Originally Posted by
jimmuller
Oops. My bad. I meant to say they were
NOT prone to flats. I've been running Veloflex Masters on the Torelli rims, first on the Masi now on the Gazelle, and Veloflex Criteriums (sew-ups) now on the Masi. I have had one and only one flat on any of them. The flat was due to a large screw that went into the front tire. I rode for another mile and a half on the way to work before it went flat.
As I say, except for this one my Veloflex have had no flats at all, at all. When I was running Vittorias (both clincher and sew-up) I had plenty of flats.
Veloflex website claims they have a puncture-resistant belt. It appears to work.
I corrected my error above.
This is one of those things where I think your perspective and comparison points really count. I don't think they're flat prone...I've done better with these than I have with Panaracers or Vittorias (I'm beginning to think Vittoria just SUCKS across the board)...but they do flat more than the GP 4000s and 4 seasons. I get about 2/3rds the life span, which also isn't awful. To me the Conti GPs are the bench mark for a great clincher tire...and the Veloflex do fall short on flat and durability in comparison. The ride is REALLY nice though...it is more supple than the Contis. Which do I like more? I like both and I like having bikes with each. The Veloflex obviously look the part on a steel bike, and that counts.
My first experience with Veloflex were their crazy light Record tires, which I bought by mistake. I was flatting every other ride and almost swore off Veloflex immediately. I've done OK with the Masters...surprisingly so given their weight.
Originally Posted by
gomango
Yeah, as I mentioned, my experience with the brand has been really satisfying.
All I want that company to do now is put out a 700x28 or 700x32 clincher at a price point near the Masters.
Down the road they can put out a little wider tubular and I would be very happy.
I get the feeling that we're far from the only ones loving the Veloflex tires. It seems like they're expanding carefully and I'd wager we'll see those things at some point in the near future. The 27 tubulars were, hopefully, a portent. Let's remember that they didn't even have 25s until recently!