Re: [CR]Veloflex tire review

(Example: Framebuilders:Tony Beek)

Date: Sun, 01 Sep 2002 11:56:41 +0100
Subject: Re: [CR]Veloflex tire review
From: "Hilary.stone" <Hilary.stone@tesco.net>
To: "Jon M. Schaer" <jschaer@columbus.rr.com>, <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
In-Reply-To: <006101c25166$c6959100$dabcd018@columbus.rr.com>


When we tested Veloflex tyres for Cycling Plus magazine several years ago in roll down tests they were leaps ahead of any other wired-on tyres (clincher) and ahead of all but the best tubulars - at that time the best and lightest tubulars were Clement Crits with Veloflex tubs fairly close behind and some light Vittorias close behind again. In my experience of the earlier Velofles they are very fast and comfortable but a little prone to cutting and certainly wearing quite fast but I have not tried more recent ones. Certainly thye early ones wre quite a loose fit on most rims rather than a tignt one.

Hilary Stone, (London) Bristol

Jon Schaer wrote:
> I have been hearing some time about the superior qualities of Veloflex
> tires. Since I ride about 5-6 bikes with consistency, it takes me some time
> to go through a set of tires. I finally picked up a pair of clinchers to
> judge. Previously I have considered the Vittoria CX the best performing
> clincher tires (though sometimes the manufacturing quality seems lacking, at
> least in the TT models). The top Vredestein and Michelin clinchers, and the
> old Conti GP's, I'd rate a notch down. I like the Vittoria CX and Gommitalia
> Platinum sew-ups best.
>
> I have to say that so far I am enormously impressed with the Veloflex.
> Initially I was hesitant because of the sizing available. I run 175-180lbs
> and consider myself on the tipy-top end of acceptability for most 23c tires
> (the Michelins are generously fat). I have raced on some 20c clinchers, and
> although I liked the firm "feel" in hard cornering control-wise, they could
> be chattery, and always felt hard overall. The Veloflex Pave' is billed as
> 22c, and the Master as a 20c. So I picked a Master for the front and the
> Pave as a rear, but I expected to still find the ride just too hard.
>
> NOT SO! As others have said, these tires ride as close to a sew-up as a
> clincher probably can, and feel larger than they are. The Pave measured an
> honest 22mm, and the Master actually runs 21mm (both measured on 19.2mm FIR
> rims at rated pressure), though the master is rated 8/9 bar, vs the Pave at
> 7/8 bar. Both weighed about 160g.
>
> These are just incredible tires. Very smooth rolling and supple. Initially
> you're inclined to say they ride hard because so much of the road texture
> seems to come through. But simultaneously grittier textures and rough
> cold-patch just get absorbed. I only have 300-400 miles on them so far, but
> I'm all smiles at this point. Just did a hill ride today with some pretty
> hard cornering on descents. They had great control and definitely SOUNDED
> different. Most other clinchers kind of "growl" at speed through turns, like
> there's a lot of scuffing and shape distortion. The Veloflex were much
> quieter and secure feeling.
>
> We're close to entering tar and chip season here in Ohio, and between that
> and the fall rains that seem to wash a lot of crap on to the pavement, I'll
> hope to gain confidence in their durability. I normally would run away
> screaming if faced with riding tires of this size and weight. Had some lite
> gravel also on today's route, handled with no problem.
>
> One caveat; these were the hardest tires to mount I have ever experienced.
> VERY tight fit. I'll not look forward to having to repair my first puncture.
> Pricing seems to vary around the 'net, but these tires are worth even full
> pop. Save for my urban and off-season bikes and the occasional close-out
> sale, I can't see wanting to buy any other tire.