Which road tires do you use?

[PaloAltoCougar]

I've never tried tubeless, but the mechanic I use tried to sell me on them last year. He thought Hutchinson tubeless were the best. A friend of mine also swears by tubeless and tried to sell me on some Maxxis (Padrone?) tires. I had just bought a new set of clinchers, so that's the main reason I didn't buy any last year.

I'll be in the market for some new tires in the near future, so please be sure to post your experience with the tubeless. I'm a little more on the durability over performance/comfort side of the spectrum, though.

I took a short ride (17 miles) this morning to try them out. I should have checked the pressure but assumed the shop had inflated them fully. The tires show a recommended psi of 100, with a max of 115. The shop guy had told me that even with the slightly lower recommended pressure (my previous tires were all in the 120-140 range), I could/should consider keeping the new tubeless tires around 90. This morning's ride seemed really plush, with excellent cornering, but I became suspicious and when I checked upon my return, the tires were at only 60. So this morning's test is inconclusive. Speedwise, hard to tell a difference yet, both because of traffic signals and due to the infirmities of age. I'll do another test ride or two this week, and then the big one Saturday.

[Moliere]

On Saturday I was out for a ride. There's a ton of construction around my usual route but I really don't have many other choices so I went through the area hoping to make it through unscathed. I succeeded, but then about 5 miles after I was clear of the debris I was descending an overpass and my back tire blew. It was loud enough that I knew it was flat before I felt it was flat. I pulled over and fix the tire but noticed a decent sized hole in the tire, whcih looked like something bigger than a small nail. After changing the tire I circled back and noticed a large screw right in the spot where the tire blew and figured that was the culprit. I spit on it and headed home....thankfully making it without hitting anything else and without damaging the almost-partially exposed tube either.

Anyway, I spent a good 30 mins researching tires and ended up ordering these (the whitewall version): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0038W8RG6/...528360_TE_dp_1

They arrived today and I put one on the back tire. It was tough to put on and I actually had to use a tool to finish the job up. Usually I can get tires on without a tool, which I've found helps save tubes from being pinched. I'm hoping to get some decent miles out of these. I had Armadillos on my old road bike and they were pretty much bullet proof. If these new ones don't shake out I might go with gatorskins or armadillos next.

[Bo Diddley]

I took a short ride (17 miles) this morning to try them out. I should have checked the pressure but assumed the shop had inflated them fully. The tires show a recommended psi of 100, with a max of 115. The shop guy had told me that even with the slightly lower recommended pressure (my previous tires were all in the 120-140 range), I could/should consider keeping the new tubeless tires around 90. This morning's ride seemed really plush, with excellent cornering, but I became suspicious and when I checked upon my return, the tires were at only 60. So this morning's test is inconclusive. Speedwise, hard to tell a difference yet, both because of traffic signals and due to the infirmities of age. I'll do another test ride or two this week, and then the big one Saturday.

What's the verdict on tubeless tires? I'll be getting new tires soon, and am considering all my options.

[PaloAltoCougar]

What's the verdict on tubeless tires? I'll be getting new tires soon, and am considering all my options.

I switched back to tubes. The tubeless were really good, until I got a flat. A few times I could tell I'd take a puncture (nothing big, maybe a thorn or something) as I'd hear the psssst, feel a little bit of sealant spray, and then the hole would seal and I didn't even stop riding (that was pretty cool). But two or three times the hole didn't seal and I had to stop, fiddle around with the thing and finally insert a tube, which was a pain. The bike shop guy gave me instructions on how to get the hole to seal properly, but it didn't help much.

Originally, I was told to simply spin the wheel and the centrifigual force would be enough for the sealant to close the hole. But after that failed a time or two, I was told to bounce the wheel a few times, with the hole at the bottom, forcing a lot of the sealant to the hole, but even that failed once with a large hole.

BTW, I know this sounds like I was having lots of flats, and I seemed to have a bit more with the tubeless than my old Gatorskins. So I decided to switch back. Rather than go back to Gatorskins (which my wife still uses and likes them), I followed bike shop guy's recommendation and am using Maxxis Re-Fuse, and they've been fine.

And the guy said I'm the only one who's switched back after trying the tubeless, and I'm inclined to believe him, as the few I know who have used them swear by them; I just had lousy luck, I suppose. He also said he learned later that the model I had been using turned out to be a lousy one and they've stopped making it, but I can't remember what the model was.

I wouldn't recommend against tubeless; in fact, I'd probably encourage you to try them as I think they provide a slightly smoother and faster ride, but I'd ask the shop what kind of experience their customers have been having.

[Bo Diddley]

I switched back to tubes. The tubeless were really good, until I got a flat. A few times I could tell I'd take a puncture (nothing big, maybe a thorn or something) as I'd hear the psssst, feel a little bit of sealant spray, and then the hole would seal and I didn't even stop riding (that was pretty cool). But two or three times the hole didn't seal and I had to stop, fiddle around with the thing and finally insert a tube, which was a pain. The bike shop guy gave me instructions on how to get the hole to seal properly, but it didn't help much.

Originally, I was told to simply spin the wheel and the centrifigual force would be enough for the sealant to close the hole. But after that failed a time or two, I was told to bounce the wheel a few times, with the hole at the bottom, forcing a lot of the sealant to the hole, but even that failed once with a large hole.

BTW, I know this sounds like I was having lots of flats, and I seemed to have a bit more with the tubeless than my old Gatorskins. So I decided to switch back. Rather than go back to Gatorskins (which my wife still uses and likes them), I followed bike shop guy's recommendation and am using Maxxis Re-Fuse, and they've been fine.

And the guy said I'm the only one who's switched back after trying the tubeless, and I'm inclined to believe him, as the few I know who have used them swear by them; I just had lousy luck, I suppose. He also said he learned later that the model I had been using turned out to be a lousy one and they've stopped making it, but I can't remember what the model was.

I wouldn't recommend against tubeless; in fact, I'd probably encourage you to try them as I think they provide a slightly smoother and faster ride, but I'd ask the shop what kind of experience their customers have been having.

That's a good endorsement. I think I'll give them a try. Thanks!

[ERCougar]

Hey pac, did you try refilling the sealant? A normal puncture should always seal, assuming there's enough sealant, and people forget to refill it. I went tubeless on my mountain bike after I started riding in cactus country and haven't had a flat since. But I have to refill sealant every few months.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Hey pac, did you try refilling the sealant? A normal puncture should always seal, assuming there's enough sealant, and people forget to refill it. I went tubeless on my mountain bike after I started riding in cactus country and haven't had a flat since. But I have to refill sealant every few months.

I did, but flatted out on the next ride. The bike shop guy thinks it was a defect in the tire itself, and I have no reason to doubt him. I still went back to tubes anyway, but I'll likely try tubeless again eventually.

[Moliere]

On Saturday I was out for a ride. There's a ton of construction around my usual route but I really don't have many other choices so I went through the area hoping to make it through unscathed. I succeeded, but then about 5 miles after I was clear of the debris I was descending an overpass and my back tire blew. It was loud enough that I knew it was flat before I felt it was flat. I pulled over and fix the tire but noticed a decent sized hole in the tire, whcih looked like something bigger than a small nail. After changing the tire I circled back and noticed a large screw right in the spot where the tire blew and figured that was the culprit. I spit on it and headed home....thankfully making it without hitting anything else and without damaging the almost-partially exposed tube either.

Anyway, I spent a good 30 mins researching tires and ended up ordering these (the whitewall version): http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0038W8RG6/...528360_TE_dp_1

They arrived today and I put one on the back tire. It was tough to put on and I actually had to use a tool to finish the job up. Usually I can get tires on without a tool, which I've found helps save tubes from being pinched. I'm hoping to get some decent miles out of these. I had Armadillos on my old road bike and they were pretty much bullet proof. If these new ones don't shake out I might go with gatorskins or armadillos next.

Went out for a long ride today and got a flat 10 miles in. The construction around my area is getting really annoying. The shoulders along the road are probably 3-5 feet wide but they are covered in dirt and rock. A year ago they were pristine. Hopefully they get the grand parkway completed ahead of schedule so everything can pack up and go somewhere else.

In the meantime, I ordered some Gatorskins. I figured I should just bite the bullet and get something made to reduce the risk of a puncture. Hopefully they ride well since I have a 150 miler (2-day) ride coming up in a couple weeks.

While researching tires, I also found this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Seems like a cool tool and one I need to have around my house. Here's a vid:

[chrisrenrut]

Went out for a long ride today and got a flat 10 miles in. The construction around my area is getting really annoying. The shoulders along the road are probably 3-5 feet wide but they are covered in dirt and rock. A year ago they were pristine. Hopefully they get the grand parkway completed ahead of schedule so everything can pack up and go somewhere else.

In the meantime, I ordered some Gatorskins. I figured I should just bite the bullet and get something made to reduce the risk of a puncture. Hopefully they ride well since I have a 150 miler (2-day) ride coming up in a couple weeks.

While researching tires, I also found this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Seems like a cool tool and one I need to have around my house. Here's a vid:

I've broken one of those. Used it to mount a tire once, then the next time it snapped. Good concept, but made of cheap plastic.

[Moliere]

I've broken one of those. Used it to mount a tire once, then the next time it snapped. Good concept, but made of cheap plastic.

Or maybe you are just above average in the strength category

It was $14 so I picked it up. I don't change tires that much, but there are some that I just can't get on with my thumbs, so this should help. There is apparently a metal version out there somewhere, but it is sold out or not available at all the online retailers.

[RC Vikings]

Went out for a long ride today and got a flat 10 miles in. The construction around my area is getting really annoying. The shoulders along the road are probably 3-5 feet wide but they are covered in dirt and rock. A year ago they were pristine. Hopefully they get the grand parkway completed ahead of schedule so everything can pack up and go somewhere else.

In the meantime, I ordered some Gatorskins. I figured I should just bite the bullet and get something made to reduce the risk of a puncture. Hopefully they ride well since I have a 150 miler (2-day) ride coming up in a couple weeks.

While researching tires, I also found this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Seems like a cool tool and one I need to have around my house. Here's a vid:

I need to get me one of these. I like Michelin tires but they are so hard to put on I avoid them.

[chrisrenrut]

Or maybe you are just above average in the strength category

It was $14 so I picked it up. I don't change tires that much, but there are some that I just can't get on with my thumbs, so this should help. There is apparently a metal version out there somewhere, but it is sold out or not available at all the online retailers.

I might be a bit bitter because it broke as I was trying to repair a flat 15 miles from home. I had to call my wife to come get me, which always sucks.

I was trying to get a gatorskin tire on, which is impossible to do with thumbs or tire levers. When I first got them, I gave up after getting blisters on both thumbs, and took to a local bike shop to pay the to do it. 40 minutes, 3 pinched tubes, and $8 later, they finally had it on. The kooks stop tool helped me get it on then one time after that, and I thought it was the best thing ever. Then the last failure left me totally disillusioned.

[Moliere]

I might be a bit bitter because it broke as I was trying to repair a flat 15 miles from home. I had to call my wife to come get me, which always sucks.

I was trying to get a gatorskin tire on, which is impossible to do with thumbs or tire levers. When I first got them, I gave up after getting blisters on both thumbs, and took to a local bike shop to pay the to do it. 40 minutes, 3 pinched tubes, and $8 later, they finally had it on. The kooks stop tool helped me get it on then one time after that, and I thought it was the best thing ever. Then the last failure left me totally disillusioned.

The verdict on the Kool Tool is that it's awesome. I'll be honest that I can't see how you would break it unless you are trying to get on the tire with one pull. I did 4-5 pulls and both tires went on easy-peasy. It's a definite keeper and I just wish a more compact version was available so I could easily carry it on the bike.

[chrisrenrut]

The verdict on the Kool Tool is that it's awesome. I'll be honest that I can't see how you would break it unless you are trying to get on the tire with one pull. I did 4-5 pulls and both tires went on easy-peasy. It's a definite keeper and I just wish a more compact version was available so I could easily carry it on the bike.

IThe arm that reaches over the tire snapped just above the pivot joint, and went flying into the weeds. Hopefully mine was just defective, and your works for many years. There are a few others on Amazon that reported theirs breaking too, but not a lot. I may contact the manufacturer and see if they'll give me a replacement in exchange for revising my Amazon review.

[Bo Diddley]

The verdict on the Kool Tool is that it's awesome. I'll be honest that I can't see how you would break it unless you are trying to get on the tire with one pull. I did 4-5 pulls and both tires went on easy-peasy. It's a definite keeper and I just wish a more compact version was available so I could easily carry it on the bike.

Good to know. I've hesitated buying this because of some of the reviews where they had broken.