Not that youre actually buying them but…I have been reading all the ‘fastest tire’ threads and STILL am undecided. It seems as tire choice has too many variables for me to decide this early in my triathlon ‘career?’. I have a Shiv Tri with H3 front and Stinger FR Disc on the back…both tubular. It seems the Vittoria Corsa Evos, Conti 4000s II or Conti Supersonics may be the top 3 for fastes tires. So which tires and what size. The discomfort isnt an issue and its purely for speed. Not opposed to front and rear being different.
The consensus ST view would probably be:
H3 front - you 100% need to go narrow with this wheel when at the front, so 20mm Supersonics. (I don’t think GP4000s do a 20mm)
Disc rear - I’m less certain on this, but if your frame gives suitable of protection for the wheel, GP4000s 25mm for Crr and improved comfort thrown in a bonus. Little protection, GP4000s 23mm.
I believe the shiv frame gives little protection however, I have pretty big calves and thighs so I probably offer more protection for the rear wheel than my bike.
I’m pretty sure that the Conti GP4000SII will be available in a 20mm version. From the CRR data supplied by Conti it looks like a good option too. Therefore, if you are concerned about the resilience of the supersonic, this could provide a more reliable alternative for your H3 front.
Conti’s have butyl tubes and the Vittoria are latex (except for the Triathlon model which is butyl). Latex tubes are faster so I use the Corsa CX .
Al Morrison’s tube tests are on the last page here:
http://www.biketechreview.com/tires_old/images/AFM_tire_testing_rev9.pdf
Btw, I think the Conti Supersonic is only a clincher and you’re riding tubulars?
Ah, good point - I’d missed the bit about tubulars. In which case to the OP, please ignore my comments.
I would definitely go conti over vittoria. I used to ride vittoria tubulars when I first switch to tubulars. It was a pretty awful experience - the basically fell apart during a race after only training on them lightly.
I figured out last night that supersonics were clincher only. dang.
I’ve used both the Vittoria EVO CX and the Zipp Tangente tubulars and been happy with both. I think the Vittorias are faster. The Zipps last longer. Never flatted either. I do change the rear long before necessary - usually around the 600 mile mark. About 1000 on the front.
If you’re doing a full, I’d start with almost new tires - like one or two rides, just to make sure there are no defects.
Since the Contis are lacking latex tubes, I wouldn’t use them as race tires. They are great tires in terms of longevity and durability, though.
Almost forgot, I’ve started adding a little sealant when I install a new tubular.
i hope the Conti GP4000s comes in 20mm…I cant find it right now. I would like to use that in front for its Aero and Crr values then throw a Vittoria Corsa Evo on the back if I can find it wide enough 23-25mm(I think they make up to 23mm in that tire but not 25) I can use the Vittorias excellent Crr and my legs will protect any aero deficencies of that tire anyways.
the tubie 4000S don’t have great rolling resistance anyway.
i hope the Conti GP4000s comes in 20mm…I cant find it right now. I would like to use that in front for its Aero and Crr values then throw a Vittoria Corsa Evo on the back if I can find it wide enough 23-25mm(I think they make up to 23mm in that tire but not 25) I can use the Vittorias excellent Crr and my legs will protect any aero deficencies of that tire anyways.
I believe Tom A has tested the Shwalbe “ironman” as the fastest tubular, not sure about durability though. Any one tried them?
Maurice
ah…maybe I was understanding that they have ‘relatively’ good Crr combined with its aeroness…all the literature and graphs combined with the various tires do not bode well for an easy understanding with my lack of experience. Thats why I come here 
That is an interesting tire also…isnt it fairly new to the scene?
I had a set of Vittorias last year that came with my used H3’s…it was only my second year on bikes and in Tri in general…Those Vittorias did seem very fast along with the wheels…and I had no problem with comfort. But if theres something faster…i want it;)
ah…maybe I was understanding that they have ‘relatively’ good Crr combined with its aeroness…all the literature and graphs combined with the various tires do not bode well for an easy understanding with my lack of experience. Thats why I come here
I would also not assume that the tubular GP4000s have the same aero properties as the clincher version. Tubulars tend to have more of a circular cross section and not the elliptical cross section of the clincher GP 4000s. Also, the tubular contis do not have latex tubes, so that is an even further knock.
I throw the veloflex carbon in, comes with latex tubes.
Just tried em and felt good so far.
But never had probs with conti competition when it comes to durability.
I believe Tom A has tested the Shwalbe “ironman” as the fastest tubular, not sure about durability though. Any one tried them?
Maurice
I just glued up a pair on my race wheels, but have yet to get outside. I have a 10mi TT coming up in about a month, then a whole bunch of sprint/olympics all season long. I will be sure to report back on their performance.
If you are going to go Continental for your tubulars, then stick with Continental Competitions. Get a 20mm for the front, and 22 or 23mm for the rear.
Can’t go wrong with the Vittoria CX’s. I’d use a 20mm up front, 23mm on the back. The crr would certainly be higher on this tubular setup than on the Conti’s, but the durability would not be as good.
the clinchers do.
the crr on the tubies are not as good, and their aeroness is not really known.
ah…maybe I was understanding that they have ‘relatively’ good Crr combined with its aeroness…all the literature and graphs combined with the various tires do not bode well for an easy understanding with my lack of experience. Thats why I come here