Hi,



In my mind there's no added value whatsoever in chosing FMB over a Veloflex Carbon. None whatsoever.
The only added value of the FMB range for road use is the option of the silk canvas tyres. Same for Dugast.
In terms of mere grip on the wet they're all beaten by Conti's Chili Compound by a large margin though.

So, do as I do and dream up your own mix and maybe one day some company will bring that perfect set of compromises.....

Ciao,

_________________
Being a snob is an expensive hobby.

Apropos: http://www.conti-online.com/generator/w ... mp_en.html

_________________
Bianchi-Campagnolo

Hi geoff,

Thank you for the information. I am 190 lbs, and therefore i am thinking of going to wider tyre width. Do you think i would feel the difference between 22mm and 25mm?

Thanks

Thank you. My head is telling me this as well, it is just that FMb and dugast is so legendary that my heart is telling me to try. Haha..
That is why i keep going back and forth between them

Hi,



Excellent proposition by Continental.
Now the only thing missing is a good cotton or silk base and high tpi count (their counter argument will be that it makes the sidewalls more vulnerable to puncture/slashing/whatever which I feel is a very rare event) so these tyres become more comfortable and actually roll well under all but the most extreme road conditions.

A good alternative but more good weather-good road oriented would be a Veloflex Carbon/Criterium front tyre and Arenberg/Roubaix combo. (No doubt there must be other combos out there)

I honestly feel Veloflex should have kept their pure road tyres at 22mm width though as a lot of major brands still have a narrow (19-20mm) rim bed.
A Campa Bora (19mm something width) front is still noticeably faster with a 20mm Servizio Corse than it is with a wider tyre.

Can't have it all, can we?

Ciao,

_________________
Being a snob is an expensive hobby.

Hi,



By all means, if you feel inclined to try them out please do so and report back. After all the feedback on FMB is rather scarse and Dugast is working around the clocking cooking the ultimate cyclo-cross tyre.

If there's one company tooled up and able to make an outstanding road tyre (as in truly great) it's probably FMB.
It may be just my impression of the man behind the company but I feel that all it takes is just the right set of instructions for him to surpass himself.
The brave man being Breton it will take a fair amount of diplomacy though.....

If there's enough interest and a consensus of what we expect the best road tubular to be then I'll go down there and have that tyre built. Promise.

Ciao,

_________________
Being a snob is an expensive hobby.

In my experience the Veloflex Extreme/Sprinter is more than sturdy enough for front tire use on asphalt, but we're not plagued with tire cutting debris in my parts of the world. Haven't tried the Record since I like a bit of cushion. I have combined my Extreme front with a Carbon rear, but cannot see disadvantages in using an Arenberg as a rear instead. Am I missing something?

_________________
Bianchi-Campagnolo

Hahaha.... At the end of the day, i chose to go with either veloflex carbon or vittoria corsa evo. Price and availability is much more convenient for me.
FMB is something that i will probably try in the future when i am going with wider tyres. Right now, 22 or 23 is enough for me

@Sisbud, 190?!

Ok, I am only 130-ish and I can tell the difference between a 22mm and a 25mm! With that information, I might suggest a larger section tire for all-around riding.

I hear what my Belgian brother is saying on tire choice, but I am a sucker for old-school products. For the same reason I like my shirts and suits made by hand in the UK, I like to know who made my tires. I can say that for FMB and Dugast, which means something to me. I think that things made by hand, notwithstanding their flaws, have character and a soul. I would rather pay a bit of a premium to keep a great old craft like that alive.

@geoff, is 22 and 25 would have that big of a difference?
I have always ridden either 22 and 23 so i have no experience whatsoever on the 25.
I guess a part of me is afraid to try the wider tyres due to perceived higher rolling resistance, while in fact maybe there should be less resistance using the wider tyres.

For me, riding a 25 is like a magic-carpet ride! Plush and smooth. Especially on a deep rim, which can be a bit harsher-riding. If I was a big guy, I would definitely be looking at the larger diameter tires.

You are correct, the larger-diameter tires have lower rolling resistance. While that may seem counter-intuitive, it is fairly well-documented.

@Geoff, thank you for your input. You made me want to try wider tyres even more now

Hi,

Keep in mind though that aero trumps rolling resistance.
If it were me I'd put the wider tyre on the rear wheel where it does the most good and a narrower one on the front.

No such thing as a free lunch.

Ciao,

_________________
Being a snob is an expensive hobby.

Sorry, yes. I run a 22mm front and a 25mm rear on my deep wheels...

Seems like you've beaten me to it. Again.

_________________
Bianchi-Campagnolo