Tubular tires (3)

Triathlon Forum
1

I am switching to tubulars for racing and want to know what brands/models are best for racing (with some training rides too.) Doing anything up to IM distances.

Also someone told that you can use SwissStop pads on BOTH tubular wheels as well as clinchers. Thoughts, comments?

Thanks

Trifilmer

2

I did a lot of research on this last year and decided to go with the Conti Comps. They aren’t the lightest or most aero but they are strong! I prefer using the Tufo Extreme tape but that’s another topic on its own! Feel free to PM me if you want specifics. If you search the topic of “tubulars” you will find a lot on here…

3

SURFINGSD named one of my favorite tires, the Continental Competition. I prefer the 22mm version as opposed to the 19mm version. I have recently been using the Continental Sprinter Gatorskin, a relatively heavy but extremely durable tubular tire that I have enough confidence in to race without any spares on my bike to save weight and improve aerodynamics.

I used the TUFOs for years including through all the rhetoric about their high rolling resistance- which I never entirely bought into even after reading all the web “tests”. I like the TUFO tires and had a few decent Ironmans on them- 2X Canada and once New Zealand.

If you go with the Conti’s- either model- you won’t be disappointed.

Now, about that tape… :wink:

4

I use the Conti 19mm version. Of course, I’m cursing myself when I say this, but they are damn near bulletproof. I just took off a set last weekend that I have hads on through 4 IMs, a bunch of Olympic races, and some dus, etc. I still think I have more miles on them, but I’ve been tempting fate for too long.

Very expensive, but they make a high quality product.

5

Another vote for the Continental Competitions. They seem to me to be a good balance of puncture resistance as well as low rolling resistance (though as Tom D. alludes to, I’m not putting much stock in all of the rolling resistance tests).

6

Um…what do the brake pads have to do with anything?

7

I think he’s referring to the aluminum braking surface on clinchers vs. the (usually) carbon braking surface on tubulars.