What is a good tire for all around recreational rides?

This week I have destroyed two, possibly three tires. Last Sunday I was riding on Fairmont when an old small cut gave out, and I had to put on a spare tire.  Tuesday I hit something on the PV ride and destroyed a tire.  Again, I put on a spare.  Both were Bontrager RaceXLite. Last night I hit a small piece of metal while warming up for the Vancouver Time Trial. The tire may be ok, but this is getting to be annoying.

The Madone came with Bontrager RaceXLites, and I have bought several more. Most have been cut before they wore out.

Some years ago I was riding on Specialized Turbo S.  Great tires, but I was hardly ever able to wear one out before it was cut, so I switched to cheap low end Continental tires, which harly ever get cut.  The Turbo S are thin and light. I use the remaining ones for spare tires.

Is it time to go back to cheap low end Continental tires?   What do people use?

BTW the weekly Vancouver Time Trials are popular.  Last night there were 67 starters.

http://www.vancouverbicycleclub.com/trials.html

I've been using Michelin Pro Race 2's, though they aren't made anymore (I have a bit of a stash). I've had the same experience as you with the RaceXLites which came on my Trek; they wear quickly and aren't all that durable. The Pro Race 3, which replaced the Pro Race 2, is not as durable as the Pro Race 2. I was not impressed with Huchinson; again, fast wearing and I had trouble with them rolling off my rims for some reason. I've heard good things about the higher end Continentals, though I've never used them. The high end Vittorias seem to be good, but stay away from the lower end offerings like the Rubino. I've had nothing but trouble with their lower end tires (which have a low thread count), breaking cords and splitting sidewalls.

My .02 anyway.

I've had really good luck with the Conti GP4000 tires, at 205 grams they're light, corner well, repell flats very well and generally you can put a ton of miles on them before having to replace.  I'm with b-rat on the Michelins, I like the way they feel on the road, they corner better for racing, but for overall training I got more flats, and they don't last nearly as long as the GP4000's.  If you don't mind a little more weight, I'd go with the Conti 4-season.  I've had mine for 2 seasons, riding through the nastiest crap in the fall and winter and have yet to get a flat.  They're only 225 grams, so that's not too bad for an all arounder. 

I second the good review on. Conti 4000. I started using them this season. I got them since very good reviews from others on the team. Best price is at probikekit.com

I now ride the Conti 4000 or 4000s (I don't understand the difference) - they wear very well and are quite cut resistant - but I don't like the rougher road feel.  I used to ride Vredestein TriComps - they have a great feel but cut more easily than the Conti's.  For winter I rode on the Conti Gatorskins - maybe more durable, more cut and flat resistant than the 4000 - but a noticably rougher feel.

Cheers, Malcolm

So I don't race - and reliability is much more important to me than speed... YMMV.  I however will ride around on Gatorskin tires.  I knew they aren't the fastest - but they last and I don't tend to get flats (Ok - I got one this year when a staple ended up driving itself through the tire)

 I wouldn't race in these - but for training, why not

Tanks, it sounds like Conti 4000 for the Madone, and Gatorskins on the others after I use up a few Conti 2000 and 3000 in the bsmt..

Yeah, I'm a Conti guy. I role with the Gatorskins on my winter bike and race and ride the GP 4000s on my race bike. I think I'm lucky, but I can count on one hand how many flats I've had in two years and I've put a lot of miles on. I'm knocking on wood right now, but good tires!

John Banks:

...I can count on one hand how many flats I've had in two years and I've put a lot of miles on....

Whoops.  Now you are screwed.  Knocking on wood doesn't forgive this particular offense to the flat gods.  

Traci and I ride conti's as well.. PBK has good deals on them normally.  The 4000s is just a different badging color, the labels are black / grey.  I don't think there is any compound difference, but I've got them on my VV and they are wonderful tires.

I've been using the Vittoria Rubino Pro's for a while now and don't have any complaints. I feel like they balance puncture resistance, durability, and ride quality pretty well.

Alex Kroman:

I've been using the Vittoria Rubino Pro's for a while now and don't have any complaints. I feel like they balance puncture resistance, durability, and ride quality pretty well.

Yea, but you weigh, what, 12 pounds?... :).

Brian Ratliff:

Yea, but you weigh, what, 12 pounds?... :).

I've been riding Rubino pros also I love them.  I have them on both VV's and they are doing great.  For winter I ride the conti gatorskins and 4 Seasons both have been great winter tires.  Racing I go with the conti GP4000s...as Matt pointed out same tire as the GP4000 chili tire they just look cooler since they are black and silver only.

I will never ride again on Hutchinson's or Panaracers.  I've used both in the past and when there life is up its up...they suck.  I do like Vredestin and Specialized also...my thoughts.

Gregg

Gregg Magnus:

I've been riding Rubino pros also I love them. 

So, these tires are great for guys like Alex and Gregg, but will they work for riders in the middle of the bell curve?

Sasha I reccomend for riders in the middle of the bell curve to ride solid rubber tires that have added lead weight to them so that it brings about an even playing field climbing hills :)....although then you would run the advantage of flat prevention which I guesst this is what the post is all about...

Gregg