Open tubulars? Veloflex...challenge...vittoria?

[jamie789]

Thinking about trying some nicer clinchers/open tubulars in 23 and 25. I'll be riding mostly on country roads, doing some road races and crits. I'm not to concerned with puncture resistance but don't want them to be too fragile.
I was thinking veloflex corsa/masters in 23 and challenge strada in 25. Then I saw vittoria pave and corsa cx, sc, and sr.
What do you guys like? I'll be riding some dirt roads too (on the 25's)

Thanks

[FlashUNC]

Not Challenge. Anything but Challenge. Worst clinchers I've ever mounted by a wide margin.

[christian]

I've been running Corsa CX 25s (tubular) in Bethel. They have been working well. I don't think they're particularly cut-resistant, but I've had no issue taking them on gravel or "bad" roads in Westchester or Western Mass.

Based on my riding in Westhampton, Chesterfield, Goshen, I think they're well suited to your roads. That said, I think any of the options you list could work well.

Edit: Oh yeah, not Challenge. Never Challenge. Flat-prone and hard to mount.

[dk2ck]

I only have experience with the Veloflex Masters but I like them a lot. They're a pain to mount onto the rim, but they ride beautifully. I've had some pretty good luck with them and flats, but I'm also a featherweight.

[lhuerta]

Vittoria CX 25c or Pave 25c with latex tubes....latter is more durable, ride on both is sublime. Keep in mind that none of the Veloflex tires will measure out to real 25c...at least not IME.
Lou

[Columbus SLX]

If your roads are smooth enough, go Veloflex and never look back. They are heaven, imho, especially on 23mm rims. Tight cornering for days.

[oldpotatoe]

Vittoria CX 25c or Pave 25c with latex tubes....latter is more durable, ride on both is sublime. Keep in mind that none of the Veloflex tires will measure out to real 25c...at least not IME.
Lou

Vittoria Corsa Elite in 25c are great tires, way cheaper than veloflex and I doubt in a blind test, the extra $ less would be noticed.

[gospastic]

Vittoria Corsa Elite in 25c are great tires, way cheaper than veloflex and I doubt in a blind test, the extra $ less would be noticed.

Clincher?????

[oldpotatoe]

Clincher?????

oooppps..I guess I'm in the tubular frame of mind...Rubino Pro and Corsa CX in 25 are also great tires..better value than veloflex, IMHO.

[carlineng]

Might be worth looking at the Grand Bois tires. 26mm Blue Label Cerf rides way better than the Conti GP4000s I used to use. Now I'm exclusively on fatter 30mm+ tires, but if the 23mm Col de la Madeline is anything like the Cerf, I highly recommend it. Compass Cycles also has a new line of clinchers out, inspired heavily by Jan Heine's experience w/ Grand Bois tires.

[teleguy57]

Have Challenge Strada 25 tubulars, and I won't buy them again -- QC issues.

Love my Vittoria Open Paves w/latex tubes. Very nice ride, very durable.

Running Ultremo ZXs in 28s and I really like those too.

Have never ridden Veloflex clinchers, but like their tubulars a lot also.

[jamie789]

Thanks everyone. Maybe I'll try vittoria open pave's and veloflex for the narrower ones. The veloflexes run narrow right? What would be better on 23mm rims 23 or 25?

I hadn't heard of grand bois. I'll check that out too.

[gospastic]

On wide rims my Veloflex Corsas measure at 23. 25s will measure right around 25. I love them, have had a better experience with them and can usually find them cheaper than Vittoria Open Corsas.

[AngryScientist]

veloflex tires are the gold standard IMO. vittoria open corsas are pretty darned close. everything else is at least one tier down.

[gomango]

veloflex tires are the gold standard IMO. vittoria open corsas are pretty darned close. everything else is at least one tier down.

That's my experience as well.

I ride Paves, Corsas and Masters in two widths when I ride clinchers.

However, I did order Grand Bois Cerf 26s for one of the bikes to see what all of the hubbub was about.

[jamie789]

Grand bois cerf 26s look good, a little more interesting than vittoria open paves but not as tough, maybe those and veloflex corsa 23s.

[rustychisel]

veloflex tires are the gold standard IMO. vittoria open corsas are pretty darned close. everything else is at least one tier down.

True that

[bluesea]

Anyone have the measured width of the 27mm Open Pave (on 23mm rims)?