kdub21

Hello all,

I am new to this forum and would like to say Hi.

I am very interested in the clincher/tubular tires, but am curious to the ride quality of these tires. I am interested in getting the C S3 Lite clinchers, or C elite roads.

Are these tubular clinchers worth it compared to getting Veloflex Pave's/vittoria Open Corsa's or other high-end clincher tires?

I am looking for a smooth comfy ride that is light/ fast, with good punture resistance. Durability is low on the list. I do primarily weekend rides, typically longer rides with occasional sprints. I'm also a 180 lb rider. My rim width is 15mm..so will I be able to fit the C S3 Lites and C Elite Roads? I ride on DT Swiss R1.1 15mm.

My main concern about getting the Tufos are the repairability. I hear that Tufo is working on developing a repair kit/patch for puntures greater than 2mm, but I haven't heard or seen anything yet. I know that there are other methods of patching the Tufos up, but it seems like a pain. I guess thats something I have to live with for now.

I've read pretty much all of the last threads regarding these tires, but would like a bit more.

Thanks in Advance!!!

Any recommendations?

Serpico

don't get tufos, get a new wheelset and run some tubs, or get a nice set of clinchers like vredesteins

tubs are liked because they're round and they have more rubber on THE TIRE (because they don't have the bead)--tufos have a bead, less rubber than tubs, and they're not as round--what's the point????

they're an attempt at compromise that doesn't work--theoretically interesting, but they aren't tubs

I did the "should I get tubs or clinchers" for my new bike, and even considered tufo tub-clinchers, I decided to get a nice clincher wheelset with vredesteins, and I'm planning on getting some handbuilt tub rims this summer (mavic classics ssc [reflex] with some bling hubs)

good luck

divekrb

Do a search. Lots of prior posts...

RacerX

tufo clinchers are nice. they ride well but not as nice as tubulars because you still have the heavy clincher rim. tufo clinchers are round though and do ride nice. They are a beatch to mount if you don't know how and repairs are like tubulars.

nitropowered

I like them. Worth the money but it is very hard to mount them the first time. set aside an hour to mount them the first time. The tubular clinchers are Tufos tubular tires with a rubber bead at the bottom to hook onto the clincher rim. I've spoiled myself with pseudo-tubular ride qualities of the Tufo Tubular clincher that my next rims are going to be tubulars (Aero Carbon Tubulars, Tubular Ksyrium SLs)

telenick

That pretty much is how I feel about it.

55/Rad

I have the CS33 Specials and the C Elite Roads - both are wonderful tires. The Specials are less apt to puncture.

If you are someone who has used nothing but clinchers, then these tires will be fantastic. They just feel different in a good way. If you are a hardcore tubie user, these may not be your cup of tea.

And, once you get the technique, they are easy tires to mount.

55/Rad

kdub21

thanks guys. you guys have been helpful. I'm probably just going to get a set of veloflex pave''s or vittorias and get tubular rims nnext time. Thanks!

krazyderek

i'd recommend tufo sounds like you'd want the c elite's too. Dido with rad, they are VERY easy to get on and off once you've done your initial stretching of the tire.

53-11_alltheway

That's true about the roundness and probably would explain the ride benefit claimed by tubular riders (assuming same quality tire construction)

I've never tried tubs, but I'll be honest I really did like those Tufo Elite Clinchers. They still are my favorite tire to this day. Expensive and overkill for practical use though. I'll say nothing inspired confidence in corners like the Tufos did. I literally felt like I could throw the bike around all over the road with those things on my rims.

krazyderek

heh, the only downside to some of the tufo's is the 'star wars noubian ship'-sound my friends started teasing me about, something about the tread makes these tires very grippy, and somewhat louder i guess.

Grasschopper

Um ok dude you generally know what you are talking about but my understanding is that you don't have a clue on this one.

Tufo takes their tubular tire (S33 Special in this case):


And glues on a plastic mounting strip which grips the bead area of the clincher rim as seen in the next photo. The construction of the tire other than the mounting strip is unchanged, no more or less rubber and no more or less round:

wai2fast

I've been using the C Elite tubular clinchers and haven't had any problems with them. Yes, they are round like tubulars. No, they are not as difficult to mount as some has advertised.

bob the nailer

maybe you should go all out, get the new shimano 7801 rims, and when they come out go with the latest in tires, the tubeless tire- no inner tube, as a clincer, and no attached tube, as a tubular. supposed to be available later this summer. see last months bicycling magazine for details