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Which tubular tire?

Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:08 am
by JBuck
Got my first set of tubular wheels and was wondering if anyone could suggest a good all around tubular tire?

Tires will be used for fast club rides on open roads.

Considering

Conti compeitition
vittoria corsa cx

All opinions appreciated

Thanks

Re: Which tubular tire?

Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 10:28 am
by morxy
I'm starting out with tubulars too. I spoke to various mechanics and racers (including 2 ex professionals and a track cyclist) and the consensus seems to be that Continental Competitions have excellent puncture protection and ride very smoothly. A competitive time trialist I spoke to recently said "they are 6 times less likely to flat than Vittoria Corsas" and he's fitted around 200 tubulars in his time. Yesterday I saw the guy and noticed a flat Vittoria tubular hanging from the repair stand waiting to be sewn up.

Therefore I chose Conti Competition. They also have a black base tape so when they're mounted there's no white/cream color around the rim, just above the braking tracks. The tyre appears entirely black on the sidewalls and they match my black rims. Aesthetically I prefer that.

Loads of pro teams like Caisse D'Epargne, Silence Lotto, Milram and Columbia HTC race on Conti Competitions.

Does anyone have comparative figures on weight and rolling resistance? Conti competitions are 260g in 700x22.

Re: Which tubular tire?

Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 10:28 am
by Weenie

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Re: Which tubular tire?

Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 11:28 am
by lancejohnson
When I raced competitively I rode Contis because that's what we got the deal on and that's what the coach wanted us on. Now I ride Vittorias, Veloflex and Challenge because the ride is just better. If there isn't money on the line, then I say ride what feels best and that puts Conti in the second tier...

Re: Which tubular tire?

Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 6:05 pm
by PDXWheels
Vittoria Pave Evo CG

Best all-around tubular tire there is. And yes, they are 24mm wide, which is a good thing.

Never heard anyone mention a Conti in the best tubular discussion.

Re: Which tubular tire?

Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 6:35 pm
by cwdzoot
I agree: Vittoria as well, been riding tubular wheels since the 80's and Corsa EVO CX remains my favorite.

Something I have seen to often with the Contis is that they are not perfectly round and on a stiff wheel you feel them "hop"

Challenge is the current incarnation of Clement, some of the most beautiful tires ever made but don't have the best shelf life and wear a little fast for club rides. Perhaps if you just want to best at all cost.

Veloflex is the original Vittoria Italian made tire, when Vittoria went to Asia to manufacture tires they guys they left behind founded Velofoex. The tires are fantastic but at this point it seems the modern Vittoria models have outpaced Veloflex.

Re: Which tubular tire?

Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 6:46 pm
by Geoff
I still think of the CX as a 'race tire'. The CG (which we used to always use on the rear with the CX on the front only) is a better choice for all-around use. Recently, the All-Weather was very similar to the original CG. I believe that it has been replaced by the 'Pave Evo CG'. I have not ridden the new tire, but it looks more 'All-Weather/CG' than 'Pave'.

The Conti Competition 22s are another good choice as an 'all-around' tire.

Re: Which tubular tire?

Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:35 pm
by rustychain
Perhaps it's me but Contis feel like I'm riding on a rubber ball. They also have had a habit in the past of having the base tape detach over time so check them often. Just say'n
:beerchug:

Re: Which tubular tire?

Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 8:41 pm
by andy2
:exactly:

Re: Which tubular tire?

Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 9:12 am
by James_London
Yep - Contis feel like garden hoses (butyl tube and low threadcount) versus Vittoria or Veloflex for example.

Vittoria Pave EVO CGs in 24mm are good 'general use' with good puncture resistance and traction in wet or gritty conditions or Vittoria Corsa EVO CX II (320 tpi) in 23mm if you are on good roads or looking for a little more performance in a mainstream tubular. The 23mm CX IIs are only 10g heavier than the 21mm and I prefer the ride slightly.

Re: Which tubular tire?

Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 9:17 am
by James_London
morxy wrote:A competitive time trialist I spoke to recently said "they are 6 times less likely to flat than Vittoria Corsas" and he's fitted around 200 tubulars in his time

Worth mentioning that the new 320tpi version of the CXs has improved puncture resistance (PRB2.0 in Vittoria's jargon) over the old 290 tpi version so this feedback may be out of date. The 320 tpi went on sale the first half of 2009.

Re: Which tubular tire?

Posted: Tue Sep 15, 2009 7:02 pm
by Geoff
I don't know about 'garden hoses', but the Vittorias have a nicer 'feel'. In my experience, the Conti Competition 22s and the Vittoria All-Weathers have been very good performers. Some people do not like the latex tubes and the daily pumping ritual for 'daily drivers'.

Re: Which tubular tire?

Posted: Wed Sep 16, 2009 7:59 pm
by bikenut
Veloflex Carbons or Vittoria Evo's are the way to go :thumbup: I feel Contis have a rather hard/harsh ride

Re: Which tubular tire?

Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 1:25 am
by sedluk
The Vittoria Corsa EVO CX II (320 tpi) have a nice ride but I have found them to be vary prone to flats. They advertise them as an improvement over the 290tpi, but I think they are even more prone to flats.

I like Continental Sprinter GatorSkins, I actually like the ride. They call them 22mm but they are a little wider than the Vittoria tires. I find that they soften the ride a little and are much more resistant to flats than the Vittoria tires.

Another issue with the Vittoria tires is the valves leak air, plan on them loosing 40 lbs over night. Not a big issue but noticeable.

Re: Which tubular tire?

Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 4:09 am
by andy2
:waving:

Hi sedluk,
My experience with the CX II's is exactly the opposite - 0 flats so far, on par with the Contis.
With 85 kg's and some crappy roads I will flat on pretty much everything except these two.

:smartass:

Sorry, but most people here already know that latex leaks and butyl stays pumped up.
Nothing to do with valves leaking.

/a

Re: Which tubular tire?

Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 4:09 am
by Weenie

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Re: Which tubular tire?

Posted: Thu Sep 17, 2009 11:59 am
by sedluk
I have my experience riding with a people and the Vittoria tires flat. I am not sure how much value that is due to the small sample size. As far as user reviews, most people only complain when they get a flat. Probably not a good way to measure something.

There have been a number of tests for durability of Tubular tires. In actual tests that I have seen, the Vittoria tires perform terribly.

A couple of links, actual tests:

http://www.fairwheelbikes.com/forum/vie ... php?t=3910
http://www.conti-online.com/generator/w ... 00s_en.pdf