Conference noted::bicycle

    If it sounds too good to be true it probably is not. My best
    commuting tires for the rear was a specialized K 4 x28mm width I got 
    1,800 miles on it until i broke the sidewall on a rock . another good
    one is the michelin select , its a tough tire with 3 widhts available
    and for $7.95 through nashbar its great. the only draw back with it
    for me is that it scares me when I have to turn fast on wet pavement 
    for it's a bald tire with small side grooves.
    regards

>
>    for me is that it scares me when I have to turn fast on wet pavement 
>    for it's a bald tire with small side grooves.
>
	I wouldn't worry about that.  I've read several places that
	tread on a bike tire makes no difference for wet traction.
	Makes sense too.  It's a lot different than a car 'cause the
	contact patch is so much smaller and at so much higher
	pressure.

	If you plus your bike weigh 200 lbs and your tires are pumped
	to 100 psi, you're only going to have a 1 square inch contact
	patch on each tire.  The 100 psi over such a small area
	effectively "squishes" out (nice technical term) any water
	buildup.  If you have a 3000 lb car with 30 psi tires, each
	tire will have 25 sq in of contact, and at a much lower 
	pressure.  Big difference.
	
	chris

    Since this has wandered off into tires...
    
    I disagree about the Michelin Select - its IS a great tire, and rides
    nice and all that, but it is easy to puncture - especially when fully
    inflated...  I had a brand new set, had 2 punctures in 2 days...  END
    of the Michelins.  
    
    Rather, I'd recommend one of the Kevlar belted tires.  Something like
    the Schwinn Super Record VR or one of the kevlar belted tires in the
    Performance catalog.  They only ran about $12.00 last summer.  I've got
    over 4000 miles on kevlar tires and have NEVER had a flat due to a
    puncture.  Even when riding over visible glass.  I like them enough
    that I put a set on my wifes bike because I got tired of fixing flats
    on her bike.  
    
    re: .0: I think kevlar belted tires would be a big step toward your
    goal of not having to fix flats in cold weather!

    
     I had an Avocet K20 on the front for 11k+ miles. I took it off
    voluntarily because it was cracking quite severely...
    
     I had very good look with them, but I switched to Conti's and
    they've done me fairly well (one flat all last season - during the
    Andover Race naturally - the first race I did)
    
      Chip

    
    
    Thanks for all the replies!!!
    
    I had thought about kevlar belted tires, but read (I am sure in this
    notes file) that they have a harsh ride, and to just live with the
    flats.  Sounds like maybe they are improving their ridability.  I think
    I'll try the Specialized Transition with Kevlar belts.  That's what I
    have now (without the kevlar) and then I can feel for a difference with
    the belts added.
    
    re -.1
    11k+ miles on a tire is quite a feat!!  Where I ride the tires get too
    many cuts in them to last that long.  Maybe I should be more careful.
    
    Thanks again,
    
    Terry

    
    BTW, another vote for Continentals.  The ones in use now on my primary
    wheels must have about 10,000 miles on them: "the tires that wouldn't die!" 
    
    A lot has to do with how hard the rubber compound is.  Years ago
    Nashbar's $5.95 tires had the same sort of longevity - rode as well
    and lasted four times longer than "the higher priced spread" - the
    $10 and $15 brand-name tires.  I suppose that the price you pay is
    a slightly harsher ride (as with Kevlar belting).

    But, John, I'm going to let the cat out of the bag.  All tires last
    longer where you ride!  There's a real difference between the Carolinas
    and New England, ayup.
    
    ed

re .6

10k miles out of a tire.  That's not a rear tire is it John?  I only get
about 1050-1200 miles out of a Avocet K20 on the rear.  

Mark

    
    Strange but true: it was (and is) a rear tire - a Continental 23mm
    Super Sport; the front is a 20mm.  I have seen tires wear out as fast
    as 1500 miles - I won't assume outright that it's planned obsolescence
    on the mfr's part, but there's got to be a middle ground between
    "wearing like iron" and "subsidizing the tire company in a major way." 
    
    Of course, Mark's excuse is all the wear and tear grinding up the
    Rockies and plummeting down them. :-)
    
    -john
    
    PS: Ed is right, I guess.  When he was down here for the Thanksgiving
    Centuries, he had to explain the concept of "Ice Heaves" to an
    unbelieving peloton. :-)

    The Avocet K20 tires have really soft rubber (that's how they
    get any traction with that slick surface) but they wear out in no
    time.  I sure won't bother with them any more.

    My front tires (even the Avocet's) have lasted till the sidewalls
    begin to crack but I don't think I've ever gotten more than 3
    or 4 thousand off a rear tire.

    The kevlar gives a harsh ride, but I feel it does reduce flats.
    But the most important thing is to keep clinchers pumped up really
    hard to avoid snakebite flats.

    But you want a harsh ride?  I have a thorn proof tube in my rear wheel
    for use on the wind trainer (since it's the only way I know to avoid
    the **** thing giving me flats!)  God that wheel is heavy!  But if
    I'm plodding along outside on streets screwed up with sand and salt,
    with heavy clothing and my nose running what's the difference.  And
    I don't have to dink around changing wheels to ride outside or use
    the trainer depending on the weather.

    - Jim