The International Cessna^® 170 Association

I need new tires soon and have always used the Condors because I had a cheap source. Now the source is dry. I was looking at the Airtracs because they are a little cheaper. They also have that rounder classic look. Any opinions on one vs the other? I do pavement and off airport. So far I have been happy with the Condors, just looking for a cheaper option now that I have to pay full price.

I really don't know anything about either of the two brands you mention, but I am on my second set of Aero Classics from Desser and am very satisfied with them. While I need to be thrifty when purchasing vrs things for my plane, tires isn't one of them. One blow out could ruin your day and your airplane. I look at those tires, especially the mains, like I do the tires for my automobiles. I don't want cheap tires on my autos. I don't have to have ones with a 75,000 mile rating and 120 mph rating, but I do want good ones. Just my opinion!

The very BEST tires are Goodyear.
But I have Aero Classics also, and have been very happy with them. (Ten years and estimated 500 landings, about half of which have been on grass. They are about due for replacement, having been remounted/rotated once at mid-life.)

I just got Aero Classics because of the good things I heard about them. I flew yesterday for the first since the engine was apart. Now the breakin time for one cylinder.

John

I just put a set of 800's on the 170 for the first time this summer and have been really enjoying them. I'm using Goodyear flight special II because I found an ebay special on one, and then bought it's match from desser.
One thing you might want to consider is looking for a tire with the widest rib design you can find, especially with bigger tires that tend to take you to lesser quality strips. The narrow rib design tends to pinch rocks and let them go right back into the leading edge of the horizontal stab. I learned that from people smarter than myself.
Good luck and enjoy.
Tom Weiss

That is a great point about the tread. It eliminates the airtracs. Ill just look for some condors or goodyears.