Wider tubulars for comfort
10-07-12, 07:10 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Wider tubulars for comfort
At the moment I have Vittoria Rally Competition 21mm tubulars on my Sabatini but wonder if there is something wider, say 25mm or so that are not too expensive. I'm basically trying to find a tire that will give a more comfortable ride. I used Barum tires for many years starting in the late '70's and found them to be much better than the Vittorias - really not enjoying the harsher ride they produce. Definitely spoiled by the Soma 35mm clincher tires on my other bike!
Last edited by VintageRide; 10-07-12 at 07:13 PM.
10-07-12, 07:25 PM
#2
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I wish there was. Fatter tubulars are about the triple the price of the rallys. Vittoria used to make a x28 rally but they stopped.
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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
10-07-12, 07:29 PM
#3
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Challenge makes the Paris-Roubaix, at 27mm and the Grifo XS at 32. Tufo's Flexus Primus is IIRC 29mm. They're out there.
10-07-12, 07:45 PM
#5
Senior Member
Challenge Parigi Roubaix tubs at Velomine.
Very good price.
https://compare.ebay.com/like/2708120...Types&var=sbar
That beautiful Sabatini of yours is way too nice for an "average" tire. imho
Just make sure you have enough room in the stays.
10-07-12, 07:47 PM
#6
Senior Member
10-07-12, 11:28 PM
#8
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Thread Starter
Thank you everyone for your suggestions - I was leaning towards the Challenge tires given the very positive reviews I found. Just thought I would ask in case there were some options I was not aware of. One area never to skimp on I now realize rather painfully. Guess I will have to reduce the number of movies I have been buying on blu ray for awhile! I have at least 40mm between the forks and chain stays so clearance should not be an issue for 27mm tires. 200.00 for a pair of quality tires including shipping is really not too bad. I should be ashamed of myself for not using better - you can sure notice the lack of quality in the Vittorias.
Last edited by VintageRide; 10-07-12 at 11:39 PM.
10-08-12, 09:10 AM
#11
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Agree you're going to have to spend some $ if you want to enjoy real comfort and speed. I love FMB tires - around the same price as Dugast, maybe a little more. I love the Challenge P-R clinchers, but soured on their tubs after I got a pair that were so lumpy around the valve stem that I couldn't ride them. Probably a fluke, but then I tried FMB, and won't bother trying anything else.
10-13-12, 04:59 PM
#12
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I had a brief email exchange with someone at Vittoria USA and was told the rally will be available in a 25mm width after the first of the year. Not super wide but wider than a 23.
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
10-13-12, 05:32 PM
#13
Senior Member
Challenge is coming out with an even fatter fattie. The Eroica. 32 mm as I remember. Sound pretty neat, with fuller wrap on the tread layer for those gravel roads, etc. But I haven't seen them for sale anywhere.
27 is about right, though. I think I'm going to spring for a set of Parigi-R's for my new bike.
Anybody buy the black wall P-R's ?
27 is about right, though. I think I'm going to spring for a set of Parigi-R's for my new bike.
Anybody buy the black wall P-R's ?
10-13-12, 05:41 PM
#14
Senior Member
I've never gotten a truly round Challenge tubular, and I've had a half-dozen of them. Maybe I'm picky, but if I can feel the tire bumping on a smooth road, I'm not happy - and it's not like the Challenges are a bargain tire.
And I'm happy to hear about the possibility of 25mm Vittoria Rallys, but I can't recall ever having worn out one of the 23mm ones - they puncture very easily.
So the only fat, good quality tubulars I'm aware of are from FMB and Dugast. I've had fantastic results from both brands. They last a long time and rarely puncture, have an absolutely luxurious ride, and are fast as any tire available. But even at that, the cost is very hard to justify, for me anyway.
And I'm happy to hear about the possibility of 25mm Vittoria Rallys, but I can't recall ever having worn out one of the 23mm ones - they puncture very easily.
So the only fat, good quality tubulars I'm aware of are from FMB and Dugast. I've had fantastic results from both brands. They last a long time and rarely puncture, have an absolutely luxurious ride, and are fast as any tire available. But even at that, the cost is very hard to justify, for me anyway.
10-13-12, 06:00 PM
#15
Senior Member
At $220 a pair, the FMB's are steep. But I'm talking myself into it, slowly. I've been pleased with my Veloflex Roubaix's too. But their new in your face logos look awful.
Seems like any really good tire is gonna run about a hundred bucks.
Seems like any really good tire is gonna run about a hundred bucks.
Last edited by rootboy; 10-13-12 at 06:27 PM.
10-13-12, 07:21 PM
#16
Senior Member
I've had better luck with the Challenge PR tubs than the previous poster.
All of mine have come from Ribble or Velomine, if that makes any difference.
Smooth as silk.
I've also had good luck with Challenge Criteriums for that matter.
FMBs or Dugast?
Sure, why not. I just don't feel like like spending that kind of $$$ atm.
Rootboy, I like the new Veloflex logos. I think they look fine and the tires are outstanding.
All of mine have come from Ribble or Velomine, if that makes any difference.
Smooth as silk.
I've also had good luck with Challenge Criteriums for that matter.
FMBs or Dugast?
Sure, why not. I just don't feel like like spending that kind of $$$ atm.
Rootboy, I like the new Veloflex logos. I think they look fine and the tires are outstanding.
10-13-12, 07:48 PM
#17
likes to ride an old bike
Challenge is coming out with an even fatter fattie. The Eroica. 32 mm as I remember. Sound pretty neat, with fuller wrap on the tread layer for those gravel roads, etc. But I haven't seen them for sale anywhere.
27 is about right, though. I think I'm going to spring for a set of Parigi-R's for my new bike.
Anybody buy the black wall P-R's ?
27 is about right, though. I think I'm going to spring for a set of Parigi-R's for my new bike.
Anybody buy the black wall P-R's ?
I haven't bought the blackwell P-R's retail, but I got them from another C&V poster. They're pretty nice; just the same as my tanwall ones but different colored. :-P
Actually I was pooh-poohing the blackwall at first, but it's grown on me. Looks good with the silver/grey SKS fenders.
I think Velo Mine is the only source for them in the States.
Last edited by MrEss; 10-13-12 at 07:53 PM.
