It's about time for a new front tire and I'm just wondering if you guys stuck with the K555's in the front or have you switched?
Thanks
Oh no. You've started another tire thread! :)
There's actually quite a bit of conversation about tires in forum here. If you want to search, you'll find some good discussions.
Here's the quick and dirty from my experience and a few others. You basically have two tire choices: Metzelers and Dunlops.
Metzelers:
Last longer. Possibly twice as long.
Cost more up front. But since they last longer you save on mounting charges.
Wears very well and holds a rounder shape longer and has deeper tread.
Dunlops:
Softer, stickier tire, so they don't last as long as Metzelers. (Going to get about 7K on my rear dunlop)
Cheaper but you'll pay for more frequent mountings.
Have been known to harden over time and become slick. But if you ride alot that's not an issue because they wear out quicker.
Don't hold shape as well because they're softer. My rear Dunlop got flat in the middle pretty fast compared to my rear Metzeler.
Right now I am torn. I found the stock rear Metzeler to be too slippery... even on dry pavement. The Dunlop sticks great but since it wears quicker then the tire can go flatter down the middle and make the bike lean into corners funny.
I second the praise of the front Metzler, really like mine.
When I bought my 2000 (in 6/04) the guy had just put a new Dunlap on the front. I have put 10,000 miles on it and it still looks good. I am not a agressive rider. I put a new Dunlap on the back 2000 miles ago. I don't think I ride enough to justify the longer lasting Metz's and besides have been very happy with the Dunlaps.
Metz on the front and back love them both have lasted 2 seasons so far...
What is the widest Metzeler without modifying the Brakestay Rod?
Or is it easy to modify the brakestay rod?
If you stick with the 150/80-15 ME880, I believe you can stick with the factory break stay rod. If you bump up to the 170/80-15 ME880, you will need a new break stay rod. I just purchased a new break stay rod from cycle-istic ($44.00) and it was simple to put on, and looks good too.
I've heard of some guys running a wider-than-stock Metzler without modifying the brake stay rod. Some of them even take of the rod and just beat it a little flatter in the area where it passes the tire. Others have just used some washers to shim the stock rod out a little farther.
The Cycle-Istic brake stay rod is a nice way to do it as well.