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The summer bikes needs some new tyres and I am debating between the Veloflex Master or Vittoria Open Corsa. Is there much difference between to 2?
It's for my "best" road bike, so the 3 main factors are grip, fell and weight, though the tyre being available with a skinwall is non-negotiable. Durability and puncture resistance do not come into it for this bike. The 2 options seem similar in all factors so just wondered if there was anything I'm missing.
Having run both in tubular and clincher, I've not been able to justify the extra cost of the veloflexes. I buy them if they come up at a good price (check out xxcycle in France, they often have the veloflexes pretty cheap) but otherwise it's the corsas.
Edit, not sure from your op whether you want skinwall, but corsas are coloured rather than authentic gum. They're a weird yellow colour.
I really like the Veloflex... but the new Corsa Speed is tempting.
Corsa SCs for me. Veloflex are nice in the dry but as Bob says, not worth the extra. Also the Veloflex are no where near as grippy in the wet.
I've only ridden the tub versions but the clinchers have the same tread.
Never tried the Veloflex's but after using Challenge Critirium this year I'd be pushed to go back to Corsas. I've also tried Specialised Turbo tyres with gumwall and they felt lovely on the short ride I did.
Note, the Corsas and Critierium I use are tubs but with decent latex tubes I find opens are equal
Price wise, they're both much the same at the moment, Ribble are doing 2 25mm Masters at £55 ish which isn't too bad, the Corsa's are not dissimilar.
I'll have a look a the Spec and Challenge tyres too.
I've also tried Specialised Turbo tyres with gumwall and they felt lovely on the short ride I did.
They the Turbo Cotton ones? Quite fancy trying them too.
I had the Veloflex masters for a while in gumwall. Looked great, loads of grip, felt lovely.
I know you said reliability wasn't and issue but just for the record:
I think the rear tyre lasted less than 300 miles before multiple cuts (including a giant tear in the centre) killed it stone dead - and my ride.
Compared to modern design fast tyres they're durability is a whole order of magnitude worse - especially in the wet.
Oh, and they get dirty really easily and are very difficult to clean.
That said, against my better judgement I think I might buy some more. Because I never learn.
They the Turbo Cotton ones? Quite fancy trying them too.
Yep, with latex tubes and a decent width rim I reckon they were as good as it gets without going for mega bucks tubs!
Oh, and they get dirty really easily and are very difficult to clean.
Alu rims? Because they stay pretty clean on carbon.
^ ^ yeah, alu, plus road muck.