Vredestein Fortezza Road

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Competitive Cyclist

Favorite Ride:
Triple Bypass

Bike Setup:
2008 Ridley Damocles, Sram, Fulcrum Racing 7.

Summary:
These tires came on the Ridley Damocles I bought from Competitive Cyclist. This was my first pair of Vred's. I am quite impressed with them. They have a very nice road feel and I like their high pressure rating. They may be a little rough riding, but let's face it, everything else I ride is as stiff as I can get, so it was no real issue. I left these tires on the Fulcrum Racing 7 wheels that came on the bike. I just used them as trainers. I was doing alot of racing during the time I got the new bike and just forgot to ever rotate the tires. I still got 2250 miles on the rear before discovering about a one foot section of the rear tire with some thread exposed. I'm still running the other tire on front of another bike on some training wheels. That runs right up there, mileage-wise with any other tire I've used. Only a couple of flats during the life of the rear tire. One due to rim strip on 2nd ride (replaced with tape), and another due to steel cord from a blown truck tire. I'll buy again and would use to race as well.

Strengths:
Longevity, puncture resistance, red looked good with my frame, roll well, high pressure limit.

Weaknesses:
Ride a little rougher than some for a training tire.

Similar Products Used:
Michelin, IRC, Panaracer, Hutchison, Conti, etc ........

Price Paid:  $35.00 at Colorado Cyclist

Favorite Ride:
my next ride

Summary:
These tires mounted on my DT 1.1RR rims just fine, no need for levers. I have been running them from 105 to 120 PSI depending on road and weather conditions. Puncture resistance seems pretty good - no problems so far. This is my 2nd or 3rd set of Fortezzas. The primary weakness in these tires is lack of grip. The higher end Tri-Comps are better in that category. I have had some issues with the rear wheel sliding around. Overall I think this tire is a good value but for racing or fast group rides a tire with a softer compound would be nicer.

Strengths:
Price, puncture resistance, easy on/off rim w/out tools.

Weaknesses:
Poor grip/cornering in all conditions

Similar Products Used:
Fortezza TriComp, Continental GP 3000, Vittoria Rubino Pro

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
As others say, these tires are great performers. But I have to say, my rear tire lasted 1000 miles used for commuting, which is the fastest I've burned through in my 10 years of riding. Don't know if it were a defect 'cause front tire looks damn near new still. But I'm not going to spend another $50 to find out.

Strengths:
Rolling resistance

Weaknesses:
Rock hard, longevity

Price Paid:  $39.00 at Nashbar

Bike Setup:
Decent bike hampered by rider. Rider hampered by cheeseburgers.

Summary:
This review is for the Fortezza Road (not the SE). I've put about 1000 miles on these tires and have been extremely satisfied with them. I run them at 135 psi on Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels. I rarely ever have flats, and they have taken some substantial abuse on my crappy New Hampshire roads. I highly recomend them.

Strengths:
Fast, light, decent (enough) in the wet

Weaknesses:
Yeah, they're a little tough to get on, but quit whining.

Price Paid:  $27.00 at Performance

Favorite Ride:
woody's gap, GA

Bike Setup:
Specialized Roubaix
American Classic 420 rims

Summary:
My review is for the Fortezza (non-SE) black;different from the blue 'SE'. I've had these tires over two years now, with over 3000 miles on them, and they still grip and feel nice. I can only remember one flat, that one from a piece of glass that made its way in to the tube. I'm not sure why the last reviewer was comparing this tire's rolling resistance to his track tires, but it was totally inappropriate, IMO. These are easy to mount on my rims. I especially like that these tires are still hand-made, and the price just can't be beat!

Strengths:
low price, hand-made, rated for up to 175 psi, all black, reliable

Weaknesses:
a bit heavier than most

Similar Products Used:
Veloflex