RBA took five racing tires to task—three clinchers and two tubulars from Continental, Hutchinson, Kenda, Maxxis and Schwalbe. With names like those rolling under our bikes, we anticipated some thrilling test rides. Without spoiling the results, we can say without reservation 1000 miles later that all five delivered the groceries.

We outlined the relevant technical aspects of each tire and then followed it with a list of 1-to-5 performance ratings based upon test rider inputs. A “1” rating is just a tire, a “3” is a top-quality performer in its category, and a “5” is simply outstanding. Finally, we outline what we feel is the best use of the tire to help match it with your riding style. Don’t forget, traction is your friend.

Type: Tubular 22C

Weight: 260 grams

TPI: 130 TPI

Pressure range: 110-170 psi

Price: $104.95

One of the more popular tires in the ProTour, Continental’s Competition Tubular is handmade in Germany at their small factory in Korbach. The tread rubber is Continental’s Black Chili compound, which blends synthetic and natural rubber with micro-fine carbon particle filler. The secret mixture is said to enhance grip, reduce rolling resistance and increase the lifespan of the tire. The key to this miracle is the enhanced resilience of the material. Finally, Continental bonds a thin, closely woven strip of Vectran fabric beneath the tread for cut and puncture resistance.

We have glued up three pairs of Conti tubulars and can report that all were a precise fit on the rims, and thuseliminated a potential wrestling match with a glue-covered python. Continental also makes the best tubular glue (we use it exclusively). The black sidewalls hide most glue smears and mask the fact that you are riding faster tires than your clincher-clad mates.

Installation: 2

Pretty simple for tubulars—consistent rim fit-up.

Comfort: 4

Smooth-running, but a bit rough riding at pressures over 125 psi where some tubulars begin to rock and roll.

Rolling feel: 4

Conti Competition tires feel fast, and they bark the noisy hiss that tubular racing tires are famous for.

Cornering feel: 4

Quick through the corners with a firm grip and a positive connection with the road surface.

Acceleration feel: 4

Firm under sprinting power and lightfeeling.

Durability: 3

Long-wearing for a race tire. We flatted three out of six within our 100-mile test window—slightly more often than other pro-level tubulars (could have been dumb luck).

Continental’s top tubular is a purpose-built racing tire that doesn’t need RBA’s advocacy for an introduction. The Competition tubular is a trusted and proven winner.

Type: Clincher 23C

Weight: 189 grams

TPI: 127

Pressure range: 90-125 psi

Price: $59

Hutchinson’s pro racing clincher is deceptively simple, with a slick, medium- durometer tread and a lightweight 127 thread-count casing. An arimid (generic Kevlar) armor strip bonded below the tread wards off punctures, and the single-compound tread and straight-forward construction results in a very lightweight and supple-rolling tire.

We have a lot of time on the Hutchinson Atom Comps because we used them for most of our wheel testing this year. We typically ran 100 to 120 psi, depending on rider weight. Atom Comps fit tightly on most rims, and in some cases, required a tire tool to mount or dismount. Take care to ensure that the tube is not pinched by the bead, as the snug fit will not let the tube slip free of the tire—which often ends in a bead-lifting blowout.

Installation: 2

Tight fit on most rims.

Comfort: 4

Sweet-rolling tire, which seems to have a larger diameter casing than its claimed 23-millimeter circumference.

Rolling feel: 4

One of the better-rolling clinchers we have tested. The Atom Comp rides like a handmade open tubular-type clincher and has that hissing sound that good racing tires make when they roll on asphalt.

Cornering feel: 4

Sweet in the turns—very predictable and secure.

Acceleration feel: 3

Good acceleration with a lively feel, but not as firm as a racing tubular.

Durability: 3

We popped a few—mostly when we hit objects like small rocks or foreign objects, but we rarely experienced a thorn or glass puncture.

If you are a clincher racer, then try Hutchinson Atom Comps. The Atom’s rolls efficiently and has cornering traction that will save your bacon in criteriums, along with long-haul comfort which will strengthen your finishes on road races and century rides.

Type: Clincher, 23C

Weight: 198 grams

TPI: 120

Pressure range: 100-125 psi

Price: $34.99

Kenda is a bit secretive on their rubber and flat protection information. That said, the Kaliente is Kenda’s lightweight road racing clincher, listed at 190 grams (+/-10 grams), which is pretty darn light. The medium-durometer tread is Kenda’s “L3R Pro” blended rubber, and there is an armor layer called “Iron Cloak” bonded beneath the tread that reached from bead to bead, so the sidewalls receive bonus cut protection. There is a slight diamond tread pattern, which is typical for a traditional racing tire.

Mounting was done easily by hand, without tools, on an Easton EC90SL Carbon wheelset. Inflation pressure was 120 psi, which is on the high side of Kenda’s recommendations.

Installation: 4

The Kaliente fits on the looser side of the clincher tire spectrum, so it goes on easily and fits surprisingly well.

Comfort: 3

Very nice road feel, with the ability to mute the buzz of rough asphalt.

Rolling feel: 3

Kalientes have a very good roll, but not as good as a top tubular tire. Energetic feeling, like the Hutchinson Atoms.

Cornering feel: 3

While this is a very fast tire, the Kaliente inspires less confidence while cornering at speed, especially where water is a factor.

Acceleration feel: 4

In addition to having a good roll, they feel light when it’s time to go.

Durability: 5

Quote: “I have 300 miles on this set including the Heartbreak 100. No flats, no cuts, and no visible wear.”

If you chose one tire to race and train on, Kenda’s Kaliente has the durability to burn miles during the week and also perform well on race day—and it competes with tires that cost over twice its $35 sticker price.

Type: Clincher 700x23C

Weight: 212 grams

TPI: 170

Pressure range: 115-130 psi

Price: $72
Info: www.maxxis.com

Maxxis’ Cormet is a fast-rolling semislick, and it sits at the top of their racing tire lineup. The tread has a slightly grooved tread profile on the sides, presumably to give water a place to go so the tire can better grip the corners in the rain. Maxxis breaks tradition and forgoes its triple-durometer tread compound for a durable 62-hardness rubber and then bonds a dual-layer nylon anti-puncture strip beneath the tread. Maxxis bills the Cormet as its pro road racing tire.

We used 120 psi in the front and rear tires, which were mounted to Mavic Ksyrium ES wheels. The installation was a joy; very simple with no tools needed.

Installation: 4

Easy on, easy off.

Comfort: 4

Quote: “I normally run about 100 psi with my Michelin Pro 3’s. I found the Maxxis ride/feel the same at 120 psi.

Rolling feel: 3

Smooth, energetic and quiet-running, with a grippy feel.

Cornering feel: 3

Stable, with good grip.

Acceleration feel: 3

Stable, firm and solid-feeling under power.

Durability: 4

Over 100 miles on the Cormets with no flats or cuts, and they look brandnew on the top of the tread.

The Maxxis Cormet One70 fits the bill for a wide range of uses. It is lightweight, fast-rolling and durable. Longcourse road races and multisport events would be its specialty, and anyone who wants an every-day high-performance tire should consider this one.

Type: Tubular 22 millimeter

Weight: 260 grams

TPI: 300

Pressure range: 115-205 psi

Price: $145

Schwalbe’s Ultremo HT is their second pro-level tubular tire and the first to emerge from their new factory devoted to handmade racing tires. The carcass is made from fine-thread polyester with two layers of cloth glued at 90 degrees, which is then coated with a thin layer of black latex to keep the tire as flexible as possible. Schwalbe’s “triple nano-compound” tread refers to ultra-fine particle carbon filler material, and to three rubber types used in the bonded-on tread: A thin, very resilient undertread, capped by a hard-center rubber, flanked by grippy side rubber for cornering. A tightly woven armor strip (RaceGuard) is bonded under the tread to protect against punctures. The latex rubber inner tube is novel because it is extruded and a little thicker than the glued-together natural latex tubes that most racing tubular tires use. The new inner tube adds a few grams but seems to be more reliable, and it is equipped with a removable valve stem, which is excellent for those who want the extra benefit of a liquid sealant or use displaced-valvetype Presta extensions.

We ran Schwalbe’s Ultremo HT tires on low-profile DT Swiss and Easton carbon wheels at pressures ranging from 125 to 140 psi. We had no issues gluing up Schwalbe’s new tubulars, and we were quite pleased to discover that the Ultremo HT tires ran nearly true after the first trial and inflation (tubular tires need to be aligned so the tread runs straight after gluing).

Installation: 2

Easiest of the tubular tires we’ve installed, but still much more involved than a clincher. Extra love to Schwalbe for including a removable valve in its Presta stems.

Comfort: 4

Smooth-rolling even at pressures up to and over 140 psi.

Rolling feel: 5

Very energetic, with a wonderful feel of the road.

Cornering feel: 4

Sticks well in the corners and is not upset much by dirt patches and painted lines. The Ultremo HT continues to roll fast—it does not scrub off speed when leaned over in a turn like many tires do.

Acceleration feel: 4

Brisk feel when sprinting or closing gaps, and the tire remains very firm under out-of-the-saddle pedaling efforts.

Durability: 3

Noticeable amount of wear after 100 miles means that the Ultremo should be used as a racing tire. No flats in spite of cuts in the tread indicate that Schwalbe’s protective under-tread layer was doing its job well.

Road races, criterium or top-level multisport events. At $145 each, Schwalbe’s Ultremo HT’s are expensive, but the speed and control that the HT’s bring to the game—and the undeniable lightweight advantage of a tubular wheelset—make Schwalbe’s latest tubular a serious consideration for dedicated competitors.