Tubie pilots: Best mix of speed and puncture resistance

Triathlon Forum
1

I realize there are trade offs going for the ultimate aero/light weight tubular when it comes to longevity/puncture resistance.

Would be interested to know who has found a nice happy medium between a tubie that isn’t a pig, but still has nice speed attributes. Not looking for a manufacturer’s marketing department agenda of wind tunnel data and scientific experiments, but REAL WORLD experience on the road.

Thanks!

2

I’ve used the Tangente on the rear with good longevity and no flats in 2000 miles. One tire only though. I’ve also used Continental podiums and had even better longevity, but I’m not sure about their rolling resistance. I’ve had Vittoria EVO TTs and gotten less than 100 miles out of them. Veloflex Records yielded about 600 miles on the front wheel.

I have some EVO CS IIs on the way and will let you know how they hold up.

3

Ride most anything you can get your hands on for training and any number of good suggestions given here for racing.

I currently am riding Clement Crits on my training wheels and have absolutely no complaints for the $$ I spent.

4

I wish my trainers were not clinchers, but found a smoking deal on some OpenPro’s and couldn’t pass up a set of bombers. I would do it in 2 seconds if I could find some equivalent OpenPro’s in tubie. I rode tubies exclusively back in the day…many moons ago:/

Now that my new race hoop is a tubie I want to go tubie all around, but until my OpenPro’s find a new home it’s clincher/tubie hybrid.

If anyone has a set of bomber training hoops on tubies who wants to trade for some OpenPro’s in near perfect condition please let me know(on 6600 hubs)

5

Me, too, on tubies (called 'em “sew-ups”) from back in the day. Clinchers for all training and crits now. Tubies for TTs.

Take a look at the Williams Cyclocross wheels. Not light, but look very strong, excellent price. A couple of guys I ride with use them for training. Here’s the link:

http://www.williamscycling.com/williams/cyclocross/cyclocross.html

6

I have the Conti GP4000 tubulars on my ZIPP race wheels (606 and 909 sets). Not the fastest/lightest but offer very good flat protection, which from a potential time gained (speed) vs. time lost (flat) standpoint is more valuable to me.

7

i’ve heard lots of good things about conti comps.
my glue is drying as we speak…so i can’t really attest to them yet.

but no matter what you decide, don’t forget to look at uk-based sites for laughable prices.

8

I ran the Comp GP’s years ago…the 19mm that went to 180 psi…uh I was a wee bit lighter back then too by a meager 40 lbs:/ Oh did I just say meager? 140…180…what’s the big deal!?

I was leaning towards Conti simply b/c of my history with them, but am eager to hear how some of you like them too since I will be going with newer Conti makes.

9

I had never thought of looking at CX wheels. Those are actually sharp looking hoops and seem to be built for bombing runs! Def going to look into those. Thanks!