Hi everyone! First post. My first set of tubulars will arrive on Wednesday and I’m currently researching tires. Basically, I’m looking for best balance of weight, rolling resistance, and puncture resistance. The Zipp Tangente, Vittoria Triathlon EVO CS have all caught my eye but I have also been told not to rule out the Corsa EVO CX. I know nothing about Tufo and Conti’s. I only rode Pro Race2 on my clinchers. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Come on man - just pop for the Dugast tires! I am a roadie at heart and ride the Corsa CX.
i think your first two suggestions are among the faster unless you spring for the dugasts but that will be expensive. Contis have great flat protection and tufos have bomb-proof flat protection.
Thanks for the replies so far!!! I just saw the post on the Tufo S3 lite for $49.95 @ biketiresdirect. Like the post said, pretty good bank for the buck. Any opinions?
I’ve had tufo’s on my road bikes (tubular and clinchers) for several years and now on my TT bike (tubular). I’ve been happy with them as far as ride and puncture resistance.
I would highly recommend either the Vittoria Evo Crono CS or the Veloflex Carbons. The Veloflex Records are about the fastest tested, but 20 mm only and “likely” more flat prone. Basically, you are looking for a hight tpi (threads per inch, like 290+) and latex innertube (vs. butyl used by Conti for example). I would highly suggest you look away from Tufo (as price and durability are their only virtues).
Check out: http://www.rouesartisanales.com/article-1503651.html for more info, as well as the biketechreview.com article on tires that was even more “complete” testing how old the glue was, clincher tires with latex vs. butyl tubes, etc.
Thanks rroof! The cronos look good. The question is at 170g would they be flat prone for a 170-175lb dude? I know when it comes to tires much of it is just plain luck and some has to do with just how you ride. I had really good luck with the pro race2 clinchers and hope to find a tubular that is just as good (of course I understand the ride will be much nicer). I can’t wait!!!
The ProRace2s are my favorite clincher as well - and clinchers are faster than tubulars (as I’m sure you have by now seen via multiple reviews). The only clinchers faster (i.e. lower Crr or narrower etc.) are MUCH more flat prone (like the Veloflex Record Clinchers which are paper thin and best for TT only).
I’ve done 30+ tris on tubulars (have now switched to clinchers) and I’ve only had 1 flat (on a Conti Sprinter no less - a very durable tubie), so yes, just luck. But, since you have to buy tires anyway, this is where a wise, careful decision makes sense (and don’t skimp much on $ here). I would honestly recommend the Vittoria EVO CS or Veloflex Carbons. I think the Veloflex ride nicer, but cost more. The EVO are slightly faster (barely). BTW, Veloflex are still hand made in Italy by the people who used to make Vittoria before the factory moved to Taiwan … If you are worried about flats (I would not be - but you seem to be), then the Crono might not be your best bet (but faster none the less). At least that should narrow it down to 3-4 tires out of the multitude! Oh, and the Zipp tangents are just rebadged Vittorias with dimples and a jacked up price 
BTW, Veloflex are still hand made in Italy by the people who used to make Vittoria before the factory moved to Taiwan … >>
Got anything to prove that? What’s your source?
BTW, Veloflex are still hand made in Italy by the people who used to make Vittoria before the factory moved to Taiwan … >>
Got anything to prove that? What’s your source?
LOL! Sure lots! Easiest is to just check out each companies website!
www.veloflextires.com and www.vittoria.com
Vittoria even has a lovely photo of their factory in Taiwan (Lion Tyres or whatever). Takes a little more digging to find out that some of the old Vittoria guys stayed in Italy to make the Veloflex tires (the ONLY handmade tires from Italy)
My kid has worn to replacement probably over 20 Vittoria Corsa EVO CXs with only one puncture (unfortunatelly in the State Championshio where he finished second). Even with this experience I still think that they have good puncture resistance. He has also used the Vittoria Crono EVO CS but it seems to me this tire would puncture much easier than the Corsa EVO CX.
I think that the Corsa EVO CX is the best all around tire.
Sergio
I agree with everyone regarding Vittoria. Not only do they have good puncture resistance but they have great feel as well. I have a set of 404s that have had the same Vittorias for two seasons of cycling and three of triathlon (and now the tread is finally starting to wear). For what its worth, I’ve used the front wheel of that 404 set on the track at 160ish+ psi but on the road I usually go with 130-140 for somewhat smooth roads. The tires have very high TPI which makes them less jarring at the high pressures. (note- no I don’t have ‘data’ to back that up, you’ll have to take my word for it!) 
Conti Competitions.
The lil rolling ball in the lab doesn’t seem to like them the best, but most of the pros do.
You must be talking about pro triathletes, NOT pro cyclists …
Both.
Friends don’t let friends ride Tufo’s (if they want to go fast…, possibly Tufo’s are comfortable and last a long time etc)
A pair of Tufo S3 Lites on Zipp 404’s where costing me over a minute in 16km TT’s until I realized where the problem was (as compared to low end Bontrager Aero wheelset with Bontrager X-Lite Pro clinchers…)
.
You’re scarring me dude…are the Tufos really that slow? the s3 lites are the only tubulars iv ever had on my 404s so really have nothing to compare to…damn!!! what make them so slow?
yes… see the following in wattage…
I certainly was not a believer even when I had the real on the road test results…
After a while, after you have eliminated every other explanation, then all you have left is Tufo’s are slow.
Would like to see, but must be a member first… Can you post it here?
It’s relatively painless to signup for wattage (signup only required so that spammers can’t get in…)
and that thread was fairly extensive (40 posts…)
As an added incentive, there was also a more recent thread that touched on the same issues…
and
which had close to 50 posts…