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Tubular choices

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01 / Original postTubular choicesMichael Hoyt · 23 Jan 2003 02 / This pagePosts 1–11Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #11Michael Hoyt · 24 Jan 2003

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Original section
Cycling Equipment
Published
23 January 2003
Last activity
24 January 2003
Original author
Michael Hoyt
Posts
11
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Public discussion
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Topics
CampagnoloCarbon wheelsCrit racing

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  1. Original post
    Michael Hoyt
    Archived post
    #1

    At the risk of re-starting the tubular flame war and having 50+ messages that actually don't pertain
    to the orig. post, I would like to open the tubular discussion up again.

    I am looking for tires (my first tubulars) for race only wheels. They will be used in road races as
    well as TTs and hillclimbs (maybe crits). I had assumed that I'd use Veloflex tires, but there are a
    lot of other choices out there. I want the fastest tire, not necessarily the cushiest and that's
    where the question is. What atributes are most important for speed? I've read that wider is actually
    faster due to less rolling resistance. Higher PSI should also reduce rolling resistance. Finially,
    light weight never hurts, but will come at the expense of less reliability.

    Are those assumptions correct? If so or if not, which models are most worthy of consideration if
    cost is not part of the equation and speed and handling are the ultimate goals?

    Thanks!

    M

    Report
  2. Mike S.
    Archived post
    #2

    I'm partial to the Tufo S3 Pros. 190g with a fairly tough carcass. Seem to do OK for lots of things.

    For a little more weight, the S22s are about the same weight as the Conti Sprinters, but a quarter
    of the price.

    Tried Vittorias, but had problems with flatting. One of the keys to winning races is actually
    finishing...

    The natural rubber Contis stick very well, but I've heard that the silica tread versions like to
    squirm around hen cornering.

    Next?

    "Michael Hoyt" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    At the risk of re-starting the tubular flame war and having 50+ messages that actually don't
    pertain to the orig. post, I would like to open the tubular discussion up again.

    I am looking for tires (my first tubulars) for race only wheels. They will be used in road races
    as well as TTs and hillclimbs (maybe crits). I had assumed that I'd use Veloflex tires, but there
    are a lot of other choices out there. I want the fastest tire, not necessarily the cushiest and
    that's where the question is. What atributes are most important for speed? I've read that wider is
    actually faster due to less rolling resistance. Higher PSI should also reduce rolling resistance.
    Finially, light weight never hurts, but will come at the expense of less reliability.

    Are those assumptions correct? If so or if not, which models are most worthy of consideration if
    cost is not part of the equation and speed and handling are the ultimate goals?

    Thanks!

    M

    Report
  3. Mike Krueger
    Archived post
    #3

    I have used many different tubulars in the last 10 years-Continental, Veloflex, Vittoria, Barum,
    EuroTek, Clement. I still think the Vittoria CX is the best all-around racing tubular. You can buy
    them for under $35 each from mail order suppliers in the UK. For safety, make sure that you use the
    proper technique to glue them on.

    Report
  4. Qui Si Parla Ca
    Archived post
    #4

    mg hoy-<< I want the fastest tire, not necessarily the cushiest and that's where the question is.

    << What atributes are most important for speed?

    You do, not the tire choice. There are advantages to tubies but they are in the
    cornering/comfort/wee less weight/less flats catagory, not speed...

    I like Veloflex Dugast Conti Sprinter

    Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St. Boulder, CO, 80302
    (303)440-3535 vecchios.comvecchios.com "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

    Report
  5. Paul Southworth
    Archived post
    #5

    In article <[email hidden]>, Michael Hoyt

    Quoted message said:

    At the risk of re-starting the tubular flame war and having 50+ messages that actually don't
    pertain to the orig. post, I would like to open the tubular discussion up again.

    I am looking for tires (my first tubulars) for race only wheels. They will be used in road races as
    well as TTs and hillclimbs (maybe crits). I had assumed that I'd use Veloflex tires, but there are
    a lot of other choices out there. I want the fastest tire, not necessarily the cushiest and that's
    where the question is. What atributes are most important for speed?

    As long as the tire is not too narrow, and is installed properly and inflated properly, there will
    not be appreciable speed differences. Super light tires don't make much sense either for most road
    events - they are expensive, wear out fast and not as reliable. Flats certainly are not a "speed
    attribute".

    The most important speed attributes are in your body and its relationship to the bike. The
    differences (in terms of speed) between typical racing tubulars are going to be so small that they
    are not relevant compared to almost any other factor you could mention.

    You pooh-pooh the comfort issue, but comfort is speed as well. If speed is how fast you complete an
    100+ mile ride, for example, comfort is a huge factor. If the event is just a quick grunt then it
    matters less.

    I think your best tire choice is probably one of the popular general-use 22mm tubulars in the
    220-250 gram range like a Veloflex Criterium, Vittoria CX, Conti Sprinter, etc. As an added bonus if
    you trash a training wheel you can just ride the tubulars, something you wouldn't want to do with
    some super light "crono" tire that costs $100 a crack.

    --Paul

    Report
  6. GearóId Ó Laoi
    Archived post
    #6

    Don't be an ass.

    Change to tyre and tubes, or do you want to the the last person on tubulars?

    Report
  7. Qui Si Parla Ca
    Archived post
    #7

    mike-<< For a little more weight, the S22s are about the same weight as the Conti Sprinters, but a
    quarter of the price.

    These things are $15??

    Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St. Boulder, CO, 80302
    (303)440-3535 vecchios.comvecchios.com "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

    Report
  8. Mike S.
    Archived post
    #8

    Ok, I may off by a few $$. I think I paid $20/per for mine.

    "Qui si parla Campagnolo" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    mike-<< For a little more weight, the S22s are about the same weight as


    the

    Quoted message said:

    Conti Sprinters, but a quarter of the price.

    These things are $15??

    Peter Chisholm Vecchio's Bicicletteria 1833 Pearl St. Boulder, CO, 80302
    (303)440-3535 vecchios.comvecchios.com "Ruote convenzionali costruite eccezionalmente bene"

    Report
  9. Jeff Martin
    Archived post
    #9

    I have both clincher and tubular wheels, I prefer the tubulars. "Gearóid Ó Laoi, Garry Lee"
    <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Don't be an ass.

    Change to tyre and tubes, or do you want to the the last person on


    tubulars?

    Report
  10. Mike S.
    Archived post
    #10

    Makes two of us. I have been sucked into the "clinchers for training" thing, though. When there
    used to be many people on the ride with spare tubies, I didn't have any worries: someone always had
    a spare...

    Mike "Jeff Martin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
    "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    I have both clincher and tubular wheels, I prefer the tubulars. "Gearóid Ó Laoi, Garry Lee"
    <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Don't be an ass.

    Change to tyre and tubes, or do you want to the the last person on


    tubulars?

    Quoted message said:


    Report
  11. Michael Hoyt
    Archived post
    #11

    Well I was the one who started the thread, so I thought I'd tell you what I went with: Andre Dugast.
    Not only might I be the lasst to get sucked in (I doubt it), but I picked the only person who still
    does them "like they used to." I doubt they'll be the last I buy. We'll see.

    M

    P.S. I still train on clinchers and I'll race on clinchers in the rain. Carbon rims and rain don't
    get along.

    Jeff Martin said:

    I have both clincher and tubular wheels, I prefer the tubulars. "Gearóid Ó Laoi, Garry Lee"
    <[email hidden]> wrote in message "]news:[email hidden]...

    Quoted message said:

    Don't be an ass.

    Change to tyre and tubes, or do you want to the the last person on


    tubulars?

    Quoted message said:
    Report

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