I have been searching for and trying different clincher road tyres for awhile. Trying to find the perfect balance that could potentially be used for endurance riding plus racing (longer road races on rougher roads). I know it is a hard mix. But it is a bit of a gamble having these really fast tyres in these road races as if you flat your race is pretty much over (we don't have team cars or neutral service in Australia). But on the other hand a slow tyre can harm your chances too.
I found that tyres are usually have about 6 attributes
wet weather traction, puncture resistance, durability, cornering traction, low rolling resistance (speed) and suppleness (normally found in tubulars).
The problem is that you can't have it all ie. a tyre with good puncture resistance and durability is usually not a fast nor a supple tyre.
The closest balanced tyre I got was probably the Vittoria Rubino Pro's (2010 model). So far so good.
The Conti Gatorskins were okay too but terrible in the wet and not too supple.
Actually the most supple & perhaps fastest tyre I ever rode was a Hutchinson Gold. Felt like a tubular. But poor protection & durability.
Michelin Pro 3's not too good protection wise, nor too supple or durable. About to try the Conti GP4000's and Vittoria Corsa's (clincher models) for criterium racing but suspect durability/protection a problem.
I know it is very subjective, but which tyre do you guys feel has the perfect balance for training and longer road races (or endurance and speed).
I found that tyres are usually have about 6 attributes
wet weather traction, puncture resistance, durability, cornering traction, low rolling resistance (speed) and suppleness (normally found in tubulars).
The problem is that you can't have it all ie. a tyre with good puncture resistance and durability is usually not a fast nor a supple tyre.
The closest balanced tyre I got was probably the Vittoria Rubino Pro's (2010 model). So far so good.
The Conti Gatorskins were okay too but terrible in the wet and not too supple.
Actually the most supple & perhaps fastest tyre I ever rode was a Hutchinson Gold. Felt like a tubular. But poor protection & durability.
Michelin Pro 3's not too good protection wise, nor too supple or durable. About to try the Conti GP4000's and Vittoria Corsa's (clincher models) for criterium racing but suspect durability/protection a problem.
I know it is very subjective, but which tyre do you guys feel has the perfect balance for training and longer road races (or endurance and speed).