RossKean
Well-known member
Although this is probably destined for NEPRT, I'm putting the question out there and sharing my experience with a few of the possible contenders. I have done all of the searches but it is difficult to distill RELATIVE performance out of MANY long threads.
For a major (long) trip next year, I wish to try to find a front tire that is likely to make the entire tour. I am expecting to cover 12,000+ miles in a one month trip (my 60th b'day present from me to me). I will be riding solo and without a trailer but moderately loaded with camping gear etc. I said I wouldn't do it again, but I am going to Darkside the rear tire in the interest of eliminating that from the equation. I did 25,000 miles on a Michelin Exalto a couple of years ago and found it to be "OK" although not spectacular (General Tire AS-03 this time). Please keep in mind that, for the purposes of this discussion, mileage is the primary consideration although really crappy handling is off the table. This trip is going to be more sight-seeing than canyon carving. If I can't come up with something that is likely to go the distance, I will probably have to make arrangements for a tire swap (along with an oil change) somewhere past the mid-point. Listing the possibilities:
Michelin PR2 - I have run a number of these and found them to be quite long-lived and I think they could make the trip but I have never liked their behavior after mid-life (5,000 miles or so). Noisy and pronounced ridge in the middle but will consider based upon expected life.
Michelin PR3 - Liked the initial feel better than the PR2 but lifetime was less. They also were not very nice after mid-life. Don't think the PR3 will make it.
Michelin PR4GT - Unknown (to me). Would be very interested in some longevity reports as well as mid-life performance.
Pirelli Angel GT - I ran a set of these and not only did they not exhibit the long life the manufacturer claimed, it is the only tire that I have ever run that caused significant wobble/head shake after 4,000 miles or so. Very nice at first but won't go back to them.
Continental Contimotion - Adequate tires and very low cost. Definitely not a contender for the trip because they won't hold up for the required miles. I would use them again for local riding.
Metzeler Interact Z8 - Less than happy about this one! OK initial feel but fairly short life and poor mid-life noise and performance. A definite "No".
Other Metzelers???
Dunlop Roadsmart - I ran one of the original Roadsmarts and they didn't last at all; especially the front. No idea about recent versions of this tire. Anyone with recent experience?
Bridgestone 023GT - Are these still available? Haven't run one but have heard pretty good things about them.
Bridgestone T30GT - Haven't tried one. Heard rumors about being inferior to the 023's but no direct experience.
Avon?? - Don't know any of these.
Anything else I should consider? I would appreciate some feedback with comparative experience between brands and specific experience with the ones I haven't tried. No need to be too specific about actual miles because I have found that there is an unbelievable range of mileage that different riders get out of their tires. I'm probably about in the midrange - never got less than 4,000 miles out of any tire or more than 12,000 miles.
For a major (long) trip next year, I wish to try to find a front tire that is likely to make the entire tour. I am expecting to cover 12,000+ miles in a one month trip (my 60th b'day present from me to me). I will be riding solo and without a trailer but moderately loaded with camping gear etc. I said I wouldn't do it again, but I am going to Darkside the rear tire in the interest of eliminating that from the equation. I did 25,000 miles on a Michelin Exalto a couple of years ago and found it to be "OK" although not spectacular (General Tire AS-03 this time). Please keep in mind that, for the purposes of this discussion, mileage is the primary consideration although really crappy handling is off the table. This trip is going to be more sight-seeing than canyon carving. If I can't come up with something that is likely to go the distance, I will probably have to make arrangements for a tire swap (along with an oil change) somewhere past the mid-point. Listing the possibilities:
Michelin PR2 - I have run a number of these and found them to be quite long-lived and I think they could make the trip but I have never liked their behavior after mid-life (5,000 miles or so). Noisy and pronounced ridge in the middle but will consider based upon expected life.
Michelin PR3 - Liked the initial feel better than the PR2 but lifetime was less. They also were not very nice after mid-life. Don't think the PR3 will make it.
Michelin PR4GT - Unknown (to me). Would be very interested in some longevity reports as well as mid-life performance.
Pirelli Angel GT - I ran a set of these and not only did they not exhibit the long life the manufacturer claimed, it is the only tire that I have ever run that caused significant wobble/head shake after 4,000 miles or so. Very nice at first but won't go back to them.
Continental Contimotion - Adequate tires and very low cost. Definitely not a contender for the trip because they won't hold up for the required miles. I would use them again for local riding.
Metzeler Interact Z8 - Less than happy about this one! OK initial feel but fairly short life and poor mid-life noise and performance. A definite "No".
Other Metzelers???
Dunlop Roadsmart - I ran one of the original Roadsmarts and they didn't last at all; especially the front. No idea about recent versions of this tire. Anyone with recent experience?
Bridgestone 023GT - Are these still available? Haven't run one but have heard pretty good things about them.
Bridgestone T30GT - Haven't tried one. Heard rumors about being inferior to the 023's but no direct experience.
Avon?? - Don't know any of these.
Anything else I should consider? I would appreciate some feedback with comparative experience between brands and specific experience with the ones I haven't tried. No need to be too specific about actual miles because I have found that there is an unbelievable range of mileage that different riders get out of their tires. I'm probably about in the midrange - never got less than 4,000 miles out of any tire or more than 12,000 miles.