Continental

After trying multiple tires (I ride about 18,000 miles/year), I�ve settled on the Conti GP5000 for its smooth ride, low rolling resistance and relatively good puncture proof tires. It�s a bit pricier, but worth it overall given that I get about 6000 miles out of each tire. They�re a bit difficult to put on, but fortunately I�ve not had to take them off regularly for any reason (especially punctures). They�re grippy and you feel confident after a good bit of usage.

I use these everyday. They mount up easy with my old hands only. Inflate easily and hold air like no other tire I've owned. They roll and corner very fast. I had another set from a major tire company and when I mounted and rode with these, I immediately felt I could corner better and roll faster. They were just a tad harsher which I think maybe because once mounted they were exactly 32 mm as the other set measured 34 even though they were both 32 mm tires.

I love these tires. I used to get constant flats biking around Chicago from all the broken glass etc in the streets, especially in the winter and spring when there is no street cleaning. Since switching to gatorskins I rarely get flats, and if I do it's a reminder that maybe it's about time to switch out my old, worn pair. Hard for me to say how many miles I get off them, since I commute all year, but a pair usually lasts me a year or so. Definitely worth it for the peace of mind.

Riding 90% hard dirt/gravel & 10% road in the desert you can pick up 1/8" or longer thorns, goat heads on every ride. While these 38mm Conti's perform better than the Schwalbe 42mm as not being so fishy but puncture protection is not equal. After a ride with Schwalbe I can pull out 10 thorns or goat heads with sealant in tubes and very rarely as in after 300 mile month 1 empty tire in the morning due to not pulling out thorn after ride and rotating tire so sealant would fill small hole.

So overall I definitely prefer the Conti's for the ride but the 5mm guard while making the Shwalbe heavy is hard to beat for no ride interruptions. The steadfast maneuvering of the Conti's is more reliable than the Schwalbe so the between weight and track I'll have to give it to the Conti's.

They were super easy to install on ROVAL C38 after letting them sit in +70 degree sunlight for no more than 5 minutes as are any other tire. People complaining about having to use various methods may want to try it....