Hutchinson Intensive K

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
This is a review of new Intensive clincher model, 23 cm with hardskin and kevlar.
A friend of mine (owner of local bike shop) gave me a set of these to check how durable they are...I'm strong 100 kg rider and not easy on components.
First of all, they mounted easier than any other tire I have tried which gave me a big smile after trying to put some Vittorias on and 3 inner tubes toasted in the process.
Feeling on the road is neutral, not the best tires I have tried, but also not something that would stop me to ride them...sort of what you would expect from the long lasting training tire.
But what I didn't expect is how much problems they would give me. For some reason they performed opposite to advertised. I had more flats than on some light racing tires and sidewall protection is worse than on GP3000 (I never thought I would say that).
After some 1000-1500 km, one night while a sleep I heard something on the bike exploded...I didn't even have to look, I knew inner tube blew out through a cut in the sidewall. Tomorrow my guess was confirmed, front tire was toasted. I checked the rear and saw a similar cut and tire starting to bouble around that spot, so I took it down too.
Actually the whole sidewall on both tires looked as if you went wind sandpaper over it, something I'm not comfortable with.
If we exclude sidewalls tires didn't show much wear. Front was like a new and rear was slightly worn...I think it might go another 2000 if sidewalls survived.
I must be honest and say that there were some works on my local road and in length of 1km or so it was all in gravel. I was there few times with these tires which probably destroyed sidewalls. I'm sure on good road they would still roll, but these are advertised as good protection tires so I expect them to survive a little of dirt.
In the end I must say that my favorite durable tire is still Michelin Carbon or Michelin Krylion how it is called now.

Strengths:
- long lasting ride surface

Weaknesses:
- bad sidewall protection
- not the best ride
- price

Similar Products Used:
Vittoria Open Corsa EVO CX, Continental GP 3000, Michelin Carbon (Krylion), Michelin Megamium, Nokian Roadie PRO...