Hutchinson Top Speed

Price Paid:  $0.00 at greenfish sports

Favorite Ride:
70 degrees,blue skies, tailwinds

Summary:
I'm a big guy at 275lbs, so tires don't last me near as long as most folks, but I've had great luck with these. I bought the 25mm size, with the kevlar belt. I put these on approx 6months ago, and have put aorund 2500 miles on them. I just replaced the rear, as it was starting to get pretty squared off, but still looked fine. I just prefer to change my tires well before they are worn out. In any case, I've not had a single flat since I started using these tires. The front now has over 3k miles and should still be good for another 2k I would guess. The tread and sidewalls have held up great, even on the one I changed. The ride seemed OK, not fantastic, though at 275 lbs, my first requirement is durability and flat resistance. BTW, I just ordered 4 more, as nashbar had them on sale for $11!

Strengths:
Flat resitance, durable, inexpensive. A great value in a training tire.

Weaknesses:
Ride isn't silky smooth, but it's certainly acceptable for such a durable tire.

Price Paid:  $35.00 at LBS

Bike Setup:
Giant tcr full ultegra, Easton EA90 SL wheelset.

Summary:
Have about 1200kms on these so far, dont seem to be the fastest rolling and are kinda noisy. Replaced one after about 200kms because the sidewall had an abrasion which had partly cut through the casing. Despite all this though and despite being 180lbs I have not had a single flat after riding mostly crappy rock strewn shoulders at 120 psi in the rear and 115 psi front. there are a couple of small cuts in them but no problems. Didnt really have any great expectations from these as they are a cheap low tpi tire so relly they have been not bad. Will probably replace these with schwalbe ultremo or conti 4000's.

Strengths:
Cheap, light, quality on my set seems good, flat resistance has been good, easy to mount, rear is just starting to flatten out and the front looks really good.

Weaknesses:
kinda slow, kinda noisy, thin sidewalls if you ride where there are bigger rocks.

Similar Products Used:
scwalbe ultremo, conti 3000/4000, vittoria rubino and zaffiro, specialized mondo (profile feels weird)

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Breakaway Cycle

Favorite Ride:
TOSRV

Bike Setup:
2007 Giant TCR A0

Summary:
This tire came on my 2007 Giant TCR A0. I just noticed a bulge on my front tire. On closer inspection, there are a number of areas on both front and rear tires that look thin/weak. I have put approx 2,500 miles on them, but think they should have lasted much longer. With all of the great tires on market, I wouldn't advise anyone to purchase this one.

Strengths:
easy to take off rim

Weaknesses:
quality

Similar Products Used:
Bontrager Race Lite Hardcase

Price Paid:  $0.00 at ABC Cycles, Montreal

Favorite Ride:
kingdom trails, VT

Bike Setup:
2006 Cannondale CAAD 8, Campy Veloche

Summary:
I am a collegiate racer, and I used this tire, front and rear, for 3 races (less than 100 miles). At the third race I had an unexpected explosive flat tire in the rear on a fast downhill section while in the middle of the peloton. Luckly, I was able to steer out of the pack and to the side of the road, to wait for the neutral support vehicle. Turns out the sidewall tore, either because of some small bump/hole that I didn't notice, or for no apparent reason. (I weigh only 140 lbs.) The rest of the sidewalls, on both front and rear tires, also show signs of accelerated wear. I do not recommend this tire to anyone. I am replacing both with something else.

Strengths:
cornering, rolling resistance

Weaknesses:
weak sidewalls with unexpected tears and sudden blowouts.

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $0.00 at 360 bike shop, Austi

Favorite Ride:
Willow city loop

Bike Setup:
Cannondale Synapse Carbon 2

Summary:
These tires came with my Cannondale Synapse and had a good ride but when I noticed that the tread was starting to seperate I took them off and sent them to Hutchinson tire company for a warranty replacement. They responded by stating the tires were not under warranty. I live in a hilly area and can not live with a tire that may seperate when decending at 40+mph. I replaced them with Conti.Gp 4000 so far so good.

Strengths:
Price, ride comfort.

Weaknesses:
No warranty, rubber starts to seperate from carcuss, weak side walls.

Similar Products Used:
Michelin Axial (great tire) Conti. GP 4000, Forte kevlar road.

View Comments (1)

Would you like to Comment?
Join RoadbikeReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.