Specialized Mondo S-WORKS Clincher

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Sworks Tarmac Force / Dura-ace

Summary:
I have a set of these tires on my S works Tarmac Sram Force. I ride mostly hills on back country roads and occasionally long flats to the shore in NJ. I usually put about 35-75 miles on per ride or the equivalent of 155 miles per week from Late Feb - Early Nov. I weigh approx 187 and normally use 120 psi.

Strengths:
No flats for 3200+ miles
Nice cornering on hairpins

Weaknesses:
Rubber flakes off pretty easily when new
Slip occasionally when wet going up hill

Similar Products Used:
Specialized ALL CONDITION PRO II TIRE (wet)

Price Paid:  $55.00 at LBS

Bike Setup:
Full Carbon, Dura-Ace, Aero Rims

Summary:
Holy Smokes, one month and the tread is gone. Half way around the tire I can see the cord through the tread. On the rest of the tire the remaining rubber is starting to scallop in the center of the tire. I thought these would be a good alternative the the conti 4000s but I'm going back to the black chilli's.

Strengths:
Stylish stripes. Good traction in the corners.

Weaknesses:
No longevity whatsoever. 30 days (chronologically) of life. Maybe 10 rides for a total of 500 miles.

Similar Products Used:
Kenda, Continental, Specialized, Vredstien, Hutchinson.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Sid's Bike Shop, NY

Favorite Ride:
Specialized Tarmac Expert 2009

Bike Setup:
Default Specialized Tarmac Expert 2009 + Maxxis Xenith Hors (replaced the Mondo S-Works tires)

Summary:
These tires come default with the Specialized Tarmac Expert.

After 3 flats in 3 weeks on these tires, I gave up the ghost and swapped them out for Maxxis Xenith Hors. These tires provided a nice smooth ride but couldn't take even the slightest bit of gravel, glass, or even small bits of metal.

They are not designed for NYC streets in any way shape or form.

Let me tell you, getting a flat on the top of the Manhattan Bridge is a serious pain in the arse.

Strengths:
Nice smooth ride, good contact with the road, pretty fast

Weaknesses:
rolling resistance is higher than other comparable, equally priced, brands. Has no protection against street debris. In complete agreement with "Scott Morrison" assessment

Similar Products Used:
Vittoria Rubino Pro
Maxxis Xenith Hors
Specialized Armadillos

Price Paid:  $55.00 at LBS

Bike Setup:
Colnago Dram full metal frame with Shimano Ultegra 9-speed, CODA hubs and Sun rims

Summary:
I have had this pair of tires for about 5,000 miles over 4 yrs and I could only recall one flat. The flat was caused by a staple, which would have punctured any tire. I have been very impressed on how durable and puncture resistant these tires are. They seem to roll pretty fast and have good grips too. Only one problem, the tires are a little hard to put on.

Strengths:
Durable and puncture resistant.

Weaknesses:
Hard to put it on wheels

Similar Products Used:
None, there are my first road tires.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Bike Setup:
Specialized Roubaix Expert
Seven Mudhoney

Summary:
I have been riding these tired for a few years now after getting them with one of my Specialized bikes. One pair I rode an entire season without a flat (about 4000 miles) and the front was still in good shape. For reference I weigh around 163lbs. They aren't super fast but not bad. S-Works model corners very well (much better than the Mondo Pro). The newest version seemed to wear a little faster than in the past but I don't have hard data confirm that.

Strengths:
Rarely a flat.

Weaknesses:
A little expensive at retail.