Mojo GoGo

Bought a used tubular wheelset over the winter and plan to buy a spare set of tires so I don't have to patch them immediately when I get the inevitable flat. Based on a BF forum search I was thinking about a pair of Vittoria Coras EVO EX. A friend with a QBP account mentioned that 2010 stock is 50% less than 2011 stock.

Question:
Should I buy 2010 or 2011 stock?

I ask because I was reading some non-BF reviews and it sounded like there may have been some quality control issues recently (e.g., valve stem tearing at tube, flat prone, etc) and the 2011 model is touting a new latex tube that is more flat resistent. I'd like to save some $ but not at the risk of buying defective product (negative reviews were saying Vittoria was not acknowledging any issues with 2010 product as well).

Burton

Any latex tube I`ve had experience with tended to be more porour and therefore to lose pressure much more rapidly then a conventional rubber construction.

Of course you have the option to look at other companies aside from vittoria too.

Mojo GoGo

True about the latex.

I posted in the mechanics thread as I was interested if mechanics (or riders) had seen any increased incidence of Vittoria problems in 2010 over prior years (e.g., did they produce a bad lot or have a bad product run). Like I said, in searches on "what's the best tubular" threads people on BF really seemed to like Vittoria and they are a reputable name (so I was thinking it may have just been a bad production run which would suggest staying away from the 2010 models). I didn't post in the Road or Racing forum as I didn't want the thread to get hijacked into a "what's your favorite tire thread" as enough of those already exist (which based on my searches resulted in a general like for Conti as well although many posters seemed to complain about them not providing as nice of a ride and being more prone to lateral wobbles (non-uniformity))...

Bianchigirll 

how do you get a QBP account without being a shop?

if you never had tubulars before planning to patch them may be a bit over optimistic. I never had the patience to do it. those Vittoria Coras EVO EX are pricy tires are planning to race? for training and knock around tires you might be better off with Vittoria Rallies, Conti Giro, or the favorite of the cheapskates over in the C&V forum the 3 for $50 "Pair and Spare" tires from Yellow Jersey.

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

for more information, debate, discussion, and just general BS than you ever wanted to know about tubulars check out this thread

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...otally-tubular

fietsbob

Does Vittoria's Roubaix Pave Tire include a Kevlar puncture resistant belt under the tread..

Mojo GoGo

The QBP is through his job (it's not a personal account).

The tires will be race only - I'll be running clinchers for the flat fixing convenience on training and local group rides. A teammate who has been running tubulars for years sold me on running them and said he'd give me a tutorial on glueing or taping (not sure which I want to do yet). He also recommended that I buy spares (due to the PITA nature of fixing flats). He said he just hangs the flat on his wall and mounts a different tire and then on a cold winter day he has a patching party where folks come over and unlace and patch with some hearty food and beer (well, they eat the hearty food and drink the beer - they don't use that as the patching material :- >)

As for the Pave, not sure if there is a Kevlar layer or not - it doesn't say on the Vittoria website.