Durable Race Tire Recommendations

Continental GP 4000 S - The "S" is important. Just loaded mine on my race wheels for my final long ride tomorrow before taper begins!

You don't want to make your racing tires your training tires.  If you only have one set of wheels get in the habit of changing the tires and tubes out.  All the GP4000s are good racing tires, the following will be just as durable and will be faster: http://www.thomasgerlach.com/2012/06/best-triathlon-road-bike-tt-race-tires.html

Keep them as race only tires.  Having a fresh front tire is especially important for aerodynamics.  In fact so much so that you should likely change out the front after every couple of hundred miles.  

^^^This is great advice.  I just did the same and it has really made a difference.  Picked up an extra set of used ALX330's for real cheap.  I put on a couple of Vittoria open corsa evo cx's, wheelbuilder wheel cover, and a couple of latex tubes.  I use these only for races and makes a huge difference in performance.    Now the mistake I made (at least I think its a mistake) is that the front is a 23mm and probably should have gotten a 21mm.  That said I will wait for the tire to wear our before I replace.

Gatorskins are great training tires. Last like forever, and are heavy as boats. Yes, you'll notice them at first when switching from a lighter tire.

THen go to a race tire on race day and feel the small speed boost.

It's probably less expensive to go this 2-tire route as well, as the Gatorskins last a really, really long time.

Regarding the second part, how do you plan to keep the front newer with that specific pair? So far they seem to be sold as a matched pair only. Counting on the back wearing enough in that time to warrant replacing? They're interesting enough that I'm giving them a shot, but curious about what you've experienced with this already.

Yes that is the hard part.  The front is never going to last as long if you want the true aero performance.  One thing you can do though is to save a new front for your "A" race and then use it some more for your "B" and "C" races and then relegate it to the trainer pile.   The same holds true for a new chain.  If you want that extra performance, slap a new chain on before that "A" race.

I agree that these are likely among the best tires for race/train.

But I don't think the "S" is important:

My understanding is that the "s" does not matter, as long as you use black tires.  In other words black GP4000 tires are essentially the same as GP4000s, but the colored ones do not have the black chili compound and thus might not quite have the same feel and rolling resistance.

I am pretty sure what I said is true, but if anyone has something to add feel free to let us know.

I really like Michelin Pro tires. 

Thanks for the info!  Will probably swap to a conti when this front is ready to be moved to the trainer wheels. 

Conti Attack-Force combo is clearly decent choice for racing, but it is not as durable as GP4000s for training.  Even Conti says so touting GP4k's durability/longevity with a "healthy tread layer" while referring to A/F as having just "ample service life"-

?http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/race/racetyres/gp_attack_force/gpattackforce_en.html

Have not tried 'em, but FWIW Conti claims its fastest tire for TT is the new Grand Prix TT (new version of their SuperSonic?)

http://www.conti-online.com/generator/www/de/en/continental/bicycle/themes/race/racetyres/GP_TT/GP_tt_en.html

Best aero tire choice may depend on your specific aero wheels.  HED & Zipp both claim that tire choice can markedly affect aerodynamics, but that newer rim shapes accept up to ~23 tires with no aero penalty (as was case with older aero wheel designs).  HED describes this aero penalty of 23 tire on 19mm wide rim as "light bulb" profile-

http://www.hedcycling.com/true_speed.asp

Zipp's white paper on rim shape (claiming optimal tire width for its newer rims up to 105% of max rim width) can be downloaded here under Josh's answer to question under Crosswinds, Apparent Wind & Aero-

http://www.zipp.com/support/askjosh/aerowheels.php#

Keep in mind that actual tire widths often vary from maker's advertised size, so not all 23's measure 23. In some tires you need to get the "21" as their "23" is actually closer to 24-25.

I can understand that a tire with small cuts could be less aero than new tire, but rolling resistance usu test a bit higher for brand new tire-

http://biketechreview.com/tires/rolling-resistance/475-roller-data

I ride any brand new race day tires ~50-100mi to break 'em in (wear off mold release compound for lower RR) & verify proper install (no partially pinched tube), then inspect carefully pre-race for any damage.  Got this tip from mechanic for very successful US collegiate race team.

And IMHO choosing "best" tire for your use should include at least adequate durability for event conditions.  Just ask pro TT specialist Tony Martin who was only rider who flatted during BOTH Prologue TT & 1st full TT stages of this yr's TdF