I am sure I will get some heckles on the clinchers but I haven’t converted to tubulars just yet.
That said, what are the fastest clincher tires out there? I currently use 700/23c if that matters.
Thanks!
some arguement here but these are near the top:
Veloflex, Vittoria Corsa, Michelin Pro Race Light
Kurt
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great question, i’d love to hear some debate and stats.
if we are to accept BTR’s statement “Roughly, the average rider power requirements on a course with a zero net elevation gain is broken down into 60% rider drag, 8% wheel drag, 8% frame drag, 12% rolling resistance .5% wheel inertia forces and 8% bike/rider inertia.” then rolling resistance is more important than wheel drag. why are we spending all this time and money on wheels while nobody seems to be adressing rolling resistance? why is the rolling resistance put after the frame and wheel drag in that statement? is it because tires sell for $50 and wheels for $1200?
what is the best tire?
what is the best air pressure for that tire?
what else can be done to reduce rolling resistance?
bb
Clinchers are, generally, faster than tubulars nowadays (lower rolling resistance). Someone published the results from a rolling resistance test performed by a German cycling magazine (I believe) a few weeks ago. Try doing a search.
The top clincher was a Vittoria Open Corsa CX, I think.
I’m a big fan of Vredestein tires. They have a really high max pressure and I’ve heard they are the clincher that feels closer to a tubular than any other, but I wouldn’t know about that
High max tire pressure is a rather insignificant quality, since above about 120 psi you’re actually increasing rolling resistance for all but perfectly smooth track surfaces.
Here’s the thread: http://forum.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=626610
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I’d have to say the Veloflex clinchers have to be very fast. Though I haven’t seen stats for them.
I really like the Veloflex clinchers and they do feel fast. So do their tubulars.
Even though I’m a clincher user, Michelin Pro Lites for TT’s, from what I’ve read a tubular can be ridden flat. I guess finishing vs speed is another factor in this equation.
Good point.
I love the Tufo clinchers. I went over 50 km/h on a downhill with them - fastest ever.
Thanks for the link to that other thread. That was good info.
Billb,
I don’t have any data to back this up, but I think the greatest component of rolling resistance is in the wheels, in the bearings specifically.
I’d guess, the resistance increases as you add weight.
Jim
“I love the Tufo clinchers. I went over 50 km/h on a downhill with them - fastest ever.”
Um … that’s only 31 mph. Are you trying to pull our chain? Most folks who ride regularly can wind it up and crank that out on a flat without much problem. I’m an old fart and I can wind out a sprint at 38 mph on just about any old tire. I regularly hit 45 to 50 mph on descents around where I live. I could go much faster but, frankly, my bike handling skills suck. I’m a big chicken. I’m sure there are plenty of folks on this group who have hit 60 mph or better (mph, not kph).
I’m not trying to slam you. Just offering some perspective. I don’t think you can draw much of a conclusion about your tires based on a 31 mph descent.
Bob C.
Thanks for the metric / american conversion. If you look through case history, I haven’t had a serious post in about 6 months. That 50km/h was on a tricycle.
"If you look through case history, I haven’t had a serious post in about 6 months. "
I’m very gullible. But I did hedge my bet and ask if you were pulling our chain.
Bob C.
This is a pic of me trying to break the sound barrier.
“I don’t have any data to back this up, but I think the greatest component of rolling resistance is in the wheels, in the bearings specifically.”
Then why speculate without any basis and add confusion. From “Bicycling Science 3rd Ed.”
“Therefore, the drag force due to the bearing friction of one wheel is in the neighborhood of (0.45/33) or 0.014 N. Clearly, negligible compared with the typical tire rolling resistance of 1-3 N.” p. 215
The Tour tests said the lowest rolling resistance came out for Deda Tre and Michelin Pro 2 Race. That said I think Deda’s come out on the thicker and heavier side, so for a race tire you’re probably better off on Michelins.