Schwalbe Ultremo ZX Questions

[auswi2]

Hello,

I have ordered a set of Schwalbe Ultremo ZX black tyres from CRC.

The reviews i have read have been mixed. Some say the are puncture resistant and others advise they have poor durability and are more prone to flats, As They cost $86.00 Aust per set I hope they are really good for training and group rides

Can I please ask any members who have used them your thoughts on:

Puncture resistant,
Rolling
Durability

Any Thoughts appreciated.

auswi2

[biker jk]

They are a racing not training tyre. Excellent grip, low rolling resistance and quite light. However, they don't provide much puncture protection and will get cut up pretty quickly. I use Vittoria Rubino Pro as training tyres.

[DoogleDave]

Conti GP4000S's FTW!

I did think of trying the Ultremo ZX's, but I am so happy with the GP4000's I find it hard to go past them....

The Ultremo's are supposed to be great tyres for racing - but aren't as durable or puncture resistant (as they're made for racing on, not training on).

However, you could get decent puncture resistant tyres and have heaps of punctures or you could get lesser resistant tyres and never have a problem.
I guess the odds are better when having the more resistant tyres though...

Dave

[jacks1071]

No doubt they roll very fast, probably one of the fastest clincher's on the market.

Durability, they wear quickly compared to a training tyre.

Puncture resistance, I know 90kg riders who get a lot of punctures on them, I know 70kg riders who find them just fine.

If you arn't too heavy and don't over-inflate them, then sure you can train on them. If you're a bigger rider probably best to look for a tougher tyre.

[schroeds]

I'm 75km, I get a year out of mine, I';m very happy, on my 3rd set

[auswi2]

Thanks for your replies.

Once i receive them from CRC I will return them for another tyre or maybe an Ultegra cassette as I am over 100kg.

I do have the Maxis Re-fuse tyres on my bike now which I find is a great training tyre and reasonable at rolling.

Thanks

auswi2

[Howzat]

I bought mine from TBSM - they're cheaper locally. http://tbsm.com.au/bike-parts/wheels-ty ... tyre-13802

[mogwaiboi]

I have them on 2 different bikes, one set of 23mm and the other are 25mm. Granted these bikes are only ridden on weekends (and I'm a relatively light 72kg) but I've only had 1 puncture between them in a total of about 5000km.

[fingy]

I bought ZX's for they're rolling resistance after they trumped the field
in a mag test, the tyre's pressure range is 80-145psi (test was at max pres)
I started at 120psi but they rode too harsh and had to keep pressures under
100 to achieve any sort of comfort which possibly negated any rolling
advantage the tyre had over its rivals.
They have since been replaced with PRO 4's which even at a max pressure
of 116psi ride much nicer and I can't tell if they roll, climb or corner any
worse. The same Vitoria latex tubes were used in both sets of tyres.

[Dave R32]

I have a set which are now on my wife's bike.

They roll very well, I used them (AT) 100psi and I am 85kgs and didn't have any punctures. However I noticed that after a few hundred kms they do cut up a lot more than GP4000s.

Cheers
Dave.

[AlMac]

Michelin ProRace: nicest ride and roll.

Conti GP4000: best lasting. Also roll nice, but not as nice as Michelin or Schwalbe.

Schwalbe Ultremo ZX: roll like Michelin, not quite as nice a ride. Better roller than Conti (marginal though). Last as well, if not better than Michelin. Sidewalls are weakest of any tyre I've used, by far.

I might go 1.5 to 2 sets of Schwalbes for each set of Conti GPs.

Schwalbe Ultremo ZX is a great tyre. I use them on my commuting single speed and road bike.

[MichaelB]

I bought mine from TBSM - they're cheaper locally. http://tbsm.com.au/bike-parts/wheels-ty ... tyre-13802

Crikey, that is a good local price. Shipping isn't too bad (AT) $8.50

Mind you, no 25C's though.

A LBS that I got a couple of brake cables from tonight had them for $99.95 ea

[auswi2]

I received the tyres and decided to keep them and took them out on a training ride on Sat. I am 104kg and I had the front and rear at 100PSI and no issues at all. Still early days but tyre is very grippy in the dry, and quick. Unsure about the wet yet.

Thanks

auswi

[chocwege]

I am well over 100kg and (he says touching wood) have found the Ultremo ZX 23mm to be a great ride - no issues with punctures or cutting up over the first 1000 km. Would recommend them as suitable for training, although I ride on relatively "clean" roads.

[biker jk]

I received the tyres and decided to keep them and took them out on a training ride on Sat. I am 104kg and I had the front and rear at 100PSI and no issues at all. Still early days but tyre is very grippy in the dry, and quick. Unsure about the wet yet.

Thanks

auswi

You might need a bot more pressure in the rear (usually should be higher than front as carries more weight).

[TMjpn]

As everyone says, when you strap on a pair of ZX's they just seem to roll so much better than anything else.. Makes you feel faster

But again, like everyone says - durability is not amazing. They nick/cut and takes small stones in them pretty easily. I had a rear wheel seizure while climbing at about 10km hour. I had Instant skid for maybe 1/2 a meter. The tyre surface was toast. The under layer (grey in colour) was showing in a 2 inch, 1 cm wide patch. The tyre stayed inflated..

So now I am trying the newer Michelin Pro 4 service course. Done 800 K's on them so far including some sketchy roads I commute on and they look still pristine on the tread. The Zx's didnt do that. Roll 'feel' is not too far off a ZX's and weight is another 15-20g per tyre. Not a bad trade off.