Well, I don't need them but I wanna try out a different size. I am currently using the tires the bike came with, Schwalbe Lugano's in 700x23. I want to see how 700x25's work and I am not sure of any particular way to go. Continental Gatorskins get rave reviews. I am using them for commuting and just riding in general, very light path use with as much road as possible, but I do hit dirt for 1/4 mile each way to work. Looking for something that can take some pressure too, total weight would be as high as 220# with a bag on.
I will definitely put a vote for gatorskins. I've had them for years, only replaced once, and that was due to tire wear. Never had a puncture, and that included accidentally riding through a half broken glass bottle.
That said, they are incredibly hard to get on my rims, and I've heard similar things from others. Not a bit deal since they never go flat, but I dreaded the day they did...
The Gatorskins are pretty good all-around tires, not too heavy (with the folding bead version), wear well, decent casing. I usually get a few thousand miles out of a rear tire, and they're good enough to race on.
On the other hand, I still get plenty of punctures. For commuting/touring I use tires with thicker tread.
Vittoria Zaffiro. Super tire. Kraynick's has them for really cheap.
My office-mate has been running Schwalbe Marathons in 700x25 since last fall; he used to be the king of flats, to the tune of one every week or two, but hasn't gotten any on those tires.
I have Panaracer RiBMos in 700x25. I'm happy with them. So far no puncture flats. Did get a pinch flat last week, but that destroyed my wheel, so I doubt a different set of 700x25s would have made much difference.
Did get a pinch flat last week, but that destroyed my wheel, so I doubt a different set of 700x25s would have made much difference.
I suspect most tire manufacturers would label "falling into a 2' pothole" a wee bit outside of design specs for pinch flat resistance.
The moment anyone advertises any part of a bike as Pittsburgh Proof, I will buy 10.
i've been running bontrager racelites for about three years now. just wore through the first pair, and i think i had a total of maybe three flats over the life of both tires. they did everything i asked of them (and i asked a lot), and they did it well.
Rode a pair of Vittoria Randonneurs for about a year without a flat and switched those out for a pair of 38mm Schwalbe Marathons. Pretty sure they are Pittsburgh proof.
I forgot to mention, I had my first pinch flat on Friday. I really think it is because I neglected to check the tire pressure after leaving work, but they have always been good after sitting in my office for 8 hours.
The pinch had to have happened on the transition from trail to bridge on the riverfront trail approaching Millvale. This is consistent with reviews of the tires anyway, so I wont feel bad swapping.
marathons or ribmos are both great. and both available in folding bead, which makes them much easier to get on your rims.
I use Ribmos too.
I decided to be cheap for a year (after my old set of Ribmos were destroyed) and paid for it dearly in the form of more flats in a year than I've had in the last five
Finally switched back and have been flat free again (also use tire liners though)
oh, i also meant to mention: i'm don't expect you'll find much difference between 25s and 23s.
I am not expecting much between sizes, although I am between two different tires. The 25's on paper seem like a better idea and I am not, in theory, losing anything to go to them.
If you have the clearance, why not go all the way up to 28s?
I put 28mm T-servs on my road bike last year. They are lighter than Ribmos and no flats so far. Also more cush than the 25mm tires I used previously on the same bike. Unless you're racing, skinny tires seem silly on Pgh streets.
I won't have the room. They should be here Thursday from REI online. If they won't fit the Southside REI has the 23's in stock.
What has me hoping for the 25's is that the rolling resistance is said to be the same or less. Not that I am in any shape to determine this, the "on paper" pro's column is looking pretty good.
Got the tires in today and put on. While I wasn't expecting a wire bead it is not a big deal. They are not much heavier than the tires the bike came with but are certainly thick as hell in the right areas. They felt like they rolled a little better, but without having two of the same bikes side by side, it is likely me trying to convince myself I made the right purchase.
There is BARELY enough room for them though, I mean BARELY. The flash from the mold at the centerline of the tire rubs the rear brake.
