I have acquired zipp 400 front and rear zipp 900. This will be my first go around with tubulars. I am mainly racing long distance and don’t want to flat. I was wanting some opinions on the Vittoria Corso Exo 650 x 20. Does it hold up well or should I buy Tufo S3 lites or are there any other suggestions?
I don’t think this issue has anything to do with 650c other than availability of different types of tires. The corsas are fast with good flat protection and the tufos are slow with better flat protection.
Thanks that I just wanted some feedback that the Vittoria’s did have some flat protection. The main reason I picked these tired up where b/c you can’t find latex tubes for 650’s and the Corsa’s are the only ones I have found that have latex tubes.
Irrespective of whether you ride 650’s or 700’s, the Vittoria is amongst the best choice for low rolling resistance and relatively good flat protection. Tufo’s have much higher rolling resistance and not a good choice of tire IMO.
**you can’t find latex tubes for 650’s **
Well, I believed this for years, but then I made a startlingly simple discovery. Put just a tiny bit of air into a 700c latex tube … just enough so it’ll hold shape. Then take something like the rounded end of an allen wrench (the end used for getting at the bolt head from an angle) and tuck some of the tube in on itself. You only need to tuck in about 3 inches worth and you have a pretty nice little 650c latex tube. I try to do this as precisely opposite the valve stem as I can. Keep that little bit of air in the tube to help it keep its shape as you install it. This is always a good idea anyway as it helps keep the tube from getting pinched under the tire bead.
I have no idea if this kind of overlapping affects rolling resistance in any meaningful way and I’ve traded PMs with Al Morrison (AFM) about it. He’s not sure, either. I suspect it’s not ideal in that regard, but I also suspect it’s better than a standard butyl tube. Initially, I was concerned about how the tube would hold up to this, but I’ve been riding a set of wheels with latex tubes set up this way for about six weeks now. No issues. Rode 75 miles on them yesterday including some very hard, fast intervals. No issues and they seem very fast (I only say that subjectively … no data to substantiate).
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I’d also look at Continental Competitions. Don’t roll as fast as the Vittorias, but they have much better puncture protection.
**you can’t find latex tubes for 650’s **
Well, I believed this for years, but then I made a startlingly simple discovery. Put just a tiny bit of air into a 700c latex tube … just enough so it’ll hold air. Then take something like the rounded end of an allen wrench (the end used for getting at the bolt head from an angle) and tuck some of the tube in on itself. You only need to tuck in about 3 inches worth and you have a pretty nice little 650c latex tube. I try to do this as precisely opposite the valve stem as I can. Keep that little bit of air in the tube to help it keep its shape as you install it. This is always a good idea anyway as it helps keep the tube from getting pinched under the tire bead.
I have no idea if this kind of overlapping affects rolling resistance in any meaningful way and I’ve traded PMs with Al Morrison (AFM) about it. He’s not sure, either. I suspect it’s not ideal in that regard, but I also suspect it’s better than a standard butyl tube. Initially, I was concerned about how the tube would hold up to this, but I’ve been riding a set of wheels with latex tubes set up this way for about six weeks now. No issues. Rode 75 miles on them yesterday including some very hard, fast intervals. No issues and they seem very fast (I only say that subjectively … no data to substantiate).
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That’s pretty neat trick that I may try also. I still have my clinchers also (H3’s). I just loved them to much to sell them off. I got the tubular set for a great price. I actually did the Chattanooga waterfront with a clincher on the front and ran the tubular disc. I plan to run the tubulars at IMFL.
I run the 650x20 Vittoria’s on my Zipps and I’ve been very happy with them. Had some rough patches in yesterdays race and they held up great!
I have vittorias 650 on 3 sets of zipp 404 and my disc, like them very much
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Vittorias ride well but go flat quickly. Tufo’s are heavy and slow. Contis are in the middle and have good puncture protection
Interesting…I’m going to have to try that.
jaretj
**you can’t find latex tubes for 650’s **
Well, I believed this for years, but then I made a startlingly simple discovery. Put just a tiny bit of air into a 700c latex tube … just enough so it’ll hold shape. Then take something like the rounded end of an allen wrench (the end used for getting at the bolt head from an angle) and tuck some of the tube in on itself. You only need to tuck in about 3 inches worth and you have a pretty nice little 650c latex tube. I try to do this as precisely opposite the valve stem as I can. Keep that little bit of air in the tube to help it keep its shape as you install it. This is always a good idea anyway as it helps keep the tube from getting pinched under the tire bead.
I have no idea if this kind of overlapping affects rolling resistance in any meaningful way and I’ve traded PMs with Al Morrison (AFM) about it. He’s not sure, either. I suspect it’s not ideal in that regard, but I also suspect it’s better than a standard butyl tube. Initially, I was concerned about how the tube would hold up to this, but I’ve been riding a set of wheels with latex tubes set up this way for about six weeks now. No issues. Rode 75 miles on them yesterday including some very hard, fast intervals. No issues and they seem very fast (I only say that subjectively … no data to substantiate).
.
Expanding on this just a little bit. I got the tube to fit just fine, I’m wondering if I should just mark it and glue it just like that without cutting it like others have suggested.
jaretj