favorite light tire/tube
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Kenda and specialized
I run kenda karma lites. They are labeled as 235 grams but they consistantly weigh about 20 grams less and specialized tubes which way about 90grams
I run kenda karma lites. They are labeled as 235 grams but they consistantly weigh about 20 grams less and specialized tubes which way about 90grams
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99 Posts
Same, But Different
Kenda Kaliente tires at 178-180 gr with a puncture belt and Specialized lightweight tubes.
I switched to Specialized tubes when Performance stopped making the LunarLight's with the short valves.
Michael
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Ride, rinse, repeat.
Kenda Kaliente tires at 178-180 gr with a puncture belt and Specialized lightweight tubes.
I switched to Specialized tubes when Performance stopped making the LunarLight's with the short valves.
Michael
---------------------------
Ride, rinse, repeat.
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2,302 Posts
I would not recommend latex tubes. Though very light they don't hold air pressure very well. I have used only the speciaized lightweight butyl tubes. No complaints. I don't have any recs for lightweight tires. I still have an older specialized turbo R and avocet criterium 30 slick that are brand new before I will purchase new tires. They are about 18 years old. I mostly ride tubulars.
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2,203 Posts
Tire wear and protction depends upon the conditions you find where you live and what you weigh. I ride either Veloflex Pave or Vittoria Diamante Pro Lights with Maxxis Flylight tubes and really don't flat much and get what I consider acceptable mileage from the combination. I usual get about 2,000 miles on the front and another 1,000 after I rotate it to the rear. This is great to me for a tube and tire combination that weights from 225 to 235 grams.b987654 said:
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I think that criticism of latex tubes is overblown. Yes, you have to top of the pressure before every ride, but don't you do that anyway with any tube? I usually pump up my tires to 120. With latex, the psi has dropped to 100 the next day, with butyl, about 110. BFD. I think the ride quality and light weight make up for the air loss.Friction_Shifter said:
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2,203 Posts
I've only used the Michelin Axial Pro Lights and found them to have the same supple ride.b987654 said:
Pave's/latex
I second patchito's post.
If you pump your tires up every time you ride (which you should), how much air the latex tubes lose is a non-issue. The ride with Pave's and latex tubes is so supple, so butter smooth, it is phenomenal.
I have ridden Rubino Pro's and they compare unfavorably to ProRaces and definitely worse than Pave's in almost all categories - grip, ride quality, rolling resistance, puncture resistance. I got about 500 more miles out of the Vittoria Rubino Pro's than I do out of the Veloflex tires, though. I get the same mileage (more or less) comparing Pave's to ProRace's. Still a no-brainer trade-off IMHO.
I second patchito's post.
If you pump your tires up every time you ride (which you should), how much air the latex tubes lose is a non-issue. The ride with Pave's and latex tubes is so supple, so butter smooth, it is phenomenal.
I have ridden Rubino Pro's and they compare unfavorably to ProRaces and definitely worse than Pave's in almost all categories - grip, ride quality, rolling resistance, puncture resistance. I got about 500 more miles out of the Vittoria Rubino Pro's than I do out of the Veloflex tires, though. I get the same mileage (more or less) comparing Pave's to ProRace's. Still a no-brainer trade-off IMHO.
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8 Posts
Anything lighter than these? (700x23)
Performance sells a 49g tube. Supersonics by Continental are 155g
Performance sells a 49g tube. Supersonics by Continental are 155g
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2,203 Posts
I find no real difference, both are excellent tires except the Vittorias are on a average about 20 grams lighter. I have yet to flat one of the Vittoria's although I'm still working on wearing out the first set so long term durability isn't something I'm total positive about but I'm approaching the 2,000 mile mark for the rear tire and with a tire that weighs between 178 to 183 grams that is acceptable. After it's bad I'll rotate the front to the rear and the new tire goes on the front. I would expect another 1,000 miles on the back and that's fine with me for the weight of the tire.stihl said:
I have used Veloflex Pave's (all black) for a couple of years - I'm on my last one! I have found that you can put more air pressure (recommended pressure is 7-8 bar, which is about 110-117 psi). They have a 300 tpi cotton, but the other tires in Veloflex clinchers have thread counts of 350 tpi! The Master (170 grams), the Corsa (150 grams), and the Record (130 grams). They are all 700X20. It's such a hassle to fit out-of-the-box Paves on wheels.
The only clincher tires that rival these are the Challenge Criterium (195 grams, 300 tpi, max psi 130, 700X23), Vittoria Open Corsa CX (230 grams, 290 tpi - kevlar/cotton, max psi 143, 700X23), and Deda RS Corsa (190-200 grams, 300 tpi, max psi 125, 700X23).
The only clincher tires that rival these are the Challenge Criterium (195 grams, 300 tpi, max psi 130, 700X23), Vittoria Open Corsa CX (230 grams, 290 tpi - kevlar/cotton, max psi 143, 700X23), and Deda RS Corsa (190-200 grams, 300 tpi, max psi 125, 700X23).
I think Supersonics are rated for over 500 miles (rear tire). Performance has a 49g tube, but it's virtually useless, you have to be very careful to put it on. Personally, I like Continental's Race Lite butyl tube (70g) or Specialized Race tube (it comes pre-talced) or Vittoria Latex tube (60g).
Continental says that their Supersonic is the lightest clincher tire known. I know that's NOT true - Veloflex Record (clincher 700X20) weighs 130 grams, plus it's 350tpi - if you have some clincher race wheels with a cassette, and pump them up on race day and deflate them after the race, However, Veloflex are pretty hard to put on wheels.
Continental says that their Supersonic is the lightest clincher tire known. I know that's NOT true - Veloflex Record (clincher 700X20) weighs 130 grams, plus it's 350tpi - if you have some clincher race wheels with a cassette, and pump them up on race day and deflate them after the race, However, Veloflex are pretty hard to put on wheels.
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987 Posts
I ride Veloflex paves (black) with the Michelins aswell
Only downside is that they tend to wear pretty quick.
flying said:These are my all around choices for clinchers
Michelin A1 Ultra Light Butyl Tube Light at 70 grams but durable as they are butyl.
tires when it comes to clinchers.......
Veloflex paves 180 grams
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Only downside is that they tend to wear pretty quick.
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