Rubber Update

• The new tire catalogs are showing up, and 2008 looks to be a lot like 2007. The Schwalbe Ultremo is still the best lightweight clincher. The Panaracer urban lineup offers the best all-around value in most sizes. And the Rivendell Roly Poly/Ruffy Tuffy/Jack Brown offers the most versatility for those interested in variable pressure designs for good weather and bad.

  650B options continue to improve, but 630 offerings are still horrible. Colored tires are still big, but many of the manufacturers have sadly reduced the number of stock colors, focusing mainly the primary palette. A few more companies have joined Schwalbe in offering dedicated front and rear road clinchers. Michelin has updated the grippy (but soft) Pro2 (now the Pro3) and Continental has added a Vectran layer to some of the Grand Prix lineup.

  But perhaps the most interesting trend is the rush to offer "real" European-styled commuter tires in a variety of sizes. The format describes tires with at least 5mm of all-weather tread, a good anti-puncture belt, and a reflective sidewall. Until recently, only Schwalbe offered a good selection -- great tires, but really more trekking and touring oriented and therefore somewhat expensive. Hutchinson, Maxxiss, CST, Continental, Michelin, Challenge, and Panaracer will offer tires in this range for 2008. I'll be ordering several samples, but at least on paper, it's no surprise that the value leader appears to be the $25 Panaracer Crosstown (26x1.5", 700x28/32/35). Even cooler, the Japanese-market reflective T-Serv Messengers ($40) will make it stateside next month. The range runs from 25-32c, meaning roadies can finally run reflective sidewalls!

  One question that comes up quite a bit in respect to colored tires has to do with pinstripes vs. sidewalls vs. tread. There are still very few colored tread tires, so here's an overview:

  Manufacturer	Model	Sizes	Colors	MSRP	Notes
  Bridgestone	City	26x1 3/8"	Gray	$20	The coolest upgrade you can make to a vintage Raleigh.
  Continental	Grand Prix 4000	700x23c, 25c	Metallic Blue, Blue, Red, Yellow, Bronze, Gold	$55	Exceedingly cool. Reasonably rare as most shops only stock black.
  Dia-Compe	Gran Compe SS	23c	White	$50	Very limited availability. Reserve yours now.
  IRD	Crossfire	32c	Red, Blue, Pink	$40	It's a shame you can't get the pale green Michelins any more. So for now, these are the most interesting colored cross knobbies. Pink sold out in one week last year...
  Panaracer	T-Serv Messenger	25c, 28c	Red, Blue	$40	It's about time! Finally, a 28c colored tire. Too bad they're not bringing in the yellow or green models.
  Tufo	Prestige	32c	Red	$116	Spendy
  Tufo	Elite Road	23c	Red	$130	Spendy
  Tufo	Elite Cross	32c	Red, Yellow	$150	Spendy
  Vittoria	Cross Evo XN	32c	Silver	$50	I have been coveting these tires for nearly a year. A small run sold out immediately, so hopefully they'll make more for 2008. More gray than silver...