Which tubulars?????

akkers

Anyone got a view on what tubs are best? Went out on Sunday for the first time using Vittoria Corsa EVO CXs.....2km in and the back tyre blew...I think ti was due to pressure at 160psi, but not entirely sure. Anyway not impressed considering its £35 a go.

Anyone use these or recommend any other good reliable tubs? Also, what pressure as Im reading most never really go to max PSI unless theyre on near perfect tarmac or in a vellodrome!

Thinking of the Conti Sprinter Gatorskins....reasonably priced and decent reviews. Liked the look of the 4000 tub, but bit pricey at around £50 a go!

APIII

160psi? :shock:
I must admit, I rarely ride my tubs, but when I do it's the same pressure as my clinchers at ~100psi.
Conti GP4000's have been pretty hardwearing although I did puncture the rear after only 8-900 miles.

cougie

Are your rims rated for such high pressures ?

I'd not bother with tubs unless racing to be honest - and I reckon you'd be better off at about 110 PSI max.


I use my GP4000S tyres with a max of 100 in them and they have proved very reliable.

chriskempton

IME the Vittoria CX is about the most reliable tub there is, but you shouldn't run them at 160 PSI! I'd maybe chance 130 in a short TT, but it sounds like you were just going out for a ride, so I'd have only gone about 110. The max ratings on tubs are of course higher than this, but you are more likely to get *unctures the higher you go, and be less comfortable.

Cougie, tubular rims have no max pressure ratings - as the rim is not holding the tyre together like a clincher rim is.

Buy another CX and run them at lower pressures, they're great tubs.

Monty Dog

Well no surprises if you pump them up that hard! High pressures just increase the discomfort and chances of a puncture and don't reduce the rolling resistance - but some people take some convincing. I'm currently running Corsas for racing and have no problems on Surrey and Hampshire's flinty roads - but a sealant like Tufo or Stan's gives an additional degree of protection. The Contis are meant to be durable, but feel a bit 'dead'. If you want something fast and reliable, Veloflex Carbons are highly rated - but they are expensive.

cougie

Didnt know about the tub rims not having a max rating ! You live and learn.

I used to pump all my tyres up to 140 or so - figuring higher is better - but it really isnt.

My road tyres are 90-100 max and havent let me down for ages now.

Touch wood.

suze

160..... :roll: just cos it says thats the max pressure it'll take you don't ....

I don't even pump my tubs that high, even on the velodrome. currently use conti tempo on the track about £45 each, or vitoria pista.....Don't even think about it on the road anymore always use clinchers

andyrr

I'd suggest running a compromise of around 120psi - CXs are highly rated as are Conti Competitions, both fine for normal road racing-type duties. At 160Psi they'd be pretty bouncy unless you are riding lovely smooth roads.

Monty Dog

FWIW there is no maximum pressure rating for tub rims because of their construction they don't exert a force on the rim like an clincher - but because you can pump them up rock hard, doesn't mean you should.

dennisn

Quickie question. I have been seeing lots of talk on this forum about tire pressure
having lots to absolutely no effect on the so called "rolling resistance" of a wheel.
The "current thinking", at least on this forum, seems to be that pressure has very little
effect in that a tire pumped to 120 will roll just as easily as one at 175. Is this simply
"current thinking" and in 10 years it will be replaced with new "current thinking" that proclaims the direct opposite? This would seem to be in following with my theory
that nothing is really known about bicycles and their various components.

cougie

Dennis - I used to go hiiiiigh pressure and the ride was skittish to say the least. I also used to flat a lot more.

Now I dont flat - the ride is better - but I'm slower. The fact that I'm not training surely cant come into it ? ;-)

Monty Dog

Companies like Continental have published technical reports on these issues which provide evidence contrary to 'popular' opinion including 'myth buster's such as fatter tyres are quicker and that lower pressures have similar rolling resistance. Continue to pump up your 20mm tyres to 10 bars if you wish....

dennisn

cougie wrote:

Dennis - I used to go hiiiiigh pressure and the ride was skittish to say the least. I also used to flat a lot more.

Now I dont flat - the ride is better - but I'm slower. The fact that I'm not training surely cant come into it ? ;-)

I'm going on a week long bike thing in about a month and have bought a set of 25mm
to see if I can't get a bit smoother ride. Little less pressure, that kind of thing. I figured,
what the hell, I'm already old AND slow so how bad could it be.

prawny

dennisn wrote:

cougie wrote:

Dennis - I used to go hiiiiigh pressure and the ride was skittish to say the least. I also used to flat a lot more.

Now I dont flat - the ride is better - but I'm slower. The fact that I'm not training surely cant come into it ? ;-)

I'm going on a week long bike thing in about a month and have bought a set of 25mm
to see if I can't get a bit smoother ride. Little less pressure, that kind of thing. I figured,
what the hell, I'm already old AND slow so how bad could it be.

Careful you might stop completely

Steve928

Monty Dog wrote:

Continue to pump up your 20mm tyres to 10 bars if you wish....

Thanks, I will.
Good to know that I have your permission though

dennisn

prawny wrote:

dennisn wrote:

cougie wrote:

Dennis - I used to go hiiiiigh pressure and the ride was skittish to say the least. I also used to flat a lot more.

Now I dont flat - the ride is better - but I'm slower. The fact that I'm not training surely cant come into it ? ;-)

I'm going on a week long bike thing in about a month and have bought a set of 25mm
to see if I can't get a bit smoother ride. Little less pressure, that kind of thing. I figured,
what the hell, I'm already old AND slow so how bad could it be.

Careful you might stop completely

That did cross my mind. And on some of this rides big climbs I have often felt that I had, in fact, come to a halt.

don key

Monty Dog wrote:

Well no surprises if you pump them up that hard! High pressures just increase the discomfort and chances of a puncture and don't reduce the rolling resistance - but some people take some convincing. I'm currently running Corsas for racing and have no problems on Surrey and Hampshire's flinty roads - but a sealant like Tufo or Stan's gives an additional degree of protection. The Contis are meant to be durable, but feel a bit 'dead'. If you want something fast and reliable, Veloflex Carbons are highly rated - but they are expensive.

Velo Carbons are £55 at Interbike in Marks Tey , Essex.


One puncture in forty races(9 months),always 140 psi with the Veloflex record/carbons and 160 with the Conti, life is different now. The idea of running them at low pressure is not gaining much mental momentum at this or any other moment.

akkers

Decided to stick with the Evo CXs for now....but 'll only inflate to around 100-110psi this time :roll:

Reviews seem good and from what you guys seem to be saying they seem to be a good tyre for the price.

Tempted by the Gatorskins also...might get some as a back-up.

Chip \'oyler

I'd recommend Veloflex Carbons - they're fantastic. I run them at 120psi

akkers

theyre bloo$y pricey though!!!

APIII

You get what you pay for and they are certainly a cut above the GP4000s I had on previously

akkers

Are they a pure racing tyre? I want a tyre for all summer use on varied tarmac not just a great racing tyre

APIII

I think they are 'for best'. I've only got a few hundred miles on mine, but I would not expect them to last more than 1000-1500 miles. I think that is the trade off for a more supple tub.