Best racing clincher

snedden9485

What are peoples thoughts on the best clincher for racing? I know this depends on what you want (eg price, durability, RR etc). I am after something that is fast, offers some puncture protection and can be pumped up to around 140PSI or so to go on some 50mm carbon clinchers.

Considering :
- Conti GP4000s
- Michelin pro race3
- Schwalbe Ultremo
- Vittoria Open Corsa CX? (the 320 TPI model)

Also, should i run 20 or 23 mm tyres? Would there be much difference?

aarw

320 TPI Open Corsa'a with latex tubes.

For racing purposes, no contest. None. Zilch.

aarw

Seriously, nothing comes close.

Gavin Gilbert

aarw wrote:

Seriously, nothing comes close.

If you've a team car to hand up a spare wheel when your's go pssssssstttttttttt

They do ride lovely, but 3 deflations in 6 hours riding proved too much for me. 2 of these happened on the same afternoon at the Hillingdon circuit - not even a real road!

aarw

Serious?? got a fair few miles on mine on tough irish roads and no problems.

best clincher i've ever ridden, obviously...

Chip \'oyler

Get a pair of Veloflex Carbons - with latex tubes they're the nearest clincher to a tub

James_London

Vittoria Open Corsa EVO CX II (320TPI version)

They have More puncture protection than the 290TPI version which were a little
vulnerable for my liking. Not much in it versus Veloflex with the 320 version.

redddraggon

I've rode the 290 version on my neutron ultras since February, and they are pretty good. Haven't been using my neutrons much though, maybe ~1000miles.

snedden9485

Is there much difference between the 290 TPI and the 320 TPI versions? What are peoples thoughts on this tyre (Open corsa Evo CX 320TPI v the Veloflex Pave (300 TPI and 40grams lighter) ? The Veloflex is a 22mm tyre.

James_London

Yes - the difference in suppleness is surprising! The 320TPI feels better and more importantly IME (a few thousand km on 290s and 320s clinchers and tubs) is more puncture resistant, consistent with Vittoria's claims for their PRB2.0 (puncture belt) which is new in the 320TPI version.

The 23mm CX IIs come up quite wide. They're only 10g heavier in the tubs than the 21mm so I've gone for a comfier ride and better cornering grip with the 23mm. That kind of weight saving is pointless and with most rims the 23mm will be more aero (or at least not worse).

Not a great deal to choose between the CX II and Veloflex Pave but 180g tyres clearly won't last as long so it depends whether you are planning on racing them up hills when new or after you've ridden a few grams off the tread! I don't think the difference CX II vs Pave is as much as 40g but haven't checked. The 23mm CX II tubs are 235g average so your implied weight of 220g for the 23mm clincher sounds high for actual weight.