I’m a skin wall fan with black on the #9 only.

Jack Parker tub repairs

Which combination would look best on my particular bike? I’ve included the skinwall on the aluminum wheels and the black on the Boras here for some context.

Right now I have black Michelin Pro4 Comps (not pictured) on the Mavics for training duties. I’m considering getting some of the new anthracite/black Vittoria Corsas or Corsa Speed tires for the Boras and putting the skinwalls on the Mavics once all the old tires are cleared out.

@ChrisO

@gilly

Oh no! A feature on coloured tyres has reignited the clincher v tubs debate. I must be some kind of philistine. Try as I might, I genuinely could not feel the difference between latex and butyl tubes or tubs over clinchers, although in my defence the latter was riding a mate’s bike so there were other factors to consider. Is it just me? I’m feeling a little inadequate here.

No, I’m in the same camp when it comes to clinchers and tubs.

I’ve run Open Corsa clinchers with latex tubes on Enve 3.4s and now I’m running Corsa tubs on HED Stinger 6s, both on the same bike, and I really don’t think there’s much objective difference between them, at least not from the tyres.

However despite my lack of sensitivity in most wheel/tyre comparisons I absolutely can feel the difference between latex and butyl tubes in the Corsas. It’s not just the noise, it’s the way the tyre shapes and grips.

Maybe it wouldn’t be the same in other tyres – the Corsas are supposed to be just an open version of the tub so I guess it would make sense they felt best with the stuff that they were designed to have inside them.

With the nice wide rim you have, the tire doesn’t deform as much so I’m not surprised there’s little difference. For me the biggest difference was cornering on 23mm tires; the tubs don’t deform as much when you’re leaning it into the corner, so it handles better. I also noticed that they were more responsive climbing since the whole casing is one unit.

Question, though: are both the wheels using latex or does one have butyl?

True I am mainly using 25mm and the Enve and HED are both wide rims. Definitely latex in both tyres – unless I’ve had a puncture.

I usually carry a butyl tube as a spare, and some stick-on patches as an extra-spare. But I would only use the butyl to get home, then change to a new latex tube.

@Ron

Vittoria Corsa SCs with latex tubes on my Casati Laser. Oh man, riding on smooth roads with this bike is a joy. Oh wait, riding it at all is pretty damn fun.

Ooosh, I’m done. That’s such a beautiful bicycle.

That is a good looking bike. I especially like the way the threadless stem matches the classic frame. Well done!

Pretty good story behind the bike too. Guy bought it as a frameset and built it up, only to decide he wanted something faster, a carbon frame. I nabbed it at a severe discount. Took me a few years to finally make all the parts swaps (got it as a complete bike) and get it to the current state. Had these wheels built last year. Original owner had put mismatched Open Pros on it. Ugh.

The ride quality and fit are superb. Had the good fortune of meeting the Casati family/staff at the Handmade Bike Show the other year. They were very kind. I also like this bike because it isn’t that flashy and only true connoisseurs pick up on it’s subtle awesomeness. The hidden lugs and the internal seat post collar are particularly nice touches.

@fignons barber

A bike has to be awfully special when it’s coolness shows thru, it reaches out and grabs ya, in a photo posted on the inter webs. Never mind being seen in person. And that bike has it. I love it. Cheers.

… and… get this, so I’m taking one last look at the bike right before I’m about to post this when right now my daughter comes up behind me, takes a peak… “Whoa!” she says…”I want that bike…”

And the young lady has a special appreciation for cool bikes. She knows ’em when she sees them.

Thank you, Randy. That bike is my workhorse. I’ll race on the Canyon but do all my solo training miles on the Fignon bike. It probably has 20,000 miles on it now, rain/mud etc.  Last summer, the Canyon was broken in a crash, so for 2 months I raced on the Cyfac until I got the replacement. I have to admit I was a bit more attentive within the peloton.

@gilly

Oh no! A feature on coloured tyres has reignited the clincher v tubs debate. I must be some kind of philistine. Try as I might, I genuinely could not feel the difference between latex and butyl tubes or tubs over clinchers, although in my defence the latter was riding a mate’s bike so there were other factors to consider. Is it just me? I’m feeling a little inadequate here.

No, I’m in the same camp when it comes to clinchers and tubs.

I’ve run Open Corsa clinchers with latex tubes on Enve 3.4s and now I’m running Corsa tubs on HED Stinger 6s, both on the same bike, and I really don’t think there’s much objective difference between them, at least not from the tyres.

However despite my lack of sensitivity in most wheel/tyre comparisons I absolutely can feel the difference between latex and butyl tubes in the Corsas. It’s not just the noise, it’s the way the tyre shapes and grips.

Maybe it wouldn’t be the same in other tyres – the Corsas are supposed to be just an open version of the tub so I guess it would make sense they felt best with the stuff that they were designed to have inside them.

With the nice wide rim you have, the tire doesn’t deform as much so I’m not surprised there’s little difference. For me the biggest difference was cornering on 23mm tires; the tubs don’t deform as much when you’re leaning it into the corner, so it handles better. I also noticed that they were more responsive climbing since the whole casing is one unit.

Question, though: are both the wheels using latex or does one have butyl?

A bike has to be awfully special when it’s coolness shows thru, it reaches out and grabs ya, in a photo posted on the inter webs. Never mind being seen in person. And that bike has it. I love it. Cheers.

… and… get this, so I’m taking one last look at the bike right before I’m about to post this when right now my daughter comes up behind me, takes a peak… “Whoa!” she says…”I want that bike…”

And the young lady has a special appreciation for cool bikes. She knows ’em when she sees them.

@fignons barber

Wow…. Now that’s what I’d call a bike with a pedigree. Great Stuff!

@ErikdR

@Randy C

@fignons barber

WOW ! What a gorgeous bike in white. I love black bikes and the Canyon. But that Cyfac bike is brilliant. Is that an alloy bike or is it C ? It’s nice.

A Cyfac? Chances are it’s steel with a Carbon fork, methinks? But yes, very, very nice indeed.

No, it’s aluminium. Made by Francis Quillon. He built frames for Fignon, the Badger, even Chiappucci. He started Cyfac, but is now honorary president. When Fignon passed, I contacted him to build a Fignon tribute bike. We put our heads together, and came up with a design like the old Super U bike. Three weeks later, it was on my doorstep.

Wow!  Amazing.  Chapeau!

Whoops, just saw – Super-U, my bad. Very cool regardless.

Love it! A tribute to the Castorama-Raleigh, I presume M. Fignon’s barber?

Vittoria Corsa SCs with latex tubes on my Casati Laser. Oh man, riding on smooth roads with this bike is a joy. Oh wait, riding it at all is pretty damn fun.

Ooosh, I’m done. That’s such a beautiful bicycle.

@Teocalli

@fignons barber

It cleaned up nicely then.

They did look similar with both chains in the small ring…

Chain should always be in the small ring after ride. It deserves to relax, just like the rider. Respect the machine, and it will take care of you.

@Randy C

@fignons barber

WOW ! What a gorgeous bike in white. I love black bikes and the Canyon. But that Cyfac bike is brilliant. Is that an alloy bike or is it C ? It’s nice.

A Cyfac? Chances are it’s steel with a Carbon fork, methinks? But yes, very, very nice indeed.

No, it’s aluminium. Made by Francis Quillon. He built frames for Fignon, the Badger, even Chiappucci. He started Cyfac, but is now honorary president. When Fignon passed, I contacted him to build a Fignon tribute bike. We put our heads together, and came up with a design like the old Super U bike. Three weeks later, it was on my doorstep.

@ChrisO

Mind you there are times when I think all black works pretty well.

“All black” with a fair bit of white you mean? Lovely machine. Is that one of those Adamo saddles? How goes it? I remember having the cheapest, lightest saddle on my 80s TT bike. After a 50 I could barely walk or feel my bits.

I just meant the tyres, as opposed to ones with a sidewall and the black of the rims.

Although perversely I love the sidewalls on my HED Stinger 6s which are deep, but not quite as deep as the Cosmics.

Yes it is the Adamo saddle.Seems to work pretty well but I’m pretty easy on saddles.

IIRC we put it on there because the stubbiness also helps fit into UCI regulations, although I think I’ve probably changed it since then and would struggle to pass a strict test.

Mind you there are times when I think all black works pretty well.

“All black” with a fair bit of white you mean? Lovely machine. Is that one of those Adamo saddles? How goes it? I remember having the cheapest, lightest saddle on my 80s TT bike. After a 50 I could barely walk or feel my bits.

I was torn between that and the less subtle “Shit man, that thing was dirty”.

@Teocalli

@fignons barber

It cleaned up nicely then.

That’s the thing with these modern black bikes. You can’t tell if they’re dirty. I know it’s time to clean it when I spill so many drinks on it that I stick to the TT when I touch it.

Read @Teocalli‘s comment again, think, count to ten and then laugh. He did not say what you thought he said. (not giving away any more clues).

@fignons barber

It cleaned up nicely then.

This one almost choked me, still laughing. They did look similar with both chains in the small ring…

@fignons barber

WOW ! What a gorgeous bike in white. I love black bikes and the Canyon. But that Cyfac bike is brilliant. Is that an alloy bike or is it C ? It’s nice.

A Cyfac? Chances are it’s steel with a Carbon fork, methinks? But yes, very, very nice indeed.

@Teocalli

@RobSandy

Riding tan sidewall tyres, riding tubs and riding latex tubes are all still on my ‘I have never’ list. I recently crossed off ‘riding a carbon-framed bike’ from that list.

Are latex tubes faster?

Tan sidewalls are definitely faster………

I like em. But have never felt cool enough get away with them.

Bit like waistcoats.

The thing with both is that if you are old enough they look appropriate without having to feel cool!

@RobSandy

Riding tan sidewall tyres, riding tubs and riding latex tubes are all still on my ‘I have never’ list. I recently crossed off ‘riding a carbon-framed bike’ from that list.

Are latex tubes faster?

Tan sidewalls are definitely faster………

I like em. But have never felt cool enough get away with them.

Bit like waistcoats.

At the risk of posting something from RBR, have all y’all seen this? Glen Plake is stud.

http://www.roadbikereview.com/reviews/gallery-glen-plakes-mint-condition-gios-super-record

What a beauty!!!  So nice!

@Teocalli

@chris I was tempted to try the tubeless version but it’s only in 23mm at the moment or so it seems.

Tubeless?! That is a mountain bike thing. Wash your mouth out with acetate and sniff some fucking glue.

Well yeah.  The problem with them is that when you do puncture they are a real pain (literally) to get off.  The ride though is great with no tube.  I found that the tubeless tyres seemed all to be be made of rubber at the sticky end of the spectrum (tried them all) and so seemed to pick up the little gravel/flint shards we have here and so punctures and cuts seemed to be way more prevalent than I get running Pave and Corsa.  The sealant is way short of the marketing claims and only seals the tiniest of hosts at 80+ psi.  So while the ride on Schwalbe One was event better than Corsa with Latex the pain of the downside ended up being too much.

Though I did get some Orange Seal while I was in the States and may try putting a Schwalbe back on and see if it seals the collection of holes they have.

One thing I have found is that a clincher still seals pretty well and when I do puncture the rate of deflation seem to be slower with tubeless rims vs when I puncture on the bikes with standard rims.  I suspect this is because the air does not escape through spoke holes and around the rim.  Net I feel they are quite good on a safety angle even if I never run them tubeless again.

Riding tan sidewall tyres, riding tubs and riding latex tubes are all still on my ‘I have never’ list. I recently crossed off ‘riding a carbon-framed bike’ from that list.

Are latex tubes faster?

Tan sidewalls are definitely faster………

WOW ! What a gorgeous bike in white. I love black bikes and the Canyon. But that Cyfac bike is brilliant. Is that an alloy bike or is it C ? It’s nice.

Are latex tubes faster?

http://www.roadbikereview.com/reviews/gallery-glen-plakes-mint-condition-gios-super-record

@wiscot

Butyl tubes. When I rode the 175 kms Bear 100 gravel ride recently, we came across one of the most pitiful sights I’ve ever seen: A guy was riding latex tubes. He’d given his spares to a buddy (who was nowhere to be seen) and was trying to stuff as many dead, dry leaves into his front tire to give it some volume. He was 65 kms from home! He ended up getting a ride back as he punctured again. Me and my trusty companions were all on butyl and rode without a single puncture. But butyl v latex? I’m sure for many/most, it’s psychological, but as we all know, that counts for a lot.

That’s just stupidity. One, for giving his spares away and two, butyls are for spares. I can’t deny they have the advantage when it comes to being repairable.

As for puncture protection I think you were just lucky. I’ve found that the greater elasticity of the latex means they’re more resistant.

I have this experience as well with fewer punctures on the latex tubes.  But it was foolhardy to send spares up the road.

And while I can feel a significant difference between tubular and clinchers, some of that feel may result from the difference in the wheels too (Ambrosio Nemesis and Mavic Mach 2CD2s versus  C24s).  I have on a few occasions run latex in one wheel and butyl in the other and with the high tpi tires can definitely feel a difference in ride quality at a given pressure between the wheels.  This is consistent with lab tests as well.  Its a small difference, but within reason to be perceptible at 2-3%.

Which I think is interesting in contrast to the MTB when running tubeless versus tubes.  I can’t tell a difference in feel but I’m always mindful of pinch flats when running a tube.

@chris I was tempted to try the tubeless version but it’s only in 23mm at the moment or so it seems.

Tubeless?! That is a mountain bike thing. Wash your mouth out with acetate and sniff some fucking glue.

@fignons barber

It cleaned up nicely then.

That’s the thing with these modern black bikes. You can’t tell if they’re dirty. I know it’s time to clean it when I spill so many drinks on it that I stick to the TT when I touch it.

That said, cleaning them after a #9 ride blows, which is all the more reason to have a backup wheelset with all black tires.

Also, Vittoria Corsa 25s are noticeably wider than the 23s. Veloflex…I have a 23 on the rear, 25 on the front and  it sure as hell looks darn narrow. I’ll pull out the Verniers tonight.

It cleaned up nicely then.

Black on black works too.

My Canyon ULT CF SLX awaiting post-race bath.

I still haven’t quite got over the fact that Vittoria appear to have dropped the Pave from their line up. A sublime mix of aesthetics and tradition. I’ve got both the tubulars and open tubulars (not sure I’d be able to tell the difference if they were on similar rims and identical hubs).

Fortunately there still seem to be some about if you look around a bit. Like @ChrisO I’ve got some of the wonder material G+ corsa tubulars to try out but it doesn’t matter how tough they turn out to be, they’re not green.

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to afford FMBs to keep with the green.

The best thing is that the FMB Paris Roubaix “non-Pro” come in gum sidewall and “only” go for $110.  Yes, it is till a LOT for a single tub but it looks fantastic and beats the PR Pro price of $160.  I am going to run the “non-Pro” gumwall 27 on my new wheelset.  Cannot wait!

http://www.fmbtires.com/fmb_paris_roubaix.htm

About time I changed the winter Pave back to summer Corsa but will need some new as the old are pretty shot so will also go with the G+ Open.  Might also have to get a stock of Pave.  I was tempted to try the tubeless version but it’s only in 23mm at the moment or so it seems.

Fortunately there still seem to be some about if you look around a bit. Like @ChrisO I’ve got some of the wonder material G+ corsa tubulars to try out but it doesn’t matter how tough they turn out to be, they’re not green.

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to afford FMBs to keep with the green.

If I give away my last spare it’s on the basis that a) we stay together and b) if I puncture I’m having it back (though I do carry patches too).

@wiscot

Butyl tubes. When I rode the 175 kms Bear 100 gravel ride recently, we came across one of the most pitiful sights I’ve ever seen: A guy was riding latex tubes. He’d given his spares to a buddy (who was nowhere to be seen) and was trying to stuff as many dead, dry leaves into his front tire to give it some volume. He was 65 kms from home! He ended up getting a ride back as he punctured again. Me and my trusty companions were all on butyl and rode without a single puncture. But butyl v latex? I’m sure for many/most, it’s psychological, but as we all know, that counts for a lot.

That’s just stupidity. One, for giving his spares away and two, butyls are for spares. I can’t deny they have the advantage when it comes to being repairable.

As for puncture protection I think you were just lucky. I’ve found that the greater elasticity of the latex means they’re more resistant.

That’s what we thought. If there’s one time you want to be as reliable as possible, it’s on an a 175 kms, basically unsupported gravel ride through a remote forest. I rode my graveur twice the previous week to make sure everything was a-ok.

One of our guys gave him a patch and he had a pump. I like to think we got through with no punctures because we all rode good tires at the right pressure. I rode Kenda Happy Mediums (as recommended by Brett for the Heck of the North) at a low 50 psi. (I’m 6’1″ and in around 190 lbs). The issue was the inconsistency of the gravel: it went from hard pack and fast, to very soft sandy gravel, to really hard packed dirt. And throw in a few miles of asphalt too. Fantastic ride and really looking forward to the Hibernator 100 in the fall.

 

Butyl tubes. When I rode the 175 kms Bear 100 gravel ride recently, we came across one of the most pitiful sights I’ve ever seen: A guy was riding latex tubes. He’d given his spares to a buddy (who was nowhere to be seen) and was trying to stuff as many dead, dry leaves into his front tire to give it some volume. He was 65 kms from home! He ended up getting a ride back as he punctured again. Me and my trusty companions were all on butyl and rode without a single puncture. But butyl v latex? I’m sure for many/most, it’s psychological, but as we all know, that counts for a lot.

 

That’s just stupidity. One, for giving his spares away and two, butyls are for spares. I can’t deny they have the advantage when it comes to being repairable.

As for puncture protection I think you were just lucky. I’ve found that the greater elasticity of the latex means they’re more resistant.

@litvi

@EBruner

@Jay

Nothing wrong with clinchers. Just saying…

Or all that right either…

Except, on long rides, this: you can carry one, maybe two tubs with you. After that you’re ass out. Alternatively, you can carry a whole stack of patches, and one way or another, you’re gonna get home.

And plus, I always thought Vittoria really hit it out of the park with their open corsas. No, it’s not exactly the same, but it’s a damn fine training tire that provides very close to the same feel. This is important because it gives you one more way to train like you race; if you’re going to get used to reading the feel of clinchers through the corners of a screaming descent during training, you’ll be stuck figuring out the feedback from your tubs through the corners of a screaming descent during a race. At which point you may just find yourself wondering why you bothered to train at all.

Hey, I ride Vittoria open cross as well, and they are great. But I still love the sound and feel of sewups (tubs). They always put a big smile on my face listing to them spin up.

As for me? Currently running all-black tires on all machines. I used to race on tubs and they were great. (Clement Criteriums if I remember). If/when I punctured I’d send them away to some guy who advertized in the small ads at the back of Cycling Weekly to fix them. I wasn’t going to ruin a good tire by screwing with it myself.

Butyl tubes. When I rode the 175 kms Bear 100 gravel ride recently, we came across one of the most pitiful sights I’ve ever seen: A guy was riding latex tubes. He’d given his spares to a buddy (who was nowhere to be seen) and was trying to stuff as many dead, dry leaves into his front tire to give it some volume. He was 65 kms from home! He ended up getting a ride back as he punctured again. Me and my trusty companions were all on butyl and rode without a single puncture. But butyl v latex? I’m sure for many/most, it’s psychological, but as we all know, that counts for a lot.

Always pump before the ride. Back then front. How can you ride without a routine beforehand? We are not animals.

Just got some nice all-black Shimano R171s. Sweet looking and very nice. Go with everything.

Carry on.

 Sucks you have to pump up before each ride.

It’s called Cycling Foreplay, Mate!

Every steed needs a little love and attention before it is willing to give its best, right?

Okay, let’s be clear here. I ride in mostly clean and dry conditions. The bike stays petty clean on its own, even for a white bike.

Wet, dirty rides. The bike gets a bath before I do.

Try as I might, I genuinely could not feel the difference between latex and butyl tubes or tubs over clinchers, although in my defence the latter was riding a mate’s bike so there were other factors to consider. Is it just me? I’m feeling a little inadequate here.

But your Cycling Soul could feel the difference and THAT is what matters, no?  I mean, what is a Velominatus without a Soul?

This is heart of the matter around here.  Sure, you might not SENSE the difference but if you KNOW the difference in your Cycling Soul, you will FEEL faster and smoother, ergo you will BE Faster and Smoother.

@sthilzy

Sucks you have to pump up before each ride.

Such recklessness! Regardless of whether you’re using clinchers or tubs, latex or butyl doesn’t the pressure check and pump as necessary have its place in the pre-ride checklist?

To not let some air out and then pump the tyre back up to just so pressure (rear first, then front obviously) would risk all sort of unmentionable horrors in the same way that putting my right shoe on before my left or doing up the velcro straps before the ratchet would be courting disaster.

Most pre-ride pressure check, is to flick the tyre a couple of times and hear the “pinginess”. If it sounds crisp, off I go. If tyre flick sounds a little dull, pump em up!

Sucks you have to pump up before each ride.

Such recklessness! Regardless of whether you’re using clinchers or tubs, latex or butyl doesn’t the pressure check and pump as necessary have its place in the pre-ride checklist?

To not let some air out and then pump the tyre back up to just so pressure (rear first, then front obviously) would risk all sort of unmentionable horrors in the same way that putting my right shoe on before my left or doing up the velcro straps before the ratchet would be courting disaster.

No, you’re completely right. If there could be such a thing as a blind test I think almost everyone posting here would struggle to feel the difference between a tub and a top-end clincher on the road.

Oh no! A feature on coloured tyres has reignited the clincher v tubs debate. I must be some kind of philistine. Try as I might, I genuinely could not feel the difference between latex and butyl tubes or tubs over clinchers, although in my defence the latter was riding a mate’s bike so there were other factors to consider. Is it just me? I’m feeling a little inadequate here.

No, I’m in the same camp when it comes to clinchers and tubs.

I’ve run Open Corsa clinchers with latex tubes on Enve 3.4s and now I’m running Corsa tubs on HED Stinger 6s, both on the same bike, and I really don’t think there’s much objective difference between them, at least not from the tyres.

However despite my lack of sensitivity in most wheel/tyre comparisons I absolutely can feel the difference between latex and butyl tubes in the Corsas. It’s not just the noise, it’s the way the tyre shapes and grips.

Maybe it wouldn’t be the same in other tyres – the Corsas are supposed to be just an open version of the tub so I guess it would make sense they felt best with the stuff that they were designed to have inside them.

Oh no! A feature on coloured tyres has reignited the clincher v tubs debate. I must be some kind of philistine. Try as I might, I genuinely could not feel the difference between latex and butyl tubes or tubs over clinchers, although in my defence the latter was riding a mate’s bike so there were other factors to consider. Is it just me? I’m feeling a little inadequate here.

I’m running Latex tubes and was asked “what’s the diff?”

Latex is like a gym ball, butyl is like a balloon.

And there’s the nice hum on the road with latex. Sucks you have to pump up before each ride.

On a side note;

I reckon Adidas has missed a trick,they should have bought out a modern version of those black shoes The Prophet is rocking.A bit like the Giro Empires(which are ossum),money for old rope I reckon.

*I dunno but I think I can hear Frank screaming from here,,,,

Unless it is the same bike and same wheels (tub vs clincher model) then there are so many other factors to make it way too subjective.

Though I was surprised that I am pretty sure that I can tell the difference between latex and butyl inner tubes.  Though it could be autosuggestion and in a blind test I might not have a clue.

If nothing though, I am sure that latex tubes make a better hum on the road.  So that definitely makes them worth it.

@litvi

@EBruner

@Jay

Nothing wrong with clinchers. Just saying…

Or all that right either…

Except, on long rides, this: you can carry one, maybe two tubs with you. After that you’re ass out. Alternatively, you can carry a whole stack of patches, and one way or another, you’re gonna get home.

And plus, I always thought Vittoria really hit it out of the park with their open corsas. No, it’s not exactly the same, but it’s a damn fine training tire that provides very close to the same feel. This is important because it gives you one more way to train like you race; if you’re going to get used to reading the feel of clinchers through the corners of a screaming descent during training, you’ll be stuck figuring out the feedback from your tubs through the corners of a screaming descent during a race. At which point you may just find yourself wondering why you bothered to train at all.

Yes the Open Corsas are lovely, as long as they are used with latex. Put a butyl tube inside and you might as well be riding Gatorskins.

I’ve finally managed to get my hands on the new G+ tubs which are more of a creamy colour than the orange-tan of the old Corsas.

So now the problem is that I had to replace the front tyre and have slightly mismatched sidewalls. I know I should change the other one but it seems somewhat wasteful.

@EBruner

@Jay

Nothing wrong with clinchers. Just saying…

Or all that right either…

Except, on long rides, this: you can carry one, maybe two tubs with you. After that you’re ass out. Alternatively, you can carry a whole stack of patches, and one way or another, you’re gonna get home.

And plus, I always thought Vittoria really hit it out of the park with their open corsas.  No, it’s not exactly the same, but it’s a damn fine training tire that provides very close to the same feel.  This is important because it gives you one more way to train like you race; if you’re going to get used to reading the feel of clinchers through the corners of a screaming descent during training, you’ll be stuck figuring out the feedback from your tubs through the corners of a screaming descent during a race. At which point you may just find yourself wondering why you bothered to train at all.

@Jay

Nothing wrong with clinchers. Just saying…

Or all that right either…

Except, on long rides, this: you can carry one, maybe two tubs with you.  After that you’re ass out.  Alternatively, you can carry a whole stack of patches, and one way or another, you’re gonna get home.

@EBruner

The Redback disagrees…

any excuse to put another picture of her up, Veloflex Master 25s since you asked.

Yep, that works !!

The Redback disagrees…

any excuse to put another picture of her up, Veloflex Master 25s since you asked.

Nothing wrong with clinchers. Just saying…

Or all that right either…

Hear hear.

@Barracuda

Great to see Phil Liggett out of the commentary box and on the side of the road in the lead photo giving Sag’s some encouraging cliche’s.

But he probably would have called him Kwiatkowski without Phil there to correct him (unless that’s him on the other side blathering on about some Chateau).

Irony! “Paul” on the other side blathering… (Forgot my aricept)

Great to see Phil Liggett out of the commentary box and on the side of the road in the lead photo giving Sag’s some encouraging cliche’s.

But he probably would have called him Kwiatkowski without Phil there to correct him (unless that’s him on the other side blathering on about some Chateau).

And, frankly, the only reason that Pantani’s bike looks halfway decent is because they matched the paint shade to the tires.  It would look better in solid celeste and skinwalls.

Every day that Kruijswijk rode a solid celeste bike, with no pink bits, my heart rose a little bit and it made me pull for him a little bit harder.