Vittoria Open All-Weather Clincher

Price Paid:  $50.00 at Online

Favorite Ride:
Vittoria Open Pave Evo CG Clincher

Bike Setup:
Masi Gran Criterium 2004, All Dura Ace, Kestral Carbon Bars. Oval Concepts Stem 70mm, DT Swiss RR1450 Wheels, Vittoria Open Pave Evo CG Clincher Tires, Specialized Carbon Seat Post, Prologo Nago Pas Saddle.

Summary:
I live in an urban city and have to ride over potholes, and broken car glass to get out to the rideable roads. I'm careful. After 18 flats with Michelin ProRace3 my small brain finally realized I needed another tire. Research led me to the Vittoria's. Damiano Cunego rode the Paris Roubaix on these. Mine are the Vitoria Open Pave Clinchers and they have been nearly perfect. After over 2500 miles only two flats, one of which was a presta valve failure. I'm not sure of the materials, but the kevlar mixed with some sort of thread weave is strong, yet an added black finish layer, with a subtle tread imprint on it, is supple.

Strengths:
Almost puncture-proof. Good in cold, wet, dry, bumpy, or lumpy conditions. 9 bars max inflation makes for a easy rolling tire. Almost impossible to get on the first time but after that no problem. My bike is cream colored so the green work. Corner great, feel smooth.

Weaknesses:
Absolutley none. Anyone at any level should be riding on these tires. Actually one complaint, why aren't these more available? Maybe finding inner tubes that can take the max pressure that match the tires 9 bars.

Similar Products Used:
Continental Grand Prix 4000, Michelin Pro3Race

Price Paid:  $50.00 at web

Favorite Ride:
Tauern Radweg, Austria

Bike Setup:
Merlin Road, Campy record, Mavic Kysirium SSC Wheels.

Summary:
I bought these based on reviews here, and am glad I did. These a great tires -- make a real difference in century rides, or long, fast club rides.

Strengths:
Great grip to road, comfortable, no flats in two years (4500 miles/yr), light weight.

Weaknesses:
The green color doesn't match my bike. They are expensive, and the rear tire lasts only one season (5000 miles), but that is fine by me.

Similar Products Used:
Conti 4-season, Conti Grand Prix, Conti Top Touring, various mtb tires (bontrager jones, etc.)

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Price Paid:  $79.00 at ACR

Favorite Ride:
The Dandenongs, when fit enough to climb over more than just a bump in the road.

Bike Setup:
Casati Challenge
1992 Campag. Record

Summary:
Just a brilliant tyre in every repect. Has all of the feel of the CX but this also has the look and feel that it will be more durable and punture resistant. Handmade tyres always have a unique feel to them and these are no exception. There are other tyres out there that are lighter but none of them have that compliant handmade 'feel'. This comes at a price but in my humble opinion 'the feel' is worth the expense.

Strengths:
'The feel'(very fast, very supple,- even if pumped up to the limit in tyre pressure, which is 8 bars(approx 125 psi)
Resistance to glass cuts and other incompatible road rubbish.

Weaknesses:
Don't have any.

Similar Products Used:
Vittoria CX's
Vittoria Robino Pro's
Continental GP's
Continental GP 3000's
Various Clement tubulars from years ago.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
denver-aspen

Bike Setup:
Seven Axiom, Record, Neutrons, etc...

Summary:
Yes they are expensive, and yes they are great tires. The guy from NYC has it right: it is very hard to get a flat on these tires. I hit a pot hole so hard that my rim bent and I couldn't ride without stopping to true it. But the tire was fine. I have ridden these tires >3200 miles without a flat (although I am about to get my fourth rear tire and I am on my second front tire).

Strengths:
Grip and road feel. They hang on tenaciously, and help smooth out some of the vibration and harshness. Of course this comes at a price...

Weaknesses:
... and that is 1) the cost of the tires and 2) the rapid wear. I laughed when the guy from NYC said that you could buy car tires cheaper -- I have thought the same thing.

Similar Products Used:
Contis and Michelins

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Deeside Cycles

Favorite Ride:
Hambleton hills north of York

Bike Setup:
Custom "Kingfisher" frame (Columbus Genius) by Steve Glover of Liverpool with a mix of Campag. Mavic

Summary:
It's difficult to compare these tyres with any others since they're the only type I've ever used. I've never punctured in hundreds of miles despite the appalling road surfaces we have to put up with. There's plenty of grip and, so far as I'm concerned, they're a comfortable ride. They took a battering on the cobbles recently at the Tour of Flanders randonee and, apart from a minor tear to the tread, came through with flying colours.Lots of Belgians were using them.
I'd recommend these tyres to any recreational rider or racer when the weather or road conditions aren't so good. They can be used through winter without problems. I guess racers might want a lighter tyre in summer.

Strengths:
Totally reliable. Grip, puncture resistance, comfort, they've got everything as Alan Hansen would say. Speedy too. Not too pricey either (in the UK at least) .

Weaknesses:
Can we have another colour please? All black would be nice.