best clincher tires?
following on the tubular thread...What tires are you using/liking for racing? I'm talking clincher here. Is anyone using latex tubes? Do you feel/think there is a difference?
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following on the tubular thread...What tires are you using/liking for racing? I'm talking clincher here. Is anyone using latex tubes? Do you feel/think there is a difference?
Comments
It depends....
Take a look at the link below:
http://www.biketechreview.com/tires...g_rev9.pdf
The lower the rolling resistance the faster. This will also show the advantage of using latex tubes. Keep in mind that the fastest tires are not the most puncture resistant so you need to balance the risk/reward and decide what you are willing to run.
Here are my personal favorities:
Other notes/considerations:
Luckily the guys over at biketechreview.com have done the work....
Here is their latest testing
http://www.biketechreview.com/tires_old/images/AFM_tire_testing_rev9.pdf
I do use Latex, I know there is a difference but I can't feel the difference.
I went with Bontrager Aerowing 19 TT on the front as it pairs nicely with the Zipp 808 rim. In the back, I use Bontrage Race X Lite. I believe the tire nerds have recently been talking about the R4 by Bontrager that rolls well as well.
Finding Latex tubes can be a challenge recently.
Edited to add: Don't forget to research the correct range of PSI to run in your tires. I'm running 100 in the front and 105 in the back. I "helped" a guy in my AG at DoorCounty with his disc last year. He held the pipe and I pumped. I asked what PSI he wanted "130" - YOU GOT IT BOSS
I'll guestamate that 95% of folks rolling out of T1 have way too much PSI
I eventually decided to go with the GP 4000 S
Great tire. I have used the Bontrager TT 19mm in the past when I had Hed H3's and I also used the Specialized Mondo S-Works Open Tubulars. The S-Works were real comfortable since they were so soft. Soft also means they don't last long.
For tubes I use the light butyl tubes. Kind of get the best of both worlds with the strength of the butyl tube and lightness of the latex.
I use the Michelin ProRace 3. I like how it feels, but I haven't compared it to a bunch of other tires like mancona has. It wears well. All of my flats in them have been due to either cuts in the sidewall (presumably from rocks given where/when they happened) or one time, I mysteriously got a small metal shard on the inside of one that took me about 4 flats before I found it...Still running that tire with no subsequent problems. :-)
@ Matt- how come they work fine on my rear but you only use it on the front? And more importantly, will I get an extra 1.37mph if I switch the rear tire?!
The old TT aerowing is 19mm and the new R4 aero is 22mm. The 19 will work just fine on your rear wheel. I used to use 23s front and rear and just last year switch to 19 or 20 up front. I haven't rode with a 19 in back yet but may try it this year if I'm still riding the current Zipp clinchers. People claim that 23s ride better and are less prone to flats but I don't have an opinion yet. I hoping to get my hands on some new carbon clinchers and if that is the case I will run either tangentes or R4s as those have wider rims.
So what does everyone like to train on?
Thanks,
http://www.amazon.com/Vittoria-Zaffiro-Pro-Tire-Clincher/dp/B001VVEK26/ref=pd_sim_dbs_sg_5
If you dig blue you can get the Pro II version for $22 each.
http://www.amazon.com/Vittoria-Zaffiro-Road-Folding-Clincher/dp/B001D3F58A/ref=pd_sim_sg_1
That may not mean much to those not using power, but I know how hard I work for 6 watts.
I completely agree, back in the first OS when I could gain 50 watts in 16 weeks, 6 watts was no big deal. Three years latter and I killing myself just to gain 15 watts over a full year.
That said, good tires cost maybe $20 more then training tires and latex tubes are about $15. I get a new pair of race tires every year and only race on them, they then become training tires or spares the next year.
Matt,
What's your feedback on the light butyl tubes vs latex?
Do you guys powder your tubes and tires before install?
The reason I run latex tubes is because of decreased rolling resistance not weight. I don't believe the light butyl tubes perform as wheel as far as rolling resistance but I'm not sure.
I train on Campy Vento G3 wheels with the Conti. Force/Attack wheel set. Those tires really suck. My first ride on them I didn't like them. I can feel way more resistance riding rollers with them than with something like Rubinos or CX's. I'll ride on them and use them inside untill they wear out and I'll be really happy. The Campy wheels are pretty heavy and have no bead well, so changing tires sometimes takes an act of God and a few tire tools that I pray don't break. But, hey, they roll and they look kinda cool. It's really me against the SRM and watts is watts! I just LOVE when I put on the race wheels-don't wan't to lose that WOW factor!
- For those of you like Matt who also use different tire sizes front/back, what do you do for spare tubes? Do you carry both sizes of tubes, or if only one size, which size?
- For spares, do you carry latex or butyl?
- What's the deal with supply on Michelin latex tubes? The Michelin latex 22/23 I can only find with a 60mm valve right now, and I think that's too long for the cutout in my wheelcover.
Carry butyle spares as they are more forgiving during the install process...you'll be under stress trying to do it fast.
I just picked up the Vittoria Latex tubes from CC. Might be an option for you, they have removable core
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/za/CCY?sort=priority+asc,score+desc&PAGE=SEARCH_SOLR_RESULTS&OPTION=SOLR_SEARCH_PRODUCT&q=latex&x=15&y=12
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I am highly paranoid of flatting during a race. As such, last year I used "training quality" tires for all my races - Bontrager Race X Lite "Hardcase". Regular tubes, too.
I think I'll do the same thing this year for my first 70.3, unless someone can convice me that there is a tire that is materially faster on my SRAM S80 rims and not any more prone to flatting. I have heard a lot of flatting stories about the Zipps and some others (although they won Kona, so you can't really argue with that).
As for latex tubes, the increased risk of pinch flats worries me, as does the fact that they lose air faster -- some races force bike check-in the night before and I typically ride with my tires very high pressure (just my preference).
I was thinking for some lower-stakes races this year of trying out some "fast" tires and latex tubes...maybe convince myself that my impression of the risk is overblown.
Latex Tubes are LESS prone to pinch flats.....I also bring a pumb to the race and pump up the morning of regardless.
Anything that will pentrate a tire will punture the tube regardless of material, so punctures butyle and latex are no different in that department.