frpax

Well, as luck would have it, I picked up an old set of Proformance (NOT PERformance) racing wheels. 16 bladed spokes; custom machined hubs; Sun Mistral hoops; very nice... Anyway, the old sew ups are dry rotted, and weren't very nice ones to begin with, and I want to get some new ones, but I've been out of the tubular arena for 25 years or so and have no clue.

Oh, and how do you get a Regina America freewheel off?

Ex Pres 

There's a "totally tubular" thread, and some others with some good discussions. It really depends on your intended use, but quite a few of us have used the Yellow Jersey 3 for $50 deal. They are what they are, but better than any other tire I've bought for that price.

lotek 

my current favourite tubular is Gommitalia Espresso. They're not easy to find but worth it in my opinion.
I also like the Veloflex carbons, really nice tire but not very C&V looking.

Marty

Bianchigirll 

for my hard won sheckles, I like the Vittoria Rallye tire about $25 from Nashbar (OH I need to order some) but those wheels sound fancy and you may want something nicer. maybe a lowend UFO

23skidoo

+1

cb400bill

Probikekit has them for $18.99 ea with free shipping.

https://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=Y1190

sced

I don't think any of the sub-$25 tubulars have an anti-puncture belt, which means they're like the tires of yore. Most of the cheap types (all I buy) have been pretty much the same, perhaps even made in the same factory in Thailand. I do enjoy them and ride them on my "exercise" runs that are closer to home, but I ride clinchers when heading off to the hills.

https://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=Y1190 includes shipping

dudeona3V

Agreed. Like everything else (most things anyway), you get what you pay for. When you consider that the tires are what have contact with the road, there's no single element that contributes more to ride quality. I've had the Yellow Jersey cheapos (still keep them for spares) and up a notch to Continental Giros and Vittoria Formula Unos. When the latter got a tumor, I replaced them with some NOS Clement Seta Silks that I was lucky enough to find on eBay. Yes they were expensive, but it makes such a remarkable difference that to me the best value comes down to the best period. For what's readily available, that means something like Dugast or Veloflex Servizio Course which I just recently bought. I've heard the Challenge Criteriums are nice (using Clement molds) and reasonably priced (comparitively), though I have yet to try them.

Maddox

By the ordering of your comment, I can't tell if you're indicating that the Vittoria Rallys *do* have a puncture-resistant tread. I'm literally about to fill out a paypal order for some Yellow Jersey Servizio Corsa's, which obviously don't.

Do the Rally's have the more durable tread? If so, I'm probably going to do a last minute ditch and grab the Rally's from PBK...

Thoughts? Reactions?

sced

The Rallys DO NOT have puncture protection. They are almost identical to the Yellow Jersey Servizio Corsas....tread pattern is a little different.

DiabloScott

I'd say no, but it may be just my bad luck with Rallys; YJ Corsas last longer for me.

cb400bill

"•Kevlar(R) fibers are mixed in with the tread compound, creating a long-lasting puncture-resistant barrier even on the sides of the tire"

https://www.rei.com/product/628540


"Vittoria's Rally tubular is an affordably priced training tire for those of us who can't bear to ride clinchers. The 220 TPI nylon casing is reinforced with kevlar for longevity and puncture resistance. "

https://www.artscyclery.com/descpage-VTRLYTT.html

Maddox

Boom goes the dynamite.

Thanks for that, cb400bill!

Ex Pres 

If you want to spend some more $, I've really enjoyed my Vittoria Corsa EVO-CXs, even if their not the same as they used to be.



Oh, and the second question, remove the outer cover to reveal the splined insides.

SJX426 

I too have just revisited tubulars after 25+ years. I bought a bike with the set on. They happen to be the Vittoria Rallye only in 21 instead of the more popular 23's. Love tubulars. Anyway, they are inexpensive and they also are not always round - meaning when you spin the wheel, the tread has bumps in them. I don't notice it when riding but others might. see the first sentence. Its been about that long since I have ridden anything bicycle.

I don't remember what I rode back in the day but it was silk and today you have to pay a pretty penny for any silk. I haven't tried the YJ yet, I picked up some other tubulars to run through before I am in the market.

I've thought about setting up clincher wheels, in fact have all the material, but just can't imagine going back. Maybe I need a few flats on the tubulars first!

Chombi

+1 on the Rallies being a puncture resistant tire. I started riding them this year and so far, no punctures. I can even tell how much substantial the construction of the Rally's carcass is when I compare it to my slightly more expensive Schwalbe Milanos. A bit heavier and stiffer, so there must be some extra plies with kevlar at the tread. I can even see the finer sidewall thread construction which leads me to believe that it has a higher thread count than the Milanos, that gives it its good ride qualities.
I agree that the Rallies are one of the best bang for the buck tubular in the market presently.

Chombi

Maddox

Thanks a lot - as a relative newbie to the tubular world, the personal experience and recommendation of C&V'ers is extremely valuable in the decision making process.

Especially since I'll be using the tubulars on streets and not just for training, etc.

Chombi

BTW, you have a choice of Black or natural colored sidewalls with the Vittoria Rallies too, so you get to pick which one you think look best on your bike.

Chombi

cb400bill

I chose the natural color.

Maddox

Yep, and I'm definitely going with the natural/gumwall tire. It'll be going on a mid-70's resto project, so I want it to be truly period correct. Thanks for the photo, though! I LOVE the Viscount - very nicely done.

Any recommendations for tubular glue? I've read from one C&V'er that Continental glue is the best, while another recommended 3M FastTac as a non-bike-branded alternative that's just as good as anything you'll find in a LBS.

Just asking because I'm trying to avoid first timer mistakes, you know...

cb400bill

Thanks.

I was a first time tubular guy last year when I redid that Viscount. I bought the Continental glue and it worked great for me. I'll be soon installing another set of the Rally tires on my Legnano and using the Continental glue again.

Road Fan

The Vittoria Rallyes do not have a puncture protection belt. The casing label says "kevlar", but that means they've treated the rubber with a sort of chopped Kevlar fiber to improve the rubber qualities.

I like the 23 mm Rallyes a lot. I haven't tried the 21s.

Bianchigirll 

wow lots of debate. for me, as stated previously, I am sticking with the Rally. at one time I thought they made them in x27 but I can only seem to find the x21 or 23s. I never tried the schwabble someone mentioned but I do like the tan sidewall on the Rally

the worst tire I recall for flats was a Vittoria Formula one. you had to buy them in and carry pairs when riding them. *giggle*


what is the best way to order from yellow jersey? mail w/MO Mail w/check (30+days) or email with charge/debit card?

wtgrantham

I just installed my first tubulars a couple of weeks ago and through the recommendation of a vintage bike shop owner I used Tufo extreme tape. Thought it was expensive but EASY and mess free. Would use it again many times over!

iab

Try the Veloflex Criteriums. They have the tan side-wall, very C&V. And with the Euro tanking, you can find them for about $65 each.