Tubulars for fast training and weekend rides

Monowai

I'm shortly going to be making my first foray into tubular tyres courtesy of some very nice Ambrosio Chrono f20 wheels. However, having ridden clinchers all my life, I have no idea of good tubulars.

As they will be used for training and long rides, reliability (and puncture resistance!) are more important than speed and weight. Any suggestions? I like the look of the Conti Gatorskin.

Ideally, want to spend no more than £60 for the pair.

and no, I don;t want people telling me to back to clinchers!

robbarker

Sorry, but go back to clinchers and save your tubs for circuit races.

Monowai wrote:

I'm shortly going to be making my first foray into tubular tyres

That's reasonably obvious from your intended use! :-)

Holty74

I use Continental GP4000's, but the competition versions are only about 60 quid a pair now

willbevan

i love tubs for racing on, but have to admit i wouldnt want to do long rides on them, 40 miles from home and no way of gettting back becuase you have punctured.... i know you said you dind't want to hear go back to clinchers... but....

Monowai

there are puncture kits for getting home and you can ride tubulars flat,well for a bit anyway. If that tyre is so bad that the kit can't repair it, how is that different from having a clincher in the same situation??

James_London

Continental Gatorskin Sprinters are pretty sturdy or Continental GP4000SR, though the latter wear quickly.

Take a can of Pitstop sealant, CO2 cannister(s) and if you're paranoid or a long way from home a spare tub - ideally a light but crap one like some of the Tufos or a light an nice one like the Vittoria Crono Evo CS. Oh and a mobile phone to summon the cavalry, obviously.

John.T

You can usually patch a clincher unless the casing is very badly cut. You may have to use a lower pressure but can nearly always ride it home. You can not repair a tub at the roadside. Sealants can only do so much so you should always carry a spare tub. I can see no advantage at all for using tubs for anything other than what they are meant for. Racing, and with modern clinchers there is not a great advantage there now. 45 year ago when you could not put more than about 70psi in wired on tyres and they were heavy then tubs were a major advantage.

Monowai

thanks for your thoughts - but can we get back to the subject matter?? - recomendations for tubulars? I'm using them regardless of people's clincher / tubular views.

Bronzie

Not used the tub version, but Vittoria Evo Pave tyres are the biz - great grip in the wet and don't seem to cut up much at all - the tub version are what the pros use at Flanders etc - but then again at £38 a pop they should be good!

Jez mon

Pop on down to weight weenies http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/ and do a search for tubulars.