Another tire discussion

I'm quite a cheapskate, so I've been using inexpensive tires such as Performance's Forte Strada or their Forte Pro Lite (700 X 23C). However, recently I had a sudden blowout on a Pro Lite. I have no reason to believe it was due to a tire defect. I may have negligently let a bald spot develop, or run over something sharp. But it does make you wonder. Nor do I really like the road feel of these cheap tires. Would anybody have a suggestion for a tire that is stronger, has better road feel, and is more expensive but still gives good bang for the buck? Thanks! retro

wrote:
I'm quite a cheapskate, so I've been using inexpensive tires such as
Performance's Forte Strada or their Forte Pro Lite (700 X 23C).
However, recently I had a sudden blowout on a Pro Lite. I have no
reason to believe it was due to a tire defect. I may have negligently
let a bald spot develop, or run over something sharp. But it does
make you wonder. Nor do I really like the road feel of these cheap
tires. Would anybody have a suggestion for a tire that is stronger,
has better road feel, and is more expensive but still gives good bang
for the buck? Thanks! retro


Continental Gatorskin. I run the 25mm variety and that has cut my number
of flats to zero. So far, knocking on wood. They cost around $50 versus
$25 for the Forte Pro Lite but maybe you get what you pay for. One
disclaimer is in order though: At the same time I installed super-thick
tubes which may have helped stave off flats.

For mountain bikes it seems that the more expensive tires do not
necessarily translate into longer life or more sturdiness. But these
Gatorskins are sure much more sturdy than the lower cost Vredesteins I
had on the road bike before. I find the sidewals on the Gatorskins a big
flimsy so be careful with bottle dynamos and don't take them offroad
much (I tend to do that with my road bike).

BIG warning: Be prepared for major finger pain. Gatorskins run a tad
small and if you bike has flat rims like mine it's a bear to get them
on. I could only do one per day because my fingers hurt so much. I've
heard reports where bike dealers said at the cash register "Good luck
getting them on".

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

Joerg writes:

wrote:
I'm quite a cheapskate, so I've been using inexpensive tires such as
Performance's Forte Strada or their Forte Pro Lite (700 X 23C).
However, recently I had a sudden blowout on a Pro Lite. I have no
reason to believe it was due to a tire defect. I may have negligently
let a bald spot develop, or run over something sharp. But it does
make you wonder. Nor do I really like the road feel of these cheap
tires. Would anybody have a suggestion for a tire that is stronger,
has better road feel, and is more expensive but still gives good bang
for the buck? Thanks! retro


Continental Gatorskin. I run the 25mm variety and that has cut my number
of flats to zero. So far, knocking on wood. They cost around $50 versus
$25 for the Forte Pro Lite but maybe you get what you pay for. One
disclaimer is in order though: At the same time I installed super-thick
tubes which may have helped stave off flats.

For mountain bikes it seems that the more expensive tires do not
necessarily translate into longer life or more sturdiness. But these
Gatorskins are sure much more sturdy than the lower cost Vredesteins I
had on the road bike before. I find the sidewals on the Gatorskins a big
flimsy so be careful with bottle dynamos and don't take them offroad
much (I tend to do that with my road bike).

BIG warning: Be prepared for major finger pain. Gatorskins run a tad
small and if you bike has flat rims like mine it's a bear to get them
on. I could only do one per day because my fingers hurt so much. I've
heard reports where bike dealers said at the cash register "Good luck
getting them on".

Get the Kool-Stop tire bead jack. It's only 10 bucks, your fingers
will thank you. I carry one my bike, though its a bit large for that.

--
Joe Riel

I like Continental Gatorskins, but they are a whole different class of tire.

Forte Pro Lites have been selling for as little as $18.00 recently.

I recently bought a pair of Forte Stradas on sale for $12.00 each.

Anything around $25.00 that's a good tire?

Joe Riel wrote:
Joerg writes:

wrote:
I'm quite a cheapskate, so I've been using inexpensive tires such as
Performance's Forte Strada or their Forte Pro Lite (700 X 23C).
However, recently I had a sudden blowout on a Pro Lite. I have no
reason to believe it was due to a tire defect. I may have negligently
let a bald spot develop, or run over something sharp. But it does
make you wonder. Nor do I really like the road feel of these cheap
tires. Would anybody have a suggestion for a tire that is stronger,
has better road feel, and is more expensive but still gives good bang
for the buck? Thanks! retro

Continental Gatorskin. I run the 25mm variety and that has cut my number
of flats to zero. So far, knocking on wood. They cost around $50 versus
$25 for the Forte Pro Lite but maybe you get what you pay for. One
disclaimer is in order though: At the same time I installed super-thick
tubes which may have helped stave off flats.

For mountain bikes it seems that the more expensive tires do not
necessarily translate into longer life or more sturdiness. But these
Gatorskins are sure much more sturdy than the lower cost Vredesteins I
had on the road bike before. I find the sidewals on the Gatorskins a big
flimsy so be careful with bottle dynamos and don't take them offroad
much (I tend to do that with my road bike).

BIG warning: Be prepared for major finger pain. Gatorskins run a tad
small and if you bike has flat rims like mine it's a bear to get them
on. I could only do one per day because my fingers hurt so much. I've
heard reports where bike dealers said at the cash register "Good luck
getting them on".

Get the Kool-Stop tire bead jack. It's only 10 bucks, your fingers
will thank you. I carry one my bike, though its a bit large for that.


Good idea and bookmarked it, seems to have mostly positive reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/Kool-Stop-Tire.../dp/B001AYML7K

But I am hoping to ride these tires well over a year until the rear is
worn down. Assuming no flats. So far I am impressed. I've taken the road
bike onto stretches a few times where I thought "Oh darn, I should not
have used this route". I tend to keep pedaling even when I run out of
road yet there aren't any visible cuts. That was different with the
previous tires.

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

wrote:
I like Continental Gatorskins, but they are a whole different class of tire.

Forte Pro Lites have been selling for as little as $18.00 recently.

I recently bought a pair of Forte Stradas on sale for $12.00 each.

Anything around $25.00 that's a good tire?


No idea how good they are but sometimes Conti's Grand Prix go for $28-30:

http://www.amazon.com/Continental-Gr...ntinental+4000

A really cheap brand is Vee Rubber and they make 23mm as well. I don't
know their road bike tires at all but so far my MTB rear tire (cost me
$16 plus tax) holds up well and I ride hard.

http://www.amazon.com/Vee-Rubber-700...rds=Vee+rubber

--
Regards, Joerg

http://www.analogconsultants.com/

On Saturday, October 25, 2014 12:02:27 PM UTC-7, wrote:
I like Continental Gatorskins, but they are a whole different class of tire.

Forte Pro Lites have been selling for as little as $18.00 recently.

I recently bought a pair of Forte Stradas on sale for $12.00 each.

Anything around $25.00 that's a good tire?

The Performance brand tires are about the best you're going get at that price point. Their proprietary Vredesteins (if they still sell them) are no better. You'd have to spend a lot more to do better. I typically buy a bunch of Michelin Pros when they go on sale -- which is often. http://www.probikekit.com/bicycle-ty.../10777038.html

I splurged and bought some sale table Conti 4Seasons for my fast rain bike. Those are great tires, and I use Gatorskins on my commuter -- although I got a bunch of sale table 28mm Bontragers that I'll use later in the season when I wear out the Gatorskins. At the peak of the blow-down, rain and turtle-**** season (what we locals call decomposing leaves), I might switch to an even larger Performance store brand 32mm tire with some tread pattern.

But, it sounds like you're looking at racing-ish tires. There are no magical re-branded Pro4s or Conti4000 selling for $15 at Bike Island, and the only cheap and good off-brand folder that I have used was a Performance store brand.

-- Jay Beattie.

On Saturday, October 25, 2014 12:45:49 PM UTC-4, wrote:
I'm quite a cheapskate, so I've been using inexpensive tires such as Performance's Forte Strada or their Forte Pro Lite (700 X 23C). However, recently I had a sudden blowout on a Pro Lite. I have no reason to believe it was due to a tire defect. I may have negligently let a bald spot develop, or run over something sharp. But it does make you wonder. Nor do I really like the road feel of these cheap tires. Would anybody have a suggestion for a tire that is stronger, has better road feel, and is more expensive but still gives good bang for the buck? Thanks! retro

http://goo.gl/Ssk4z9

for road feel look for a round carcass with smooth soft rubber.

haven't ridden o a Spec turbo for several years...wire hoops... but has a good 'feel' npw at $40...

ask biketiresdirect....max feel low price....

does the Conti4Season work ?