WriConsult
09-25-2007, 05:06 PM
Those outside Les Schwab country are probably scratching their heads. Where's that? But if you live in the Northwest, you know you're in Les Schwab territory. Best tire store in the business, bar none. Not necessarily the widest range of tires, but by far the best service. They take care of their customers. And in the Oregon desert, that's a very good thing. [FWIW, I have no personal connection to the Les Schwab company. I'm just a very, very loyal and satisfied customer].
Long background story
The rocks of the high desert are absolutely brutal on tires, even when you stick to maintained gravel roads. Even truck owners carry multiple spares and use them frequently. I just got back from a 5 day trip there (mostly on the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge). After many trips to Oregon's outback over the years, I've learned to carry at least two full size spares, but this time I reasoned that I'd be staying on the "main" roads maybe I could get by with one.
Oops. Got two flats as I was leaving the refuge on Sunday morning. Worst day to have this happen, because no one is open Sundays. So after an unplanned but beautiful 45 mile bike ride over two mountain passes, and an extra night spent in a motel, I showed up at good ole Les Schwab in Lakeview yesterday morning. By late morning they had driven out to my car, mounted a set of brand new Toyo TourEvos onto my rims and bolted them to my car, followed me back to Lakeview and balanced the wheels, and I was on my way. And Schwab does this every single day.
Knowing my tires were nearing replacement, I've already been reading up on LRR tires (most of which are not available in my 205/70R15 size), hoping to make an improvement. But after reading that the Toyo Z800 (the TourEvo's predecessor, of which I have owned many sets) was ranked "Very Good" for rolling resistance by Consumer Reports, I decided that was good enough. Because this is a tire I can get from Les Schwab. And that means I can get warranty service, and exact replacements, and ONSITE HELP, no matter where I am in the Northwest. Their stores are ubiquitous, and found in every Northwest town that has any kind of full service tire store. That, to me, combined with the Toyos' being at least decent in the RR department, outweighs the fact that I might not be buying the absolutely lowest RR.
But until yesterday I didn't realized that Toyo had replaced its venerable Z800 with a new model, the TourEvo. I have to admit I was hesitant to plunk down nearly $500 (on top of the 3 hours at $85/hr for on-site help).
My assessment (so far) of the tires
Well, as it turns out I needn't have worried. They seem to roll [i]better than the Z800s, despite the fact being brand new with deeper (and therefore slower) tread. Witness their contribution to yesterday's 500 mile tank (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/the-daily-grind/t-first-500-mile-tank-in-the-subaru-6484.html): at 60 mph yesterday I was seeing segment after segment in the 34-37mpg range, despite a mild headwind. Can't wait to see how they roll once they wear down a bit!
These tires are also vastly quieter than the old tires: Honestly I didn't think that mattered much to me, but I didn't realize how much of the road noise in my car was coming off the tires. These have some golf-ball-style dimples and other shaping along the edges that are supposed to reduce air turbulence (and therefore noise), and boy does it work. So far handling (in dry conditions) seems at least as good too. This weekend I should be able to test their wet performance.
So if you live in Les Schwab country, and Schwab service is important to you, look no further than the Toyo TourEvo when it comes time to replace the Z800s that you're probably running today. While some of the Michelins may offer marginally lower rolling resistance, so far IMO TourEvos appear to be an excellent choice for hypermiling.
Long background story
The rocks of the high desert are absolutely brutal on tires, even when you stick to maintained gravel roads. Even truck owners carry multiple spares and use them frequently. I just got back from a 5 day trip there (mostly on the Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge). After many trips to Oregon's outback over the years, I've learned to carry at least two full size spares, but this time I reasoned that I'd be staying on the "main" roads maybe I could get by with one.
Oops. Got two flats as I was leaving the refuge on Sunday morning. Worst day to have this happen, because no one is open Sundays. So after an unplanned but beautiful 45 mile bike ride over two mountain passes, and an extra night spent in a motel, I showed up at good ole Les Schwab in Lakeview yesterday morning. By late morning they had driven out to my car, mounted a set of brand new Toyo TourEvos onto my rims and bolted them to my car, followed me back to Lakeview and balanced the wheels, and I was on my way. And Schwab does this every single day.
Knowing my tires were nearing replacement, I've already been reading up on LRR tires (most of which are not available in my 205/70R15 size), hoping to make an improvement. But after reading that the Toyo Z800 (the TourEvo's predecessor, of which I have owned many sets) was ranked "Very Good" for rolling resistance by Consumer Reports, I decided that was good enough. Because this is a tire I can get from Les Schwab. And that means I can get warranty service, and exact replacements, and ONSITE HELP, no matter where I am in the Northwest. Their stores are ubiquitous, and found in every Northwest town that has any kind of full service tire store. That, to me, combined with the Toyos' being at least decent in the RR department, outweighs the fact that I might not be buying the absolutely lowest RR.
But until yesterday I didn't realized that Toyo had replaced its venerable Z800 with a new model, the TourEvo. I have to admit I was hesitant to plunk down nearly $500 (on top of the 3 hours at $85/hr for on-site help).
My assessment (so far) of the tires
Well, as it turns out I needn't have worried. They seem to roll [i]better than the Z800s, despite the fact being brand new with deeper (and therefore slower) tread. Witness their contribution to yesterday's 500 mile tank (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/the-daily-grind/t-first-500-mile-tank-in-the-subaru-6484.html): at 60 mph yesterday I was seeing segment after segment in the 34-37mpg range, despite a mild headwind. Can't wait to see how they roll once they wear down a bit!
These tires are also vastly quieter than the old tires: Honestly I didn't think that mattered much to me, but I didn't realize how much of the road noise in my car was coming off the tires. These have some golf-ball-style dimples and other shaping along the edges that are supposed to reduce air turbulence (and therefore noise), and boy does it work. So far handling (in dry conditions) seems at least as good too. This weekend I should be able to test their wet performance.
So if you live in Les Schwab country, and Schwab service is important to you, look no further than the Toyo TourEvo when it comes time to replace the Z800s that you're probably running today. While some of the Michelins may offer marginally lower rolling resistance, so far IMO TourEvos appear to be an excellent choice for hypermiling.