Can someone recommend me some good tires to replace the stock tires on my new road bike?

Question

I bought my road bike about a month ago and Ive aleready had three flats. Im not too informative on different kinds of tires for road bikes. Any recommendations on which are the toughest for a decent price, hopefully not too high? Thanks.

Answer 1

If you are getting that many flats I wonder if you might be riding with an incorrect tire pressure? To low for example can result in a 'pinch flat'. Have a look here for info about getting your tire pressure right. http://sheldonbrown.com/tires.html#press...

Alternatively you might consider using a product like 'slime' http://www.slime.com/

If the above suggestions don't sort things and you are cycling enough to get three flats in a month then it is might be worth saving a little longer and getting something towards the higher end of the market rather than another budget tire. Continental tires designed for puncture resistance are generally highly regarded and would be my choice.

There is a a very full discussion of the question - including some recommendations of reliable budget tires and where to get good deals on more high end ones here http://www.bikeforums.net/archive/index....

Remember, however, that the more reliable a tire is the heavier it tends to be so you may find yourself making a trade off between performance and reliability.

Happy cycling.

Answer 2

I got the Continental Force/Attack 2-tire set on sale for $70. I've seen them available online for $65. They have performed wonderfully on my bike, a very significant difference of the stock tires which were Michelin ProRace 2's. I've also heard very good things about Conti GP4000S, the Black Chili compound version.

HTH

Answer 3

Sure, Continnental Gatorskins. There not the lightest but I think there the best. They have flat protection built into them. I get maybe one flat a year. I ride 5000 miles a year. those arent bad odds. They cost about 30 dollars. The best place to buy them is at Performance Bike. Theres one on Centeridge in rocky River.

Answer 4

I have a pair of Bontrager Race Lite Hard Case that are working very fine...puncture resistance included...about $30 apiece

Answer 5

Not all of these may be available in sizes larger than 700 X 23.  I'm assuming that's what you're currently riding.

Some you might want to look at:

Bontrager Race Lite

http://www.bontrager.com/model/00442/en

Affordable, high mileage

Specialized All Condition Armadillo

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProdu...

Tough tire...bit more $ than the Bontrager

Specialized Roubaix Armadillo Elite

http://www.specialized.com/bc/SBCEqProdu...

A few dollars more, yet...but a good, durable, *plush* road tire.

Conti Ultra Gatorskin

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/ww...

An old favorite for many riders

Conti GP4000

http://www.conti-tyres.co.uk/conticycle/...

A newer favorite for others

Conti Ultra Sport

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/ww...

Want something inexpensive?

Michelin Krylion Carbon

http://www.michelinbicycletire.com/miche...

Heard nice comments on these...never ridden them, though.

You didn't mention what tire you're currently riding or anything about your riding conditions.  Three flats...how many miles?  All punctures?  Any snakebites?

If this is your first experience with road tires, get in the habit of avoiding hazards that you may have previously ridden through successfully on other bikes.  If you can't avoid the hazard, try to get light on the bike and go easy.  Also get in the habit of checking your tires for air pressure and for glass and other matter on the tread before every ride.

Answer 6

I don't understand why you're getting that many flats. That's not normal. I doubt the brand of tire is your problem. So before you start throwing wads of cash at the problem try this.

Pull the tires off your bike and examine the rim strip. Make sure it fully covers the holes on the inside of your rims and that it hasn't wiggled out of place. You may even want to get some narrow plastic strapping tape and wrap it around a time or two on top of the rim strip. Also make sure that none of the spokes are sticking up far enough to puncture your tube. If they are that's probably a matter for a bike shop to look at. (the spokes are too long or the wheel is improperly laced)

OOPS! Check this first. Examine the inside of your tire (or tires) Make sure there's not a piece of glass or some other object embedded in there that could be giving you one flat after the other. If so carefully remove it and you should be good to go.