Open Tubulars - Choices

jezzasnr
Posts: 225
It's decision time!
New tyres for the best bike.
Steel Colnago, dry(ish) rides in the main, looking for some tan wall open tubulars.
Decent ish roads around North Devon, solo / group rides, 40-70miles, 17-20 mph average, rider around 77-78kgs
- Challenge Forte
- Challenge Elite
- Veloflex Masters
Really want the tan sidewall, so any other ideas welcome.
I've not seen any others, at least none that I can readily get online or in local bike shop.
New tyres for the best bike.
Steel Colnago, dry(ish) rides in the main, looking for some tan wall open tubulars.
Decent ish roads around North Devon, solo / group rides, 40-70miles, 17-20 mph average, rider around 77-78kgs
- Challenge Forte
- Challenge Elite
- Veloflex Masters
Really want the tan sidewall, so any other ideas welcome.
I've not seen any others, at least none that I can readily get online or in local bike shop.
....like it's golden
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Comments
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Open tubluars, you mean clinchers then. Vittorio open corsa is another.
To be honest I have found no better clincher than the Conti GP4000shttp://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.0 -
Any of those will be good. I can only speak from experience about the Veloflex though. I love them! I'm a big fan of Vittoria Open Corsa, the do an 'SC' version with tan sidewall IIRC. Get some latex tubes tooInsta: ATEnduranceCoaching
ABCC Cycling Coach0 -
thecycleclinic wrote:Open tubluars, you mean clinchers then.
Lol - would you really prefer the OP to ask for "Clincher tyres based on the same design and construction as the companies tubular tyres" rather than "Open Tubulars" a term which neatly and concisely explains what sort of tyre he is interested in?
That said, if you can suggest a clincher tyre that isn't based on a tubular design, and has tan sidewalls and is a higher end road racing tyre, then you might be on to something!Faster than a tent.......0 -
thecycleclinic wrote:Open tubluars, you mean clinchers then. Vittorio open corsa is another.
To be honest I have found no better hose pipe than the Conti GP4000s
FTFY ;-)0 -
Yes, Vittoria Open Corsas or Veloflex Corsas would be my choice, few tyres that have the feel of a tubular IME - don't expect them to last long or withstand punctures too well. Agree on the Conti hosepipe comparison.Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..0
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thecycleclinic wrote:Open tubluars, you mean clinchers then. Vittorio open corsa is another.
To be honest I have found no better clincher than the Conti GP4000s
Nope. Open tubulars are different to clinchers.
You'll understand when you try some Veloflex. And If you've found no better clincher than the Conti GP4000 then you haven't been looking hard enough!Selling my Legend frame
http://owningalegend.wordpress.com/2014 ... ced-price/0 -
Open tubulars, my ar5e. If it fits on a clincher rim, it is a clincher tyre. By definition, an 'open' tubular will not ride anything like a tubular, because it is not a sew-up and therefore does not have the same cross section. For the record, I have ridden all of the tyres mentioned above. Get any tyre you want, but don't expect the name 'open tubular' to improve the ride or the performance.0
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Imposter wrote:Open tubulars, my ar5e. If it fits on a clincher rim, it is a clincher tyre. By definition, an 'open' tubular will not ride anything like a tubular, because it is not a sew-up and therefore does not have the same cross section. For the record, I have ridden all of the tyres mentioned above. Get any tyre you want, but don't expect the name 'open tubular' to improve the ride or the performance.
Yet I much prefer the ride of 'open tubular' branded tyres. As near as dammit to tubs. Not quite there but with latex tubes they are damn fine. Much nicer than lightbulb cross section hosepipe riding contis...Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
ABCC Cycling Coach0 -
I suppose any decent 'performance' clincher will give you a good ride at the right pressure. I'm just not feeling the 'open tub' thing unfortunately.0
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Veloflex Open Corsa's are great for the 1000 miles that they last if you only ride on good roads. Michelin Pro 3 are great for the 2000 miles they last and they cost less. In the real world they don't feel different, but some folk can convince themselves that whatever they buy and decide is good is the best-thing-ever.More problems but still living....0
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Imposter wrote:I suppose any decent 'performance' clincher will give you a good ride at the right pressure. I'm just not feeling the 'open tub' thing unfortunately.
Have you tried them?Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
ABCC Cycling Coach0 -
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That's impressive! Why did you try others if you found nowt special with the first couple of sets?Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
ABCC Cycling Coach0 -
NapoleonD wrote:That's impressive! Why did you try others if you found nowt special with the first couple of sets?
That's strange logic. You've only ever ridden one tyre then?
Historically, I've ridden on either whatever I've been given, or have been able to get at a good price. You're not going to like it, but right now I'm on Contis - clinchers and tubs.0 -
I ride proper tubular tyres, I know how good they are and open tubulars are just clinchers with a high tpi. Given there is a tubular version of the gatorskin that make the clincher gator skin an open tubular by your definition then although that is low tpi.
If the OP wants the feel of a tub, ride a tub they are just better.http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.0 -
Ok. I'm back.
Sorry, wish I hadn't asked!!
Not set on open tubs particularly, but I would like a 'decent' tyre.
Have been riding Michelin Pro 3 & 4's like how both feel, just fancied something with a tan wall to better suit an old steel frame with a fairly traditional build & look.
If I was building the wheels up again, I think I'd build them as tubs. But I'm not, so they'll stay as clinchers.
Thanks for the input gents, will be online in the morning to place an order.
j....like it's golden0 -
You have a good reason to stay on clinchers then.http://www.thecycleclinic.co.uk -wheel building and other stuff.0
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Imposter wrote:NapoleonD wrote:That's impressive! Why did you try others if you found nowt special with the first couple of sets?
That's strange logic. You've only ever ridden one tyre then?
Historically, I've ridden on either whatever I've been given, or have been able to get at a good price. You're not going to like it, but right now I'm on Contis - clinchers and tubs.
Why would I not like it? I'm on Conti tubs myself and use Conti gp4000S 24mm on my communter bike.
But if you try a couple of things of a certain type and find no benefit, why keep trying? It's a dead end. Like some people say they can hear no difference between hi fi set ups but keep buying different bits in the vain hope they hear something else...
I find Contis more hard wearing hence my choice but I prefer rolling on much higher tpi tyres.Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
ABCC Cycling Coach0 -
NapoleonD wrote:
But if you try a couple of things of a certain type and find no benefit, why keep trying?
I think this is where the confusion may have crept in. I wasn't 'trying them in search of a benefit' - I just happen to have ridden the tyres mentioned, along with lots of others.0 -
To anybody who thinks 'Open tubulars' are just clinchers, then I've quoted a post from Fair Wheel bikes on the WW Forum
"Challenge makes and sells both clinchers and open tubulars. I once asked them that since different companies use open tubular with different meanings, what do they use to define the difference in theirs. Here is the answer they gave me:
There is never enough information about what a real Open Tubular is.
An Open Tubular is a tubular that is assembled on the wheel like a standard clincher. The shape in fact is that of a clincher, but the materials used to make it (compound, high TPI carcass) but above all the hand made production process (tread glued by hand on the carcass and no vulcanization process involved at any time) is exactly the same of the tubular.
Therefore the Open Tubular is an extraordinary compromise: a clincher with a tubular-like superior comfort and best road feel, much higher than any other clincher, mainly if a soft latex inner tube is used.
About the price, the Open (open + latex tube) is usually more expensive than a clincher but much cheaper than a tubular.
Since carbon fiber frames are getting so popular, it has become even more important to ride on high quality tires. The road feel given by an Open Tubular with latex inner tube helps the rigid carbon bike to behave in a more comfortable way, absorbing vibrations and transferring to the rider a better quality ride feel from the bike in general.
Be aware that some manufacturers may call "Open Tubulars" some of their standard clinchers in order to sell them at a higher price. You can recognize a real open by the TPI first of all (that needs to be the same of a tubular) and by the softness and flexibility of the tire when you touch it."Selling my Legend frame
http://owningalegend.wordpress.com/2014 ... ced-price/0 -
LegendLust wrote:Since carbon fiber frames are getting so popular, it has become even more important to ride on high quality tires. The road feel given by an Open Tubular with latex inner tube helps the rigid carbon bike to behave in a more comfortable way, absorbing vibrations and transferring to the rider a better quality ride feel from the bike in general.
Seriously - what?? Read that back and tell me it's not a load of bollz.0 -
Imposter wrote:LegendLust wrote:Since carbon fiber frames are getting so popular, it has become even more important to ride on high quality tires. The road feel given by an Open Tubular with latex inner tube helps the rigid carbon bike to behave in a more comfortable way, absorbing vibrations and transferring to the rider a better quality ride feel from the bike in general.
Seriously - what?? Read that back and tell me it's not a load of bollz.
That's up to you to interpretate - I just posted the quote because it explains the difference between an Open Tubular and a clincher.
But in my experience Open tubulars (in my case Veloflex) run with latex tubes do have a greater ride quality than clinchers and butyl. But still not quite on a par with actual tubulars.Selling my Legend frame
http://owningalegend.wordpress.com/2014 ... ced-price/0 -
Due to a wheel failure, i rode the Maratona with Vitt Corsa's and latex tubes instead of vitt tubs and in no way does a clincher match a tub, the main difference is in the cornering, a tub will maintain a much better foot print on full lean than a "open tubular" which is nothing more than a marketing term - along with - can anyone serious feel the difference between a latex and light weight butyl tube????
Psi in the clincher 110/115 and in the tub 115/120 - these were the psi's recommended by Vitt at the trade stands - they made no allowance for latex, only checking that they should nt be pinched between rim and tire, being sure to finish fitting tire at valve - which can help avoid this.0 -
mamba80 wrote:can anyone serious feel the difference between a latex and light weight butyl tube????
I always thought it was going to be a complete waste of money experience buying Latex tubes (already running Corsa CX's and SC's) but was looking for a smoother feel and latex tubes are talked about for this.
Categorically I'd say yes, they make the difference people go on about (I've never used them in combination with any tyres apart from those mentioned, so I don't know if the effect would be as pronounced or even recognisable on non 320tpi tyres, couldn't possibly guess). If someone snuck in in the night and swapped my latex tubes back out, I would know within a mile of riding the bike... and this is coming from someone highly sceptical about buying them in the first place. (On another bike though, on different road surfaces to I ride, or to a different person, perhaps they would not notice. Certainly worth a try if your bike transmits a lot of road buzz that'd you'd like to lessen).0 -
Sorry, badly written, i didnt mean to say there was no difference, i think there is but that i couldnt feel any - having said that, i normally get numb tingly feet after 5hrs + other than being on carbon tubs - and after 6hrs i felt fine, despite running higher psi than i normally chose, and i ve used butyl l/w tubes in this event before so its not the better road surface over there.
the vitt corsa tubs use a far thinner inner tube than the latex inner for clinchers, air lose is much lower on the clincher and i d also say that if you r a poor descender or use carbon clinchers then stick to butyl, latex doesnt like heat or oil and this might explain why so many folk get blow outs using latex.0 -
OP - In an attempt to drag this back on topic from the semantic arguments. Veloflex Master, end of thread!
Everyone else. My understanding of the pointless semantic arguments between clincher and open tubular is that like a tub an open tub is made from the cloth up (i.e. tends to be a material shell with a tread attached hence classically tan sidewall with a rubber strip centrally). I'm with the cynics though, if it fits a clincher rim it's a clincher even if Vittoria and Veloflex's 'open tubulars' happen to be the best riding clinchers (and least durable) out there by a long way.0 -
racingcondor wrote:OP - In an attempt to drag this back on topic from the semantic arguments. Veloflex Master, end of thread!
+1 usually cheapest at ribble or planet x0