Recommendations on 700x25 tires with vintage look - Veloflex, Vittoria Corsas, others
 

Throwing these on a new SV980 build. Not too stressed on budget and looking for decent puncture proof and vintage-look (ideally classic gumwall or close to it).

I've looked through old threads and I can see that Veloflex and Vittoria Corsas are getting good reviews. Continentals maybe and I've heard mixed reviews on Kenda K36's and Panaracers.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Check out the Grand Bois or Compass brands.

Amazon.com : Panaracer Pasela PT Wire Bead Tire : Bike Tires : Sports & Outdoors

http://www.compasscycle.com/tires_gb_700_26.html

Thanks. Those get great reviews but unfortunately don't come in 25s. I suppose there 26 may work but that maaay be pushing it with mavic module-e rims which appear to be quite thin.

If your on a budget I vote for the Panaracer Pasela tour guard mentioned above. Very classic and classy look.

PS I don't think you'll have issues putting those tires on a Module E

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...8&d=1404496389

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=391178

The mod e can take a 32c easily. A 26c will be just fine on that rim.

Ah ok. Total noob to this wheelset but this is great to know. I'm leaning towards the Grand Bois and the Vittoria Open Corsa SC ii Clinchers for now.

I really like the look of the continental grand prix classics.

The Pasela is a great value, available in many widths and sidewall treatments.

Conti 4000sII , transparant.

The Veloflex 700x25 is a nice looking tire BUT.... I ride mostly on rough chipseal and mostly on Vittoria Rubino Pro's even on my older bikes. I've gone literally thousands of kilometers with no punctures on those tires. The Veloflex lasted for three rides before flatting and the treads have numerous small tears already . Not a tire for anything but smooth roads I think.

I have about 800 miles on a set of veloflex masters with no issues, and the usual mix of country roads and occasional glass bits. The only time I had any issues at all was in fresh chip seal, they were picking up bits of it. Not sure if that was due to sticky chip seal or if it was edging into the tread. I'm guessing sticky chip seal since the tires haven't picked up anything else. They roll beautifully. In my experience puncture proof means a much slower tire. You take your chances, but the masters have been a good mix for me.

Sorry for reviving this old thread, but I pretty much have the same question, just a year later... Picked up a nice old Italian bike and looking to throw on some vintage looking tires. I don't like the look of the Panaracers (tread is ugly IMO), so I'm down to the Veloflex, the Vittoria Corsas and the Grand Bois. The first two come in 25s and the Grand Bois is 26 (not much of a difference when looking at the tires). I have Corsas on another bike and flat on them all the time, so those are likely out. Grand Bois or Veloflex? Thanks! :thumb:

I've recently seen Veloflex Masters as low as $29.
That would make up my mind.

Link to site? Thanks.

I just looked around for some Master 25's and had some trouble locating them. I ultimately found a 2 pack of them at Ribble for $65 ($73 shipped) which I though was pretty good.

I have the Grand Bois Cerf Blue 26 mm on my 90s steel roadie. They're absolutely fantastic tires; fast and comfortable.

But they are not cheap. Nowhere close.

I just bought a pair of these and I'm waiting on shipping. Have you used them?

Westernbikeworks, but I see they are back at $36.

Still a value.

I really liked them, look really nice and held up great. I wouldn't hesitate to get another pair for the right bike.

Absolutely. I'm hooked, and will buy the tubulars if/when my Tufo supply runs out.

Ribble has a two pack of Masters for $60.

Not too shabby.

Thanks for the info!

I know I'm not adding much, but I'll simply chime in to throw my lot with gomango and RobbieTunes.

Veloflex Masters are a helluva tire at the prices they can be had for at some online retailers. The twin packs from Ribble are even more reasonable when they've got a 10% rebate deal going on, which seems to be every fortnight or so. I've not paid more than about $75 Canadian for a pair, shipped.

A few other brands I'd love to try have been mentioned in this thread, but my wandering eye is quickly steadied by the price point and my good experience with the Masters when it's a 700x25 I need. I very much hope that rumours of a 27mm version I've encountered on some forums have substance.