I have a set of team issue tubulars which had the new compound a while back. Cheap at the swap because there was a mixup and they were too fat for the team bikes. The grip is phenomenal. Faster? Maybe. Any good tubular is fast and these are silk. Durability? Can't tell you yet. The grip is noticeable at times when you would not expect anything to be happening but it is there. When pushed even a little just lots of security.