Racing Clinchers

goldencleric

Quick query for those in the know. I am due to start club racing this season and I'm wondering what the best clinchers for the job would be ... Conti GP4000 etc etc

Cheers all!

spyderski

Schwalbe Ultremo FTW

Diarmuid

I really like the GP4000S. They have really low rolling resistance and so far so good on the puncture resistance.

100Suns

Veloflex Corsa

CheGuedara

I've recently used Conti GP4000 & attack/force, Pro3 light, Fusion 3 tubeless and to be honest I've not seen/felt a lot of difference between the tyres*. For me they've all been good, soft grippy rubber, fast rolling and reliable in the rain and under braking. None seemed puncture prone at all either. Despite rolling resistance testing and the like I suspect that there's little real world difference between manufacturers high end tyres such as these.

That said I've Ultremos on their way from PX (they've a good sale on them right now) and though I'd be surprised if it happens, maybe they'll be a rung above the others.

*Actually not totally true - the fusions are a m*therf#cker like nothing I've seen before to get on but roll really really well once on the hoops and inflated.

Raam

GP 4000s for me.

Lumen

For The Weightweenies

levitronix

I used gator skins, GP4000's normal GP4000, mit pro race 3 and vitoria open corsa, only ones i did not like was the vitoria they ripped apart on me, never noticed any tyres feeling different, never had a good enough road surface to notice it

Most popular is the GP4000's and they re the cheapest 65.80 shipped for 2

kumate_champ07

anyone using latex inner tubes?

markdrayton

GP4000S. Roll well, last well, reasonably puncture resistant and as grippy as any other top clincher. Pro Race 3s not too bad but I found as they wear they develop tiny wrinkles (for want of a better word) and start to feel decidedly dicey in fast corners. They also cut easily. Others love them so it's horses for courses as usual.

pprendeville

levitronix wrote: »

I used gator skins, GP4000's normal GP4000, mit pro race 3 and vitoria open corsa, only ones i did not like was the vitoria they ripped apart on me, never noticed any tyres feeling different, never had a good enough road surface to notice it

Most popular is the GP4000's and they re the cheapest 65.80 shipped for 2

where you getting this price?

levitronix

bike24.de thats what i got mine for

Paul Kiernan

bike24.de are doing some great deals on Schwalbe tyres - durano s folding €15, ultremo aqua €20, ultremo r1 €21 .........

ajk24

http://s-tec-essence.eshop.t-online.de/epages/Store4_Shop38023.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/Shop38023/Categories/Parts/%22ROAD%20RACE%22/Reifen


gp4000s = €54/pair.

not sure how much shipping is. i got some with a set of wheels so shipping was €30. i imagine it would be much less for tyres on their own.

LCRC_BAX

Conti Attack / Force imo, you get a 24mm rear for added grip / comfort & 22mm front for extra speed! Ridden current pair for 600miles with no punctures, can be pricey though abt €80 a pair I think.

goldencleric

cheers for all the replies lads, have a lot to choose from it would appear but its handy to know where to start

murph226

Is the GP4000s a good tyre for commuting, if so could someone please recommend a decent innertube to go with them?

Also I still have standard 700x25 tyres on my defy2, I hope to fit a set of Aksiums shortly, should I go for 700x23 tyres?

Raam

murph226 wrote: »

Is the GP4000s a good tyre for commuting, if so could someone please recommend a decent innertube to go with them?

Also I still have standard 700x25 tyres on my defy2, I hope to fit a set of Aksiums shortly, should I go for 700x23 tyres?

I use the GP4000s for commuting. I buy the cheapest inner tubes I can find.
Buy 23s if you plan on racing on the bike.

murph226

Joining the local club shortly and hope to do a couple of sportives so 23's it is then!

Cheers Murph

markdrayton

murph226 wrote: »

Is the GP4000s a good tyre for commuting, if so could someone please recommend a decent innertube to go with them?

Also I still have standard 700x25 tyres on my defy2, I hope to fit a set of Aksiums shortly, should I go for 700x23 tyres?

Assuming you're only commuting a GP4000 is a bit of an extravagance. You might as well get something longer lasting and cheaper.

Inner tubes are inner tubes. Cheap ones are thick butyl (and maybe harder to puncture?) but heavier. Pricey ones are thinner butyl and slightly reduce rolling resistance. Very expensive ones are latex, save a watt or two and leak air so you have to keep pumping them up. On posh racing wheels I'd go for pricier butyl tubes (might as well save the few grams once you've stumped up for fancy wheels) but for knocking about go for the cheapest. All told I'd be hard pressed to tell one tube from another regardless of cost.

murph226

What kind of mileage would you get out of a set Mark, don't really mind the extra expense since I've gotten rid of my car.

That said, I could always hold onto my old wheels and fit something a bit harder wearing, any suggestions?

jdt101

kumate_champ07 wrote: »

anyone using latex inner tubes?

i use Conti Supersonic inner tubes with Veloflex Corsa 22's.:)

Murph100

Yup, I use Mich Aircomp with Veloflex Cora in the summer/autumn and with Vitt Open Pave in Winter & Spring.

They feel different/nicer ? to butyl tubes but not in a big way. I haven't punctured with them ever so maybe there's some truth in the puncture resistance rumour.

Latex tubes are not lightweight though, despite what they claim, Conti Supersonics are waaaaaay lighter.

Latex tubes lose about 10-15 psi every 24 hours so give 'em a top up everytime you use them, no big deal, most of us do it anyway.

Beware if you have to use Co2 to inflate them, you'll only get a few hours of ridable pressure and it will be completely flat in 24 hours.

kumate_champ07 wrote: »

anyone using latex inner tubes?

crashoveroid

Victoira CX best tyre there is for racing in Tub or Clincher but beware they dont have a great shelf life.

rob1891

Murph100 wrote: »

Yup, I use Mich Aircomp with Veloflex Cora in the summer/autumn and with Vitt Open Pave in Winter & Spring.

They feel different/nicer ? to butyl tubes but not in a big way. I haven't punctured with them ever so maybe there's some truth in the puncture resistance rumour.

Latex tubes are not lightweight though, despite what they claim, Conti Supersonics are waaaaaay lighter.

Latex tubes lose about 10-15 psi every 24 hours so give 'em a top up everytime you use them, no big deal, most of us do it anyway.

Beware if you have to use Co2 to inflate them, you'll only get a few hours of ridable pressure and it will be completely flat in 24 hours.

Try and source Vredestein latex inners, the short valve version is about 55g.

Actually, scratch that, don't try and source them, I've been looking for reasonably priced spares on ebay for the past 6 months :-/ Got mine more than a year ago from CRC or PBK and have not seen them anywhere since.

jdt101

crashoveroid wrote: »

Victoira CX best tyre there is for racing in Tub or Clincher but beware they dont have a great shelf life.

Veloflex tyres are made in Italy by former Vittoria staff. Vittoria tyres are now made in Taiwan/China.

I used the Veloflex Corsa's in the Lacey Cup yesterday for the first time and they are very good.

English Bob

Conti Gp four seasons 25mm for commute.
Conti Gp 4000s 23mm for training & racing. Tried Michelin pro 3s last year but never felt confident in wet.

goldencleric

jdt101 wrote: »

Veloflex tyres are made in Italy by former Vittoria staff. Vittoria tyres are now made in Taiwan/China.

I used the Veloflex Corsa's in the Lacey Cup yesterday for the first time and they are very good.

I just looked up those veloflex's and I'm impressed, not least by the gumwall on the masters (love that look).

They seem to come in 700x22 and 20, anyone any experience with 20s, complete madness to be racing on them?