I just bought a pair of Zipps and need to get some tubulars for them. I have been looking at the Continental Competitions, but Tufo is about half of the price. Are the Tufo’s any good?
Tufo’s are pretty good, but they are non-repairable if you put a big cut in the tube. This is because they vulcanize the casing rather than using a separate tube. Small holes can be sealed with that slime-type stuff they sell.
The Continental Competition is arguably one of the best tires out there. It may not have the suppleness of a Dugast of Veloflex, but it should be a lot more durable. If you have the money, I’d say get the Competitions.
I think the TUFO tires are rounder and less lumpey around the presta valve then the contis. You got to get at least 3 so try them both. I have TUFO s S22 on now and like them for training. I don’t think I would use a repaired tire on race wheels . I don’t have a flat problem where I live so tires last a long time.
TUFO rules.
I’ve heard good things about the TOFU, but I put Conti Competitions on all three of my race wheels. It’s what my LBS recommended and they have yet to let me down.
Conti’s for me! You can also try the new ZIPP tubulars. My 909 set was happy and fast on them…
Conti Comps
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Go with the big one . The one with the big advertising budget. Get a $ 15. tire for $30. Conti tires are midddle of the road quality. Be like the crowd.
rant over Dirtball
I’ve ridden Vittoria Corsa CX, Conti Sprinter and Tufo S3 Lite. I am using the Tufos now because of the sealant. That is what sold me on the Tufos. They may not roll quite as well as the Contis or have the supple ride of the Corsas, but with the sealant there is a damn good chance I can finish a race without stopping to change tires. That is reason enough for me.
sweet
“I don’t think I would use a repaired tire on race wheels .”
Places like Tirealert replace the tube rather than just patch it. Once you do that you have a tire that is essentially as good as new. As for Continental cost, yes you are going to get ripped if you buy it from Colorado Cyclist. But CritUSA and the UK guys (Totalcycling, Probikekit, etc.) have good prices and better service.
The Tufo Elite Jet is the best tire I’ve ever used. 160gms, 440tpi, 220psi.
Nothing really comes close.
I quit the Conti’s when I grew weary of the biopace effect.
You can use Specialized Airlock sealant in any tubular tire and get the same effect (or better). I use it in Veloflex Criteriums and even made it 20 km home after putting a 1cm gash through the casing so bad the tube was pushing out. I heard that awful flat noise and kept waiting to hear the sound of rim on pavement but it never happened so I just kept going. I don’t know if it could work out that way again but it certainly handles smaller things great and doesn’t seem to alter the ride.
My favorite tires in order top to bottom:
Dugast, Veloflex, Conti comp (don’t like the base tape issues or roundness though), Vittoria, Conti Sprinter, and at the very bottom Tufo. If I was going to commute on tubulars I would use Tufo because they are bulletproof, but otherwise I hate the slow and uncomfortable ride.
For strictly tri use if you can’t afford either Dugast or Conti Comps I would recommend clinchers because rolling resistance will be lower (clinchers are always straight and round and have no glue hysteresis) and using airlock tubes you can go several years without a flat. I hate to say that because I recently went back to all tubular a couple years ago and really prefer the tubular ride, but the point is to go fast not be rico suave.
Tufo. Buy the Tufo’s. They rock. The Tufo sealant works well, I would put it in from go and not wait for a leak. I have been training on the C S-33 Special tubular clincher - I have pulled some major chunks of glass out of them, and only had one small leak as a result. Sealant fixed that right up. They hold air really well, too.
I will be racing on the Elites.
Bobo great and true answer. You got me to spew watter out my nose with that one. Biopace effect conti. 