Best low rolling resistance tire? (Page 3)

Could be a freak accident.  I reserve my S-Works Mondo Open Tubulars for race week, but have several hundred miles on them with no problem.  They've been over some pretty rough roads. 

Okay so now I'm using GP 4000s (700/25) with regular tubes for training and racing (Reynolds Assault Clincher wheels). 

So what I gather here is that if I buy some race tires, say Corsa EVO or Michelin Pro's with Latex, I'll be faster?  (switch too 700/23)

There has to be a drawback.  Latex loses air, but being race day tire, not an issue?  Durability?  Etc.  What are some of the things I need to keep my eye on when dealing with latex tubes?

Latex is actually more resistant to punctures, so when properly installed, you should be even more flat resistant.  However, they can be difficult to install if you don't take your time; IOW, you don't want to use a latex tube as a spare.

Otherwise, there are a lot more positives to latex than negatives.  I can't see any reason not to use them for racing.

And yes, you'll be faster!

My race day set-up is Michelin Pro Race 3's with Vittoria Latex tubes ($13 at LBS).  What you need to concentrate on is the installation of the tube.  I like to install mine as part of my two-day before "bike cleaning and tune-up day".  I'll install fresh latex tubes and take my time, typically 3 times what a butyl tube install would take.  I do a thorough inside tire and rim tape check.  Take my time stuffing the tube.  Make sure I can see no pink! Rock the bead back in forth, inflate a little, rock the bead, inflate a little...  I'll inflate to 110 psi, and let them sit overnight and check in the morning.  I'll do a short round-the-block check out ride.  All good! 

These good tires:

http://www.probikekit.com/us/tyres-tubes/clincher-bicycle-tyres/vittoria-open-corsa-evo-cx-road-tyre.html

When (and if) I ever get fast enough to compete for the podium I will consider swapping out tires for a race. But for now I love the Conti GP4000s for racing and training. They seem to roll pretty well and I haven't had any issues with durability so far.

$90 for a pair off Ebay.

After 1,000 miles on each tire I rank race tires as such:

1. Corsa Evo - Best road feel.  Very smooth.  Light weight.  Wear is really fast.   

2. Zipp Tangente - Slightly more cushion versus Evo.  Better wear. 

3. Michelin PR3 - Feels like the lighter Conti tires. 

After 3,000 miles on these tires I never once got a flat.  I did 1 Ironman, 2 HIMs, 1 Olympic and tons of training on them.   

I persoanlly don't think latex is worth the hassle.  Your biggest pickup is the tire.  The difference between a Corsa Evo with and without a latex tube is 3 watts.  FYI, GP4000s are as slow as they get.  I bet they cost you 15 watts versus the Corsa Evo/Tangente/Michelin PR3 tires.   

Are you ranking them in order or just bullet points of each.  could you expand on Mich PR3.  Thanks. 

Ranked according to my preference.  The Corsa Evo tires are the fastest tire, no doubt.  I put the Zipp and PR3 tires in the same group, fast, but not as fast as the Corsa Evo tires.  Both the Zipps and PR3 tires seem a bit thicker so the ride is smoother, but I think they are a hair slower. 

I did one HIM on the PR3s.  I did one Olympic and HIM on the Zipps.  I did my Ironman on the Corsa tires.  I logged about 1,000 miles on each so got a good feel for all three.  I started with the Corsa Evos, went to the Zipps, went to the PR3s, then back to the Corsa Evos.  They are the best for me.  Not one flat on any of the three tires for what it is worth.  Plenty of cattle guards and chip seal tried their best.   

I've messed around with latex and I simply don't think the hassle is worth the watt gain.  If you relieve yourself before you ride you get the same gain.  The data shows 2-3 watts difference. 

Edit: For what it's worth, I do about 23-24 mph on Olympic course, 22-23 mph on HIM, and 20-21 mph on Ironman distance.  I also ride HED Jet 6/9 (aka wide/deep wheels). 

Just out of curiosity, what hassle?  Other than a little extra precaution with the installation, there's absolutely no hassle.  Plus you get better resistance to flatting!

Also, why not take a leak before you ride AND use latex.  Double the benefit.  I'm sure not going to turn down the 3W (or whatever it is)...

To each their own.  It's not worth it IMHO.  Plus, you lose 1-1.5 psi each hour.  On a HIM or more importantly an Ironman distance, do the math on when you last leave your bike in transition and when you leave your after your ride.  That's a lot of pressure loss.  Add an Evo or PR3 tire to the mix puts that on the high side of my loss range.  For an Olympic or Sprint, maybe, but it's such a short ride.  

This sounds really bad, but not one KQer I know uses them.  Most of my people that I know that use them are MOPers reaching for watts any place they can find them.  Again, to each their own, but the data shows very little gain after you go with a race tire.  

great info guys, thank you.  I'll pick up the Vittorias.  Since they wear fast, I guess if I don't like them I'm not stuck with them too long.  I'll stick with normal tubes for now.  Now I'll have GP's for training and a racing set.  I may stick with 700/25 though.  Competitive Cyclist's review said heavier guys would benefit from 25.  I weight 195 without gear. 

Again thanks.  May capital one card says thanks too. 

Pro3R's are not even playing in the same ballpark as Corsa Evo's, Conti Supersonics and the like. It's barely a step up from most training tires... generally at premium as well.

Latex is only a liability if you have to leave your bike in Transition overnight AND cannot go to transition the morning of the race... a couple of psi over a few hours is NOT going to hurt you.

Who stops to pee in a HIM/IM?

If you care about being as fast as you can with what you have, there is no reason other than being irrationally scared or lazy when it comes to picking tires/tubes.

no. You want 23's... probably a 22 in the front. 195 (hell... probably not 295) is not heavy enough that you need a 25mm tire. I'm not even sure a 25mm tire will fit in all/most brakes.