Vittoria RUBINO PRO 23

Price Paid:  $42.00 at Colorado Cyclery

Favorite Ride:
Dillon Reservoir

Bike Setup:
Mercier Serpens, steel

Summary:
I replaced the inexpensive Kenda Kontender (700 x 23) tires that my bike came with and noticed an immediate improvement. The ride was much smoother on the Rubino Pro II's even at 125 psi, almost silky I would say. Cornering is much more stable, as a result my speeds are up. I can hold a straight line better. They are also very stable on wet surfaces. I have pulled a few thorns out of them and there was some bleed through from the slimed tubes I use, but no flats yet.

Strengths:
Smooth riding, fast, stable, durable, attractive colors.

Weaknesses:
A bit pricey.

Similar Products Used:
Kenda Kontender

Price Paid:  $35.00 at high gear cyclery

Favorite Ride:
cycle oregon

Bike Setup:
Seven Aerios all Dura Ace Bontrager race x lite wheels.

Summary:
I've ridden several of these tires into the ground at very high milage( more than 5000 miles per tire). Have been surprised how durable they are- supple and roll well-seem ok in the wet also- good tire for the money

Strengths:
durability/high mileage-I rode the most recent rear tire until it was paper thin- no surprises- at least twice as durable( eg milage x 2) as a Vredestien Tri Comp.

Weaknesses:
If you hit something the sidewall may get a little scarred- I rode one like this for over 5000 miles the slight surface damage did not spread- just put it on the front and keep an eye on it initially...

Similar Products Used:
Vredestien tricomps +specialized high mileage models- the rubino's are as durable as the specialized- better in the rain.

Price Paid:  $27.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Brown County IN

Bike Setup:
Cannondale carbon Synapse- full DA, Ksyrium SSC SL's

Summary:
My fav all-around clincher. Not quite as fast as ProRace2, but WAY more durable. One of the best values for your $$ in cycling.

Strengths:
Durability, rolling resistance, long wear (3500-4000+mi for my 175# over typically bad Midwest roads), solid handling & braking

Weaknesses:
Slightly heavier than more expensive alternatives (as if 10-15g really makes a difference)

Similar Products Used:
Continental, Hutchinson Fusion2, Michelin ProRace

Price Paid:  $40.00 at Torpedo 7

Favorite Ride:
Short Bays

Bike Setup:
Principia RCS S6; Ultegra; Open Pro rims.

Summary:
These tyres were recommended to me by a couple of other roadies. Overall they're a great, value for money training tyre. They roll pretty well and can handle fast descents too. I've had a few flats over the past year but that's all part of the joy of cycling! No big deal.

I do think the side walls are a bit suspect though. I suffered one sidewall flat after just 8km but put that one down to bad luck! I had a real scary moment the other day when my front tyre blew out on a 60 kph descent.

Fortunately, the tyre stayed on the rim and I was able to keep the bike going in a straight line and bring it to a controlled stop - eventually! It was only when I came to change the tube that I realised the sidewall had been severely compromised and that my ride was over!

Strengths:
Great training tyre. Good rolling resistance. Easy to fit. Good choice of colours.

Weaknesses:
Suspect sidewalls. Can be susceptable to cuts.

Similar Products Used:
Continental GP3000; Michelin Pro 2's

Price Paid:  $25.00 at belgium

Favorite Ride:
Smuggler's Notch

Bike Setup:
Marinoni Delta Extra (aluminum with carbon fork and rear triangle), Veloce gruppo, Campagnolo Vento wheels

Summary:
This is my third pair of Rubino pro, the last one pruchased in Belgium at a small LBS for 25$, tax included. When I decided to replace the tires at the beginning of the 2008 season, the technician convinced me that the front one still had a lot of thread left. It now has endured 10000 km of (mostly) Quebec roads, potholes and some gravel included. No flat yet. Ditto for the rear tire (4000 km so far). Contrary to some posts, no problem under heavy rain.

Strengths:
Puncture resistance. Overall behavior.

Weaknesses:
Not the lightest. I could not care less.

Similar Products Used:
Cadence Propulsion Kevlar