DRLski

So, I just got my first pair of tubulars, they're Vittoria Corsa Evo Tubular tires mounted on Zipp carbon wheels. I'm used to only having to fill up my clinchers every few days but I've noticed with the tubulars they seem to loose I'm guessing about 20psi per day. Is this normal? It does it with both tires, front and back. I'm using the zipp valve extenders, the kind with no valve core which I've also never used before so any suggestions on pumps that are good to use on these would be helpful as well.

Thanks,
Dave

Zef

Tubulars have a latex tube inside as opposed to a butyl tube that is most commonly run in clinchers. Latex tubes tend to lose air at a faster rate than butyl. I can't speak to what percent they lose their air in any specific period of time but I have been riding tubulars exclusively for many years and I check my tires before every ride. I don't specifically check what PSI they have in them I just grab the wheel and press down with my thumb on the top of the tire to make sure they are firm. If they do not feel firm enough I pump them up until they are firm (about 110 PSI +/-) There is no chance of a pinch flat with tubulars so if they are reasonably firm I just go out and ride.

-J

zacster

I fill all my tires every time I ride. Just keep the pump near the bikes and make it part of the routine.

Road Fan

It's hard to place a number on pressure loss. I'm pretty sure your Corsa Evos are butyl tubed. How fast they lose air has to do with tube wall thickness as well as type of rubber. I only use butyl, because I don't like to pump up tires every day. I have a set of Vittoria 32 mm cyclocross tubulars, that I run at 80 psi, that need to be puffed up about every other day. I also have 23 mm Vittoria Rallys (two sets) and 21 mm Yellow Jersey Servizio Corse, both sets not needing pumping sometimes for months.

So it varies quite a bit.

If you want a tire that might hold air very well for you and give a decent but not state of the art ride, try the Vittoria Rally in 23 mm. I suggest it above the cheaper and quite decent Yellow Jersey because it has Vittoria's Kevlar liner.

Road Fan

J T CUNNINGHAM

TUFO brand tubs go for weeks holding air; don't know about the clinchers, though they

should be the same.


Regards,
J T

cranky old road 

My Corsa Evos are sieves, I add air before every ride. The Continental Gatorskins and Sprinters hold air for a week. Although I got the largest width (21mm?), the Vittorias also seem to be smaller in radius than the Continentals and don't meet the Gigantex rims at the edges. I've had trouble with Continental base tape becoming detached when changing tires.

Ex Pres 

My EvoCX lose air pretty quickly, but ride great even at the 140psi that I've tried.

My Gommi Champs won't lose air, and suck above 105psi.

I prefer airing up the CXs each ride.

carpediemracing 

Tubulars lose air at whatever rate its tubes lose air. A latex tubed tubular loses air pretty quickly, a butyl one less so.

I don't know if your tubular has latex or butyl tubes, but it sounds like it has butyl ones. Latex would lose much more than 20 psi. My Evo CXs (latex) are basically flat within a few days.

However, regardless of tire type, I would double check (i.e. pump up with floor pump) each tire before each ride. This is probably one of the best preventative things you can do to prevent pinch flats.

cdr

extreme_ride

I must admit I love my tubular tires, the ride can not be compared to the clincher which I rode on for over 3 years. I currently ride on Veloflex Carbon and they need to be filled every day, which is a minor inconvinience when you compare all of the gains over a clincher. All you need to do is make a daily ritual of filling your tires. Cheers....

challaday

Mine too. I'll lose 20 psi in the rear tire during the course of a race. I start around 120 and end up a couple of hours later at 100.

Profoxcg

what is tubular?

Ex Pres 

https://sheldonbrown.com/gloss_tp-z.html#tubular

Profoxcg

thanks

urbanknight

Same as my clinchers... before every ride.

extreme_ride

I fill mine every day they lose approximately 10 to 20 psi, currently use 3 sets Veloflex Carbons on my Mavic Cosmic Ultimate, Bontrager XXX Light, and Campagnolo Hyperon Ultra 2. Don't have any problems with this I just make sure that I fill them every time I use them, which is something that should be done no matter what you are riding.

sideburnfatboy

I'd be tempted to check out the connection between the zipp valve extenders and your valve there. I tend to use an inch of white plumbing tape (also known as thread tape) on the connection to ensure as airtight a fit as possible.

I'd also suggest trying out some other valve extenders - the continental type ones that actually extend the valve stem - though not sure of their compatibility with Vittoria tubs - simply as the zipp ones can be a pain if you want to let the pressure out, or do things like put slime in !

Shimagnolo

The correct answer.

MGtrack

I fill all my tires, clinchers and tubs, before every ride.

MoneyBags

The best tubulars don't lose pressure at all: I check mine before every ride, but usually I have to let a little air out.

MGtrack

Hmmmm Brands and models please?

Your tires actually GAIN pressure while resting????

old and new

If you haven't bought a pump yet, get a Silca or another brand that exceeds 160 & has a guage. Astonishingly few pumps go higher than 160 & that's pushin' their limit. Each time you test, you lose air. Not a bad idea to have a pump next to the bike at all times, get in the habit. When I used Sprinter 250s and a type of Conti. trainer, a kind with the mesh, I would check/pump the tires daily but noticed only significant loss after a few days just like a fellow stated here. I'm not familiar with you model Vit. but I can vouch for Paves, both past and present. They virtually lost NO air .. EVER ! 115 is minimun, with the Vits. I got 'em WAY higher.

Gonzo Bob

I use Tufo tubulars. They are tubeless. I fill them at the beginning of the race season and then maybe top them off after a couple of months.

Grand Bois

My Tufo tubulars hold air better than any of my clinchers.

They're certainly not tubeless.

Al1943

+2