Hardheadmandca

I like the concept and have been considering them. Does anyone have an opinion?

I currently ride Michelin Kelium (or something like that) Kevlar road tries with tubes.

DrPete 

Well, I'm sure NoRacer will find this thread and chime in, but I'll tell you the story of the "Tufo Incident..."

A bunch of BFers went out on a ride this Memorial Day weekend and NoRacer, long-time Tufo user, flatted. He had the sealant with him, but the valve stem broke/fell off/something and he was left with a flat tire and no way to fix it. We all had patches/CO2/pumps/tubes/etc., but the only thing that could save him was a new tire. This happened about 15-20 miles from the start point of our ride. That led to a very frustrated NoRacer who then ended up with a cab ride home.

I mean, he's been pretty happy with them otherwise, but after witnessing that incident I'm just not sure you're gaining enough to make them worth it. Just my $0.02.

I think you're talking about the Michelin Krylion Carbon, which might be the best all-around tire you'll find in terms of performance/durability/weight. If that's what you've got I'd recommend keeping them.

Hardheadmandca

Yep, that's what I've got, thanks. I think I'll keep them.

Maybe I'll buy some off of ebay and put them on my back-up bike to try for awhile.

Thanks for the input.

55/Rad

I had the same experience as NoRacer. I LOVED the tubular clinchers and sung their praises for well over a year here on the forums. Then I got stranded by a flat that couldn't be repaired and I had to call a cab 20 miles from home.

So I had to make a choice - either carry a spare or don't use them. I chose the latter.

55/Rad

merlinextraligh

As a rider of clinchers, and tubulars but not TUFO clincher tubulars, I'll admit to a lack of personal experience. However it would appear to me that TUFO's offer all the disadvantages of tubulars (with the exception of gluing hassles), and little of the advantages.

Tubular tires are almost impossible to pinch flat, have a better ride feel, and allow for lighter wheels.

A good portion of the ride feel, and weight advantage comes from the the fact a tubular rim doesn't have to have a bead to hold the tire, thus allowing for a lighter, (or stronger for a given weight) and a more compliant rim. Given that the TUFO's still use the clincher rim, the wieght, and much of the ride feel, advantage is gone.

So your left with TUFOS having a pinch flat advantage over clinchers, but with the consequneces of a flat being much greater.

.

biffstephens

My exp was pretty much the same. I really wanted to like them...