thirdgenbird

as i stated it a previous thread i am building my first set of wheels and my first tubulars.

here is what am looking for in a tire:
-mid-upper level performance
-reasonable price (decent value)
-tan sidewalls (this is a must)

i am currently looking at veloflex but i dont want to buy without researching.

here is some NOS eye candy:

garethzbarker

You're a virgin?

Velo Gator

Heehee

pcfxer

HA! That is some interesting wording lol.

Vittoria Corsa CR and Gommitalia Champions are recommended by me based on experience. I've heard that you really can't go wrong with Veloflex and if you are looking at that end of the spectrum, it is pretty hard to get something "crappy".

Veloflex tubs are made in the old Vittoria factory in Italy. I'm not sure, though, if they are all hand-made.

datlas 

Let us know how happy you are once the wheels and tires are built/mounted.

Tubulars ride great but not worth the hassle IMO.

thirdgenbird

you dont get many responses here without a good title and at least one picture

thanks for the info. i will look at both of those.

im not too worried. the wheels are going on a "neo vintage" tommasini tecno. the frame was passed down to me and serves as a nice weather organized ride bike. it will see miles, but not as many as my aluminum ride with clinchers. wheel building and tubulars are the only two "arts" of road cycling that i have not experienced.

urbanknight

Well, when i first started riding on Tubulars at the age of 14, I was a virgin. Vittoria Corse CX and CG, Continental Sprinter, and some cheap Wolbers for training didn't seem to damage this delicate little flower.

The important thing for a virgin to know is that latex gives the best performance.

chado445510

I thought we were giving tubular tire recommendations, not innertubes.

ciocc_cat

I've been riding tubulars since the mid-1970s. They're not really such a hassle if you know what you're doing. You don't want to attempt to repair one on the road (you replace with a spare). Mastering the art of unstitching the casing, patching the tube and then (the hardest part) neatly sewing the casing closed again takes some practice. I guess the ritual is akin to mending a sail - if you're into power boats then you probably just don't get it.

thirdgenbird

will i be "missing out" on the tubular experience with the Vittoria rally? its visually appealing at an attractive price point.

urbanknight

Something tells me you don't know much about tubular tires.


I think so. The latex tubes and quality casings make a big difference.

thirdgenbird

maybe i will splurge this winter and get the veloflex tires. something about a hand made italian tire for a hand made/painted italian frame just sounds right.


thanks for all the help with the wheels/tires urbanknight. sometime this winter i am going to be sending you a pm for glue advice.

chado445510

Oh, dammit!

urbanknight

I haven't used tubulars in 13 years. Ask someone who knows about stuff that has come out since then.

KendallF

I have ridden the cheap Vittoria Rally tires quite a bit. They are just fine, IMO..and especially for a first glue job on newly built rims, you might as well go cheap. One downside of the Rallys for deep carbon rims is that they don't have a removable valve stem, but that won't be a problem for you with those rims.

Edit: they used to come with tan sidewalls, but the last few I've gotten came with black sidewalls. Not sure if you can still get them with the tan...but I think the cheap 3 for $50 Servizio Corse from yellowjersey come w/tan sidewalls. I suspect they're the same tire from the same factory.

ciocc_cat

My more recent experience has been limited to my Servizio Corse 300 gram training tires that replaced my poor ol' dry-rotted Conti Sprinters. I don't race anymore and at $50 for three tires they're a bargain.

thirdgenbird

going cheap on my first set for practice may not be a bad idea.

thanks for the link. i may buy those for my first set.

logdrum

The most affordable and durable tubular are Tufo S33 and they come with removable cores.Why removable cores? so you can put Stans, Pit Stop or Tufo sealant on them. Sealant is a must in NM, AZ and some parts of CA where we have goat heads. They are nasty thorns from the Russian tumbleweeds.



You can with some skill still fill tires like Vittoria Rallys with no removable cores. Open the air valve all the way. The using a pliers turn it further more so it snaps off the thread. The core will drop down, so make sure it doesn't get lost inside by supporting it with a finger. Then some either person can fill with sealant. Replace the valve and pinch the threaded pin's end so that the valve stays.

thirdgenbird

260g, 175psi, 305tpi, tan sidewalls

mkadam68

For information...

https://sprinterdellacasa.blogspot.co...ular-tire.html

GeraldChan

I have Veloflex Criteriums with the tan sidewalls on 2 of my bikes. I have been using them for the past 3 yrs.
They are every bit as nice as the old Vittoria Corsa CX/CG of old since they are essentially the same tire. Still made in Italy on the same machines. The new Vittorias are made in Thailand (I love the food but have not yet tried their tires)

The most important thing to do is to stretch the new tire on a clean rim (inflated) for at least 1 day so that you don't have to wrestle with it when you attempt to glue it on.
Many people like the new tape to secure the tires to the rim but I learned to glue them back in 1973 and I am not sure how you would center the tire with the tape as I would be afraid the tire would shift or rotate when you pulled the separating film off the sticky part of the tape.

To glue a tire I stat by applying a thin film of glue to a new rim and let it dry to tacky, do the same to the rim tape on the tire. Lastly apply a thin line of fresh glue down the centerline of the rim and mount the tire. I use my toes to hold the rim to the floor and I start with the valve stem in the 12 o"clock position and work both directions downward. At the end opposite from the valve stem I lift up the tire onto the rim and then inflate to 25 psi and center the thread on a wheel truing stand. Inflate to 120 overnight and ride in 24 hrs.

Once you get the hang of this it only takes 20 mins to glue a tire and they usually last me several seasons. Most people will have the valve stem not perpendicular to a tangent to the rim on their 1st try but unless it is way off this is no big deal.

Ex Pres 

I have the 3/$50 tire - OK riding, but one of 'em is a little lumpy.
Vittoria Rallys - Pretty nice ride for the price. Bought 'em at PBK for <$19 ea. I haven't had 'em long enough to experience the too-often flats that some report.
Hutchinson Tempos - OK if you buy them cheap enough. I haven't recently.
Gommi Champions - I can not ride these above 100psi. Ride like rocks above that. Fine if you're a lightweight but not for a FOG like me. I won't buy again.
Vittoria Corsa EVO CX - wonderful ride. I've even pumped them up to 140psi, and still they glide along nice and supple.

logdrum

Continental Competitions have tan sidewalls and can be pumped to 175 PSI. I am just going with the PSI TPI wanking.

logdrum

I may just break down and glue my Viittorria Rallys on my Zipp 404s. I still am waiting for that elusive Wiggle or PBK sale for tubulars.

thirdgenbird

anyone try the Schwalbe Milano?

its encouraging to see them on this guys ride: