mellowdave

Anyone using the C Elite Tubular Clinchers?

I'm a bit curious how they feel on the road. After seeing 2roadies tubular Stratus setup, I starting feelling nostalgic for some tubs...

55/Rad

I use them. I like them. I also have the CS 33 Specials and like them too. They are a bit tougher and less expensive.

Having never ridden "real" tubulars, the Tufo's are different enough from clinchers to convince me that they really are a step or 2 toward tubies. How much? I can't answer.

55/Rad

platypus

bunches of folks (including me) use them. search the forum and you'll find lots of threads on them.

qqy

How's the ride quality and how low pressure can they go?

I'm thinking of getting a set of C33s for training to improve the smoothness of the ride. They seem like you could run them very low. Ever use that sealant they also sell to fix small tears? Is the extra weight noticable?

Cypress

My 700x21 S3 lite's corner like a horny cheetah. They are smooooth too. They wear quick though. Over 100 miles of chip seal on one pair and the raised middle strip is gone.

krazyderek

The tires have a minimum pressure rating on them, usually 115-120psi min, which is suprisingly comfy for the c Elite's. For trainning get the c s33's though.The sealant does it's job pretty well, but it does have limits. Ususally you do lose some pressure when the tire self repairs it's self. Finaly, i don't notice the weight difference using the sealant, it's only like 5g... USE IT, or a similar product.

mellowdave

Thanks for the replies, I think I'm going to try the S33's on the training wheelset.

dekalbSTEEL

Do you have a good source for these? Online or LBS?

Jakey

Biketiresdirect.com has them... CHEAP.

travis200

I just purchased a pair of the Elites to use on my race wheels. I will be running them with the sealant and I figure if I flat during a race there is a better chance of getting picked up then if I am out training.

CPcyclist

I find I like to run the s33 close to the min pressure as the are a bit stiffer ride then the Elites like RAD said. with that said they fell great on the bike and are a good move toward Tubbies

ultraman6970

Clinchers sucks... not even the best clincher in the market can be equal to a tubular ,even a crappy one rolls better, besides they last a lot more than clinchers. I rather spend 35/40 for a crappy vittorias each 15 months than spend 40 or more each 6 months or less in a pair of clinchers. I gave them a shot and no way...Now im comming back to tubulars.

U can find them maybe cheaper at ebay.

Cya

ps: get 3, just in case

lotek 

I'm running road elites on my serotta, tubular of course.
Honestly? it's not a bad tire, but something about it feels heavy and
slow. That said it's a great bulletproof winter tire, just not a go fast tire.

I don't know how the clincher version stacks up against the tubular version,
be an interesting comparison/test.

Marty

ravenmore

Tufos are tubulars. They're designed to mount on a clincher rim.

Sorry, wasn't sure from you're reply if you knew that or not....

platypus

That's where I get 'em from. They are at least 5 bucks cheaper per tire than any other place I've found.

NJWheelBuilder

There's something I don't understand about Tufo's. If I'm reading the spec's right, they are actually heavier than a clincher with a tube. Why would I want to use these tires?

Grasschopper

Huh? S33 Special is 260g Conti GP4000 is 205g + lightweight tube 70g-80g = 275g-285g. You have to go to a Ultralite latex tube to get near 60g from the tube to still be 5g heavier...and you wont have near the durability. S3 lite racing tire is guaranteed to be <215g and the Elite Jet is guaranteed to be <160g to further tip the scales in the tubie direction.

Add to that the lighter rims and lets just chalk no rim strip up to be near equal to the glue or gluing tape.

Or are you talking about the tubular clinchers? If that is what you mena then I guess you do it for the tubular ride? Don't know for sure on those...I just skipped that and went straight to the tubular wheel and tire.

mellowdave

There is no way around tubs being lighter. Take a look at the difference in weight on a ZIPP 404 CLincher vs Tub. NO tires makes up for that.

NJWheelBuilder

I was referring to tubular clinchers. According to Tufo's web site, the S33 Special is 335 grams. My current tires are 220ish. I don't see the advantage of these tires, particularily when you consider the inability to repair them. What am I missing?

Cypress

Tubes.

NJWheelBuilder

ok, so a tube weighs 100 grams max. So it ends up being the same weight. Again, what am I missing? These tires are not lighter and they are not repairable.