Road Racing Tyres

Home:Ballyhoura

Hi, looking at getting a good set of 700x23 racing tyres. I'm going to use them as an all-round tyre, so lightweight and low resistance for racing, and grip durability and puncture protection for training! Red colour scheme would be nice too - only messin!! Haha I was wondering what ye would reccomend a good tyre that would fit me needs!
I had been looking at the following:

• Michelin Pro3 Race 200g for €25 on CRC (Usually €30-€40) €43 in LBS
• Continental GP4000S 205g (Black Chili - Racing) for €24 on PBK (Usually €30-€40) €43 in LBS
• Continental Ultra Gator Skin 220g (Training) for €17 on PBK (Usually €25-€35)
• Continental Attack/Force (Pair: Front22/Back24, 190g+210g ) on PBK for €45, €22.50 each (Usually around €60, €30 each)
• Vittoria Open Corsa Evo CX 210g for €25 on Wiggle (Using vouchers, usually worth €35) Same price as lower model Diamante!

The prices shown are the cheapest I could find (I tried ChainReactionCycles, Wiggle and ProBikeKit). All have free shipping to Ireland and are usually the cheapest place to buy bike accessories. I did notice the PBK seem to have excellent value on their tyres, especially the Continental ones which were nearly €10 cheaper for each tyre! Anyway, let me know what you think! Cheers

P.S. How would these 3 brands compare? Michelin Pro3 are €43 in my LBS, but I heard they cut easily! I have cheap Vittoria Rubino Pro's at the moment, grand but not too impressed! Continental seems to be a good name too? Theys say GP4000 is a racing tyre and the Gator Skin a training tyre! Any help would be great, thanks in advance!

TinyExplosions

All are equally good really.. have used the Michelins in he past, and currently have the GP4000's on both my road bike and fixie. New fixie is having gator skins (but really they're best for commuting), and the road bike with have the Vittoria's on when the conti's wear out!

I know that doesn't help, but basically, all the tyres listed are good and will do what you want!

E@gle.

All pretty good imo, i use the conti gp4000 all year round and hardly ever get a puncture. I use the vittoria's for racing_ supposdly there not as puncture resistant as the conti

short circuit

Conti Ultra Gatorskins at 17GBP from Wiggle ... 34GBP for 2 ... and 29GBP with the voucher.

Non folding ... but hey ... its going on the bike ... not in a saddle bag

On a side note ... I thought PBK charged 8 GBP for shipping .... this is from their website

EU Orders

Orders to countries within the EU, Switzerland, Austria and Scandinavia, will be charged £8 for delivery (V.A.T is not deductable for EU countries).

Home:Ballyhoura

short circuit wrote: »

I thought PBK charged 8 GBP for shipping

No, I've bought to much stuff from them to know that its free! Just enter your country as Ireland at the top of the page, and add something to your basket = no shipping charge!

When you do this, it also comes up on the home page: "FREE SHIPPING TO IRELAND"...see attatched picture!

They seems to have good prices on some things, not on others! I usually check out these 3 sites when looking to buy something, and obviously buy from the cheapest! No one is better than the other, all have been the best price for some things! Other than that, I might give eBay a quick glance!

Lumen

Consider Michelin Pro Grip also, harder to find but 60% more grip in the wet than the Race according to Michelin.

And I want to know whether they're any good.

Probably wear out quick though.

GP4000s are known for being very sticky too.

I've found Gatorskins a bit of a PITA to change, very tight on the rim.

Diarmuid

Some interesting opinions from a bike shop owner / cyclist. He rates the Vittoria Open Corsa EVO CX very highly and like Lumen recommends the Pro Race too.

Lumen

Diarmuid wrote: »

He rates the Vittoria Open Corsa EVO CX very highly and like Lumen recommends the Pro Race too.

Actually I recommended the Pro Grip, out of pure ignorant curiosity. Interesting that he rates the Continental GP 4000 as "Worst Tire in the Rain".

Signal_ rabbit

I love the conti's too. The GP4000S. Usually get them from Probike kit for £21, but they are out of stock at the mo.

Ryaner

Diarmuid wrote: »

Some interesting opinions from a bike shop owner / cyclist. He rates the Vittoria Open Corsa EVO CX very highly and like Lumen recommends the Pro Race too.

Has anyone got any more information on choosing tyre pressure? I had always thought for road cycling you pumped the tyre up as high as it allowed but the article seems to suggest otherwise.

LDB

hey OP can you post the link to the GP4000S on PBK? (can't see the ones you are referring to)
I was about to buy a set in Cycological yesterday - 45 Euro each!

Thanks!

short circuit

Ryaner wrote: »

Has anyone got any more information on choosing tyre pressure? I had always thought for road cycling you pumped the tyre up as high as it allowed but the article seems to suggest otherwise.

The bearded man has the answer to everything ...
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#pressure

Tau

When you're buying tyres from CRC or Wiggle, are the prices for one tyre or for pairs?

penexpers

Tau wrote: »

When you're buying tyres from CRC or Wiggle, are the prices for one tyre or for pairs?

One tyre.

Home:Ballyhoura

Ok, its down to the Michelin Pro 3 Race's and the Vittoria Open Corsa Evo CX's. Both come in red which suits my bike brilliantly!

What's the story with tyre widths, my bike came with stock 25mm, I switched them to the more popular 23's and now I came across a set of 20's for a good price here, thats €10 cheaper (each tyre) than the 23mm version on the same website! Take into account that I weigh only 50kilos/8stone!

One last question, can you see any difference between the standard Vittoria Open Corsa Evo CX's and the CSC Version (apart from the colour and that they come as a pair, I mean performance wise!)

Pro 3 Race's will cost €50 for a pair
Vittoria Evo's will cost €48 for a pair
CSC Vitoria's will cost €52 for a pair

TinyExplosions

There's none of those 20mm in stock -but they should fit fine anyway. Also, there's no difference between the CSC and non-CSC ones -just a bit of branding!

short circuit

I noticed going from 25 to 23mm tyre width that there was some loss of comfort ... assuming that this is going to be bigger when you go down to 2omm.

Also ... one benefit of the 25mm is that if you puncture ... you only have to get it back upto 100psi .. which is much easier than getting a 20mm upto .... guessing here ... 130psi ... unless ofcourse you are using CO2 cartridges.

23mm were slightly lighter than 25mm for me ... but I didn't notice any speed loss.

E@gle.

would not bother with 20mm tyres on irish roads

Home:Ballyhoura

Was just looking at the Michel Pro 3 Races there on CRC and came across a few different version!

• Standard for €26 (200g standard) - also on Ribble here
• Grip for €34 (20% better cornering grip, wet weather) - also on Ribble here
• Light for €34 (Lightweight 180g)

I came across a service course version also, but I think that it is just another name for the light (well according to Ribble here anyway). Here is what Michelin had to say!

ROK ON

Took advice from folks here on the Conti Gatorskins.
Two days on the bike - 1st puncture.

Unimpressed.

penexpers

ROK ON wrote: »

Took advice from folks here on the Conti Gatorskins.
Two days on the bike - 1st puncture.

Unimpressed.

Well I have 2000km on them and I haven't had any punctures. And I've been on some pretty bad roads.

No tire will be completely pucture proof, just puncture resistance. Puncture resistance will be helped by inflating to the correct psi. Rolling over the wrong stuff (nails or really sharp objects) will puncture any tire.

Home:Ballyhoura

ROK ON wrote: »

Took advice from folks here on the Conti Gatorskins

Do you mind me asking where u got them and how much? I'm getting the Red Michelin Pro 3 Race's as soon as they are back in stock, keeping the Vittoria Rubino Pro's for winter training!

TinyExplosions

Home:Ballyhoura wrote: »

Do you mind me asking where u got them and how much? I'm getting the Red Michelin Pro 3 Race's as soon as they are back in stock, keeping the Vittoria Rubino Pro's for winter training!

I brought Gatorskins from Wiggle t'other day, and was 28sterling the pair

Chips Lovell

Gatorskins are more training tyres than racing tyres.

Home:Ballyhoura

TinyExplosions wrote: »

I brought Gatorskins from Wiggle t'other day, and was 28sterling the pair

Just checked it there...15.70 each! :eek: Thats good value!

Another stupid question from me...which trainer tyre would you get? Tacx one is too expensive at €28!

• Vittoria Zaffiro Pro €20
• Continental Ultra Sport €15.40

Diarmuid

Home:Ballyhoura wrote: »

=
Another stupid question from me...which trainer tyre would you get?

turbo trainer? Any old one you have at home

Home:Ballyhoura

Diarmuid wrote: »

turbo trainer? Any old one you have at home

Yes I do and thats what I use at the moment! However it is really terrible when I decide to take the bike out (crap & ugly tyre). Rather than change tyre every time, I have decided to get a spare wheel and leave this trainer tyre on it at all times. Then all I have to do is drop the bike into the trainer and its already all set up for me! They say they run quieter also, which is a huge benefit!

Hopefully I'll manage to find someone with an old wheel lying around in their shed! All I need is a Shimano compatible clincher (700c) and relatively straight! Performance doesn't matter at all, so I should be able to pick up an old one somewhere (maybe even in my LBS if he's nice! ) Cheers

Chips Lovell

Just get a spare wheel then and put an old tyre on it.

IM0

is PBK perfornamce bike in the states?

Chips Lovell

me@ucd wrote: »

is PBK perfornamce bike in the states?

No.

Home:Ballyhoura

me@ucd wrote: »

is PBK perfornamce bike in the states?

ProBikeKit in the UK...free shipping to Ireland

Lumen

Home:Ballyhoura wrote: »

Grip for €34 (20% better cornering grip, wet weather) - also on Ribble here

I think both CRC and Ribble are suffering from cut/paste syndrome.

The Michelin Pro (2,3) are ranges of tyres, comprising Race, Light and Grip models.

The Pro 3 have more grip than the Pro 2 (20%, 27%?) since they're the newer model range.

Within the ranges, the Pro Grip have more wet grip (60%?) than the Pro.

All these figures are from Michelin marketing, so who knows the truth!

Home:Ballyhoura

Hey guys, in case you were looking for some Michelin Pro 3 Race's...here they are back in stock! In all 8 colours! Yipee

I've been looking for these tyres for some time now and they are never in stock anywhere! Michelin tyres can be hard to get hold of (especially in the popular red colours!) Anyway, I emailed ProBikeKit last week and they were expecting this delivery, and so was I! They will sell out rapidly due to the "Request Stock Alert" feature, (email hasn't been sent out yet so be quick!)

Another trick, if you add the pair to your cart, they:D come to just over £50...you can get £5 off this order by doing the following! Click on the refer a friend on the top of the page...sent it to a secondary email address...and use the supplied code to receive the £5 discount...works out around €50 in total! (They sell for €43 each in my LBS!)

Home:Ballyhoura

Michelin obviously send out a shipment of tyres...just got an email from CRC...Pro 3 Race back in stock!

Home:Ballyhoura

Lumen wrote: »

The Michelin Pro (2,3) are ranges of tyres, comprising Race, Light and Grip models.

Hey man...you seem to know a bit about these Michelin tyres! I received my pair of Red Pro 3 Race's today...ordered them from here, and the version I received was "Service Course". What does this mean, I've never heard of them before...it says it on the sidewall also!

Lumen

Home:Ballyhoura wrote: »

Hey man...you seem to know a bit about these Michelin tyres! I received my pair of Red Pro 3 Race's today...ordered them from here, and the version I received was "Service Course". What does this mean, I've never heard of them before...it says it on the sidewall also!

No idea. I suspect it's just what they're calling the Pro 3 Race to give them a longer name (more words equals more grip, right?).

Apparently the Pro 2 Races were also called the "Michelin Pro2 Race Service Course Limited Edition".

FFS!

I'm waiting for a delivery of the Pro 3 Grips myself.

Home:Ballyhoura

Lumen wrote: »

I'm waiting for a delivery of the Pro 3 Grips myself.

Ya, I'd say its just a fancy name for the standard version.
By the way, where did you get you Pro 3 Grips and how much did they set you back? I probably should have went for this version instead! Next time

Lumen

Home:Ballyhoura wrote: »

Ya, I'd say its just a fancy name for the standard version.
By the way, where did you get you Pro 3 Grips and how much did they set you back? I probably should have went for this version instead! Next time

Er, 75.45 EUR for the pair including postage from CRC. Ouch!

never look at the price

Home:Ballyhoura

Lumen wrote: »

Er, 75.45 EUR for the pair including postage from CRC. Ouch!

never look at the price

Ya, I got my pair from PBK for 49.00 EUR using a voucher! NICE

AstraMonti

Home:Ballyhoura wrote: »

Ya, I got my pair from PBK for 49.00 EUR using a voucher! NICE

Does PBK charge for shipping?

Home:Ballyhoura

AstraMonti wrote: »

Does PBK charge for shipping?

NOPE! Just remember to change your country to Ireland to see the free shipping...they are very cheap for some things, namely tyres! I usually try ChainReactionCycles, ProBikeKit and Wiggle. All are good for somethings, but I think PBK are winning on the number of orders from me so far! Too many.

P.S. If you are spending over £50 (which a pair of Pro 3 Race's are just), you can get £5 off. Just click refer a friend at the top of the page..send it to a secondary email address...and use the voucher code sent to you for the discount! Its as simple as that.

AstraMonti

Home:Ballyhoura wrote: »

P.S. If you are spending over £50 (which a pair of Pro 3 Race's are just), you can get £5 off. Just click refer a friend at the top of the page..send it to a secondary email address...and use the voucher code sent to you for the discount! Its as simple as that.

You are officially the master of the vouchers

Cheers!

zzzzzzzz

Home:Ballyhoura wrote: »

NOPE! Just remember to change your country to Ireland to see the free shipping...they are very cheap for some things, namely tyres! I usually try ChainReactionCycles, ProBikeKit and Wiggle. All are good for somethings, but I think PBK are winning on the number of orders from me so far! Too many.

P.S. If you are spending over £50 (which a pair of Pro 3 Race's are just), you can get £5 off. Just click refer a friend at the top of the page..send it to a secondary email address...and use the voucher code sent to you for the discount! Its as simple as that.

Just trying to order the same tyres from pro bike kit. Got the voucher code alright - But it's still showing up that I'm going to be charged 50.39GBP. I think the "Orders over £50" thing is calculated on the ex vat price, which comes to £43.82... did the price drop since you bought them?

zzzzzzzz

aidan.offbeat wrote: »

Just trying to order the same tyres from pro bike kit. Got the voucher code alright - But it's still showing up that I'm going to be charged 50.39GBP. I think the "Orders over £50" thing is calculated on the ex vat price, which comes to £43.82... did the price drop since you bought them?

Never mind - I ordered a couple more small things to bring the order value over £50... SOMEONE TAKE THIS CREDIT CARD OFF ME..:eek:

AstraMonti

aidan.offbeat wrote: »

Never mind - I ordered a couple more small things to bring the order value over £50... SOMEONE TAKE THIS CREDIT CARD OFF ME..:eek:

Oh well.. i started looking for cleaning stuff and i ended with a 250euro bill.. again.. oh fark..

Home:Ballyhoura

aidan.offbeat wrote: »

did the price drop since you bought them?

Yes, I got them at the price you got them for...but had to add bar tapes to make up the difference!

When I posted this, the price went up marginally and totalled just over £50

Either way, it works out around €49 for the pair...don't worry, I did my calculations!

Home:Ballyhoura

New 2009 Continental Grand Prix tyre available exclusively here on PBK.
Manufacturer's page here

Lumen

Home:Ballyhoura wrote: »

New 2009 Continental Grand Prix tyre available exclusively here on PBK.
Manufacturer's page here

"The new Grand Prix marks the trend toward wider tires in performance cycling. Wider tires roll easier, yield higher mileage and offer more comfort and grip, therefore the new Grand Prix profile is 24mm."

Marketing: Wide is the new narrow. Make them wider.
Product development: No.
Marketing: Look, we need something for our press release.
Product development: OK, 1mm, but that's it. Come back in 2010 for another mm.

AstraMonti

Ballyhoura have you put the Michelin on? How do they feel on the wet?

trek climber

Lumen wrote: »

"The new Grand Prix marks the trend toward wider tires in performance cycling. Wider tires roll easier, yield higher mileage and offer more comfort and grip, therefore the new Grand Prix profile is 24mm."

Marketing: Wide is the new narrow. Make them wider.
Product development: No.
Marketing: Look, we need something for our press release.
Product development: OK, 1mm, but that's it. Come back in 2010 for another mm.

Any disadvantages using wider tyres in performance ?

blorg

trek climber wrote: »

Any disadvantages using wider tyres in performance ?

They are heavier and a bit less aero.