cyclingWHIDBEY: Tire Decision Dilemma

Friday, January 20, 2023

Tire Decision Dilemma

Hey there bicycle enthusiasts. This is my first post in a while. I thought I would try the blogging waters again.

I'm having a hard time deciding which tires to buy for the up coming outdoor season. I've tried several bands the last few years. Vittoria, Schwalbe and my latest set Michelin. I liked the Vittoria Rubino Pro

tires they looked, good especially with the red sidewalls. They handle well, long lasting and were very puncture resistance. The Schwalbe tires I had I was not too impressed with. They were not all the things the Vittoria tires were. I used them a long time ago and I think they were not Schwalbe's best. I should probably give Schwalbe tires another try before criticizing them too harshly. The Michelin tire performed very well. They were fast, comfortable and puncture resistance. They looked good too with the red side walls. However I have been using them on my rollers this winter and the rear tire is starting to come apart.

I normally get an outdoor season, and an indoor season, and sometimes part of another outdoor season out of a set of tires. So I can't really say that the Michelin tires were long lasting. At least not this particular tire.

What am I looking for in a tire? I want a fast comfortable long lasting puncture resistant tire at a good price with red sidewalls. My first problem is finding tires with red sidewalls. My second problem is I'm not sure what a decent tire prices is. I don’t want to buy the cheapest tire but then again I don’t want to pay a an exorbitant amount for a tire either. After all I'm a summer time speedster not a member of the pro peloton.

I've been looking at the Continental Grand Prix 5000 tires.

I have Continental tires on my casual bicycle. I didn’t choose them they came with the bike when I bought it. I really like them. They look good, perform well and have held up well to all the abuse I have dished out.