Tyres

cm59 · Post by **cm59** » 15 May 2009 16:00

Hi Ive been shopping around for some new tyres and just wondered if conti 4000s michelin pro 3 race etc are worth the extra fifteen quid per tyre over something like Vittoria Rubinos

jonnyri · Post by **jonnyri** » 15 May 2009 16:22

I`ve used the michelins pro2`s and now 3`s for a while. Light weight, good grip, fast rolling and very **flat** resistant. Highly recommended. Not too pricey if you shop around.

cm59 · Post by **cm59** » 15 May 2009 16:30

Cheers do they wear out quick though?

jonnyri · Post by **jonnyri** » 15 May 2009 17:14

No not at all, i have simply relegated last years pro2`s to my training/winter bike ans now use the pro3`s on the tarmac which is used plenty. Wouldn`t hesitate to use them for anything. (except cyclocross of course). Have some ultremo r`s on one set of wheels also light and fast but expensive and as yet unproven to me in the **flat** resistance/longevity factors. (Do look the business tho)

jonnyri · Post by **jonnyri** » 15 May 2009 17:15

tarmac as in bike not road surface.

cm59 · Post by **cm59** » 15 May 2009 17:39

Lol yeah realised that cheers for the advice

Post by **CakeStop** » 15 May 2009 19:16

I use Conti GP 4 Seasons oct-apr and Conti GP4000S for the rest of the year. They seem to have good flat resistance and are hard wearing. I don't really go fast enough to be able to comment on what the grip's like but it's supposed to be better on the GP4000S than on the GP4000 and the GP 4 Seasons are supposed to have good grip in the cold.

I've been (and still am) tempted to try the Pro Race 3 but I've been put off by their relatively short life, I read a 'boastful' claim by Michelin that they have an average lifetime of 3600km - wow... is that meant to impress me? I'd expect more than double that from conti's and I tend to change tyres before it's really necessary.

I think if optimum grip was the most important thing for me I'd try them and wouldn't worry if the extra grip meant a shorter lifetime, as it is I'd probably be a bit miffed if a pair of tyres lasted only one summer.

jonnyri · Post by **jonnyri** » 15 May 2009 20:03

As with all tyres youre going to have a trade off between grip and life but i`ve always considered that with all things two wheeled i`d rather have the grip.

Andy M · Post by **Andy M** » 15 May 2009 22:09

Have a look at a good mail order site such as Ribble Cycles and you can compare all the specifications and prices.
Personally I love Vittoria Open Corsa--They're dearer than Rubinos but the rolling resistance, ease of fitting, good centering on the rim and the fact that loads of pro teams still use them is testimony to their performance.
Inner tubes are just as important as well. I changed mine a couple of weeks ago for some lighter ones and I swear climbing is now easier.

Post by **CakeStop** » 16 May 2009 08:11

Andy M wrote: the fact that loads of pro teams still use them is testimony to their performance.

Yeh, but if they get a flat they just have to hold up their hand and somebody gives them a new wheel

BTW, I didn't mean to imply that I think the grip on conti's is bad, just that I've heard that it's particularly good on the pro race 3

Andy M · Post by **Andy M** » 16 May 2009 08:17

I know what you're saying about the pro teams---they ride what they're contracted for--but I'm just giving my opinion based on my experience--some Vittoria Open Corsa tyres I've had have actually worn down to the canvas and still been rideable.
Haha you ask for advice on here and get even more confused

cm59 · Post by **cm59** » 16 May 2009 17:12

cheers for the advice ive gone for the michelin