Tubular buying advice please.

Northernsoul Man

Hi to all, I got a set of 50 carbon rims from Planet x - nice rims, but I need help on buying a set of tubs for them, I know you only get what you pay for these days but wonder if any of the mid priced tubs are that puncture proof ????. I weigh about 14 1/2 to 15 stone, the first 2 rides out I punctured using Vittoria Rally 21's. Used the Vittoria pit stop, ok on the first flat but didnt work on the 2nd flat (same tubular on the front, putting 2 tins of pit stop in it), the flats were very small holes, luckily I was only 5 miles out on the run and managed to get back home with latex bubbling out of the tub. I was running them at 120 psi (not the max pressure) as stated on the tub, trying to avoid pot holes and stones/glass as best I could. Looking to buy some mid price tubs around the 30 quid mark and wondered about advice on which to get and wondering am I too heavy for tubs ????. I don't race or track ride, purely for pleasure rides - so do I give up on tubs. This fat 1 needs help please, Many Thanks Paul.

Monty Dog

Tufos are pretty durable, and with the sealant and pretty good for all round use - just don't expect the suppleness and handling of something lighter. The latest Vittoria 320tpi CXs are very nice, but don't have a high degree of puncture resistance. Some people swear by Conti Grand Prixs, but a clubmate who bought 3 last season and in 3 race starts, punctured 3 times - I was riding the same races with Vittorias and didn't puncture at all.

dennisn

FWIW Tufo makes some decent tubulars and their sealant works well enough. Although you can only use it with Tufo tires. I use Tufo S33's on a daily basis with no problems
other than the rare, very rare, flat tire. I also use Tufo tubular clinchers with the same good results.

moonshine

does anyone know what type of valve core is on the Continental Sprinter Gatorskin tubs?

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Conti ... 360039525/

does it have a removable valve core like the Vittoria Corsas, or do i need the zipp style extenders?

G

Northernsoul Man

Hi Ya Monty, Dennis, thanks a lot for the advice, not bothered about weight, just the durability. Handling, I've found a great difference with the 50 mm rims especially on the windy days, but used to be fine on clinchers, changing the tube at the roadside was ok, but changing a tub - not too sure. I'll look at the tufo's and thanks again for the advice. I know what you mean the ride even on the cheap tubs is a lot more harsh - probably due to the increase in psi, but bloody great, the Rally's don't fit to well though - around the valve they look a mess, they seem secure on the rim, but spinning the wheel you can see where they go out of true with a little wobble near the valve. Don't get me wrong they've introduced me to tubs and the ride, I feel, is better and more responsive, just sick of the punctures, thanks again guys - safe riding Paul.