Veloflex Corsa Tyres

furiousox

I recently changed my butyl tubes to latex and find my Michelin Pro4s are rolling a lot better.
Someone here (Idleater) recommended switching to veloflex tyres to improve the ride still further.
I know they're supposed to be like tubulars and are not very hard wearing.
Just wondering what they're like for grip (especially in the wet)
I've used Vittoria Open Corsas before which is an almost identical tyre.
Superfast in the dry but did not like them on a wet road at all.
Thinking of trying a pair of 25mm veloflex corsas.

pprendeville

Yes latex tubes make a huge difference for me as well. Especially on Irish roads as they're so rough and bumpy. The Corsas are my racing tire of choice and with a latex tube I side are savage. I found them very grippy but haven't used them in the wet. Usually use the GP4000s. TheCorsas wear quote well for a racing tire I find.

bcmf

Never had a problem with the corsa in the wet but I haven't tried the veloflex YET but would consider them a racing tyre.Too expensive when buying new to be hacking around on.

Idleater

I don't find them bad in the wet. The cheapest place I found them before was bike jedi €25 though I was ordering other stuff too that made the postage bearable.

ford2600

Slightly off topic just one quick query on latex tubes; are they suitable for racing only?

On long audax rides are you likely to lose pressure and increase risk of pinch flats?

I've no problem checking pressure before each ride but mid ride is a deal breaker....

AstraMonti

Veloflex are amazing but I 'd say keep them as a racing tyre, they are too fragile for everyday.

They don't lose pressure that easily ford2600, unless you re doing a 3day audax with no pumps in sight then you 're fine.

ford2600

AstraMonti wrote: »

Veloflex are amazing but I 'd say keep them as a racing tyre, they are too fragile for everyday.

They don't lose pressure that easily ford2600, unless you re doing a 3day audax with no pumps in sight then you 're fine.

I will be doing a 4 day but will have access to a track pump each day so might give them a go. Will try beforehand

MB200 will be first latex spin so

furiousox

Not sure whether to go for 23s or 25s?
Is the sizing accurate on them? (ie a 23mm isn't 21mm or 22mm in reality)

AstraMonti

23mm is in reallity closer to 22, go for 25s.

Idleater

AstraMonti wrote: »

23mm is in reallity closer to 22, go for 25s.

I run the 25 on 21mm wide rims. Oh and tan sidewalls rule!

Briando

Take some care when installing the latex tubes, they pinch very easy and will blow out if the tube is caught under the tire and frighten the sh1te out of you while you pump.

Definitely put some air in the tube to give it some shape so there is less change of it getting stuck under the tyre bead, I saw a utube video of some guy using talcum powder to on the tube so that its less sticky(for lack of a better word) and harder to pinch.

Anybody know what the life time of a latex tube is? I've had one in my front wheel for 2 years and wondering should I maybe change it now as it is probably after drying out a bit over that time as latex can do that.

bcmf

Briando wrote: »

Anybody know what the life time of a latex tube is? I've had one in my front wheel for 2 years and wondering should I maybe change it now as it is probably after drying out a bit over that time as latex can do that.

Ride them till they either explode when pumping to 120 or till they are not holding pressure for any amount if time.

furiousox

Fitted two 25mm Veloflex Corsas earlier.
They are SO tight, first one took me about 20 mins, second one about 7 mins but jeez they are the most awkward tyre I've ever fitted.
Left me with sore fingers and one pinch flat (impossible to fit without using tyre levers)
Hope they are worth it, should get out for a test spin tomorrow although the forecast isn't good.
If I get a puncture I'm just going to stand on the hard shoulder holding the wheel in the air and wait for a lost Giro support vehicle, will be quicker than trying to replace the tube myself! :pac:

flying11

Apologies for digging up an old thread but i was just wondering, how are you getting on with the Veloflex corsa tyres?

I am looking for a new set of tyres and cant decide between Veloflex Corsa, GP4000sII or Michelin Pro 4's. I will be using them for a mix of training, sportives and club league races

Any feedback/advice on the above would be greatly appreciated.

AstraMonti

I assume you are looking for the clinchers one right? They are great, but not for training, they wear out too fast and they are a bit too fragile. On the other hand the tubs are super strong for such a great tyre.

flying11

AstraMonti wrote: »

I assume you are looking for the clinchers one right? They are great, but not for training, they wear out too fast and they are a bit too fragile. On the other hand the tubs are super strong for such a great tyre.

Thanks for the reply.
Ya clinchers for me.

What do you think would be best for me so - GP4000sII or are there any other tyres that would suit?
Need them to be relatively fast (for the racing) yet still somewhat durable (for training + sportives)

pprendeville

Can't go wrong GP4000s for the best of both worlds.

furiousox

I find them (veloflex) good but they do seem to wear out quite fast.
The Michelin Pro4 is a great tyre and I'll probably go back to them because they do last longer, roll just as well and I feel slightly more confident on them in the wet.
Whatever tyre you go with, latex tubes are a must, having changed to them I wouldn't consider going back to butyl.

Unknown Soldier

Veloflex are basically Vittoria, from what I can gather.

When Vittoria decided to take their production from Italy to "somewhere else", one Director resigned and started Veloflex, hand made in Italy, rather than Thailand.

Happily, open to correction, as i was "told" this.

letape

I have both Vittoria corsa cx tires and veloflex masters. I find that they are comparable in the dry but that the grip level of the veloflex's is much better in the wet.

MediaMan

Any recommendation for a brand of latex tube? Planning to try them, given the enthusiasm for them here. Running GP4000s 25mm.