In my opinion, the best value in a narrow clincher was the IRC Triathlon Kevlar. Indestructable, long-wearing, good ride, good fit, reasonably light weight, tan sidewall. And, under $20. That was a great tire.
Of course, like every non-gimmicky non-hyped product,it now appears that IRC has stopped making this tire. A comparable tire, such as the Veloflex Pave, costs three times as much, and I'll bet it isn't as durable.
I wish I had stocked up on these. If anyone knows of a cache in 700x20, let me know.
Louis Schulman Tampa, Florida
C. Andrews wrote:
> I can attest that Rivendell Ruffy-Tuffys are hands-down the
> best clincher tires I've ever ridden, for tandems in
> particular, but even for single bikes, if you don't mind a
> little extra weight...they're probably as close to
> flat-proof as a clincher can be, they have an incredible,
> ocean-liner ride, and they corner beautifully..in addition,
> they seem to be faster (less rolling resistance) than any
> other clincher I've tried (and although I dislike clinchers
> in general, I've tried quite a few now)...
>
> If there were any justice in this world, Grant Peterson
> could retire on the profits from his tires..maybe he should
> make them in all-black. He could sell a bazillion of them.
> The Roly-Poly might, on balance, be the best clincher tire
> ever made...a paragon of the virtues, with no vices.
>
> Well. One vice. Or two. They aren't made in a 27", and
> they aren't made in a wire-bead. Other than those two
> caveats...best clincher ever, in my view