Anyone tried this tire? What are the advantages of this vs. other Tufo’s for triathlons?
Does the sealant, used preventatively, significantly affect the performance, handling?
If I had it to do over again, I wouldn’t use the sealant. It goops up the valve mechanism and can make it stick open or closed. Before a recent race, I checked my spare tire (s3 lite) and it wouldn’t keep air. I took out the valve stem, cleaned it up and it worked fine. If you use the sealant, make sure you take a valve stem removal tool ($1) with you. I’ve heard that it does reduce the puncture factor though.
I never tried the Twix, but as I have posted before, I have been using the tubular clincher tires for some time, and am a big proponent of them and the sealant. I was reminded why I liked them so much when a guy on my Sunday ride had a blow out right in front of me. Really sucked for him.
I use the sealant before I need it. When putting it in, I find it is easier to remove the valves first. I have no problems with gummed up valves, and the tires hold pressure really well - Pump them up to 110 on Sunday, they are still at 95+ on Friday.
Yes, they are heavy compared to real tubulars, and yes, the goop adds 20 grams, but I see it as an insurance policy. It may cost me 15 seconds over 56 miles, but the odds of me having to take 5 minutes out to change a flat are greatly reduced. This is clearly a performance benefit to me. I don’t notice nay handling problems. The goop is not like slime, it really doesn’t settle like the slime does.
Ironstevie,
Did you remove the valves before putting in the sealant? Just curious, since your experience was so different from JohnA.
i have used the hicc ( high carbon content) tires and the s33 pro. in the last year i have had only one flat and that was probably because the tire was already showing cords on about a quarter of the tire.in fact i still have the first hicc tire i bought on the front.i bought that tire well over a year and a half ago and have put close to 3000 miles on it, and it shows very little wear on the tread. i cant vouch for the sealent though, because even though i use it as a flat preventative, i havent had a puncture with these tires yet.( the one flat i had was a quarter inch gash that would have been too big for the sealent anyway.) the one thing i think is nice is the fact that i can change this type of tire as quick as a tubular with the benefit of not having to take it easy in corners. the one tip that i can give you if you make the switch to this type of tire is to stretch them adequetly before putting them on, it will make your life a whole lot easier, especially the first time you mount them up.
I did remove the valves, it’s the only way to get the sealant in. All that said, I subsequently learned that most folks store wheels with the valve on the bottom, so that there is no sealant stored up in the valve (upside down when on the bottom/6 o’clock).
Removing the valve, cleaning the goop, reinstaling the valve etc…isn;t that much of a hassel, unless you have a deep wheel such that you have to remove the tire to remove the valve…
JohnA, I’m about to buy my first set of tubular-clinchers for racing this year. Do I need a stem removal tool? Do I need valve extenders? I’m running a Hed 3 front and Renn Disc. Thanks!
you might want to check out the “deluxe valve extenders” trisports.com has.
core is removed extender is inserted and then valve core is reinstalled into extender
works alot better that the plain hollow valve extender.
They come with o-rings to ensure a good seal. I added a bit of teflon tape to ensure no leakage.
Jim
Yes, you will need valve extenders, Tufo makes some good ones, like the ones available from Trisports that someone else mentioned. The standard valves are really short, I needed to use extenders in my Kysriums. If you buy the tufo valve extender kit from GloryCycles, it comes with everything you need - including a tiny valve tool.
I think you will be pretty happy with these. I can’t say enough about mine. I even did a little cyclocross through a construction site this AM on my way to work - the sidewalls on my Veloflex Pave’s would have been torn to shreds, but the tufo’s are spotless.