Advice for Tubular: Michelin, Tufo, Veloflex, Challenge

Back by popular demand, the general all-things Road forum!

Moderator: robbosmans

Post Reply
Squashednuts
Posts: 546
Joined: Tue Apr 25, 2017 11:12 am
Location: Christchurch New Zealand

by Squashednuts

I've just ordered a set of DeCadence wheels from Caden, an Australian company.
They're a reasonable weight, about 1240g for my non uniform disc axle, front 100 x 15mm
Price is competitive and the owner, Tim, has been very decent so far.

There's a wee wait 3-4 weeks and I'm using this time to buy some tyres.

They'll be used in the wet & on a mixture of grades of Tarmac including fairly loose rough chip seal

I've searched WW forum and previously asked a vague question, and now would like people's subjective opinion

My shortish list is

Michelin Pro4 Service Comp. Weight. 295g. Cost $60
Tufo Elite S3. 225g. $82
Veloflex Arenberg. 290g. $100
Challenge Forte Pro. 275g. $65

I'm leaning towards the Michelins as they make my favourite clinchers

The Tufo are light weight but from what I've read people tend to run them at 110psi +,
Slightly perversely I'm interested as they get slated on WW....

The Veloflex are very popular on WW but I find range confusing

Challenge, good value?
Building Spec Allez

Sold
Fuji SL 5.5kg viewtopic.php?f=10&t=157704

Sold -
Izalco Max Disc 6.7kg http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum ... o+Max+disc

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



kgibbo1868
Posts: 425
Joined: Thu Jun 21, 2012 6:36 pm

by kgibbo1868

Veloflex for me, the nice balance of comfort and reliability
2019 Baum Ristretto
Pain is my friend!

beanbiken
Posts: 828
Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2014 10:13 pm
Location: Great Southern Land

by beanbiken

kgibbo1868 wrote:
Sat Aug 25, 2018 8:35 am
Veloflex for me, the nice balance of comfort and reliability
Ditto here. Believe the Tufos ride like garden hose

BB
BB

Coffee & carbon

sungod
Posts: 1702
Joined: Fri Dec 24, 2010 9:37 pm

by sungod

veloflex for me, but if you are happy with michelin and have a feel for how the compound works in different conditions you may as well stick with them

how the veloflex tub range works:

there are four widths to choose from, each can be had in either gum or black sidewall colour, and to the 22m width options is added the 'record' a very lightweight tub that is only with black sidewalls (not an everyday tyre unless you have perfect road conditions!)

see.... http://www.veloflex.it/en/tubulars

decision process...

step 1 decide what width you want
step 2 choose gum or black

...easy :)

i use a tufo as a spare, they are like hose pipes, veloflex are a much nicer ride

Squashednuts
Posts: 546
Joined: Tue Apr 25, 2017 11:12 am
Location: Christchurch New Zealand

by Squashednuts

Thanks

I bought the Michelin tubs

Will post photos, weights and impressions
Building Spec Allez

Sold
Fuji SL 5.5kg viewtopic.php?f=10&t=157704

Sold -
Izalco Max Disc 6.7kg http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum ... o+Max+disc

Djohns
Posts: 26
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 3:58 am

by Djohns

can you provide us as well a review of your decadence?

seaneT1
Posts: 372
Joined: Tue Jun 16, 2015 11:08 am
Location: Thessaloniki, Greece

by seaneT1

I am currently on my second pair of tufo S3, they are great thus far, I personally recommend them.

Squashednuts
Posts: 546
Joined: Tue Apr 25, 2017 11:12 am
Location: Christchurch New Zealand

by Squashednuts

Djohns wrote:
Sun Sep 23, 2018 5:51 am
can you provide us as well a review of your decadence?
Will do

They should be arriving soon...I'll take them around my usual circuits so I can compare with regular wheels...WheelWorks Maker top wheels
Building Spec Allez

Sold
Fuji SL 5.5kg viewtopic.php?f=10&t=157704

Sold -
Izalco Max Disc 6.7kg http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum ... o+Max+disc

vamoots58
Posts: 46
Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2014 1:46 am

by vamoots58

Agree 100% on the Veloflex recommendation! My other go to is FMB.

knightskid
Posts: 64
Joined: Sun Apr 01, 2018 9:39 am

by knightskid

Bought 4 pieces of Michelin Pro4 Service Course 23c from bikebug due to great discount, still ongoing at the moment.

But i didn’t expect the ride is alot more comfort than my tufo s33 pro 22c(is very harsh to ride on it), both model on 115psi. Do remember that Pro4 is latex tube that need to pump up on every ride.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



Squashednuts
Posts: 546
Joined: Tue Apr 25, 2017 11:12 am
Location: Christchurch New Zealand

by Squashednuts

Squashednuts wrote:
Sun Sep 23, 2018 9:31 am
Djohns wrote:
Sun Sep 23, 2018 5:51 am
can you provide us as well a review of your decadence?
Will do

They should be arriving soon...I'll take them around my usual circuits so I can compare with regular wheels...WheelWorks Maker top wheels
I’ll start with a caveat, I have only ridden one other set of tubulars older Ambrosio wheels but lovely FMB tyres

Firstly, weight. The disc DeCadence hubs are advertised fo 12 x 100mm, I think
I’ve got 15 x 100mm on front and 12 x 142mm on back so had to go for heavier hubs, the rims are reportedly 300g
I weighed took photos but my IPad broke, from memory they were about 1300g

The wheels are wheel built and came with tape, which I used and has been good as gold.

They hit their straps at about 40km/h and pedaling feels much easier

My descending has improved and I can now keep up with my most annoying cycling mate...annoying as he’s quicker up and down hills - but not on the flats😄

I’ve not noticed much difference ascending...I do find it easier to keep a higher cadence

The only irritating thing is the valve stem rattles in the front rim, one click per revolution...90 a minute
This was fixable,...take off Tyre and wrap a little insulation round the valve stem

The discs & hubs are exactly the same size as my usual set, which are Wheelworks Maker with DT240 hubs
I can change the wheels without any messing around

Ben at Ceden is a pleasure to work with, good communication & very helpful...

The price was very attractive
Building Spec Allez

Sold
Fuji SL 5.5kg viewtopic.php?f=10&t=157704

Sold -
Izalco Max Disc 6.7kg http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum ... o+Max+disc

Post Reply