Road tyre choices - Vittoria / Schwalbe / Conti

[Tiny K]

Hi guys,

 

I am looking at buying tyres for my race wheels for the upcoming season, but have mixed opinions on the following choices:

 

1. Vittoria Diamante Pro Light Tyre - R320

 

2. Schwalbe Ultremo DD tyre - R570

 

3. Continental GP4000 S Tyre - R400

 

I like the Schwalbe because I know a guy on the hub who had no punctures the entire race season last year. So that is my reference point. Also, I know they can go up to 10.5bar - great for a hefty guy like me.

 

I have been told that Vittoria is better than Schwalbe but anyone have experience?

 

I know loads of guys swear by the GP4000's, but are they puncture resistant?

 

Let me know what you lot think, thanks.

 

Edit: added prices from CWC

Edited August 12, 2011 by Tiny K

[Guest Iron]

michelin Krylion ! awesome tyres i have had two sets and never got one puncher just put a new set on the bike im selling.

[LOOK695]

Conti 4000s. Can't remember when last I had a puncture over 1000's of km

[Tiny K]

michelin Krylion ! awesome tyres i have had two sets and never got one puncher just put a new set on the bike im selling.

 

Excellent puncture resistance.The Michelin Krylion Carbon is the ideal training tire, featuring a smooth ride, low rolling resistance and high performance.Its carcass incorporates no less than four protective barriers, to resist punctures and road damage while promoting impressive longevity.And it delivers superb grip on dry or wet roads.Center tread reinforced with carbon black; increases durability by 30% or more.

 

I want a race specific tyre with good puncture resistance.

[Tiny K]

Conti 4000s. Can't remember when last I had a puncture over 1000's of km

 

I had (have) a set of Gatorskins that got a side wall slice and that was the end of my front tyre.

[Spinnekop]

Have been using the GP4000s for two years of racing. (30 odd races)

Only one puncture when I went though a pothole and pinched the tube.

 

Otherwise NO ISSUES!!

 

The Schwalbe tires I had gave me endless issues with sidewalls coming lose and the rep just gave me lip!

 

Vittoria tend to puncture a lot....well....the tubies anycase. I have no experience on the clinchers though.

 

Good luck.

 

Personally I think manufacturers are very closely matched.....as funrider very hard to tell the difference.

Also 90% of punctures boils down to bad luck and worn tyres!

 

As a side note......Schwalbe has a new racing tyre.....check it out!

[LOOK695]

I had (have) a set of Gatorskins that got a side wall slice and that was the end of my front tyre.

Haven't had any issues concerning sidewalls. My riding buddy uses 4000s and is also very happy. BUT it is also a matter of luck sometimes as spinnekop pointed out. Using the correct tyre pressure is also critical

[LeTurbo]

I've had Conti 4000s, Ultra Race and Ultra Sport or whatever they're called. Never again! Couldn't get more than 100km (usually 20) without a puncture. That at 130 - 140 psi. Now I use Serfas Seca on all my bikes - about half the price of others and 10X more puncture resistant. Around R150 each.

Edited August 12, 2011 by LeTurbo

[bclark]

Guys can you add average prices in your posts.

 

Thanks

[Tiny K]

Have been using the GP4000s for two years of racing. (30 odd races)

Only one puncture when I went though a pothole and pinched the tube.

 

Otherwise NO ISSUES!!

 

The Schwalbe tires I had gave me endless issues with sidewalls coming lose and the rep just gave me lip!

 

Vittoria tend to puncture a lot....well....the tubies anycase. I have no experience on the clinchers though.

 

Good luck.

 

Personally I think manufacturers are very closely matched.....as funrider very hard to tell the difference.

Also 90% of punctures boils down to bad luck and worn tyres!

 

As a side note......Schwalbe has a new racing tyre.....check it out!

 

Do you know what it is called? Oh ja, I forgot to say the tyres would be clinchers.

Edited August 12, 2011 by Tiny K

[Spinnekop]

Do you know what it is called?

 

Ultremo ZX

 

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=60318

[Tiny K]

Ultremo ZX

 

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=60318

 

Thanks - I spotted them just now when I looked at CRC - I see they are cheaper (not much) than the R1 and DD's.

 

http://www.schwalbetires.com/bike_tires/racing_tires

 

Ultremo DD

 

Ultremo ZX

[Audible Anarchy]

I've had my vittorias for over 6000kms without a puncture - even when i dented a rim recently after an incident with a taxi - still the tyre was 100%. Nice thick rubbery sidewalls don't get sliced like my contis did.

[Bat-ass]

I have Vittoria diamante pro light tyres that came on my bike.... they are paper thin and the website even says "For known good roads only"..... rode on them a hand full of time, punctured once, and put them in the cupboard... They are feather weight though!!!!

 

GP 4000s very tough for a light tyre. But i had issues of the beading threads coming off!!??

[cadenceblur]

conti gp4000s good roll, awesome grip. no punctures yet

[mr_stig]

I rode with Vittoria's for a while and while the may puncture more easily than Conti's, I found that having foldable tyres made changing them a quick process. Conti's can be a bugger to change in a hurry!