I'm using the 700c x 23mm version of this tire with a Trek Pilot 5.0 and Shimano WH-R500 wheelset on a Travel Trac Mag+ trainer (gravity style, not the old A-frame) with 5 resistance levels. Thus far it's holding up quite well and running cool. After 3 hours of moderate intensity interval workouts that vary the gearing from 39x19 recovery spins to 52x15 @ 100rpm intensity, the flash down the middle of the center tread ridge (the tread mold parting line) is still visibly present on the tire. In short, the tire is relatively quiet and doing exactly what it's supposed to be doing. The bike drive train and a very soft whine from the mag resistance unit are noisier than the tire. I hope what follows helps others with using this tire, as mine is clearly performing as it should and not shredding, prematurely wearing or otherwise disintegrating.
Tire Mounting:
Mounting this tire out-of-box new, as with all the other Vittoria (Zaffiro and Rubino), and Michelin fold-ups I've used was initially tight and took a little work to get the last few inches of the 2nd bead over the rim edge. Fold-ups in general have a reputation for being rather tight mounting when brand new. Even so I still got it on without resorting to a tire iron (which, for me, invariably snake bites the tube). Out of the box, fold-ups are pretty flattened and getting one onto a rim is much easier if a few minutes are spent to get it round and shaped more like a mounted tire by folding the beads together and squeezing it all the way around several times. Also helps mounting (without puncturing the tube) if the tube is slightly inflated and kept well centered in the rim without allowing it to twist or kink when seating the second bead, starting at the stem and slowly working around both directions to directly opposite the stem. Patience wins the game in new tire mounting. A tiny bit of soap on the rim at the end can help too (hand dish washing or bar soap) by reducing the friction of the tire rubber against the metal rim. When you eventually remove this fold-up and mount it again you'll find the second and successive times around easier as the bead stretches slightly and it tends to retain the shape of a mounted tire (unless you fold it up like it was when new and store it for a while).
Proper Tire Inflation:
Inflation pressure is important to proper tire wear. The range on the sidewall for this tire is 100-145 lbs. How low you can go to the bottom end of this range depends on how much you plus the bike weigh. Most manufacturers consider the lightest riders to be 110 lbs or less, and they are the ones who can get away with lowest recommended inflation pressure. Proper inflation pressure should increase with rider weight. The manufacturers consider the heaviest riders to be 180 lbs or more, and they should be using the highest recommended inflation pressures. The basic principle of rider weight and inflation pressure is how much the tire cross-section is deformed at the roller contact point (or pavement for road tires) by the rider plus bike total weight. The greater the deformation, the more the tire will heat up as it's rolling. If the heat gets too great, the tire will fail as the rubber tread shreds off of the fabric casing (was told this is the glue between the rubber and casing failing from overheating). Those thinking they'll get a softer ride with lowest recommended tire pressure are only deluding themselves to some extent. A 100 lb rider at lowest inflation pressure will have about the same ride as a 200 lb rider at highest inflation pressure as the range of tire deformation occurring while riding will be about the same for both. As with road riding, tire pressure should be checked at least once per week; I do it twice per week. Tires will lose pressure on their own as the air molecules very slowly seep through the inner tube.
Proper Trainer Resistance Roller Pressure (against the tire):
Pressure of the trainer roller against the tire is also important to minimizing tire wear. The small diameter resistance roller can deform a tire more than flat pavement will. Bikes are mounted in traditional "A-frame" style trainers by clamping in the rear axle at the top of the A-frame and then forcing the resistance roller against the tire with a jackscrew by tightening it with a large knob. The greater the force, the greater the tire deformation, and the harder it will be to pedal the bike. Some might think this is a way of adjusting or tweaking the resistance, and it certainly will, but it's also a fabulous way to greatly increase tire wear, and possibly induce tire failure, if it's cranked down tighter than it needs to be. The force of the roller against the tire should be no more than needed to keep the tire from slipping on the roller during moderate acceleration. Those cranking up from a slow 39x19 spin to an immediate all-out 130 rpm cadence, 53x15 high gear sprint frequently might need *slightly* more roller force against the tire, but I don't know of any proper interval training that does that radical a cadence and gearing change. I'm fortunate to have one of the newer gravity style without a resistance roller force adjustment. Rider plus bike weight provide the force between the tire and roller. The cheapest trainers have only have one resistance level and these are intended for the casual rider who wants some exercise during cold and bad weather, not for serious indoor winter training. Increasing roller pressure to increase resistance is not recommended and will lead to premature tire wear (ultimately tire failure if cranked up too much). If you cannot get enough resistance for effective training with trainer and bike gearing, the proper solution is a different trainer, one that provides sufficient resistance.
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I do not usually write reviews, but I think these tires have been getting a bad rap. I am on my second set, with a 3rd set awaiting. I have literally thousands and thousands of miles on these tires. Yes they bleed some rubber. BUT I keep them inflated at 120 psi and find they bleed very little. I am using them on rollers every day of winter, and every rainy day, windy day, or at night. I check the pressure twice a week, and have gotten some crazy time out of them. I definitely think they like higher pressure. They just do not feel right when I go down to 100 psi. Hope this helps. J
