Vittoria Courier

Price Paid:  $25.00

Favorite Ride:
Mt. Baldy (Claremont, CA)

Bike Setup:
Cannondale CAAD4, with Dura-Ace STI, rest Ultegra, Dura-Ace WH-7701 wheels (racing), Ultegra/Open Pro (training)

Summary:
I have the Courier T.T. in sexy orange.I'm 6'2", 160lbs and race collegiate. I've trained on these for the last couple years and have been quite happy with both their tread life, handling and speed. They're neither the lightest thing I've ridden on, nor the stickiest, but for all-around value they're a deal. Boston has both the worst roads I've ever ridden on (and I lived in Manhattan for a couple years... that's a nightmare as well) and some of the worst, slushy conditions. These tires still do it all. I run them at about 90-100 PSI and I've had only one flat on them in the last two years. I realize that's exceptional, but considering that I have never pinch-flatted on them on all these potholes, I think it says something. However, they do have the propensity to have tread separation and they're starting to get cut up, but it's never been an actual failure issue, and they're almost worn down at this point. I already rotated them once before. I would estimate about 2000-3000 on the current set.

Strengths:
Durability
Dollar per mile value
Puncture-resistance (if at proper pressures)

Weaknesses:
Heavy (260 grams per- don't race on these)
A little slick in the rain

Similar Products Used:
Michelin Axial Pro (light and sticky, but only when dry)
Specialized Team Turbo (Specialized tires suck)
Conti Ultra 2000 (good training tire)

Price Paid:  $17.00 at Super Elliots

Favorite Ride:
The next one

Summary:
Saw the Kevlar bead version of this in the specials bin. Read the existing reviews and they almost put me off. I'm glad I decided to take a chance. I had been using my bike for the daily comute and the amount of glass was making my life hell. Kevlar belted (PRB) was definately a selling point and with a name like "Courier" I hoped that Vitorria had been focusing on a strong durable, dependable tyre. Well after wearing this set out the tread finally came off on the weekend leaving the kevlar bead exposed, I would happily buy them again if they were to once again grace the specials bin. The tyres look shagged, lots of cuts but considering the amount of cuts on the tyres very few resulted in punctures so it looks like the PRB does what it's supposed to. I am constantly picking glass out of the tyres and in 4000 odd KM's of hard nasty urban riding they have had around 4 punctures so that is quite acceptable. The tyres do crack and especially on the softer compound but it hasn't seemed to effect performance. I haven't ridden road long enough to compare it against other tyres confidently but I do feel that this tyre did as I would expect a tyre with the name "Courier" to do. I give it a 5 start value rating for the price I paid.

Strengths:
Reliable, Cheap ($25 Aussie for a Kelvar beaded tyre!)
Nice fit on my rims.

Weaknesses:
Cracking diminises the look of the tyre.

Similar Products Used:
Maxxis Une Catagorie (slow)
Maxxis Zephyr (better)
Ritchey WCS Tom Mix

Price Paid:  $20.00 at nashbar

Favorite Ride:
anything up

Summary:
I bought these because they were inexpensive and I wanted to try out Vittoria brand tires. Also they're supposed to have good puncture resistance. Well, I haven't gotten many flats, but the tread has cracked between the soft outer compound and the harder inner compound. Pretty much all the way around the tire. It is also showing small cracks in the middle of the hard compound. All three tires are doing this, and they have maybe 1000 miles on them. Overall, not very impressive. Replaced with Conti Gators.

Strengths:
Puncture resistance, orange and black, not too hard to mount.

Weaknesses:
Tread cracking all the way around the tire.

Similar Products Used:
Just got Conti Gator skins. Had some Michelin Axials a while back, they didn't crack.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
Way out on the Kansas wheat fields

Bike Setup:
2004 Giant TCR Comp 1
Profile Carbon Stryke Aerobars
San Marco Triathlon Gel Saddle

Summary:
After 4 flats in 3 months, these tires are going in the trash. Each flat was caused by a small glass puncture that would have been repelled by other tires. Lots of cracks on the sidewalls and the bead falls apart. Also, the tread looks very wavy after the first 200 miles. Does not affect the ride quality, but looks crappy. I really don't see any benefit in buying these tires.

Strengths:
None

Weaknesses:
Puncture easily
Poor quality sidewall/bead
Bad appearance

Similar Products Used:
Michelin Pro Race
Vredestein Fortezza Tricomp

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Sport bike with Mavic MA3 rims.

Summary:
Durable tire, decent ride.

Strengths:
One puncture, from a big piece of glass, in 2400 miles. Starting to get small cracks in sidewalls now, but figure at least 500 miles left. Easy to take off and put on.