We’ve provided ratings for our tires based on our many years of experience with bicycle tires. The ratings process is part of a very mysterious algorithym which isn’t fully understood yet and can seem capricious and arbitrary. But we do try to have a system. We call them Armstrong ratings; they’re not really related to Lance Armstrong, but we chose a name that would remind you of Lance so you would come and visit our website, and because he’s our hero. We give the tires we sell between 3 and 5 stars. A 3 star tire is one that meets a quality threshold we find at least superior to other tires in its' class. 4 Star means the tire is superior and a value. 5 star tires are ones you must have.