Which Reliable Tubular Tire Would You Recommend?

[sipmeister]

I've rolled on clinchers 99.92% of the time. Been using Conti GP4000s for that with good success.

Have wanted to try tubulars for several years, so I finally bought an aluminum tubular wheelset. Already have a jar of Vittoria Mastik One. Will be riding strictly on the road (chip seal and cracks galore). I'll probably put some sealant (gasp) in the tires just for peace of mind.

What are your riding with great success? Won't be racing this wheelset. I just want something that's durable, affordable and reliable.

[El Chaba]

Veloflex. Choose your model based on width and sidewall color desired, and you can't go wrong. The king of tubulars.

[saab2000]

Originally Posted by El Chaba

Veloflex. Choose your model based on width and sidewall color desired, and you can't go wrong. The king of tubulars.

This is my answer as well. I've been using Veloflex and before that the original Italian Vittoria (what became Veloflex) since the 1980s. They cannot be beaten for ride quality, and in my experience, durability and reliability.

They are, quite simply, the best product of its type available in my opinion.

That said, I'm going to say something that will make all tubular lovers cringe - wide clincher rims (20+mm internal) and 23mm clinchers pumped to about 75-80 PSI are close enough to the tubular ride and handling quality that I no longer pick a bike based on tire preference. They're very nearly equal. That is my personal experience.

But if you're going to go tubular, go Veloflex and certainly no "lower" than Vittoria, which are also nice but I've had much less reliability with the Thailand-manufactured Vittoria over the years than I have with Veloflex. I don't know why, but that again is my personal experience. I've ridden many a Veloflex down to the threads but Vittorias I've owned seem to flat for some mysterious reason long before they're worn out. Often I don't find a puncture. They just won't hold air.

[sipmeister]

Quote from saab2000:

That said, I'm going to say something that will make all tubular lovers cringe - wide clincher rims (20+mm internal) and 23mm clinchers pumped to about 75-80 PSI are close enough to the tubular ride and handling quality that I no longer pick a bike based on tire preference. They're very nearly equal. That is my personal experience.


saab2000- That is interesting you mention that. Summer of '16 I purchased a barely used set of HED Ardennes Black. They are 25mm wide clincher rims and I'm using 23mm GP4K2S at 65-70 psi. Best ride quality of all my wheels right now. Back to Veloflex... 8 years ago I did ride for a weekend a carbon wheelset with Veloflex tubulars and all I remember of that experience was of how smooth the ride was. Don't know if it was the tubs or Veloflex, or both. Either way, thanks for the comparison.

[kansukee]

Originally Posted by El Chaba

Veloflex. Choose your model based on width and sidewall color desired, and you can't go wrong. The king of tubulars.

^This. It's all I ride.

[wildboar]

Corsa Elite, for 30 bucks you get a tire that equals the Conti Competition in flat resistance and almost the same rolling resistance as the Corsa G+

https://www.bicyclerollingresistance...rsa-elite-2017

[tuscanyswe]

Id go with contis if i were you. They offer the best puncture resistance and lifespan imo. Dont buy giro (their budget model) as its no good but sprinters are pretty neat for the money imo. Competitions are even nicer but not worth the extra cash.

Another rather nice tire is the schwalbe one that can be had pretty cheap at times.

That said i mostly ride vittoria

[lhuerta]

This has been discussed MANY times on multiple threads....use search, open favorite beverage and have fun reading. Regardless, I'll play....

Durability, cost effectiveness, = Vitt Corsa Elites, 25mm, 290tpi, butyl tube

Durability, supple, puncture resistant = Vitt Pave, 25 or 27mm, 320tpi, latex

Supple, puncture resistant = Vitt Corsa Graphene, 25 or 28mm, 320 tpi, latex

No pre-treatment with sealant.....use it when u need it. I use Bontrager sealant....best stuff for big cuts.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by sipmeister

I've rolled on clinchers 99.92% of the time. Been using Conti GP4000s for that with good success.

Have wanted to try tubulars for several years, so I finally bought an aluminum tubular wheelset. Already have a jar of Vittoria Mastik One. Will be riding strictly on the road (chip seal and cracks galore). I'll probably put some sealant (gasp) in the tires just for peace of mind.

What are your riding with great success? Won't be racing this wheelset. I just want something that's durable, affordable and reliable.

Vittoria Corsa Elite in 25mm. Best combo of weight, comfort, durability and $. About $33 or so from UK(about $65-$70msrp)..290 tpi, butyl tube. Veloflex are keen but not worth the $, certainly not 2-3 times more better. IMHO

[FlashUNC]

Vittoria Corsa Graphenes. Just mounted a set this weekend.

Great tires.

[sipmeister]

Thank you all for the condensed, concise advise. Apologize have started a new thread when others exist on this same topic. Appreciate your patience.

Looks like today Vittoria leads the way. Veloflex looks nice but is more than I want to spend at this point. Unless a sale is located.

[FlashUNC]

Fwiw, had nothing but great success with Bike Tires Direct. Seem like good folks. (And a forum sponsor to boot.)

[chiasticon]

veloflex are great. they're about $130/pair from the UK. cheaper if you have a coupon or there's a sale running and you can buy a handful at once.

IMHO, if you're not buying super nice tires, with handmade casing and latex tubes, there's no point in riding tubulars (for road, at least). if you're gonna do it, do it right.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by chiasticon

veloflex are great. they're about $130/pair from the UK. cheaper if you have a coupon or there's a sale running and you can buy a handful at once.

IMHO, if you're not buying super nice tires, with handmade casing and latex tubes, there's no point in riding tubulars (for road, at least). if you're gonna do it, do it right.

Ya might notice if you put the difference in price in pennies and rode with them and in your jersey pocket(3000 pennies)..any difference between a 25mm Vittoria Elite and 25mm Veloflex is teeny(if a real difference exists at all)...imho<<<—-

I sure can’t tell.....

[AngryScientist]

i have had remarkably good service from vittoria tubular tires. they are a great choice.