Cheap tubular tires ??

Two sources you may want to look at:

In the US, Andy Muzi's Yellow Jersey sells clement or a variation of it
for $20 each or the bargain deal of 3 tires for $50US:

http://www.yellowjersey.org/tt.html

Alternatively, La Bicicletta is in Canada and use to have "bulk special
deals" on tubies if you bought like 10 or more:

http://www.labicicletta.com/edatcat/cad/tlsstore.cgi?user_action=list&category=Tubular%20Tires

Finally, check out World Class Cycles for their tubie deals:

http://www.worldclasscycles.com/tubular-price2.htm

B said:

Hello:

I am looking for a good source for inexpensive 700C tubulars suitable
for training on relatively rough roads. I am a big rider (210) and would
prefer something more durable yet reasonably light weight.

A Canadian source would be the best soulution, although I am open to US
dealer(s).

I can't speak for Muzi's training tubulars deal, but in general these
days cheap tubulars don't seem to be worth it. I've had good success
with Conti Sprinters which can be found for US$50. They are twice as
reliable- half the flats- and have twice the quality- the casings are
straight, while cheaper tires are hit or miss- as tires costing half as
much. I don't know about your weight with the Sprinters, though, since
I weigh 50lbs less than you. I have not had good results with the Conti
Giro.

OTOH, if someone *can* vouch for Muzi's deal, I just might sign up for
some myself.

Also, I only ride a few thousand miles a year so my recent tire
sampling is small.

My question is if you're willing to spend US$50 per tire, why not spend
that same for THREE tires and give it a try? It won't cost you any more
than what you're paying for one tire now and you'll get 3 tires. If
they're no good, then you won't be out much!

bfd said:

My question is if you're willing to spend US$50 per tire, why not spend
that same for THREE tires and give it a try? It won't cost you any more
than what you're paying for one tire now and you'll get 3 tires. If
they're no good, then you won't be out much!

Good question. The answer is that one tire that costs $50 and has 1/2
the flats of a $25 tire and rolls straighter than the $25 tire and is
less likely to need returning because of bumps in it, is worth more
than twice as much as a $25 tire because it is much less hassle.
(They're also lighter, if that matters.) I think the tires that I use
now are a better buy at $50 than the $25 tires I am aware of, and since
there is a correlation between price and performance I am not willing
to take a chance on $16.50 tires without having solid information that
they will give me performance approaching what I already have, nothing
against Andrew Muzi who is offering a good deal on them. Call me
conservative.

bfd said:

Two sources you may want to look at:

In the US, Andy Muzi's Yellow Jersey sells clement or a variation of it
for $20 each or the bargain deal of 3 tires for $50US:

http://www.yellowjersey.org/tt.html

I ride these and like them very much. Straight, nice riding, light
(280 grams according to the 'weight weenies' site), durable, and cheap.
What more could you want?

These tires are half the price of a comparable quality clincher + tube,
and ride better.

bfd said:

Two sources you may want to look at:

In the US, Andy Muzi's Yellow Jersey sells clement or a variation of it
for $20 each or the bargain deal of 3 tires for $50US:

http://www.yellowjersey.org/tt.html

I should add that outside of Veloflex, Tufo, and Dugast, virtually all
other tubulars available in the US are made in the Lion Tire plant in
Thailand, including EVERY Vittoria model. So basically with the Yellow
Jersey deal, you're getting a 220TPI Vittoria at around 17 bucks a tire.

Quoted message said:

bfd said:

Two sources you may want to look at:

In the US, Andy Muzi's Yellow Jersey sells clement or a variation of it
for $20 each or the bargain deal of 3 tires for $50US:

http://www.yellowjersey.org/tt.html

I should add that outside of Veloflex, Tufo, and Dugast, virtually all
other tubulars available in the US are made in the Lion Tire plant in
Thailand, including EVERY Vittoria model. So basically with the Yellow
Jersey deal, you're getting a 220TPI Vittoria at around 17 bucks a tire.

And to beat the other bike nerds to the punch, I'll admit that I forgot
high end conti's are made in Germany.

Quoted message said:

I can't speak for Muzi's training tubulars deal, but in general these
days cheap tubulars don't seem to be worth it. I've had good success
with Conti Sprinters which can be found for US$50. They are twice as
reliable- half the flats- and have twice the quality- the casings are
straight, while cheaper tires are hit or miss- as tires costing half as
much. I don't know about your weight with the Sprinters, though, since
I weigh 50lbs less than you. I have not had good results with the Conti
Giro.

I don't think you can draw that direct a correlation between price and
puncture resistance. Who hasn't attributed an untimely puncture of any
tire to simple bad luck?
I never had good success with Conti Sprinters. I found them hard to
mount, lumpy, and not particularly puncture-resistant.
I like Vittorias. You can buy them mail-order from Great Britain for
half what they retail for here in the USA. For example, ProBikeKit.com
sells Vittoria Corsa's for under $40 each.

B said:

Hello:

I am looking for a good source for inexpensive 700C tubulars suitable
for training on relatively rough roads. I am a big rider (210) and would
prefer something more durable yet reasonably light weight.

At your weight, you are not going to do well on a cheap tubular even on
good roads. In my experience, cheap tubulars today are junk. People wax
poetic talking about the ride of good tubulars, but those will cost $50+
per tire, and still will not last well for a 200+ pound rider on rough
roads.

You'd do well to consider decent clinchers for this purpose. Save your
tubular wheels for racing.

--

David L. Johnson

__o | "Business!" cried the Ghost. "Mankind was my business. The
_`\(,_ | common welfare was my business; charity, mercy, forbearance,
(_)/ (_) | and benevolence, were, all, my business. The dealings of my
trade were but a drop of water in the comprehensive ocean of my
business!" --Dickens, "A Christmas Carol"

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

bfd wrote:
I should add that outside of Veloflex, Tufo, and Dugast, virtually all
other tubulars available in the US are made in the Lion Tire plant in
Thailand, including EVERY Vittoria model. So basically with the Yellow
Jersey deal, you're getting a 220TPI Vittoria at around 17 bucks a tire.

And to beat the other bike nerds to the punch, I'll admit that I forgot
high end conti's are made in Germany.

What about Schwalbe tubulars?

JT

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Quoted message said:

I don't think you can draw that direct a correlation between price and
puncture resistance. Who hasn't attributed an untimely puncture of any
tire to simple bad luck?

Certainly there is a positive correlation between price and reliability
and quality. But a correlation does not mean that you can predict
exactly how many flats you will get or how straight the tread will be
for every single tire you buy based on exactly how much you paid for
it. Nor does it even mean that there will never be a type of tire that
provides better reliability and quality for less money. It just means
that in general there is a relationship.

Quoted message said:

I never had good success with Conti Sprinters. I found them hard to
mount, lumpy, and not particularly puncture-resistant.

I can't say that I've had those problems, except for needing more
effort to stretch them before mounting compared to some tires, but I
did say that my sample size was small. They may not be as good as
Vittoria Corsa for all I know since I have never used them that I
remember, but compared to the cheap tires that are commonly available
for half the price, I think they are much better in all of these
characteristics.

Quoted message said:

I like Vittorias. You can buy them mail-order from Great Britain for
half what they retail for here in the USA. For example, ProBikeKit.com
sells Vittoria Corsa's for under $40 each.

Because I don't use a bunch of tires, I use the just-in-time system for
tire replacement- I get a flat where I need a new tire, I go buy one
that day from a LBS that I found with good prices on that tire.

So would you recommend the $40 Corsa over a $25 "training" tire? What
about a $60-80 Corsa over the $25 tire?

Quoted message said:

So would you recommend the $40 Corsa over a $25 "training" tire? What
about a $60-80 Corsa over the $25 tire?

I've never paid more than $50 for a top-quality Vittoria or Veloflex
tubular. I buy 4 or more at a time during sales and closeouts. If you
are forced to pay $60-80 or more for the same tire at your LBS out of
convenience, you are not shopping wisely or planning ahead.
Until recently, I was ordering Vittoria Corsa CX's from Parker
International in England for only $23 each. Unfortunately, they no
longer ship goods to North America. But, you can still buy Vittoria's
at ProBikeKit.com for under $40 each. These are their best pro racing
tires, the same ones you pay $75 for here.
Considering the cost of a good restaurant meal, or a tank of gas these
days, I can justify spending $40-50 for a top-quality tire. I've also
been using Tire Alert in Florida to repair my punctured tubulars, which
extends their life-span significantly.
I really can't say if low-cost "training" tubulars are worthwhile.
Buying top-quality tires at a discount, and having them repaired as
necessary is working out for me.

B said:

Hello:

I am looking for a good source for inexpensive 700C tubulars suitable
for training on relatively rough roads. I am a big rider (210) and would
prefer something more durable yet reasonably light weight.

A Canadian source would be the best soulution, although I am open to US
dealer(s).

Cheers,

Bruce

$39.95 for Continental Sprinters from Bike Tires Direct. I've had
fairly good flat resistance and durability with them. Much better than
any clinchers I've ridden. I'm around 190 pounds.
http://www.biketiresdirect.com/search_results.asp?cat=tt

Many years ago I bought a bunch of Continental Sprinters for $30 each
(including shipping) from Racer Sportif in Toronto. Give them a call.
http://www.racersportif.com/index.htm

B said:

Hello:

I am looking for a good source for inexpensive 700C tubulars suitable
for training on relatively rough roads. I am a big rider (210) and would
prefer something more durable yet reasonably light weight.

A Canadian source would be the best soulution, although I am open to US
dealer(s).

You might try Giro Poste in Toronto. http://www.giroposte.com

They have a range of tubulars starting with Vittoria Formula Unos at
$24.95(cdn).

I haven't dealt with them in a few years but my experiences have been
all positive. IIRC the owner is named Tim Laspa.

jeverett3<AT>earthlink<DOT>net http://home.earthlink.net/~jeverett3