[Closed] Vee gravel tyres on Planet X

I have a set on my gravel bike from the last time Planet X stocked them and sold them off cheap. I have a 700x40 on the back and a 29x1.75 on the front. I managed to slit the front on a root on a canal towpath so had to use a tube until I could fit a tyre patch. Still has a bulge at that place now. I also find there is very little sidewall grip (as you might imagine) and have lost the front wheel on one occasion when riding out of a tractor rut. Something you wouldn't even think twice about doing with a MTB tyre. For the money though, they are fine. I will be buying another pair now they are back in stock. Thanks for pointing them out.

EDIT> Mine are both the Rail version. Not tried the CXV

Excellent, thank you. I'm definitely not expecting them to ride like MTB tyres, just after something a bit better (and bigger) than the Comps.

How big is the 700x40? About true to size?

I bought a pair of 40mm Rails several years ago when they were on CRC for a tenner.

They've been OK, quite hard wearing the tread is a sort of bastard file pattern, and although they're weren't labelled as being tubeless, I've run them tubeless on a couple of different rims quite happily.

Funnily enough though the other day I ordered a pair of 38mm Vittoria Trail Tech G+ to replace the Rails, from PX as they were on discount for a tenner each...

Tell us about the Trail Techs when you get a chance, I’ve been considering those.

Will do.

I bought a pair of the Rail Sports (650 x 47) but am returning them as the sidewalls leaked like a sieve despite being tubeless ready. Air and sealant just leaked from the join between the tread and sidewall in dozens of places on each tyre. It was as if the fibres has gone brittle as the sidewalls would make a cracking sound as they were inflated or pressed with a thumb. Very odd. Maybe old stock. Shame as they looked good and the tread pattern was exactly what I was after.

Huh, that's a shame. Pretty sure my old wheels are not tubeless compatible so I'll be running them with tubes anyway.

Just thought I'd update as I have received and fitted (but not yet ridden) the trail techs, I took a quick tread comparison photo:

Trail Tech on The right, Vee Rail in the middle and the Hutchinson Toro I'd just removed on the left.

My description of the rail as having a "bastard file" tread was frankly wrong, just looking at them, those are close space triangular knobs in my book, they were lighter than the trail techs and easier to get on a rim, so were the Hutchinsons. There's a lot more material and hence stiffness in the Victoria's carcass, I'm not looking forwards to taking them off in the future TBH... The vee rails are very hard wearing compared to the Hutchinsons, which I try to only use for the winter. The trail techs seem much softer...

I bought a pair of 40mm Rails several years ago when they were on CRC for a tenner.

They’ve been OK, quite hard wearing the tread is a sort of bastard file pattern, and although they’re weren’t labelled as being tubeless, I’ve run them tubeless on a couple of different rims quite happily.

Almost same as what i did except 29x1.75" on my 29er hardtail. I was actually pretty impressed for £10 an end....grip off-road was better than i hoped, went up tubeless but sufficient sidewall to support and they've lasted better than expected too

Yeah I have to say I bought those Vittorias primarily because they were cheap, also because they are Tubeless compatible which my Rails aren't, plus I was hoping buying a tyre that's listed as much pricier than the Rails would mean I was getting some major advantages. Apparently Graphene does some magic for wear and rolling performance?

I love the Hutchison Toros by the way, light, easy to fit, nice open tread pattern but the lack of a central rolling profile, the lower volume and the general softness of the rubber has caused me to designate them for use during the dank months only.
The Vee in that photo has done more miles I think, but the Toro is far more worn... The summer equivalent from Hutchinson was frankly too pricey when I had a hard wearing pair of Vee's and other tyres are available.

Right now part of me is thinking I should have saved the £20 and just thrown the Vees back on. But I'll reserve judgement until I've actually had a chance to ride these Trail Techs a bit.
For now the Vee Rail, especially now they are labelled as tubeless compatible and are the same purchase price on PX as supposedly posher vittoria tyres look like a good bet IMO.

I recently got a pair of Rail sports in 650x47mm. I've done a couple of rides and i'm pretty impressed with the ride and grip. I also really like the increase in zip of 650b over 700c.

I thought I was setting the tubeless up wrong as i'm fairly new to tubeless, but the rims are tubeless ready as are the tyres, but i've got a very similar sidewall issue mentioned above. The sidewall seems to crackle when you squeeze it, and there have been a number of holes in the sidewall. Most of these have sealed, but even after adding more sealant, the tyres a struggling to hold pressure overnight. It's a bit annoying as I want it tubeless and I like the tyres...

Thanks cookeea, that side by side pic is useful.

As I said, I’m still considering Trail Techs, so I’m interested in your observations.

@cookeaa - any more thoughts on the Trail Techs?

I ran them (vittoria) for around 6 months of commuting mainly on tarmac but with some mixed surfaces thrown in, also thrashed them round the fire roads of the local forest and all sorts. They're bloody brilliant at that, but utter shite in mud

I ran the Trail Techs for a short while. Very good for the PX price but the carcass is very stiff so so comfort is great even a low pressures. Changed to GravelKings SKs which are faster and more comfortable if slightly more fragile.
Would put the Trail Techs back on if I was doing mixed off-road and urban commute or touring.

@cookeaa – any more thoughts on the Trail Techs?

I've only ridden them a bit, in the dry. they really only work at relatively low pressures for me (30-35psi), I'm running them tubeless on 25mm internal rims and the side walls are pretty damn strong So I'm getting plenty of cushioning on rougher ground.

They roll well enough on tarmac, although I'm not generally in a hurry on this particular bike.

Being the E-bike intended version they are heavily reinforced and thus very heavy (~1kg+ for a 38mm tyre!).

Hopefully they'll be so robust that the weight is offset by longevity...

Just realised that I have Adventure Trails not Tech Trails. Same thread but half the weight.