Since I'm a huge fan of Tufo tires I have been quite concerned regarding some of the threads on slowtwitch concerning Tufo rolling resistance. I am somewhat skeptical of some of the critics of tufo tires mainly because several of them recommended Zipp tubulars which, in my opinion, are the worst tubulars that I have ever ridden (from a durability, speed, and cost perspective). I still haven't come to any conclusions regarding tufo rolling resistance other than I'm pretty sure the Vittoria Corsa's and high-end Conti's have less rolling resistance than Tufo's, however, I am still using Tufo S3 lites (with slime) due to their superior puncture resistance. I'm also pretty sure that anyone who says Tufo's are minutes slower (on any course) than Conti's or Vittoria's is smoking crack (once again, my opinion only)
Anyway, below is an email that I got from tufo regarding rolling resistance. It's from a marketing guy so I have to take it with a grain of salt but for your info:
The question about tire rolling resistance is rather complex and complicated one due to the different methods and conditions influencing the measurement of this factor.
Generally, there are two basic measuring models:
- in laboratory setting
- in real life setting
The difference between these two settings is quite remarkable. Setting in real life conditions represents a road with infinite curvature (absolutely “flat”), in laboratory setting the tire is rolling on the drum with standard diameter of 120 cm. Diametric difference in a curvature between “flat” road and curved drum causes big difference in measured rolling resistance values, because the deformation at the contact point of the tire and drum is roughly double as compared to the road.
Tufo tires are constructed for real conditions use. The tire construction is very sensitive to the drum curvature (diameter 120 cm), on a “flat” road the tire works very well with minimum rolling resistance.
Unfortunately most of the rolling resistance tests are done in laboratory setting conditions which are not representing real road conditions.
Another major attribute influencing the rolling resistance is the tire pressure. Tufo tubular and tubular clincher tires, as compared to other brands, are constructed for very high inflation pressures, up to 220 psi. This fact is not taken into consideration and Tufo tires are tested with other tire brands at inflation pressures around 115 psi. It is necessary to mention that Tufo tires even at these low inflation pressures provide very low rolling resistance in real life settings. At inflation pressures closer to 220 psi, the rolling resistance is significantly lower.
High inflation pressure is preferable at sprints, acceleration, climbs…etc. At these high tire pressures the bike does not “float” but keeps nice straight track.
Tufo company is intensively researching the question of tire rolling resistance and this topic will be addressed in all it’s complexity on our official web site.
With best Regards Milan Simek Business Manager TUFO
Anyway, below is an email that I got from tufo regarding rolling resistance. It's from a marketing guy so I have to take it with a grain of salt but for your info:
The question about tire rolling resistance is rather complex and complicated one due to the different methods and conditions influencing the measurement of this factor.
Generally, there are two basic measuring models:
- in laboratory setting
- in real life setting
The difference between these two settings is quite remarkable. Setting in real life conditions represents a road with infinite curvature (absolutely “flat”), in laboratory setting the tire is rolling on the drum with standard diameter of 120 cm. Diametric difference in a curvature between “flat” road and curved drum causes big difference in measured rolling resistance values, because the deformation at the contact point of the tire and drum is roughly double as compared to the road.
Tufo tires are constructed for real conditions use. The tire construction is very sensitive to the drum curvature (diameter 120 cm), on a “flat” road the tire works very well with minimum rolling resistance.
Unfortunately most of the rolling resistance tests are done in laboratory setting conditions which are not representing real road conditions.
Another major attribute influencing the rolling resistance is the tire pressure. Tufo tubular and tubular clincher tires, as compared to other brands, are constructed for very high inflation pressures, up to 220 psi. This fact is not taken into consideration and Tufo tires are tested with other tire brands at inflation pressures around 115 psi. It is necessary to mention that Tufo tires even at these low inflation pressures provide very low rolling resistance in real life settings. At inflation pressures closer to 220 psi, the rolling resistance is significantly lower.
High inflation pressure is preferable at sprints, acceleration, climbs…etc. At these high tire pressures the bike does not “float” but keeps nice straight track.
Tufo company is intensively researching the question of tire rolling resistance and this topic will be addressed in all it’s complexity on our official web site.
With best Regards Milan Simek Business Manager TUFO