwears last forever but I hate how they ride.
When it’s wet they give no traction, when it’s dry their sticky.
It gets worse the more you skid them down.
Right now I have a gatorskin.
It’s lasting well but It’s bad for the rain.
Michelin Krylion Carbons. They role like race tires, with the puncture resistance of Gatorskins, and cost slightly less.
Whoever recommended Conti ultrasports…those are literally the worst tires ever made. They flat every five seconds and are prone to catastrophic blowouts. I’ve been through several pairs that all had the same issues.
[quote=“mihlbach”]Michelin Krylion Carbons. They role like race tires, with the puncture resistance of Gatorskins, and cost slightly less.
Whoever recommended Conti ultrasports…those are literally the worst tires ever made. They flat every five seconds and are prone to catastrophic blowouts. I’ve been through several pairs that all had the same issues.[/quote]
been riding conti ultrasports for some time know and have had nothing but good experiences with em (knock on wood).
bummer you’ve had bad experiences.
also stay away from cheap michelins
omniums i think they were or some shit
if you hit anything wet
your bike will implode
your saddle will
melt and
you’ll get a seat post enema
then you will die
I’m currently runnin’ Michelin Speedium 2’s. I ride quite a lot in the rain and they treat me well for the price. I’ve had them on for a couple months without a flat. No skidding, though.
