Date: Tue, 19 Apr 2005 16:59:52 -0400 From: "kohl57@starpower.net" <kohl57@starpower.net> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: Re: [CR] Tufo Tubulars
Thanks for the advice.. seems there is NO perfect tubular except if you're cycling with the TI Raleigh Team and have that BMW with mechanics following at all times.
My problem is I've had two cases of my Vittoria Rallys (ok they're cheap and cheerful) getting what I can best describe as a zit. It's a blister or pimple about the size of a pencil eraser in the middle of the tread. No instant flat but eventually it pops. First time it happened on my Raleigh Pro, it popped but oddly the tyre didn't go entirely flat and I could ride home on it. Yesterday evening on my PX-10 it was like a rifle shot (you know the kind of puncture that sends air up the back of your jersey) and that was it. Now, both of these tyres came from different sources one was 23 wide and other 21. Never had this happen before with these or other tubulars. Both occurred at about the same time. Odd! And annoying. I waited for the Peugeot BP Team Car and it never showed and I walked home. At least this was near the beginning not the end of my ride...
Peter Kohler Washington DC USA
Hi Peter: "Just three words, Benjamin: buy better tubulars...." I know I've said it before (as have others), but I'll say it again: those who buy only inexpensive tubulars "to save money" are really missing out on a great experience! Plus, it's such a job to properly mount tubulars that when I install one, I'd like to have it last as long as possible! A perfect tubular? A Campionato Del Mondo Seta or Paris-Roubaix Seta or Criterium Seta comes awfully close IMO. Vittoria CX setas, when they were still made in Italy, were most excellent too.... The current Veloflex tubulars are very nice from what I've heard (which makes sense, considering where they came from, and what they are). Dugast as well.... There's no such thing as a free lunch with tubulars (hmmm - can I copyright that? I kind of like the sound of it...). :-) Greg "like, totally tubular" Parker Ann Arbor, Michigan