Best high performance racing tire

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by peterwright
Is there a racing tire that is widely regarded as the best on the market ? I have tried Conti GP3000 and they are ok but I am looking for something better in terms of feel / grip and weight. What else would you recomend trying ? I am 150lbs and race regularly.

The Michelin Pro Races are regarded by many as one of the best tires out there.

Agree Pro Race should have a little better grip and lower rolling resistance.

I've heard good report on the new Conti racing pair....the front tire is thinner/lighter and with a sticky compound where you need it most. The set is about $99 retail. Also Conti has the ultra-light Supersonics, described as a TT tire.

Dan

I personally use the Michelin Pro Race, but have heard the Vittoria Open Corsa CX Clincher has great feel. It's handmade and has a cotton casting and high thread count. But get your wallet out!

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by peterwright
.... What else would you recomend trying ? I am 150lbs and race regularly.

I would not hesitate in recommending the VeloFlex tyres, I use the masters myself. They will wear faster than some others, but for the degree of control, speed and confidence they provide its worth it IMHO.

I only use them for racing and can't afford to use them for training (their around $115.00 AUD each).

For a more hard wearing, light tyre with good cornering the Michelin Pro's are also great.

Nick

Pro Race all the way, great performance and good durability. Haven't tried the new Conti matched pairs, but know a few guys who swear by them.

I like Pro Races too, though I've been riding Vredestein Fortezza TriComps lately and they're quite nice. The Michelins are so distinctive in feel; the TriComps ride noticably different.

Anyone put much time on Clements? I was thinking about trying them some time.

I got a set of used wheels that came with Maxxis Xenith Hors Categorie tires. I haven't raced on them, but they seem to have good grip and feel so far. I'm just getting back into shape after years so haven't really pushed them yet.

On the VeloFlex line, I know folks who swear by their Pave tire. Personally haven't tried it yet. Like the Vittoria's I believe they have a high threadcount cotton casing and are suposed to be similar in feel to tubulars.

I'm not sure what differences there are vs the Master mentioned above, other than being slightly wider (22 vs 20) .

Used Pro Races for a while. Nice tyre but are prone to cuts.

I recently switched to Hutchinson Carbon Comps. Outstanding tyre! Rolls better than the Michelins, and feels more supple. Lighter too, I think.

I've also found the Pro Races are prone to cuts. I had the same experience with the old Mich slicks 10 years ago when I did some training crits. Have heard the Hutchinson CC is a good tire as well, but haven't tried them yet.

Dan

You will all think that Contis, Michelins, Vredesteins stuck azzz when you try some Vittoria Open CX tires.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by lokstah
I like Pro Races too, though I've been riding Vredestein Fortezza TriComps lately and they're quite nice. The Michelins are so distinctive in feel; the TriComps ride noticably different.

Anyone put much time on Clements? I was thinking about trying them some time.

lokstah - how would you describe the difference between the Fortezza tricomps and the pro race? My current pro races are getting a bit long in the tooth and I can get a great deal on Fortezza tricomps so I'm thinking of switching. Your impressions on road feel, rolling resistance, cornering/braking/accelerating would be much appreciated.

I found the Hutch CC's to really suck. I decided to give them a shot and bought a pair when my axial pro's wore out, and within a week my rear lost traction on me and i crashed. I've been riding them for about 2 months now and I still don't trust them. And their just as able to be cut as any other tires, mine dont look so well and I do a pretty good job of avoiding road debris.

I plan on buying some Victoria Open Corsa CX's for racing, and using some cheap $20 Serfas for training.

The Vittoria Open Corsa Evo range gets my vote. Very light, very easy to fit, gorgeous feel, very fast, good grip. In the UK, they're around £30 per tyre, maybe less if you shop around. On the downide, they're puncture-prone and they wear out pretty quickly. Also, the very light bead means that they're likely to blow off a rim which is too wide, whereas you might get away with it using heavier steel-beaded tyres.

Lots of folks like and use the Michelin pro race. Michelin also makes a pro race light which is basically a pro race without the kevlar strip under the tread. the tire is lighter but more prone to puncture and is intended for races only.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by peterwright
Is there a racing tire that is widely regarded as the best on the market ? I have tried Conti GP3000 and they are ok but I am looking for something better in terms of feel / grip and weight. What else would you recomend trying ? I am 150lbs and race regularly.

I really like my Michelin pro race tires and have will replace them soon. I was thinking of the Continental 3000's but unless I find compelling evidence it'll tough not buying tires I'm familiar with and like.