Vittoria Open CX TT

Price Paid:  $22.00

Summary:
I got these tires at a blowout sale. They might be returns, so read the following with care.

These tires feel great on the road. It's difficult to quantify, but the bike feels noticably "stickier" and turning is more confidence inspiring.

However, something is seriously wrong with the diameter of the tires. They only fit onto one rim, that all other tires have a very difficult time mounting (Velocity Deep V). They fit vaguely loosely on this rim.

On *all* other rims that I use (Mavic Open Pro, MA2, CXP11), these tires do not fit at all. Mounting the tire and tube, and then pumping up the tube will immediately lead to a blowout. The tires are just too big diameter-wise to mount safely.

If I were to buy these tires again (but I wouldn't, they cost too much)I would only buy them from a shop with a good return policy.

Strengths:
Feel Excellent on the Road

Weaknesses:
Ludicrously Oversized
Expensive (usually)

Similar Products Used:
Michelin Axial Pro
Michelin Axial Carbon
Continental Ultra 2000

Price Paid:  $44.00 at www.ital-tecno.com

Favorite Ride:
Escarpment climb

Bike Setup:
Litespeed Blade w/Campy Record

Summary:
This review is for the new Vittoria EVO CX tires..these things are AMAZING!! My old Open Corsas road well, but these tires are far sturdier and have a much better tread. After about 3 months of riding (on Toronto roads!!) I have had nothing but great luck.

The guys at the mail order place were excellent, and the price is the best I have found.

Strengths:
Cornering, durability, looks, NEW BLACK SIDEWALL, long-distance comfort

Weaknesses:
None thus far

Similar Products Used:
Open Corsas, all Michelins, GP3000s

Price Paid:  $0.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
Any

Bike Setup:
Specialized Sirrus

Summary:
Excellent riding tire. Very stable and predictable cornering. Extremely prone to cuts. After about 1000 miles these tires have lots of cuts, slices, punctures. I ride city streets and have managed to avoid lots of flats by using Mr. Tuffy tire liners. Still, I wonder how long these tires will last with all the slices. Maybe 1000 miles is not bad for a road tire.

Strengths:
Great handling

Weaknesses:
Prone to cuts
Pricey!

Similar Products Used:
Axial Pros

Price Paid:  $40.00 at totalcycling.com

Favorite Ride:
tour of the Calif. Alps (DR

Bike Setup:
Della Santa/Dura Ace; Ron Cooper/Dura Ace

Summary:
I used to ride tubulars all the time (clement criteriums and vittoria CX/CG) and searched for a clincher that yielded the same smooth ride and let me tell you, this is it! At least it comes closer than anything else. I have experienced no problems that I wouldn't have with another brand of tire. I rode in the rain for four hours this past spring and came across a guy with axials who had had two flats in the same amount of time. I had none. Better yet, I pulled out two pieces of embedded glass after the ride that did not penetrate the kevlar belt! I'm rarely the guy who gets flats though-now I just jinxed myself ;-).

Strengths:
Ride: cornering, suppleness

Weaknesses:
price in the US, and wear

Similar Products Used:
vredestein, continental

Price Paid:  $35.00 at worldclasscycles.com

Favorite Ride:
anything hilly

Bike Setup:
Cannondale R3000SI

Summary:
After riding Conti's for several seasons I tried the Vittoria's. They are without a doubt the best handling and riding clincher out there. HOWEVER, I have gone through 4 tires (thankfully at the price listed above!)in 4000 miles with over 12 flats. Halfway through the season I still stood behind the ride vs. the proneness to flats. After flatting 5 miles out today on the smallest piece of glass, I give up. Back to Conti's. Too bad.

Strengths:
ride quality- "suppleness"
handling in corners
rolling resistance

Weaknesses:
flats, flats, flats- takes all the joy out of the great ride

Similar Products Used:
Michelin Axial Pro's, Conti Grand Prix's and GP3000's.