Bontrager Race X Lite Pro

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Beverly Hills Bike S

Favorite Ride:
California Coast

Bike Setup:
2006 Lemond Chambery
6066 alum frame w/ carbon fork and stays
full Ultegra gruppo
Specialized Alias saddle
Tubus Fly rack

Summary:
These wheels came stock on my bike and I was nervous riding on slicks at first since most of my riding is either commuting on under-maintained city roads or multi-day tours. However, I did not get one flat in over two years (about 1,500 miles) of riding on these tires including a ride from San Francisco to LA and one from LA to San Diego. I finally ran over a 3-inch nail on my latest ride down the coast to end my flat-free-streak. I replaced these with Panaracer T-Serv messenger wheels that seem bomb-proof, but are also super sluggish and less comfy compared to the Bontragers.

Strengths:
-Fast
-Comfortable
-Good grippiness
-No flats in over 1,500 commuting/touring miles

Weaknesses:
-seem to wear a bit quicker than other tires (I should have rotated them...)
-price (I'd buy them again if they were cheaper)

Similar Products Used:
Panarcer T-Serv for Messengers

Price Paid:  $160.00 at eastcoasters

Favorite Ride:
harborwood/wildwood loop

Bike Setup:
-'06 lemond rennes
rotor rings
race x lite carbon aero wheels
profile s-bends
race x light saddle

Summary:
great race performance, huge price but
-LBS- service makes up differnce. I will use these tires until bontager makes better ones.

Strengths:
1: great grip!!! the side walls of these tires let you lean in further than i normally would.
2: psi range even at 120psi they soak up up vibrations pretty well.
3:weight, paired with race x lite aero tubs they keep the weight down.
4: super supple they dont kick rocks up like my training tires.

Weaknesses:
1:air loss, because they are not rubber they loose more air, but not fast enough for you to have to stop your ride unless you ride for 3days nonstop.
2: super soft grippy sides get scuffed easily if you rub a curb or rear triangle, hopefull you pay more attention then i do
3: race tires have a short life, bontrager should make something as light and supple for more alround riding

Similar Products Used:
n/a

Price Paid:  $2100.00 at Old Towne Bike

Favorite Ride:
Trek 5200

Bike Setup:
stock

Summary:
great ride, carbon shows advantages on rough pavement. Very happy with.

Strengths:
Ride-plush,dependable and consistent.

Weaknesses:
Seems heavy for this price range. 5'6" 210lb M rider-short legs, longer torso seem to need a longer cockpit than what the medium frame provides. Gone through 3 different stems trying to find right balance.

Similar Products Used:
Trek 1200

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