Vredestein Fortezza TriComp

I think I've used just about every race tire we've got. This one is different. The Tricomp rubber layering gives this tire a really unique road feel. It's more like a 'foamy' feel than a 'balloony' feel, if that makes any sense at all. The final product is supple and grippy without being super thin or short-lived, making this a great racertrainer for the cyclist who doesn't want to change his tires every Monday morning after racing on Sunday.

I had used these tires for 5 years with only 1 flat. Micheline pros came on my BMC and i had three flats in three months. I have thrown the Micheline's out. I'll stick with the tri comp

I bought my Fortezzas in orange love, as they are one of the few tires available in that color. So far, I've ridden 1,500 training miles on them this year on pavements ranging from clean highways to grotty municipal bike trails, and have found they have held up well. Just a few cuts on the rear tire, but no embedded glass and no evidence that cuts go through tire wall. For reference, I am 200 lbs. and inflating the tires to 100-120 psi.

Concerning grip, I've ridden the Fortezzas on road temps ranging from 20-100 F, and felt confident at speeds up to 40 mph. I slightly prefer the handling characteristics, particularly in corners, one reader described as "foamy" as opposed to "balloony"to the GP 4000s I usually use. The GPs are tougher, but I'm more confident on the Fortezzas.

One caveat Take care when cleaning these tires. I tried to remove road tar from the sidewall using a rag soaked in "citrus" drivetrain degreaser and instead removed the nifty Vredestein badging a white smear remains. Haven't had this problem with other tires I've used mainly Specialized, Bontrager and Continental.

I love these tires and recommend them to friends. They are well worth the price. I used to go through about 10 flats per year, so i carried 2 tubes at all times. I have since given away most of my tubes helping fellow cyclists and have not had a single flat. I am 185 pounds and keep the pressure at 140 front and rear. BUY THEM!

The Vredestein Fortezza TriComp are the best tires I have found for fast training and riding in events such as the Etape du Tour, Markleeville Death Ride and the Mt. Baker Hill Climb. Although they are expensive, slightly heavier than some racing tires, and are not the longest lasting tire, they are light enough, ride great and last a season. I have owned expensive Continental, Vittoria and Michelin tires and never found a tire I liked as well. Except for my bicycle commuting, I ride on the TriComps when training and during events because I tune my bikes including the tires toward the highest level of dependable performance that I can achieve.

Additionally, like the people who actually have to buy their own tires unlike the top racers who are younger and lighter than me I like to ride on 25mm, as opposed to 23mm, tires. Finally, occasionally I can find the 25mm Vredestein tires in colors that match my bikes. I may never look as good on a bike as I imagine, but my wife did take a picture of me cresting the Col du Tourmalet on a beautiful blue bike with sharp looking blue tires that comes close.

I ride very hilly terrain on lousy road surfaces. They are positive on the road and the pressure rating and rubber compounds provide low rolling resistance. I can count on one hand the punctures 2 I've had in the last 5 years since I switched to these tires. 2,500 - 3,000 miles a year.

At more than 200 I originally was attracted to Vred's by the high pressure rating and so low rolling resistance. After riding them for more than 7 years I still use them almost exclusively because I have so few flats and they corner like they're on rails. I am confident riding these tires down hills nearing 60 mph and routinely corner at 40-50.

One reviewer mentioned the rear tire wearing fast. Two things 1 your rear tire carries nearly 90% of your weight so it will wear faster than the front. 2 You rotate the tires on your car right? Why wouldn't you do the same on your bike? Swap the front to the rear every 1000 to 1500 miles and put new ones on every 2500 to 3000 miles. You don't think I go 55 down hills on bald tires do you??

As for cost, I think they're worth it. But I also usually throw in with a friend and buy 10 every time to get the price break.maybe you should too! He then sends some to friends in Taipei who can't get them there, but love the tires because they hold up so well on the crappy roads they have there.

I have put over 3K miles on a set of these tires without a problem. I do rotate front to back at 1500 miles. I have had a few cuts but nothing serious. I really like the handling. I run them at 140 psi and find they corner like a dream. The only flat I had this summer was caused by a defective tube valve popped! Hopefully I won't jinx myself going forward. I used to run Michelins and Vitorias but prefer these overall. I run the all black. Some guys have told me the color sidewalls are not as durable. I don't know if that is the case or not.

I got 3000 miles out of my last set, and I am riding on my third set. I use these to train and race, even ride on gravel roads. In three sets, I have had one flat due to penetration, and two due to pinching racing on gravel roads. I ride the 700x 23 and inflate them to 100- 120psi front and 120-140 rear

Best I've used. I only replace them because they're so darn old, not because they fail or lose grip. A little heavier than other options in the price point...but for training, commuting, or racing, I don't thing there is a more reliable tire with the grip and puncture resistance of the TriComp.

I don't have anything bad to say about these tires. I use the same tires for club rides, training and racing. I use the darklight gray tires exclusively. I weigh 155 lbs and have felt safe on them at all speeds and in cornering. I have not had a single casing rupture, which did occur in a competing brand. I use 700x23's which are more comfortable at 140 psi my usual pressure then the Michelins that I used to ride at 120 psi. I have ridden these tires in races at the rated max psi of 175 with no problem and no particular discomfort Your Mileage May Vary on that. The roads that we travel on are about 75% chip sealedoiled which are a rough until they wear down after a few years, with the remaining being smoother hot mix blacktop. At least 4 friends and I ride these tires exclusively, logging 3-7,000 milesyear on our bikes, and we experience only a few flats it helps to avoid the grit at the very edge of the road.

I have over 9,000 miles on these tires and only one flat - from hitting a rock. Excellent grip, even in the wet. I am averaging about 3,500 miles by rotating front and rear. I run at a high pressure 155-160lb and no problems - long rides, sprints, racing.

68 to 73kg cyclist during the over 10,000km usage within 58kmh max speed, no puncture, and anticipats perhaps another 5000km service life left first 8000km as rear tyre before switching to front wheel when Panaracer found to be slippery

Other brands used Vittoria Rubino Pro slick punctures like hobby as front tyre, Panaracer Stradius Sports semi-slick slippery as front tyre, Kenda lightest but cracks showing up as front tyre, Bontrager Select semi-click almost all tread worn out within a month slippery as rear tyre. Now testing Schwalbe Blizzard Neo Pro as rear tyre

I love the way these tires ride. They roll like records and grip like velcro. I've never ridden a faster feeling tire. They wear out like a cheap suit. I have had two sets of these and have blown the rear tire completely out before hitting 1000 mi.

As others say, these tires are great performers. But I have to say, my rear tire lasted 1000 miles used for commuting, which is the fastest I've burned through in my 10 years of riding. Don't know if it were a defect 'cause front tire looks damn near new still. But I'm not going to spend another $50 to find out.

A bit expensive but hey these are the best tires i have ridden, they make me one with the pavement!

Replaced my stock Bonty Race Lites 60 tpi with these 120 tpi what a huge difference! These tires feel like they roll up faster, they ride far smoother, and corner like they're made of SuperGlue!

With 1,000 miles on them, the front looks like it's brand new the rear has started to wear and flatten out in the center. I'm not quite sure how many miles to expect from these tires, but given that it's a race tire I certainly don't expect the 3,000 miles I got with the Bontys.

There's a lot of discussion about tire pressure in these reviews. I tried different pressures and settled on 110 front 120 rear. They maintain a nice ride quality and I didn't notice any benefit from running higher pressures. I'm on the ligheter side at 5'9" and 137 lbs.

Downsides? They feel a little slick in wet weather, so adjust your speeds accordingly. They don't last as long as tires with harder compounds, so budget more for replacements. Lastly, it seems like these things are FLYING off the shelves, so you might want to buy a few extras. ^