Veloflex carbon or Bontrager Race XXX Lite tubular?

Triathlon Forum
1

I was all ready to buy the Bontrager Race X Lite Pro Tubulars for this season, but procrastinated for too long, so they’ve been discontinued, bah.
They appear to have been replaced by the Race XXX Lite, but I’m a bit nervous about buying anything XXX Lite - seems the puncture resistance might be compromised.
Anyone have an opinion ?

2

Never been on the Bontrager, but I got north of 5000miles out of my Veloflex Carbons. I’m on my second pair and can think of no reason to go with another tire.

3

i vote for veloflex carbon.

4

Veloflex Carbon is a very fast and relayable tire. Used by many pro teams (rebadged as Hutchinson, Michelin…). Savier Duval used them in Giro Italy 2007, without any punctures for the entire team.

5

What was the source for the “RXL Pro tubular has been discontinued” statement ?? Nice tire that rolls very well. I’ve heard that they are out of stock (I have some on back order) but not that the model has been discontinued. I haven’t tested the Race XXX Lite but the VF Carbon tested out fairly well with respect to rolling resistance. Can’t comment on durability of the Bontrager but a friend has had very good luck using the Carbon - only one flat in more than 80 races. I managed to get ahold of one of the rebadged Hutchinsons used in the TOC last year and it did look very much like a Carbon. You might be giving up some rolling resistance but the VF tires are well made and the Carbon seems reliable.

6

Any chance you will be adding the VF Carbon’s to your next iteration of the Crr spreadsheet? Also, the new 320tpi Vittorias as well?

Thanks,
Ben

7

Any chance you will be adding the VF Carbon’s to your next iteration of the Crr spreadsheet? Also, the new 320tpi Vittorias as well?

Thanks,
Ben

The VF Carbon is there - 0.00312. The tire was glued onto a friend’s wheel by a mechanic in a bike shop - 3 coats on rim and one on tire with Conti glue IIRC. My impression is that the tread was fairly thick which may be the reason why it didn’t roll all that well and the tire is relatively durable ?? The sidewalls seemed very supple. Haven’t seen any of the new Vittorias yet ??

8

Ahh, thanks. It was so far down that I missed it. I have not seen the new Vittoria’s for sale yet, but I have not been looking hard. They announced them a while back, hopefully they will start shipping soon.

9

“What was the source for the “RXL Pro tubular has been discontinued” statement ??”

Trek website says ‘not available’ on the old link I have, and the tire isn’t listed on the main page of tires. I conclude it’s gone…

10

Go to your local trek dealer and have them order some, looks like they are still availible.

11

“What was the source for the “RXL Pro tubular has been discontinued” statement ??”

Trek website says ‘not available’ on the old link I have, and the tire isn’t listed on the main page of tires. I conclude it’s gone…

The RXL Pros are listed on the Bontrager website but “not currently available” when you try and order them online. Not sure why but I couldn’t find any tires at all listed on the Trek website after a short search. Seems hard to believe that they would discontinue the tire soon after the very good Crr tests “with proper gluing” were made public on the tire they supplied. I still have some on back order so hopefully they will be delivered in March.