Price Paid:
$65.00
at Criterium USA, Somer Favorite Ride:
Hunterdon County, NJ Bike Setup:
1999 Litespeed Classic, Look LDS fork, Cinelli bar & stem, Turbomatic saddle, Dura Ace group, hand-built tubulars Summary:
My last 50,000 miles have been ridden exclusively on tubular tires. I've ridden Continental, Vittoria, Clement, Barum, and other brands as well as Veloflex. Probably, the only major brand of tubulars I haven't tried is TUFO. Still, I have to say that the Veloflex Roubaix is the sweetest-riding tire I have ever ridden. It's got the best of everything a sewup could offer: easy to mount (unlike Conti's which are damn near impossible to stretch on and ride harsh), high-thread-count cotton casing, supple latex inner tube, and a true 24mm diameter profile. The fatter cross-section gives it a larger contact patch for great grip, especially in the corners, and lower rolling resistance than a skinny tire at the same pressure. This tire soaks up road buzz like a sponge. It mates perfectly with a wider, 22 mm tubular rim like the Mavic Reflex. The Vittoria Pave EVO CG is the only other comparable 24mm tubular currently on the market, and they are heavier, flat just as easily, don't ride quite as lively, and have a goofy-looking green tread. The nly downside to the Veloflex tires is the price. They get flats like any other tire, and cost more than most other tubulars on the market because they are still handmade by Italian craftsmen in small batches, not in Bankok by slave labor. Strengths:
Unsurpassed ride quality, great traction and grip, easy to mount Weaknesses:
Pricey, not puncture-proof (no tire is) Similar Products Used:
Numerous tubulars by Contintal, Vittoria, Clement, Barum, others
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