Veloflex Master 22
#1
Veloflex Master 22
Has anyone used these tires? I'm looking at a set of the 700x22. Does anyone have an actual width on them?
Trying to find a nice set of gumwalls on a budget for my litespeed.
Trying to find a nice set of gumwalls on a budget for my litespeed.
#2
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 308
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they are awesome tires. i have the master 22s and the paves (which was what it was called previously.) both measure pretty much 22mm+ maybe a touch over. they feel as close to tubulars as any clincher tire i've ever tried. of course, not as rugged as say a gatorskin, but that's the tradeoff that you make for a nice supple ride. handmade in italy still. i don't think you'll be disappointed in veloflex. i've also tried the challenge criterium gum wall tires and they don't even come close to veloflex.
#3
Thanks for the information. I'm looking at a lightly used set right now. I'm going from a Michelin Krylion Carbon 23mm and was wondering if the change would be justified. I should try it out...
#5
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,492
Likes: 269
From: STP
Let's see here.
I use Pave's on my De Rosa Professional, Master 22's on my older Chris Kvale, and Master 23's on my new Chris Kvale.
If I remember, they run pretty close to listed sizes, but I'll dig the digital caliper out tomorrow when I am home and check.
The Pave came first and was replaced by the Master 22. Both were incredible tires for me.
Now the Master 23 is out and is a fantastic clincher. Feels like a decent tubular.
Here are the Veloflex sites for reference.
https://www.veloflextires.com/
https://www.veloflex.it/
Here's what the tires look like.




Flickr won't let me upload w/o changing permissions, so no look see at the Master 22 on a bike.
FWIW I recently sent a fairly long email to Veloflex expressing interest in a 700 x 25 and a 700 x 28.
Compared them to Challenge PRs. Maybe someday.
I use Pave's on my De Rosa Professional, Master 22's on my older Chris Kvale, and Master 23's on my new Chris Kvale.
If I remember, they run pretty close to listed sizes, but I'll dig the digital caliper out tomorrow when I am home and check.
The Pave came first and was replaced by the Master 22. Both were incredible tires for me.
Now the Master 23 is out and is a fantastic clincher. Feels like a decent tubular.
Here are the Veloflex sites for reference.
https://www.veloflextires.com/
https://www.veloflex.it/
Here's what the tires look like.




Flickr won't let me upload w/o changing permissions, so no look see at the Master 22 on a bike.
FWIW I recently sent a fairly long email to Veloflex expressing interest in a 700 x 25 and a 700 x 28.
Compared them to Challenge PRs. Maybe someday.
Last edited by gomango; 06-25-12 at 05:44 PM.
#7
Fat Guy on a Little Bike


Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 15,946
Likes: 371
From: Philadelphia, PA
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
I could never look at that Kvale enough Grady!
Grady, BBM and the departed OFG all pushed me towards the Veloflex Masters and everything they said was true - it's an excellent, fast tire that rolls quite smoothly. I haven't even had major flatting issues with them. The place I think they really make their mark is performance in slippery conditions - the tread pattern is GRIPPY!
Overall, I think I like the Continental GP4000s SLIGHTLY more, though the Veloflex tires are lighter and roll a bit faster. I like the Continentals for flat protection and gravel/cobble stones a bit more.
Grady, BBM and the departed OFG all pushed me towards the Veloflex Masters and everything they said was true - it's an excellent, fast tire that rolls quite smoothly. I haven't even had major flatting issues with them. The place I think they really make their mark is performance in slippery conditions - the tread pattern is GRIPPY!
Overall, I think I like the Continental GP4000s SLIGHTLY more, though the Veloflex tires are lighter and roll a bit faster. I like the Continentals for flat protection and gravel/cobble stones a bit more.
#9
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,492
Likes: 269
From: STP
Thanks guys for the nice comments.
I've never owned this nice of a bicycle before.
Never.
Aaron, as for the 4000s tires, they are very nice.
I ran them on my Master Extra Light and my Master.
Very nice in corners, they would allow me to push harder than I usually dared.
I never flatted with them and they seemed to be decent tires for distances as well.
The only time they scared me was a long downhill run at about 35 miles an hour.
It was a little damp from rain the previous evening.
We were coming down a mile long hill and had a sweeping left turn near the bottom.
The back end broke loose and I did a drift all the way through.
I didn't lose it, but I got off the bike in Taylors Falls and almost puked.
All the guys I was riding with could say was, "way to go dude."
Scared to death I was.
I'll never forget that wild turn, but I suppose it could have happened on any tire.
I've never owned this nice of a bicycle before.
Never.
Aaron, as for the 4000s tires, they are very nice.
I ran them on my Master Extra Light and my Master.
Very nice in corners, they would allow me to push harder than I usually dared.
I never flatted with them and they seemed to be decent tires for distances as well.
The only time they scared me was a long downhill run at about 35 miles an hour.
It was a little damp from rain the previous evening.
We were coming down a mile long hill and had a sweeping left turn near the bottom.
The back end broke loose and I did a drift all the way through.
I didn't lose it, but I got off the bike in Taylors Falls and almost puked.
All the guys I was riding with could say was, "way to go dude."
Scared to death I was.
I'll never forget that wild turn, but I suppose it could have happened on any tire.
#10
gomango, you have one of the classiest bikes on this forum. I desperately seek a lugged bike from a custom builder, but I only find Tig-Welded bikes
. The next project in the lineup in a Rodriguez 650B.
Anyways, thanks for the comments guys. The pair I was looking at was $35 for a pair, but I think I am going to want at least the 23s and probably the 25s.
. The next project in the lineup in a Rodriguez 650B.Anyways, thanks for the comments guys. The pair I was looking at was $35 for a pair, but I think I am going to want at least the 23s and probably the 25s.
#11
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,492
Likes: 269
From: STP
gomango, you have one of the classiest bikes on this forum. I desperately seek a lugged bike from a custom builder, but I only find Tig-Welded bikes
. The next project in the lineup in a Rodriguez 650B.
Anyways, thanks for the comments guys. The pair I was looking at was $35 for a pair, but I think I am going to want at least the 23s and probably the 25s.
. The next project in the lineup in a Rodriguez 650B.Anyways, thanks for the comments guys. The pair I was looking at was $35 for a pair, but I think I am going to want at least the 23s and probably the 25s.
Thanks so much!
The Rodriguez should be awesome as well.
Were the $35 pair Veloflex tires?
New or used?
#16
#17
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,492
Likes: 269
From: STP
The roads here in St. Paul and Mpls. are beyond awful.
Costs to repair and our seasons do not equate to high quality thoroughfares.
I'd be most interested in the 700 x 25 option, as none of my road bicycles have enough clearance in the stays.
I had 700 x 28 Challenge PRs on my Hollands, but as the tires wear, they tend to get wider. So no go with that at this point.
I have an older unbuilt Goodrich frameset that may be just the ticket for wider rubber in the meantime.
Yep, a nice 700 x 25 Veloflex Master would be perfect!
#18
Fat Guy on a Little Bike


Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 15,946
Likes: 371
From: Philadelphia, PA
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
Gomango - what size is that Goodrich...I ask purely out of curiosity
#19
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,492
Likes: 269
From: STP
Like it was built for me.

Hanging on a hook and will get built eventually.
Sport tourer!
Has eyelets, although the previous owner wasn't using it for that purpose.
He was using it to collect cobwebs, just like me.
As I mentioned a few years ago, I would like to own or try bikes from Chris Kvale, Dave Anderson, Terry Osell, Curt Goodrich, Mark Stonich, Erik Noren, and of course Vincent Dominguez.
Heck, I had Capricorn on the list till he moved to Oregon. Nothing against Oregon, I am trying to buy local talent when possible.
I am slowly wading through the builders and keep a very close eye on our local CL for deals.
Our Blaine bike swap has been very good to me as well.
In the case of the Goodrich, I had to drive to Des Moines to pick it up.
The bike had a complete DA 7700 gruppo and nice set of DA/Open Pros.
Stripped the bike pronto and sold everything right down to the handlebars on our local racing board.
This is the right way to acquire nice framesets on the cheap in my opinion.
I am about halfway through the list at this point, but Mrs. Gomango has had it with the bike warehouse.
In her defense, she has been incredibly patient until recently.
#20
Fat Guy on a Little Bike


Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 15,946
Likes: 371
From: Philadelphia, PA
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
I was hoping smaller

One of these days I'd like the right Spectrum. A Kirk would be next on my list with Mooney and Weigle targets as well.
As much as I'm excited about this Vanilla, part of me was really holding out for a Sachs cyclocross bike.
#21
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,492
Likes: 269
From: STP
For gosh sakes, you really have to heal up and come for a visit.
We could have some real bike adventures here and I'd give you a complete tour of the bike collection.
I don't put everything up on the Flickr, that's for sure.
Casey (Thirdgenbird) had a nice visit recently and got to see some of the bikes.
As for the Goodrich, there are chances locally when you get to know a few people.
I'll keep my ears peeled for a 56cm for you!
The frameset I'd really go nuts over is a Match, built by Curt Goodrich.
Red with white lettering. I've only seen one in my entire life.
We could have some real bike adventures here and I'd give you a complete tour of the bike collection.
I don't put everything up on the Flickr, that's for sure.
Casey (Thirdgenbird) had a nice visit recently and got to see some of the bikes.
As for the Goodrich, there are chances locally when you get to know a few people.
I'll keep my ears peeled for a 56cm for you!
The frameset I'd really go nuts over is a Match, built by Curt Goodrich.
Red with white lettering. I've only seen one in my entire life.
#22
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 577
Likes: 115
From: S.F. Bay Area
Bikes: Motobecane Grand Record, Colnago Super, Mondia Super, Mondia Special, Mondia Prestige (for sale 55cm),Titan Star, Titan Exklusiv, Windsor
#23
Fat Guy on a Little Bike


Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 15,946
Likes: 371
From: Philadelphia, PA
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
If I could pick a bike from a member here...this would be one I'd consider.
#24
Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,492
Likes: 269
From: STP
Thanks again everyone.
I'll say it again, I have a few nice bicycles, but this one wraps it all up for me.
If the electrical inspector arrives soon, I can get out for a nice long ride on her today.
Remodeling woes, don't you know.
I'll say it again, I have a few nice bicycles, but this one wraps it all up for me.
If the electrical inspector arrives soon, I can get out for a nice long ride on her today.
Remodeling woes, don't you know.
#25
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 577
Likes: 115
From: S.F. Bay Area
Bikes: Motobecane Grand Record, Colnago Super, Mondia Super, Mondia Special, Mondia Prestige (for sale 55cm),Titan Star, Titan Exklusiv, Windsor
Diggin up an old thread here on Veloflex tires. My Michelin's are on the way out & I'd like to replace them w/ a set of Veloflex Clichers. Would Master 22's fit on Mavic MA-2 rims? I measured the outside width of the rim & it reads 20.5mm. Not sure of the inside width? Should of yesterday...as I had the tire off fixin' two flats.
I only hope they'll ride as good as their tubulars...idyllic
I only hope they'll ride as good as their tubulars...idyllic



