Comments on: Flat-Proof Road Tires for All Your City Jaunts

By: Matty

Matty — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:32:24 +0000

Panaracer T-Serv for Messenger.

I’ve put about 500 miles on a pair of 700x25s (they make them in a variety of widths) with virtually no trouble, they ride quick enough and stay grippy in the wet. I think they’re like $30-40 each, but totally worth it.

BTW, the Vittoria Randonneurs are cushy, but heavy as hell. The pair is nearly 600g, more than twice the weight of the Panaracers.

By: Yokota Fritz

Yokota Fritz — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 05:53:37 +0000

Hutchinson Fusion 2 lined tires work very well for me. I’m confident riding over broken glass on these tires.

By: anita

anita — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:43:05 +0000

I’m such a slacker replier but thanks for the tips Dan! Interesting to see you aren’t sticking with the Specialized Armadillo’s. May I ask why? Seems to be the messenger tire of choice.

By: Sticky

Sticky — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 19:03:27 +0000

Continental tires are the best you can buy. Auto, bicycle, tractor, etc… I currrently have a set of Gatorskins on my road bike and they are hiolding up very well to lots of use. They are a pain to get on, but patience is a virtue.

I also have the Contact tires on my tourer. Not as nice as the Gatorskins, since the Contacts are not handmade, but great nonetheless.

No flats from either.

By: danlatorre

danlatorre — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 05:05:41 +0000

Nice write up Anita. I’ve used the following 700 x 28s:
- Specialized Armadillo
- Bontrager Race Lite
- and currently Vittoria Randonneur.

Of all of these I’ve never had a flat. I’m ever mindful about checking my tire inflation which I think is the main source of luck I’ve had.

The ride I liked best were the Race Lites which felt like they had better grip, mostly likely due to the higher thread count, 60tpi, which is why my next tires will be Vittoria Randonneur Pros (w/reflective) which have 120tpi.

For in depth tire info there’s none other than Sheldon Brown’s site to spell it all out. http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tires.html

By: brian

brian — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 22:00:06 +0000

anyone have experience with Kenda Konstrictors? They are kevlar reinforced. Just put them on my bike about a month ago and so far they seem great… wondering about other’s experiences.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:27:46 +0000

I recently had a set of Continental Grand Prix 4000s that were ironhided, but took a long time to break in and had a scary tendency to slip out of the wheel during hard turning.

BUT, my favorite tires for riding in the city have been Michelin Krylion Carbons. I’ve had a set for two summer seasons with maybe 3 flats… I was also considering the Hutchinsons, but the reviews I’ve read keep leading me to the Michelins.

I also would suggest investing in a set of wheels with stronger spokage with a better ability to stay true! I ride Mavic Aksiums, and my flat rate since upgrading from the stock wheels (Alex Rims) decreased to maybe 1 every 6-9 months.

By: EdBrooklyn

EdBrooklyn — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 18:43:58 +0000

Why won’t Michelin develop the Tweel for bicycles?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tweel