Tufo Special S33

Price Paid:  $45.00 at biketiresdirect.com

Favorite Ride:
Too many!

Bike Setup:
C'Dale CAAD 4

Summary:
I have ridden these tires around 3K miles so far this summer and am a bit undecided as to a final verdict. The reasons I bought them were 1. to have a high-mileage tire that was still relatively light; 2. safety, as these have the same benefit as tubulars if you puncture; 3. to have a clincher that rides like a tubular.

Well, I'm convinced that the tire is great for high mileage. While I did have a rear puncture that couldn't be permanently fixed, I'm certain that it was caused by glass I couldn't avoid during a recent ride. I'm still riding on the other, and it shows few signs of wear unlike what I'm used to with Michelins and Contis I've ridden in the past.

Since I did pucture, I can attest to the safety aspect as well. After riding on regular clinchers on which it's typical to get squirly pretty quick after a flat, I felt almost stable with this flat. And I'll admit that the sealant fix was quick and easy. (I didn't put the sealant in upon installation for the simple reason that I wanted to try fixing it on the road should I ever get a flat.)

The ride of these tires compared to Michelin Pro Race and similar clinchers, however, is quite harsh. The PSI rating for these tires is 115 and up, and I have never gone above 120. From other reviews and what Tufo claims, these tires should have a supple, tubular ride quality, but I just haven't found that to be the case. In fact, they ride much like a set of thick, hard rubber Ritchy's I rode on last winter. I replaced my unrepairable Tufo with a Pro Race, and the ride is noticably more forgiving. Had I been running the Tufo's at 130+, then I wouldn't be so critical. But, to have this harsh ride at 115? I spoke to the Tufo folks, and they suggested that I try the S3 Lite for a more supple ride, but I'm not convinced.

Other issues: From my flat, I learned that major holes can't be fixed like they can with a regular clincher and tube. You don't have the option of plugging the hole with duct tape, dollar bill, etc. So, if the sealant won't fill the hole, you'd better have a spare tire which is quite a bit larger than a tube or two. The sealant works great and did work to fill the gap in my tire for about a week. However, the hole obviously continued to open during rides and the sealant sprayed all over by bike as I rode. Unlike a mtb tubless, I couldn't patch the Tufo which is disappointing as well, because the tire certainly had more life in it. In short, they are good tires but it's a toss up as far as whether or not they out perform regular clinchers all things considered.

Strengths:
High-mileage tire; More safe than a regular clincher when you flat; Easy and quick flat fixes assuming that the holes are very small

Weaknesses:
Harsh ride quality even at lowest recommended PSI; Need a new tire if puncture is bigger than the sealant can fill - can't patch like a mtb tubeless.

Similar Products Used:
Michelin Pro Race and Carbon, Continental GP 3000,

Price Paid:  $40.00

Favorite Ride:
anything that goes up

Bike Setup:
Lapierre FDJeux scandium team frame (2003), pedal force all carbon fork, d/a 7800 w/ profile carbon cranks (110), speedplay x/1 pedals, maxis carbon seatpost, forte seat w/ cutout, salsa bars, weyless stem, reynolds stratus dv wheels (yeah, the bike weighs about 14.5lbs, less if I can get the money for some zero gravity calipers!)

Summary:
I've been using both the s33 special clincher and tubular on different wheelsets. They rule! They are a bit heavier than a lightwt clincher/tube setup, BUT- no pinch flats, they handle like a dream, I've never gotten a flat w/ the clincher version, my only flat w/ the tubulars was a defect in the valve stem and tufo replaced it for free. I use the sealant when I mount the tires, and like I said, never a flat. I dont find mounting and removing them that difficult at all and the feel on the road is outstanding.
Like I said, they rule! Also like the tufo extreme tape for tubulars!

Strengths:
Durable, ease of use, reliable, cost efficient when considering durability and if you look around for the right price.

Weaknesses:
in the clincher, could we get something besides yellow sidewalls?

Similar Products Used:
panaracer, michelin, continental, veloflex, vittoria- none compare.

Price Paid:  $0.00 at LBS

Favorite Ride:
Blue Ridge Parkway

Bike Setup:
Aegis Victory, Record group, Neuvation M28 Aero wheels

Summary:
I swore by Michelin tires. And tubulars had a place close to my heart. Now I found Tufo Clincher Tubulars and my world is turned upside down. They do mount with no tools, all though the first time my finger tips were pretty sore. They hold air for weeks. Granted they are a little heavier than Michelin Pro Race Lights, but only a few grams when the rim strip and tube is added. The benefit is the ride quality. They accelerate like tubulars. They sound like tubulars. They go over road "stuff" like tubulars. I have over 600 miles on these tires with no sign of wear. I smile every ride because of these responsive, maintenance free tires.

Strengths:
Ride quality
Maintenance free
No tools or glue required

Weaknesses:
Small weight penalty

Similar Products Used:
Michelin Pro Race, Pro Race Light, Continental Sprinter 250 tubulars

Price Paid:  $85.00 at www.glorycycles.com

Favorite Ride:
Marietta Crit

Bike Setup:
Felt F75 with double 105 crank and Ultegra/Open Pro wheels.

Summary:
My main desires in a tire is cornering grip in wet conditions, cornering confidence is wet conditions, durability, and rolling resistance. These tires don't seem to roll as well as my previous Conti Sprinters, but they have shown to be more durable, easier to repair, and corner just as well. Any tire can hold a line in the dry, but the wet is what seperates the great tires from the scrap. Also, I got a flat on a ride 20 miles from home and fixed it in less that 2 minutes without even removing the tire. That tufo sealant junk works. whew! I can't believe that the previous reviewers complained about ride quality at 175psi. It's 175psi! It's supposed to feel like a rock.

Solid tire that won't hold you back in any condition. If I'd never ridden the Conti Comps, I'd have given it a 5 for everything. After 700 miles I just couldn't wait to review these tires.

Strengths:
Great in the corners wet or dry! Very durable and easy to mount. Designed to stay on the rim with or without air pressure. Super easy to fix a flat if you ever get one.

Weaknesses:
Get your bike really dirty. Going over sand or dust these tires pick it up and hold onto it until you scrub it off in the next corner.

Similar Products Used:
Conti Sport 1000s (great training tire, dry weather only though!), Conti Sprinters (2nd best old school tire next to the Conti Comp)

Price Paid:  $20.00 at eBay

Favorite Ride:
Along the Indian River

Bike Setup:
Colnago Master with a mix of Campy Record and Chorus components. Mavic OP rims.

Summary:
A mixed bag. A real bear, to say the least, to mount. I found that disappointing since ease of mounting was something I was looking for. Will take ridiculously high pressure (175psi) and still have a nice ride. The fact that I'm on the far side of 200# might take some harshness out though. No pinch flat possibility and they seem well made. 305tpi and no roundness problems. I like them but will probably switch to normal clinchers when they, finally, wear out.

Strengths:
Quality construction, high pressure and no danger of pinch flats.

Weaknesses:
Oh so hard to mount, even after pre-stretching.

Similar Products Used:
Conventional sew-ups and many types of clinchers