rreffner

I'm converting from clincher to tubular! Feeling my front wheel wash out is getting old.

What tire do you all recommend for racing in the Bay Area?

Thanks!
Rich

campyman099

I know a bunch of people who race almost exclusively on file treads in the Bay Area.

Cynikal 

I'm running Tufo Flexus Primus this year.

flargle

I vote for an all-rounder like the Challenge Grifo. Or Fango front, Grifo back.

Cynikal 

I would also check with your local shop and see what they are racing. There is a significant difference between Central Valley races and Bay Area races.

rreffner

Thanks for the info! I'll chase those Challenges and Tufos down and have a look.

Having been a long time MTB'er, file treads seem intuitively like they'd roll great but be slippery in anything but hardpack. I realize that's an irrational fearof flying on my part, having never ridden them. But still, I likey lots of grip. Maybe I will throw some file treads into my clinchers and check them out...

rreffner

Sweet. I like this tread pattern. How do you like it so far?

Do you think these have any particular weak points?

Cynikal 

If you were talking to me then I'm sure about weaknesses quite yet. I've only done some mind training and one race but they were great for grass and some very loose dirt. I was running them at about 28 lbs in the front and 30 in the rear. Granted they are expensive, like almost $300 for the pair but they are light and supple.

rreffner

@Cynikal... Thanks! I was trying to direct that to you. I think I am going to go with the Flexus Primus. I weigh in at 170 so I'll try them at 30 and 35 for starters and go from there. Cheers!

hocker

Nobody's mentioned width, which is huge. I imagine Norcal is probably pretty similar to Colorado: bumpy, rocky, dusty, single track? If so I would go Primus or Fango in a 34mm. I will assume you are not an Elite, so you can go wide. The other option is a file tread, but I wouldn't go this route if you're only running one wheel set. You will be praying for sun. I'm running Grifo XS and Typhoons right now and I love the Grifo 90% of the time, but the other 10% is why I am going Primus for the rest of the year. I had Fango's last year and they hooked up way better than the Typhoon. I've actually been very disappointed with the Typhoons (same tread as the regular Grifo) so far as they just don't bite on our terrain. For the money I think Fango's are the best all around tire out there.

Cynikal 

^good point. I'm running 34's.