Which all-round tubs? Conti Competition??

madcarew wrote:

kev-s wrote:

Used to run Conti’s comps then changed to Vittoria Corsa G+

Both sets punctured within a year and they arent cheap to replace

Now run Vittoria Rally’s and not had a puncture in a year, also at £12 a tub they are cheap to replace

Punctures are mostly a lottery. I’ve not had any punctures on my tubs in 2000 km, but I’ve had probably ten on my training wheels in the same time. It’s really down to how many km you do on what kind of surface, with 80% of it made up by a lottery of blind luck. It’d be a rare tyre indeed for me that doesn’t puncture within a year of regular usage.

I ride tubs all year round and average 2500 miles a year (used to be more but baby takes up any spare time)

My point is expensive tubs are great till they puncture and you have to ethier learn how to repair them, send them away for repair or throw them in the bin and pay out £60+ for a new one

The Vittoria Rally’s at £12 each will just be thrown away when punctured, same as when i used to run Clinchers and when i got a puncture the tube went in the nearest bin and a new one fitted

Veloflex Roubaix.

Veloflex Roubaix.

Or Arenberg, if you don’t like tan sidewalls. But who doesn’t like tan sidewalls?

So I’ve been running Schwalbe

So I’ve been running Schwalbe this year. Its been nice.

Biggest thing though, is that I have been running them with tyre sealant. Both front and rear have punctured in that time, however I have been able to fix on both occasions with nothing more than a shake and rotation of the wheel.

This pleased me muchly. 

However, I also saw a review / test of the tubs, and they were apparently awful tyres in rolling resistance tests. 

They don’t feel as zingy as other tubs I’ve run.

so bascially I don’t know if I’d go there again, but the challenge is finding another good quality tub that uses butyl tubes rather than latex so I can run sealant. I am converted. 

Vittoria Corsa G+
Vittoria Corsa G+

Only have recent experience
Only have recent experience of Contintal Competitions and Vittoria Corsa G+. Personally unable to discern any differences in performance and both have good reviews from people who use a lot more tyres than I do.

Never had any punctures with either but the Continentals did pick up a few splits and tiny embedded sharps. I was generally happy with the Continentals but went with the Vittorias when they needed replacing because of the tan sidewall. I am happy to admit that at my level of performance aesthetic qualities influence purchase decisions.

From memory the Vittorias were easier to fit. They do loose pressure over the space of a few days.

General comment: Tubulars are definitely my favourite choice. They may be a bit of a black art to fit but no worse than tubeless or even a recalcitrant clincher. I run a set of Reynolds assault disc. Aero, rugged and relatively lightweight for what they are. I like the idea that the wheel rim has just 2 functions. Somewhere to glue the tyre to and being aerodynamic.

I use a conti comp 25mm on my

I use a conti comp 25mm on my carbon racer, they aren’t the raciest tyre but they are a brilliant all round solid tyre that won’t let you down. What were you on the 21s or the 23s?

Pressures are different front and rear, have a check on the Berto pressure chart, this will give you a rough starting point. I used the 55/45 weight distribution and your weight plus a 17lb bike and that’s coming out at 72rear and 58front for a 25 but you just use that as a starting point, you might want higher or lower.

As it happens I have a brand new pair of 25mm Conti comps I’m selling as I’ve gone to Veloflex 27mm though sticking to the conti on the front til it wears and then replacing with the wider tyre.